Cameron and Obama show unity ahead of Nato summit
David Cameron and President Obama show a united front as leaders are to meet at a two-day Nato summit in Newport, South Wales.
The prime minister and President Obama has insisted that they will not weaken their resolve in the face of threats from Islamic State terrorists. The two days will also be dominated by discussions in Ukraine and how to respond to Russian aggression.
Mr Cameron acknowledged that the brutal killing by IS of a second US hostage, followed by threats to murder a Briton they are holding, meant events in Iraq and Syria would be at the forefront of discussions among the 28 leaders.
As Russia holds a gun to Ukraine and Islamic extremists commit despicable murder, Nato must strengthen its alliance. David Cameron and Barack Obama
Writing with Mr Obama in a joint article for The Times, Mr Cameron warned that democratic nations could not afford to be intimidated in the face of terrorist threats.
“If terrorists think we will weaken in the face of their threats they could not be more wrong. Countries like Britain and America will not be cowed by barbaric killers,” the two leaders leaders wrote.
We the public are being teed up for further military intervention. Whether we actually hit the ball from this Welsh course I cannot yet say.
— Jonathan Rugman (@jrug) September 4, 2014
On Russia they said: “Russia has ripped up the rulebook with its illegal, self-declared annexation of Crimea and its troops on Ukrainian soil threatening a sovereign nation state.
“There are some who say that we shouldn’t get involved in addressing these threats. There are others who doubt if Nato can adapt to meet the challenges we face. It is crucial we address these beliefs head on.”
‘Spearhead force’
Last night French president Francois Hollande bowed to months of pressure from fellow allies with the announcement that he was suspending the delivery of the first of two giant Mistral class helicopters destined for the Russian navy.
Meanwhile Russian President Vladimir Putin showed signs he was feeling the pressure, issuing a call to the pro-Russian separatists to “stop advancing” while urging the Ukrainian army to withdraw its troops from the region.
At the summit, Nato leaders are expected to agree to the formation of a new high-readiness “spearhead” force able to deploy “several thousand” troops – backed by naval and air support – within a matter of days in response to a crisis.
The alliance is also planning to establish forward operating bases in eastern Europe where fuel, ammunition and other supplies can by stockpiled ready for use in operations.