This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44802357
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Nato summit: Leaders to focus on Afghanistan conflict | Nato summit: Leaders to focus on Afghanistan conflict |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Nato leaders plan to turn their attentions to the conflict in Afghanistan, on the second day of a summit so far dominated by demands from President Donald Trump. | Nato leaders plan to turn their attentions to the conflict in Afghanistan, on the second day of a summit so far dominated by demands from President Donald Trump. |
Mr Trump on Wednesday urged Nato allies to commit 4% of their annual output (GDP) to military spending. | Mr Trump on Wednesday urged Nato allies to commit 4% of their annual output (GDP) to military spending. |
He also singled out Germany for criticism over its defence spending. | He also singled out Germany for criticism over its defence spending. |
Nato leaders are hoping for a more conciliatory tone on Thursday before Mr Trump leaves for the UK. | Nato leaders are hoping for a more conciliatory tone on Thursday before Mr Trump leaves for the UK. |
In early-morning tweets from Brussels, the US president resumed his criticism. | |
"The U.S. pays tens of Billions of Dollars too much to subsidize Europe, and loses Big on Trade!" he declared. | |
He earlier accused Germany of being held prisoner to imported Russian energy, claiming it is "totally controlled" by Moscow. | He earlier accused Germany of being held prisoner to imported Russian energy, claiming it is "totally controlled" by Moscow. |
EU figures suggest Russia is responsible for between 50% and 75% of Germany's gas imports, but gas makes up less than 20% of Germany's energy mix for power production. | EU figures suggest Russia is responsible for between 50% and 75% of Germany's gas imports, but gas makes up less than 20% of Germany's energy mix for power production. |
What's the plan for Afghanistan? | What's the plan for Afghanistan? |
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani will be present for the second day of talks, and Nato's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg hopes the bloc will agree to fund Afghan security forces until 2024. | Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani will be present for the second day of talks, and Nato's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg hopes the bloc will agree to fund Afghan security forces until 2024. |
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May has already confirmed that the UK will send 440 more troops to serve in non-combat roles in Afghanistan. | Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May has already confirmed that the UK will send 440 more troops to serve in non-combat roles in Afghanistan. |
The US also committed an extra 3,000 troops to support Afghan forces in September 2017 - bringing its total to 15,000. | The US also committed an extra 3,000 troops to support Afghan forces in September 2017 - bringing its total to 15,000. |
US officials have said Washington is planning a strategic review, a year after Mr Trump agreed to remain involved in the 17-year conflict. | US officials have said Washington is planning a strategic review, a year after Mr Trump agreed to remain involved in the 17-year conflict. |
The US-led invasion drove the hardline Taliban from power in 2001, as part of a crackdown on Islamist militants after the 9/11 attacks in the US. | |
Thousands of Nato troops were deployed and a long, bloody conflict followed as the ousted militants fought back. | |
In 2014, Nato formally ended the combat mission, handing over to Afghan forces, whom it had trained. | |
Since then, the Taliban have made substantial territorial gains across the country. A BBC study from January found the group is openly active in 70% of Afghanistan, and controls or threatens more territory than before the foreign troops left. | |
What else is on the agenda? | What else is on the agenda? |
Nato leaders will discuss the alliance's ties with Georgia and Ukraine. Both countries want to join Nato, but their bids are not expected to make progress. | Nato leaders will discuss the alliance's ties with Georgia and Ukraine. Both countries want to join Nato, but their bids are not expected to make progress. |
That is because Russia has engaged in territorial incursions into both states, and Nato rules prevent countries with a land conflict from joining. | That is because Russia has engaged in territorial incursions into both states, and Nato rules prevent countries with a land conflict from joining. |
By contrast, a ceremony will be held for Macedonia after it was invited to begin accession talks on Wednesday. | By contrast, a ceremony will be held for Macedonia after it was invited to begin accession talks on Wednesday. |
Where does Trump go next? | Where does Trump go next? |
When the Brussels summit winds up, Mr Trump will arrive in the UK on Thursday for a two-day working visit. | When the Brussels summit winds up, Mr Trump will arrive in the UK on Thursday for a two-day working visit. |
Mr Trump is the 12th sitting US president to make such a trip, and will spend time with the Queen and prime minister before flying to Scotland to spend the weekend at his golf resort. | Mr Trump is the 12th sitting US president to make such a trip, and will spend time with the Queen and prime minister before flying to Scotland to spend the weekend at his golf resort. |
Thousands of people are expected to protest against his visit across the UK. | Thousands of people are expected to protest against his visit across the UK. |
Mr Trump is due to hold his first summit with Vladimir Putin, in Helsinki, on 16 July. | Mr Trump is due to hold his first summit with Vladimir Putin, in Helsinki, on 16 July. |
He shocked some by quipping that the Nato gathering might prove tougher than next Monday's summit with Mr Putin. | He shocked some by quipping that the Nato gathering might prove tougher than next Monday's summit with Mr Putin. |