Stoltenberg in Paris to discuss NATO’s future with Macron

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg was to meet in Paris on Thursday with French President Emmanuel Macron, whose recent public criticism has shaken the military alliance, AP reports. Talks were aimed at preparing the NATO summit in London next week.

Macron’s office said that the French president will push for more unity and coordination within the alliance, and the need for Europe to take on more security responsibilities.

The French president has openly deplored a lack of US leadership and raised concerns about Turkey, since it invaded northern Syria without warning its allies.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that NATO is at least as essential today as it was during the Cold War.