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NATO anniversary party turns ugly as US rips Germany, Turkey

US Vice President Mike Pence harshly criticized Germany and Turkey on NATO's 70th anniversary. [AFP]

Tensions soared Wednesday between the United States and two of its NATO partners, Germany and Turkey, marring a 70th birthday celebration for the alliance aimed at showing a united front against a resurgent Russia.

Hours before foreign ministers from the 29-member Western alliance opened talks in Washington with a leisurely reception, Vice President Mike Pence delivered a stinging rebuke both to Germany over its level of defense spending and to Turkey for buying a major arms system from Russia.

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