US President Donald Trump, Canadian leader Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron are among a handful of leaders meeting in London for a two-day NATO summit. Tension has already emerged between several world leaders, including between Mr Trump and Mr Macron, and a recent YouGov poll suggests the 70-year alliance is becoming increasingly shaky. The poll, commissioned by German news agency DPA, suggests the majority of the German public are in favour of reducing its reliance on US military.
The survey, of 2,049 people, found 55 percent of Germans believe that European members of NATO should independently protect themselves against attacks – without US help.
In addition, almost half of respondents believe the US should partially (23 percent) or completely (26 percent) withdraw its 30,000 troops stationed in Germany.
Fewer than a third, (32 percent) think the US military should stay in Germany full strength.
Interestingly, the survey also found 54 percent believe NATO should start working more closely with Russia, instead of employing a policy of alienation.
Responses on lifting sanctions against Russia in relation to its conflict with Ukraine on the Crimean Peninsula were more mixed, with 37 percent of those surveyed opting in favour of removing sanctions, while 34 percent were opposed.
Just over half of respondents (54 percent) still believe that NATO is a necessary organisation.
YouGov carried out the survey between November 29 and December 2.
World leaders are currently meeting in the UK to mark the 70th anniversary of NATO, but tensions have emerged between a number of its leaders.
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While the President’s name is not pronounced, many commentators are convinced the world leaders were speaking about the US President.
In the video, Mr Johnson can be heard saying to Mr Macron: “Is that why you were late?”
Mr Trudeau intervenes, saying: “He was late because he takes a 40-minute press conference off the top!”.
Princess Anne’s face is covered and it isn’t clear whether she takes part in the conversation or if she is just politely listening to the guests at Buckingham Palace.
Mr Johnson has denied joking about Mr Trump at the NATO reception.
President Trump hit out at the video and branded the Canadian leader “two-faced”.
Despite the divisions, Mr Johnson – the host of the event – described Nato as a “giant shield of solidarity” that “protects nearly a billion people”.
Speaking at the start of the meeting at a luxury resort in Watford, he said: “As long as we stand together, no-one can hope to defeat us.”
Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg