European leaders downplay scepticism from Trump about Nato solidarity

From left, European Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrive for an EU Summit at the European Council building in Brussels (Omar Havana/AP)

European Union leaders downplayed scepticism from US President Donald Trump about solidarity among Nato members a day after they backed plans to spend more on defence amid wavering US support.

After European leaders committed Thursday to freeing up hundreds of billions of euros for security, Mr Trump said he was “not so sure” that the military alliance would come to the United States’ defence if the country were attacked.