(4 Apr 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
++QUALITY AS INCOMING++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brussels, Belgium – 4 April 2025
1. Wide of Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide walking towards journalists
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs:
"I was glad that despite of other differences, we were able to focus on what was the topic of the agenda. We reconfirmed that we agree that Russia is the defining threat of this alliance today and in the foreseeable future."
3. Cutaway of flags
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs:
"There is agreement that we need to do more and that we will work towards the summit in The Hague on maybe setting a new target. These discussions are ongoing; 5% is of course much more than the U.S. itself spends and it’s a very high ambition and we are not ready to commit to a number at this time. Just as it’s important to spend more, it’s also important to spend more smartly."
5. Wide of Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly walking towards journalists
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Melanie Joly, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister:
"Well, my point to that is it is important that we all agree that Russia is a threat. If not, I don’t know why we should always increase more and more defense spending."
7. Wide of Estonian Foreign Affairs Minister Margus Tsahkna walking towards journalists
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Margus Tsahkna, Estonian Foreign Affairs Minister:
"Many countries are already increasing their own defense investments as Estonia. We have decided that we are going to increase our defense investments from the next year already up to 5%. So we do expect as well that all the other members reaching at least like 3.5% of GDP. And I do hope that we’re going to agree that during the Hague summit this summer."
9. Wide of Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Elina Valtonen walking towards journalists
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Elina Valtonen, Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister:
"Russia genuinely is not seeking peace. If Russia were seeking peace, they would lay their arms down like today, right? And they were the ones who invaded in the first place. Now, if they aren’t able to commit themselves to a full ceasefire within a few days, then I guess we will just have to realize that we will have to continue with the strategy which we have been applying over the course of the months and years in the first place, which is aiding Ukraine further, sanctioning Russia and weakening Russia by doing that, and at the same time of course investing into our own defense and deterrence. And I’m so happy that as Europe, as the alliance, we truly see the threat that Russia is posing and now we’re willing to take the necessary steps to contain that threat."
11. Wide of arrivals area
STORYLINE:
NATO foreign ministers, gathering in Brussels for their second day meeting, welcomed the assurance they got from the U.S. that Russia remains a threat for the alliance.
Concern was raising since U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned last month that American security priorities lie elsewhere, in Asia and on the United States’ own borders.
European allies and Canada also are deeply concerned by U.S. President Donald Trump’s readiness to draw closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tried to reassure wary members of the U.S. commitment to the alliance.
"It is important that we all agree that Russia is a threat. If not, I don’t know why we should always increase more and more defense spending," said Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/3f36a698b5334a439bb0ba5355bf33d6
Author: AP Archive
Go to Source
News post in April 9, 2025, 12:04 pm.
Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News Post In – News
