Unite against Russia, China and Iran, Pompeo tells Nato

MIKE POMPEO, the US Secretary of State, has appealed for unity to confront “great power” challenges from Russia, China and Iran on the 70th anniversary of Nato.

“We have rightly sought peace through strength here in Nato. We must continue to do so, especially in this new era of great power competition from Russia, from China, and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he told a meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers.

The ministers yesterday approved a new raft of measures in the Black Sea to counter Russia and boost Georgia and the Ukraine – two aspiring Nato members – with increased maritime co-operation, patrols and port visits.

They also renewed demands for Russia to end its annexation of Crimea, release Ukrainian sailors and ships it seized in a confrontation last year in the Sea of Azov and respect the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

The US has said it will withdraw from the 1987 treaty in August unless Russia returns to compliance.

However, the meeting in Washington was also marked by public rifts between the member states.

The US rebuked Turkey over its planned purchase of a Russian air defence system and demanded that other allies, particularly Germany, boost their defence spending.

In a meeting with Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the Turkish foreign minister, Mr Pompeo made clear Washington’s displeasure with Ankara for insisting it would buy Russia’s advanced S-400 system instead of the American Patriot system. Turkey says it is proceeding with the deal because the need is urgent and the Patriots could not be delivered for another decade.

The Trump administration’s anger is such that Mike Pence, the Vice President, suggested on Wednesday night that Turkey “must choose” between remaining a key Nato member or risk the security of that partnership “by making such reckless decisions”.