Ukraine and Iraq ‘arc of crisis’ top agenda at NATO summit

The crises in Iraq and Ukraine will dominate talks as world leaders meet at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales for the two-day biennial NATO summit, which begins on Thursday. The 28 heads of NATO states will be joined by a further 27 leaders from partner countries and heads of world bodies including the UN, EU, IMF and World Bank. The two days will be dominated by discussions on Ukraine and how to respond to Russian aggression and the threat of Islamic State (IS).

In today’s world we are, so to speak, surrounded by an arc of crisis. To the east, to the southeast, to the south - and at this summit we will address the whole range of security challenges and improve Nato’s ability to act swiftly if needed.

Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

The murder of U.S. journalist Steven Sotloff by IS fighters, will not change the official summit agenda but ensure intense and urgent talks on the sidelines. The 28 NATO leaders have also agreed to meet Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to hear what support his country wants. It is also a symbolic sign of solidarity which will not be lost on the Kremlin. NATO is under pressure to harden its response to Russian incursions into Ukraine. Plans for a new Rapid Reaction Force will be finalised. It will number around 4,000 troops, on notice to deploy within 48 hours. Logistic and planning teams will be stationed in Poland and the Baltic States along with key equipment to speed up any deployment.

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