Obama lands in Britain aboard Air Force One

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Sixth-in-class of the Royal Navy's state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyers, which is one of summit venues, has arrived
HMS Duncan to hold working dinner for heads of government, foreign ministers and defence ministers tomorrow
Destroyer yesterday joined the M-05 Viesturs ship from Latvia, a minehunter, which was already docked at the site
They're set to be joined by the Dutch minesweeper HNLMS Urk and missile patrol boat HNoMS Skudd from Norway
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon says that Nato must 'toughen up' to deal with the modern-day threats it faces
Ministry of Defence is signing £3.5billion contract for almost 600 new armoured vehicles on the eve of the summit

Published: 10:56 EST, 3 September 2014 | Updated: 19:56 EST, 3 September 2014

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President Barack Obama has touched down in Cardiff ahead of tomorrow's Nato summit as world leaders prepare to tell Russia to retreat from Ukraine's borders.

The US leader made clear the alliance stood ready to defend the territorial integrity of 'every single one' of its 28 member states at the two-day conference - a sentiment supported by David Cameron.

And Vladimir Putin showed signs he was feeling the pressure, issuing a call to the pro-Russian separatists to 'stop advancing' while urging the Ukrainian army to withdraw its troops from the region.

However his words are unlikely to satisfy Western leaders who have threatened to tighten the economic sanctions against Russia unless it withdraws its support for the insurgents and ends its attempts to destabilise the government in Kiev.

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Touch down: President Barack Obama has landed in Cardiff ahead of the Nato summit where he will tell Russia to retreat from Ukraine's borders

High security: The US leader flew into the Welsh capital's Celtic Manor, near Newport, on board Marine One

Back up: President Obama leaves RAF Fairford onboard Marine One, going to the Celtic Manor, Newport for the NATO summit, chaperoned by a chopper

Pressure: The president is expected to respond to accusations of indecision at the summit, with discussions on Ukraine, ISIS and Boko Haram

Talks: The American leader had just left the Baltic where he engaged in talks with leaders who fear they are next in Russia's target line

Greetings: Obama greeted US Air Force Colonel Douglas Mellars (left) and US ambassador Matthew Barzun (right) as he arrived at Royal Air Force Station Fairford

The heads of government, foreign ministers and defence ministers will initiate discussions with a working dinner tomorrow on the HMS Duncan, a £1 billion ship.

The sixth-in-class of the Royal Navy's state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyers made it through a very tight gap in the Welsh capital yesterday as diplomats flew in.

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Destroyer HMS Duncan yesterday joined the M-05 Viesturs ship from Latvia, a minehunter, which was already docked at the site.

They are set to be joined by the Dutch minesweeper HNLMS Urk, and a missile patrol boat in camouflage colours called HNoMS Skudd from Norway.

Also there will be the German-built minesweeper LNS Kursis from Lithuania and the latest French anti-submarine destroyer La Motte Picquet.

In addition, the Royal Navy's HMS Biter patrol boat and HMS Express fast patrol boat will be part of the contingent.

Carefully does it: Type 45 air-defence destroyer HMS Duncan arrives at Cardiff, south Wales, in preparation for the upcoming Nato summit

Getting her in: The Navy joins thousands of police officers armed with guns who are on the streets of Cardiff ahead of the Nato summit

Squeezed in: The sixth-in-class of the Royal Navy's state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyers, which is one of the summit venues, arrived in the Welsh capital yesterday

Docked: The £1billion HMS Duncan will be holding a working dinner for heads of government, foreign ministers and defence ministers tomorrow

Obama arrives in UK ahead of NATO summit

In response to the Ukraine crisis, the U.S. has vowed to contribute troops and equipment to a rapid response force in Eastern Europe that would be able to deploy within 48 hours.

Nato has already stepped up its air, land and sea rotations in the region.

And Obama announced last night that he would send more Air Force units and aircraft to the Baltics, likely to Estonia's Amari Air Base.

The alliance is also planning to establish forward operating bases in eastern Europe where fuel, ammunition and other supplies can by stockpiled ready for use in operations.

With Britain and the US two of only four member states to meet the alliance's obligation to spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence, Mr Cameron and Mr Obama will be pressing other leaders to raise their spending on their armed forces.

The US president had some harsh words for European members who had failed to deliver on their commitments in the past.

'For I think a certain period of time there was a complacency here in Europe about the demands that were required to make sure that Nato was able to function effectively,' he said.

'Obviously what's happened in Ukraine is tragic, but I do think it gives us an opportunity to look with fresh eyes and understand what it is that's necessary to make sure that our Nato commitments are met.'

Mr Cameron and Mr Obama will hold talks tomorrow with president Poroshenko - together with Mr Hollande, German chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi - ahead of the main summit meeting.

Taken through: A Ministry of Defence photograph of the UK's latest warship HMS Duncan arriving in Cardiff ahead of the Nato summit

Capturing the moment: People take photographs of HMS Duncan that is moored in Queen Alexandra Dock ahead of the Nato Summit 2014

Photos: With just 30in manoeuvring room either side, the imposing HMS Duncan has arrived in Cardiff ahead of the much-anticipated Nato summit

Security: Police have arrived in Wales from across the UK in numbers ahead of the Nato summit being held in Newport on Thursday and Friday

'The alliance must demonstrate clearly that Russia's actions are unacceptable and that we stand by the people of Ukraine and their right to decide the future of their country,' a UK government source said.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said last night that Nato must ‘toughen up’ to deal with the modern-day threats it faces - including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, terrorist threats from ISIS in Iraq, and the rising control of Boko Haram in northern Africa.

He spoke after attending a meeting of the Government’s Cobra emergency committee in the wake of the latest video apparently showing the beheading of a second US journalist.

Mr Fallon did not comment in detail on the killing, nor on a British hostage who has been threatened by Islamic State extremists, at the conference.

But he called for changes to Nato, including a faster response to threats, better co-operation, and a commitment by all members to increase their defence spending.

Incoming: The French anti-submarine destroyer La Motte Picquet arrives in Cardiff Bay, ahead of the Nato summit at the Celtic Manor Resort

Watching on: La Motte Picquet arrived as Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said today that Nato must 'toughen up' to deal with the modern-day threats it faces

Ship shape: The French anti-submarine destroyer La Motte Picquet carefully negotiates its way into Cardiff Bay, ahead of the Nato summit

Getting ready: Royal Navy patrol boats are seen in Cardiff docks ahead of the Nato Summit 2014. Final preparations are being made in both Cardiff and Newport

On guard: Armed police patrol Cardiff Bay in Wales on the eve of the Nato summit. Some 67 world leaders will be attending the event

He told the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) conference: ‘Despite certain similarities to the Cold War era, it is obvious now that we live in rather different times.

‘The world is more interconnected than it’s ever been. The threats have evolved since Nato last focused on collective defence. We are now witnessing almost daily atrocities unfold across the Middle East.

HMS DUNCAN: TYPE 45 DESTROYER

Top speed: 29 knots
Range: 7,000 nm at 18 knots
Displacement: 7,350 tons full load
Length: 500ft
Crew: 187
Construction: BAE Systems
Launched: October 11, 2010

‘Yesterday Isil fanatics appears to add the sickening killing of Steven Sotloff to the long litany of barbaric acts that have been committed.’

He said member states faced a ‘stark choice’, to either ‘ enfeeble’ the alliance by letting investment dry up, or by ‘reviving its spirit’.

‘Let me be very clear about the UK’s position,’ he said. ‘It’s time now to toughen up so that Nato can deal with the aggression and the threats that we face.

‘That means rapid reaction forces that are worthy of the name, that means better sharing of capability, and it means the first ever public commitment to increase defence spending.

‘That will demonstrate to all those who threaten us that the state of our transatlantic bond is strong. The unpredictable and uncertain threats of today and tomorrow demand nothing less than that.’

Calling for Britain’s Nato allies to increase their defence investment to prove the alliance ‘means business’, Mr Fallon warned the United States will not go on ‘picking up the cheque’ if Europe chooses to prioritise social welfare spending when ‘threats are on our doorstep’.

He said: ‘Nato was formed on the basis that Europe would pay her way. Like any insurance policy, defence only pays out when you pay in.’

His comments echo those made yesterday by Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who told Nato parliamentarians: ‘European Nato allies cannot expect the US to continue to carry the burden of defending Europe if European taxpayers are not willing to invest in their own security.’

It was also revealed today that the Ministry of Defence is signing a £3.5billion contract for almost 600 new armoured vehicles on the eve of the summit.

Obama says NATO must strengthen Ukraine's military

On your bike, son: Police officers patrol streets on motorcycles in Cardiff, on the eve of the Nato summit

Stance: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon (pictured today) has said Nato must 'toughen up' to deal with the modern-day threats it faces

Presence: Police stand guard at Cardiff Castle, ahead of the Nato summit in south Wales

Tank: A police officer walks past a military vehicle exhibit on the grounds of the Celtic Manor Resort prior to a Nato summit in Newport, Wales

Britain will make the case at the meeting for increased defence spending by the alliance's 28 member states.

The contract for 589 Scout Specialist Vehicles, being signed at General Dynamics in Oakdale, south Wales, is the largest single order placed by the MoD for armoured vehicles for more than 30 years.

Delivery of the first vehicles is expected in 2017, with a training establishment and first squadron due to be equipped by mid-2019 and a brigade ready to deploy by the end of 2020.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who was today travelling to the summit venue near Newport ahead of tomorrow’s opening of the two-day gathering, said the contract would secure 1,300 jobs across the UK and sustain 300 posts in Wales.

The police presence in Newport has been increased ahead of the summit which will host more than 60 delegates from 28 countries and thousands of support staff

An armed police officer (left) and officer right, at Cardiff Castle, pictured in a light blue cap that police are being asked to wear to symbolise they are working as a team

Police guard a road leading to HMS Duncan that is moored in Queen Alexandra Dock ahead of the Nato Summit hosted at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport

British police officers walk past an F35 jet model as thousands of officers arrive in Newport and Cardiff after they were drafted in from across the country to police event