HANNOVER, Germany (AP) — The Latest on President Barack Obama’s visit to Germany (all times local):
President Barack Obama says he’s sending up to 250 more troops to Syria to “keep up this momentum” against Islamic State group.
Obama is speaking at a trade fair in Hannover, Germany. He says the additional troops won’t be leading the fight on the ground, but they’ll be “essential.” He says their goal will be to drive IS back from territory.
Obama says existing U.S. special forces in Syria have been critical in lending expertise to local forces. Obama says some of the additional troops he’s sending will be special forces.
The president’s announcement brings to 300 the number of U.S. forces battling extremists in war-torn Syria.
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12:15 p.m.
President Barack Obama says “we can’t turn our backs on fellow human beings who are here now and need our help now.”
Obama is speaking in Hannover, Germany. He is crediting German Chancellor Angela Merkel for setting that tone and he is calling for every nation to step up and share responsibility for helping those fleeing violence in the Middle East, including the United States.
Obama says Europe and the U.S. are more secure when welcoming people of all backgrounds and faiths, including Muslims.
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12:00 p.m.
President Barack Obama says Europe has sometimes been complacent in its own defense.
Obama is urging European countries to step up their spending on defense during a speech in Hannover, Germany.
Obama says he wants good relations with Russia. But he says the global community must keep up sanctions on Russia until it fully implements its commitments under a Ukraine deal struck in Minsk.
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11:55 a.m.
President Barack Obama says a united Europe is vital to the world, saying it promotes peace and prosperity.
Obama is making the case that a strong Europe is needed to enhance the world’s security, and he says that Europe and NATO can still do more, particularly in Syria and Iraq.
Obama says all NATO members should be contributing at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product to defense. He says that some European nations have become complacent on defense spending.
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11:40 a.m.
President Barack Obama says when it comes to demonizing minorities, loud voices get attention.
Obama is alluding to American presidential candidate Donald Trump in a speech in Hannover, Germany. He says this is a defining moment.
Obama says inequality and other trends have created concerns and anxieties in the U.S. and Europe that are legitimate and mustn’t be ignored. But Obama says they shouldn’t lead to a mentality where people blame their problems on each other.
Obama is decrying a mindset of singling out people who look or pray differently, whether it’s immigrants or Muslims. Obama says that’s the kind of politics that the European system was set up to work against.