MADRID (AP) — The Latest on the NATO summit in Madrid:
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Some 10,000 police are locking down Spain’s capital for the NATO summit.
The gathering of 40 world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, is taking place behind roadblocks formed by police vans and armored cars.
They are ringing Madrid’s vast IFEMA conference center on the edge of the city, where the talks open Wednesday.
Spain’s National Police have deployed surveillance drones, while the flying of civilian drones is prohibited during the event.
Local authorities have recommended that Madrid residents work from home if possible and avoid further complicating the traffic problems caused by the security apparatus.
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— Turkey lifts objections to Sweden, Finland joining NATO ahead of alliance summit
— Biden, NATO to beef up force posture amid Russian aggression
— Macron says Russia can’t win in Ukraine
— The AP Interview: Spanish PM says NATO summit to show unity
— OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the military alliance faces its “biggest challenge” since World War II amid the war in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg said at the start of the NATO summit in Madrid on Wednesday that the allies are meeting “in the midst of the most serious security crisis we have faced.”
“This will be a historic and transformative summit,” he told reporters.
Stoltenberg said the alliance is going to agree on deterrence to be able to deploy more combat formations and get more pre-positioned equipment in Eastern Europe by next year.
Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy is expected to address the 30 leaders via video link Wednesday, as Russia’s invasion stretches into its fifth month.
The gathering has already seen a breakthrough agreement between Turkey and Finland and Sweden for the Nordic countries to begin their accession process.
The asked to join the alliance after witnessing Russia’s brutal attack on its neighbor Ukraine, but Turkey had some misgivings that were overcome Tuesday.