Ukraine, IS and extraordinary security at NATO summit in Wales
The Celtic Manor hotel near Newport in Wales hosts the two-day NATO summit which began Thursday with the participation of 61 world leaders. Their agenda is topped by two intractable crises: Ukraine and the Islamic State menace. The building is protected by a 19-km long steel fence, tanks, British special operations units and air defense missile batteries. Ahead of the first session, President Barack Obama, Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Francois Holland and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi met with Ukraine President Petro Peroshenko to discuss Russian military steps in his country. As NATO leaders leveled critical remarks at Moscow, reports were received that pro-Russian separatists had begun shelling the outskirts of the key Sea of Azov port of Mariupol.