Second day of NATO summit: 'Bad rhetoric, extremely good substance'

(Patria) – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the media on Wednesday morning that the second day of the NATO summit will focus on the division of responsibilities among member states and the issue of China's growing power.

The summit, held to mark the alliance's 70th anniversary at a luxury golf club near London, also aims to reduce tensions and divisions among member states.

Alliance leaders are preparing to respond to US President Donald Trump's accusations that they are spending significantly less on defense compared to the US. EU countries, Turkey, and Canada will announce that they will invest $360 billion in the defense sector by 2024.  

- If we are to invest money and risk the lives of our soldiers, it must be clear to us what the foundations of the NATO alliance are, French President Macron said via Twitter, adding that on Wednesday he will 'defend the interests of France and Europe'.

His initiative also includes a proposal to expand the alliance's political role towards the Middle East and Africa.

The final communique from the summit will also contain a statement from the bloc's members that they will defend each other, while Great Britain will contribute 6 warships, two combat squadrons, and a thousand soldiers to enable NATO to respond to the US request for European members to be in better combat readiness.  

NATO will also warn China, observing its growing military power.

However, a difficult debate is expected, as was the case on the first day of the summit when Trump and Macron exchanged sharp remarks about the future of the alliance.

- As a politician, I am used to being criticized for good rhetoric but bad substance. The opposite is true in the case of NATO, where we have bad rhetoric, but extremely good substance, Secretary General Stoltenberg stated after the first day of the summit.

Macron also accused Turkey of cooperating with ISIL proxies in Syria.

- NATO has survived thanks to open discussions, Canadian leader Justin Trudeau tried to reduce tensions, Euronews writes.