- Title: U.S. VP Pence calls on Russia to reverse course
- Date: 31st July 2017
- Summary: PENCE TAKING PLACE ON PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. VICE PRESIDENT, MIKE PENCE, SAYING: "President Trump has made it clear that every NATO member must in his word finally contribute their fair share and meet their financial obligation. At this moment I'm proud to stand in the heart of one of only five NATO member nations that meets this basic standard." PENCE GIVING SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. VICE PRESIDENT, MIKE PENCE, SAYING: "At the heart of our alliance is a solemn promise that an attack on one is an attack on all. But this oath requires action and every NATO member must renew their commitment to our common defence and they must renew it now." SOLDIERS STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. VICE PRESIDENT, MIKE PENCE, SAYING: "Under President Trump, the policy of the United States of America is to place the security and the prosperity of America first. But as the president has made clear, and as my presence here today demonstrates, America first does not mean America alone." PENCE DURING SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. VICE PRESIDENT, MIKE PENCE, SAYING: "President Trump has called on Russia to cease its destabilising activities in Ukraine and elsewhere and to cease its support for hostile regimes like North Korea and Iran. And under President Trump, the United States will continue to hold Russia accountable for its actions and we call on our European allies and friends to do the same. In a sign of our commitment, very soon President Trump will sign legislation to strengthen and codify the United States sanctions against Russia. The preference of the United States is a constructive relationship with Russia based on cooperation, on common interests. Russia too has said that they would like to normalise relations with the United States. Regrettably, last week Russia took the drastic step of limiting the United States diplomatic presence in their nation. President Trump has made it clear: America is open to a better relationship with Russia but the president and our Congress are unified in our message. A better relationship and the lifting of sanctions will require Russia to reverse the actions that caused the sanctions to be imposed in the first place." KALJULAID, VEJONIS AND GRYBAUSKAITE PENCE ENDING HIS SPEECH
- Embargoed: 14th August 2017 13:36
- Keywords: Mike Pence Estonia visit Russia reverse course Estonia Defence Force sanctions better relationship NATO
- Location: TALLINN, ESTONIA
- City: TALLINN, ESTONIA
- Country: Estonia
- Topics: NATO,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0036S1S0UF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Monday (July 31) told the Baltic states Washington firmly backs NATO's doctrine of collective defence but called again on NATO members to "take action" and "meet their financial obligations".
Pence's comments to the presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, ahead of Russian war games on their doorstep, were clearly intended to reassure following Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump's early lukewarm support for NATO.
Pence said he regretted Russia's decision to "limit the U.S. diplomatic presence" there and called on Russia to "reverse the actions that caused the sanctions to be imposed in the first place".
In retaliation for new sanctions that are to be imposed on Russia by the United States, Moscow has announced the United States must cut 755 diplomatic staff in Russia - about 60 percent - the most dramatic diplomatic demarche between the two countries since the Cold War.
Pence left Estonia for Georgia, where he is due to attend military exercises. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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