Trump in UK for Nato summit amid global tension

President Donald Trump kicks off a two-day whirlwind of meetings with NATO alliance members, He will join other NATO leaders in London on Tuesday as the world’s biggest military alliance marks its 70th birthday.

Experts say that with arguments over military spending and NATO’s purpose in the air, the 29 NATO allies are approaching this meeting “with a sense of foreboding”.

Thousands of troops stand ready along Europe’s eastern flank to deter President Vladimir Putin – but France’s President Macron fears terrorism is the greatest threat to the group and Turkey is buying missiles from Russia.

The summit will include receptions at Buckingham Palace and Downing Street and a working session at a golf resort in outer London.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg invited the UK to host this special anniversary meeting in recognition of the UK’s significant role in the organisation’s history.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will try to play peacemaker by breaking off from the election campaign trail for this year’s summit.

“The PM’s position is that NATO is the most enduring and successful alliance in military history and that it continues to adapt to the evolving threats that we face,” his spokesman said.

“It is the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security and it helps to keep a billion people safe.

“The PM will emphasise that all members must be united behind shared priorities so NATO can adapt to the challenges ahead.”

A White House statement last month said: “President Trump looks forward to meeting with the other NATO Heads of State and government to review the Alliance’s unprecedented progress on burden-sharing, including adding more than $100bn in new defence spending since 2016.

“The president will also emphasise the need for the NATO Alliance to ensure its readiness for the threats of tomorrow, including those emanating from cyberspace, those affecting our critical infrastructure and telecommunications networks, and those posed by terrorism.”