Vladimir Putin is “not looking to attack NATO territory”, Donald Trump has said despite an attempted drone strike on a German airport that allies, including the UK, blamed on Russia. The reluctance by the US president to condemn the Kremlin will again raise questions over Washington’s commitment to the long-standing military alliance and its key principle of collective security.

The UK Government this week summoned a senior Russian diplomat to protest at last month’s “egregious and reckless attack” at Leipzig airport. The Prime Minister had earlier expressed the UK’s “full solidarity” with Germany. Andy Burnham, whose first international trip in office was to Kyiv in a show of support, said: “Russian attempts to undermine our united resolve and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and doomed to fail.”

A drone laden with explosives found near a Ukrainian plane was subsequently defused.

The airport is a major international freight hub used for providing support to the Kyiv government, which has been battling invading Russian forces for more than four years.

But pressed in the Oval Office over the incident, Mr Trump said of his Russian counterpart: “I speak to him. I know him very well. Putin’s not looking to attack NATO territory.”

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