US President Joe Biden has cast doubt on Ukraine's chances of quickly joining Nato ahead of a major summit in Lithuania this week.
"I don’t think it’s ready for membership in Nato," he told CNN in an interview aired on Sunday, as he prepared to fly to London.
He said joining the bloc required countries to “meet all the qualifications, from democratisation to a whole range of other issues.”
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Nato's 31 member nations will meet in Vilnius amid high security as the war in Ukraine rages just a few hundred kilometres away.
While squabbling among Nato members is not uncommon, any signs of division in the current climate will be perceived as a weakness by Russia.
On Sunday, German diplomatic sources told the UK's Telegraph newspaper that they were prepared to block Volodymyr Zelenskyy's attempts to join amid fears it could drag the alliance into armed conflict with Russia.
A Nato source suggested German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his team would use the annual summit to press for a collective focus on security assurances, rather than membership proposals, to help Kyiv defend itself without becoming a member.
“Berlin is standoffish at the prospect of offering immediate membership,” the source told The Telegraph.
“It wants a process and time to develop guarantees to essentially block membership.”
The insider added that Germany was trying to avert a scenario that would see President Vladimir Putin “potentially test Article 5”. The clause stipulates if a Nato member is attacked, all of its fellow signatories will consider it an attack on themselves and must come to its defence.
Amid division over Washington’s decision to arm Kyiv with cluster munitions, the allies also appear to be poles apart on how to respond to President Zelenskyy’s calls for accession.
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500 days of war in Ukraine - in pictures
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Germany is not alone in its reluctance to give Mr Zelenskyy a seat at the table in the near future.
The topic poses one of the largest challenges facing Nato.
Some argue that admitting Ukraine would fulfil a promise made year ago and be an important step to deter Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.
But others are sceptical, making the case that such a move could be viewed by Moscow as a provocation.
Douglas Lute, who served as US ambassador to Nato under former American president Barack Obama, said: “Any fissure, any lack of solidarity provides an opportunity for those who would oppose the alliance."
Russian President Vladimir Putin is eager to exploit divisions as he struggles to gain ground in Ukraine and faces political challenges at home, including the aftermath of a brief revolt by the Wagner mercenary group.
“You don’t want to present any openings,” Mr Lute said. “You don’t want to present any gaps or seams.”
England's lowest Test innings
- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887
- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994
- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009
- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948
- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888
- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Miguel Cotto world titles:
WBO Light Welterweight champion - 2004-06
WBA Welterweight champion – 2006-08
WBO Welterweight champion – Feb 2009-Nov 2009
WBA Light Middleweight champion – 2010-12
WBC Middleweight champion – 2014-15
WBO Light Middleweight champion – Aug 2017-Dec 2017
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Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
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Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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