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JD Vance continues Hungary visit after accusing EU of election interference – Europe live | Hungary
Morning opening: And now breathe
Jakub Krupa
US vice-president JD Vance continues his stay in Budapest, where he is expected to address the conservative Mathias Corvinus Collegium this morning on the back of his yesterday’s “not-at-all endorsement” of the embattled prime minister Viktor Orbán, five days out from the key election on Sunday.
His comments yesterday caused quite a stir after he repeatedly blasted the European Union for allegedly interfering with the vote, before repeatedly endorsing Orbán, openly campaigning for him and thus effectively interfering with the election on his own.
Erm. Make it make sense.
Let’s see what he says today.
Elsewhere, European leaders woke up this morning to much-welcome news that, after all, Donald Trump did not follow through on his earlier threat that “a whole civilisation will die” as he struck a provisional ceasefire deal with Iran.
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, just welcomed the news saying the agreement will “bring much-needed de-escalation” and a chance for “negotiations for an enduring solution to this conflict [to] continue.”
France’s Emmanuel Macron said the deal was “a very good thing,” and something to build on.
“We expect, in the coming days and weeks, that it will be fully respected throughout the region and will allow negotiations to take place,” Macron said, adding he would want Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire, too.
Finland’s influential president, Alexander Stubb, also praised the move, saying he “continues to support all the efforts to end the war and to build this ceasefire into a more permanent arrangement in the strait of Hormuz and in the whole Middle East.”
But their relief may not last long as Nato’s Mark Rutte is travelling to Washington today to meet with Trump, US secretary of state Marco Rubio and US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth after their last week’s frustrations with the alliance.
Let’s see if we hear more complaints about it, or if Rutte’s unique, at time bordering on sycophancy, style of communications helps him get Trump to change his rhetoric once again.
Lots for us to monitor and cover. I will bring you all the latest.
It’s Wednesday, 8 April 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Key events
For his speech in Budapest – about to start any moment now – JD Vance will be welcomed at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium by its chair, Balázs Orbán, who also just happens to be the political director in Viktor Orbán’s office (otherwise, no relation).
The discussion will be chaired by the MCC’s director general, Zoltán Szalai.
To give you a taste of what’s likely coming, a panel directly preceding JD Vance’s “fireside chat” in Budapest is all about how Orbán is this great strategist and visionary and the only European leader who really wants to end the war in Ukraine.
But in reality, Ukraine and Hungary are actually locked in an increasingly bitter dispute about all sorts of things, with Orbán actively using Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his political campaigning, and his government actively blocking EU funding for Kyiv and further sanctions on Russia.
Just yesterday, it emerged that Orbán offered to go to great lengths to help Vladimir Putin, telling the Russian leader “I am at your service” in an October call, prompting further scrutiny of Budapest’s ties to the Kremlin just as JD Vance arrived in the city.
Ukraine ‘ready to respond in kind’ if Russia agrees to ceasefire, Zelenskyy says after Iran deal news
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to the Iran ceasefire news by saying that he remains keen to end the Russian invasion on his country with a deal, too.
He said:
“A ceasefire is the right decision that leads to ending the war. It means saving lives, abandoning the destruction of cities and villages, and allowing power plants and other infrastructure to operate normally – and thus provides the time and conditions necessary for diplomacy to deliver results. Ukraine has always called for a ceasefire in the war waged by Russia here in Europe against our state and our people, and we support the ceasefire in the Middle East and the Gulf that paves the way for diplomatic efforts.
Ukraine tells Russia once again: we are ready to respond in kind if the Russians stop their strikes.”
He added that Ukraine had been involved in the Middle East and the Gulf too, “helping protect lives.”
He said:
“Ukrainian expert military teams will continue to work in the region to help further develop security capabilities. The situation in this region has global implications – any threats to security and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf amplify challenges for the economy and the cost of living in every country.”
In Budapest, it’s less than 30 minutes before JD Vance is expected at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium for his “fireside chat.”
(There is probably something to be said here about why an 11am chat with no fire in sight is called a “fireside chat,” but let’s not get distracted.)
I will bring you the latest on his speech when it begins.
Spain ‘will not applaud those who set world on fire because they show up with bucket,’ Sánchez responds to Trump’s ceasefire
Sam Jones
in Madrid
In one particularly punchy response to the Middle East ceasefire news, Spain’s socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, who has been perhaps the most outspoken western critic of Trump’s war in Iran, has said his administration “will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket”.
He said:
“Ceasefires are always good news – especially if they lead to a just and lasting peace. But this momentary relief cannot make us forget the chaos, the destruction, and the lives lost.
“The Spanish government will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket. What’s needed now are diplomacy, international legality, and PEACE.”
For more Middle East news, follow our live blog here:
Morning opening: And now breathe
Jakub Krupa
US vice-president JD Vance continues his stay in Budapest, where he is expected to address the conservative Mathias Corvinus Collegium this morning on the back of his yesterday’s “not-at-all endorsement” of the embattled prime minister Viktor Orbán, five days out from the key election on Sunday.
His comments yesterday caused quite a stir after he repeatedly blasted the European Union for allegedly interfering with the vote, before repeatedly endorsing Orbán, openly campaigning for him and thus effectively interfering with the election on his own.
Erm. Make it make sense.
Let’s see what he says today.
Elsewhere, European leaders woke up this morning to much-welcome news that, after all, Donald Trump did not follow through on his earlier threat that “a whole civilisation will die” as he struck a provisional ceasefire deal with Iran.
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, just welcomed the news saying the agreement will “bring much-needed de-escalation” and a chance for “negotiations for an enduring solution to this conflict [to] continue.”
France’s Emmanuel Macron said the deal was “a very good thing,” and something to build on.
“We expect, in the coming days and weeks, that it will be fully respected throughout the region and will allow negotiations to take place,” Macron said, adding he would want Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire, too.
Finland’s influential president, Alexander Stubb, also praised the move, saying he “continues to support all the efforts to end the war and to build this ceasefire into a more permanent arrangement in the strait of Hormuz and in the whole Middle East.”
But their relief may not last long as Nato’s Mark Rutte is travelling to Washington today to meet with Trump, US secretary of state Marco Rubio and US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth after their last week’s frustrations with the alliance.
Let’s see if we hear more complaints about it, or if Rutte’s unique, at time bordering on sycophancy, style of communications helps him get Trump to change his rhetoric once again.
Lots for us to monitor and cover. I will bring you all the latest.
It’s Wednesday, 8 April 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Key events
6th over: Australia 49-1 (Voll 34, Perry 5)
Nahida comes into the attack for her first over. Voll defends the first ball back very cautiously – the low total gives Australia the luxury of being able to get their eye in against new bowlers. But it doesn’t take Voll long to get settled, she scoops the next ball to the boundary for four. Voll and Perry keep the scoreboard ticking over with a couple of quick singles, then Voll drives one for another four, then follows it up with a third four in the over. She is looking very comfortable out there. Drinks are on the field now.
5th over: Australia 35-1 (Voll 20, Perry 4)
Marufa bowls her third consecutive over and keeps Voll to a single first ball. She then takes Mooney’s wicket, bringing Perry to the crease. Perry is beaten for pace first ball, but then gets off the mark with a boundary next ball. Marufa finishes off the over well – a successful one for her.
WICKET! Mooney c Ritu b Marufa (Australia 31-1)
Just when it looks like Australia are cruising through to a quick victory, Marufa gets the breakthrough, thanks to a sharp catch from Ritu.
4th over: Australia 30-0 (Voll 20, Mooney 10)
Khatun bowls her second over and Voll looks a little frustrated – she had got on top of Marufa’s bowling, but can’t quite pick up the pace of Khatun early in this over. But she quickly shakes it off, moves her feet to the ball and drives one for four. She then takes a single to get Mooney on strike and she joins the boundary fun as well, with another nice drive for four.
3rd over: Australia 21-0 (Voll 15, Mooney 6)
Marufa resumes her spell and starts with two dots to Voll. But Voll has quickly had enough of this dot business and gets down on one knee and smacks the ball straight back over Marufa’s head for the first six we’ve seen this game. The commentators talk about the strength coming from her background as a rugby league player and it is quite something to hear the words “rugby league” in a Caribbean accent. A tough over for Marufa, but a very good one for Voll.
2nd over: Australia 10-0 (Voll 4, Mooney 6)
Khatun opens the bowling from the other end, with Mooney on strike. Mooney gets a look at the bowling, then works a single down the leg side. Voll plays a crunching shot, which can only pick up a single and then Mooeny finds Australia’s first boundary for the match with a slog sweep for four.
1st over: Australia 4-0 (Voll 3, Mooney 1)
Marufa takes the new ball for Bangladesh and it’s a great delivery to start to Voll, getting swing straight away. There’s a big appeal for lbw on the second ball, but the umpire isn’t interested and Marufa decides not to review. The next ball it looks like a catching opportunity, but the ball falls just short of Nahida. Finally Voll gets off the mark with a single and then Mooney keeps the strike rotating with an effortless single. Voll finishes with a well run two.
Players are heading back on to the field now – the chase is about to get under way!
Bangladesh set Australia 78 for victory
It seemed like Bangladesh may not bat out their overs early on when wickets were raining down all around them. But they held their nerve to get the full 20 overs in, which they will take heart in. Nigar Sultana Joty was the best of the batters for Bangladesh with 27, but her strike rate of 57.45 wasn’t enough to set a strong total for her team. The bowling was a team effort for Australia, with Perry, Molineux (both 2-14), Garth (2-18), Wareham (1-7) and Sutherland (1-12) all in the wickets.
You would have to predict that Australia will make fairly short work of chasing down this total, but Bangladesh will be determined to take some wickets and make them work hard for it.
Stay with us – we’ll be back on the other side of this innings break with the chase!
20th over: Bangladesh 77-8, (Nahida 2, Khatun 0)
Into the final over of Bangladesh’s innings – can they find a few more runs here to give themselves something to bowl at? Sutherland is thrown the ball to finish things off for Australia. She catches a top edge from Rabeya and both Harris and Mooney chase it down, but neither of them can get to it in time and Rabeya dashes through for two. Sutherland finally hits the stumps with a throw after a couple of misses she was disappointed about early in the innings. But Rabeya has her bat grounded by millimetres and is safe. Sutherland gets the breakthrough a few balls later and Khatun comes to the crease for the final ball, which is a dot.
WICKET! Rabeya lbw Sutherland 8 (Bangladesh 77-8)
Sutherland gets the ball keeping low and slides it under Rabeya’s bat for a clear lbw. Again Bangladesh review, but ball tracking shows the umpire got the call correct.
19th over: Bangladesh 73-7, (Nahida 1, Rabeya 5)
Molineux takes the ball at the death, looking to close this match out. She starts the over well, but then Nigar finds some space in the field for a well-played two. She then unfortunately loses her wicket, bringing Rabeya to the crease to try to close out this game with some runs for Bangldesh. She does so with style, getting off the mark with a little flick down past fine leg for four.
WICKET! Nigar lbw Molineux 27 (Bangladesh 68-7)
Nigar has been playing some nice shots, but this delivery gets her all tangled up and she can’t get herself out of the way of the stumps. She reviews, but it’s a pretty clear wicket and ball tracking shows it’s easily hitting the stumps.
18th over: Bangladesh 66-6, (Nahida 1, Nigar 25)
Garth bowls her final over, continuing her very uncomfortable length to unsettle the batters. She loses her line a little midway through the over and Nigar finds the boundary over extra cover for four.
17th over: Bangladesh 59-6, (Nahida 0, Nigar 19)
Wareham comes back for her second over. Grace Harris gives away an overthrow with a very wild throw at the stumps, but next ball Wareham picks up a wicket – the key breakthrough of Ritu.
WICKET! Ritu c Voll b Wareham 16 (Bangladesh 59-6)
Finally Australia get the wicket they’ve been searching for. Ritu gets down sweeping to the leg spin of Wareham, but only succeeds in spooning it straight to Georgia Voll.
16th over: Bangladesh 57-5, (Ritu 14, Nigar 19)
Perry gets another over – Molineux definitely wants a couple more wickets here so as not to let Bangladesh settle. They bring up their 50 from the first ball of the over, then follow it up with a four to Ritu, which gets the crowd on their feet! Australia can’t get the breakthrough they’re after this over, but they continue to make things tough.
15th over: Bangladesh 49-5, (Ritu 9, Nigar 16)
Back from drinks and it’s another King over as we come towards the end of Bangladesh’s innings. King is getting great flight, but Nigar brings her feet to the ball to cut off the spin and is finding ways to score runs, though not as many as she would like.
14th over: Bangladesh 45-5, (Ritu 8, Nigar 13)
Molineux returns for her third over and she gets a top edge from Nigar straight away, but it goes into the visor of Nigar’s helmet and falls just in front of her. These two batters are playing quite patiently, which makes run-scoring difficult, but after losing so many wickets early, it makes sense that they’d be playing cautiously. Drinks are on the field now.
13th over: Bangladesh 43-5, (Ritu 7, Nigar 12)
Exciting times – Alana King has entered the attack! While Wareham seems to be the preferred leg spinner in the Australian team, I think the turn that King gets makes her so dangerous and so exciting to watch. She creates a chance late in the over, getting Nigar hitting on the up, but it lands safely.
12th over: Bangladesh 41-5, (Ritu 6, Nigar 11)
Sutherland continues and both Nigar and Ritu seem to have found a little bit of rhythm now and are swinging with a bit more freedom. If they can build a bit of a partnership here, they could give their team some hope and a platform to build from.
11th over: Bangladesh 37-5, (Ritu 5, Nigar 10)
We get our first look at leg spin with Georgia Wareham entering the attack. Bangladesh find some quick singles to keep the strike rotating early in the over before Ritu gets down low and sweeping to search for the boundary, but unfortunately can only manage another single. A better over for Bangladesh after a tough period.
10th over: Bangladesh 33-5, (Ritu 3, Nigar 8)
Perry bowls her second over and she continues to keep it tight – despite not bowling often these days, she’s demonstrating that she’s still world class. Another strong over from her, just three runs coming for Bangladesh.
9th over: Bangladesh 30-5, (Ritu 2, Nigar 6)
Sutherland bowls her first over and starts with three dots in a very tidy display. Nigar finally scores a run off her, but she looks quite confused about whether she’s hit the ball and where it’s gone before she takes off. A great over from Sutherland, just one run from it.
8th over: Bangladesh 29-5, (Ritu 2, Nigar 5)
Ellyse Perry enters the attack – an increasingly rare sight these days, but it turns out to be just the right move as she takes a wicket on her second ball! The 19-year-old Shorna comes to the crease and tries to get settled against the imposing Perry. The first runs of the over come from a wide, but Perry corrects with a wicket (you can trust an overachiever like Perry to correct a minor misstep with a wicket!) Ritu finds some runs through a thick outside edge to get off the mark.
WICKET! Shorna lbw Perry 0 (Bangladesh 27-5)
Well what an over this is from Perry! The ball jags back in at Shorna’s pads and strikes her fairly high, but the umpire’s finger goes up and ball tracking confirms the wicket with an umpire’s call.
WICKET! Mostary c Molineux b Perry 4 (Bangladesh 26-4)
Well it looked like an unusual move to bring Perry in to bowl, but it turns out to be an inpired one! Molineux sets an attacking field and takes a great catch!
7th over: Bangladesh 26-3, (Mostary 4, Nigar 5)
Molineux continues her spell and she starts the over well with three dots. Then Nigar finds a ball that she likes the look of and cuts it neatly for four.
6th over: Bangladesh 22-3, (Mostary 4, Nigar 1)
Garth bowls her third over on the trot, with Australia hoping to keep the wickets coming. It’s Alana King this time with a throw at the stumps, but the Bangladesh batters are quick enough to make their ground. It’s looking like a tidy over from Garth, but Mostary flicks one nicely around the corner to get off the mark with a boundary.
5th over: Bangladesh 17-3, (Mostary 0, Nigar 0)
Molineux comes into the attack for the first time, bowling to her fellow captain Nigar. She hits the pads first ball and the umpire puts her finger up, but Nigar is quick to review and it’s a good decision, as ball tracking reveals the ball is missing the stumps. But she makes up for it with a genuine wicket late in the over.
WICKET! Sharmin lbw Molineux 5 (Bangladesh 17-3)
Molineux quickly gets over the disappointment of having a wicket overturned early in the over, by taking one that Bangladesh don’t review – Australia is making things happen early.
4th over: Bangladesh 16-2, (Ferdous 8, Nigar 0)
The wicket taker is back, with Garth bowling her second over. Sutherland gets another shot at a direct hit run out, but again her throw is wide. And again Garth takes a wicket next ball. I guess this is the way to get Garth fired up – miss run outs and force her to take matters into her own hands? She loses her line late in the over with a marginal legside wide, but finishes the over with another great delivery.
WICKET! Ferdous lbw Garth 8 (Bangladesh 15-2)
Garth keeps the stumps in play and Ferdous can’t get her bat to the ball, beaten by pace as she’s rapped squarely on the pads and doesn’t even look like reviewing.
3rd over: Bangladesh 14-1, (Ferdous 8, Sharmin 4)
Schutt is back for her second over and she starts with a wide, then tidies up her line, then bowls another wide. Next she bowls a rank full toss, but Sharmin is too surprised by it to take advantage and Schutt gets away with a dot. Ferdous skies one from the final ball of the over, but it lands safely and bounces over the rope for the first boundary of the match!
2nd over: Bangladesh 7-1, (Ferdous 4, Dilara 3)
Garth opens the bowling for Australia from the other end and she has a slip in play early. There’s a chance of a run out on the second ball and it would have been well out with a direct hit, but Sutherland’s throw is wide. But next ball, Garth removes Dilara. Sharmin has intent straight away when she comes in – she gets off the mark with a well-played two and follows it up with a single.
WICKET! Dilara b Garth 0 (Bangladesh 4-1)
It doesn’t take long for Garth to strike – she bowls a nice inswinger and Dilara plays all around it and has her stumps taken out.
1st over: Bangladesh 3-0, (Ferdous 3, Dilara 0)
Schutt takes the new ball for Australia, as she has done so often in the past. She starts with a dot, before Ferdous plays a shot that sounds lovely off the bat and finds a gap, but it’s cut off before the boundary and it’s just a two in the end. Schutt finds some movement in the pitch late in the over – it’s a good over from her.
The Bangladesh opening pair of Dilara Akter Dola and Juairiya Ferdous are out in the middle now and we’re ready to begin!
The teams are on the field now for the national anthems – not long to go until the first ball is bowled!
Of course there is a lot of sport going on across the world at the moment and I won’t be offended if you multiscreen to catch all the action. We’ve got a few other live blogs going at the moment, so get them all set up in the right windows before we get underway here.
Ooh an email! Thanks to Dean Kinsella who wrote in to reiterate that we’re definitely following the superior World Cup.
“It’s a no-brainer to be following this world cup rather than the orange tinted one across the water. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the cricket thus far. I think the Aussies are going to be hard to beat judging by the way the Saffers were dispatched.”
Let’s see how Dean’s prediction pans out – things may be tougher for the Australians now with these injury concerns, but they do have a lot of depth in their squad. I think most teams would be pretty happy to have a Grace Harris and a Megan Schutt up their sleeves to bring in after injury.
The big news out of the Australian camp is that Ash Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield have both been ruled out due to injury. Here’s the official word from the team media manager:
Phoebe Litchfield suffered an acute quad injury while batting against South Africa. She is expected to miss Australia’s next three matches. This is a new injury.
Ashleigh Gardner is also unavailable for selection following an acute ankle inversion injury (sprain).
Bangladesh XI
1. Dilara Akter Dola
2. Juairiya Ferdous
3. Sharmin Akter Supta
4. Nigar Sultana Joty (c) (wk)
5. Sobhana Mostary
6. Shorna Akter
7. Ritu Moni
8. Nahida Akter
9. Rabeya Khan
10. Sultana Khatun
11. Marufa Akter
Australia XI
1. Beth Mooney (wk)
2. Georgia Voll
3. Ellyse Perry
4. Grace Harris
5. Georgia Wareham
6. Nicola Carey
7. Annabel Sutherland
8. Sophie Molineux (c)
9. Kim Garth
10. Alana King
11. Megan Schutt
Australia win the toss and choose to bowl
Sophie Molineux doesn’t hesitate at all to elect to field when the coin lands. After batting first in their last game, it’s not surprising they want an opportunity to chase. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana reveals she would have chosen to bat anyway, so it’s win-win!
The coverage has started and while there are some clouds in the sky, it looks mostly sunny, so that’s good news!
You can also read about some English woes if you’re that way inclined – captain Nat Sciver-Brunt had to retire hurt in yesterday’s less-than-comprehensive win over Ireland and they’re now waiting to see how the rest of the tournament will shape up for her.
While we wait for the toss, why not keep yourself entertained with this great preview piece on Australia’s approach to this World Cup from my colleague Martin Pegan?
Today’s match is at Headingley and while it looks like there may be a little rain on the Met Office radar passing over Leeds at the moment, it should clear fairly quickly. Let’s hope it doesn’t delay the start of play!
Preamble
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Megan Maurice
Hello! It seems the whole world has come down with a serious case of World Cup fever and I’m certainly glad you’ve chosen this World Cup to follow along with me. Tonight we have Australia v Bangladesh, with both teams coming off wins in their opening games. Australia spun a web to take a comprehensive 65-wicket win over South Africa, while Bangladesh beat the Netherlands by six wickets thanks to a solid 50 from opener Juairiya Ferdous.
While Australia are certainly favourites for this match, I wouldn’t write off Bangaldesh, especially with their tails up following a good win. There’s plenty to discuss, so let’s get into it. Don’t forget if you have any thoughts on the match, you can drop me an email – I’d love to hear from you!
Twelve police officers and a police dog were injured during protests on 2 June.
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Mark Rutte says Nato needs ‘more forces, more resources’ ahead of defence ministers meeting– Europe live | World news
Morning opening: G7 commits to ‘unwavering support for Ukraine’
Jakub Krupa
Despite some early concerns about Donald Trump’s position, the G7 leaders meeting in France have agreed on a statement declaring their “unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
The statement, published overnight, says:
“We commend Ukraine for its resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months and emphasise there is now a new momentum.
To support and accelerate this new momentum, we agree to increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities.
We are also ready to consider extending to Ukraine the benefit of licenses to allow for an increase in Ukraine’s military production.”
In a classic Trump-era move, the statement on Ukraine also includes some pointed praise of the US president in a pointed attempt to keep him on side:
“We commit to increase the pressure on the Russian war economy. In this context, we will strengthen our sanctions, including those on the oil and gas sectors. We consider this the right moment to proceed with additional measures, as president Trump has delivered a deal that we support in reopening the strait of Hormuz.”
I guess, whatever works, right?
The leaders will continue their talks today discussing economic growth and AI, with the latter session likely to get some attention as they will meet with the bosses of OpenAI and Anthropic.
Later tonight, France’s Emmanuel Macron will host the US president at the Palace of Versailles to mark the 250th anniversary of the US independence. Unusually enthused Trump said last night that it was “a real deal,” and that he was looking forward to it.
Separately, we will hear from Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte this morning ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of the alliance’s defence ministers – and less than a month before the much-dreaded Ankara summit, which once again will be all about keeping Trump on side.
Lots to cover today.
It’s Wednesday, 17 June 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Key events
Potential reopening of dialogue with Russia ‘clearly debated among allies,’ Rutte says
Rutte gets asked about potential reopening of channels with Russia, as advocated by some leaders, including Finland’s Alexander Stubb.
He says “clearly it is something debated among allies,” primarily through the EU, but it’s not something that came up at the Nato level so far.
“It’s really a discussion playing out in the EU at the moment, and of course we are following that, and will be supportive wherever we can.”
Rutte gets pressed on his points about Europe taking more responsibility for their own defence, as he gets challenged that this could take away from their support for Ukraine.
The has the two need to go “hand in hand, and everybody realises that.”
Rutte says that the G7 statement on Ukraine today shows that all Nato allies are “completely commited to making sure that Ukraine maintains its position in the fight against Russia, and is able to defend itself.”
He says the US also continues its support in areas that only they can provide, including the air defence Patriot systems, which is paid for by European and Canadian allies.
He says he wants the summit to deliver “an absolute ironclad commitment” to Nato spending pledges from last year, and to Ukraine.
‘We are not naive,’ Rutte says on reports China helps Russia with military training
Rutte also gets asked about China’s apparent help to Russia through training, as recently disclosed by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
He says Nato is “constantly trying to follow exactly what China is doing.”
“We are not naive. We follow everything exactly. I cannot tell you more at this moment, or at least in this open press conference, but you can be assured that we follow every [bit].”
Rutte gets asked about the Czech Republic’s troubles with getting to 2% defence spending under Andrej Babiš.
He says:
“We know each other for many years, and I know that the Czech Republic is as committed as everyone to what we decided in The Hague.
Czechia did not reach the 2% last year, but I know that the Czech government is working very hard to make sure that when it comes to a credible trajectory, it will be there.”
Rutte says he expects Zelenskyy to have a full programme of meetings at Nato’s summit in Ankara next month, but notably “no sit down with all the 32 leaders.”
Rutte gets asked about what Ukraine is likely to get from the Nato summit next month.
He says there were already some positive statement coming out of the G7 in France.
He says Nato will “focus particularly, of course, on what Ukraine needs to maintain the fight,” including the flow of military equipment, including the US interceptors for the Patriot system.
He says the focus will be on “making sure the money is there.”
“I’m pretty confident that collectively we’ll make sure you have what you need as far as Europeans and Americans can help to defend yourself,” he says.
Rutte gets pushed further about the question on timeline, which he completely avoided answering at the first time of asking.
He gives a muddled answer, saying it’s impossible to answer this question.
“It’s not that you can answer that question with a yes or no. It’s clear that US has adjusted its commitment to the Nato force model, but it’s in technical terms, it is not a yes or no.”
Rutte gets asked about spending commitments, and some countries that appear to be dragging their feet.
He says that overall, the increases are “really staggering,” with many countries “really ramping up” their spending.
Rutte also gets asked about the potential Nato/European assistance in the strait of Hormuz.
He says it comes outside the Nato framework, but it is clear that France and the UK are coordinating on this, and it was discussed at the G7 summit in France.
“Whether Nato will play a role there, yes or no… if helpful, of course we will play a role, but if they can do it without us, also okay; we are always ready to help if so wanted.”
Let’s say journalists are somewhat suspicious of the positive spin Rutte is putting on the changes to the Nato Force Model.
He gets asked about them further.
He stays on message:
“We have already seen that, as the United States has adjusted its pledge contributions, other allies have stepped up to contribute more, in some cases completely, in some cases nearly, but there are also areas that require more work, but the overall picture is looking good.”
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