NATO anniversary party turns ugly as US rips Germany, Turkey

Author:

Shaun TANDON | AFP

article author:

ID:

1554343156047107000

Thu, 2019-04-04 05:37

WASHINGTON: Tensions soared Wednesday between the United States and two of its NATO partners, Germany and Turkey, marring a 70th birthday celebration for the alliance aimed at showing a united front against a resurgent Russia.
Hours before foreign ministers from the 29-member Western alliance opened talks in Washington with a leisurely reception, Vice President Mike Pence delivered a stinging rebuke both to Germany over its level of defense spending and to Turkey for buying a major arms system from Russia.