All posts tagged: Julianne Smith

Two emperors on the edge of two wars  – POLITICO

Two emperors on the edge of two wars  – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

Xi has repeatedly called Putin his best friend. He has also repeatedly refused to do anything to stop Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and supplied dual-use military technologies, weapon-building components and satellite imagery, warns the U.S., to Russia.  In a recent interview with POLITICO, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith highlighted Beijing’s support for Moscow, saying that China could not proclaim to be neutral in the conflict any more. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also described Chinese assistance as “[helping] Moscow to inflict more death and destruction on Ukraine.” Talking, not talking In Paris, Macron will provide Xi with his “analysis of developments in the conflict, and [will] convey Ukrainian positions,” the same Elysée official said. The French president “will also raise concerns about the activities of certain Chinese companies that could be directly involved in or contribute significantly to the Russian war effort.” There’s plenty of room for the two leaders to talk past each other.  “It’s going to be a mismatch of expectations,” said Abigaël Vasselier, head of foreign relations at MERICS, a …

Mark Rutte in pole position to be next NATO boss – POLITICO

Mark Rutte in pole position to be next NATO boss – POLITICO

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Under NATO rules, the secretary-general has to be decided “by consensus,” meaning that Rutte still has to garner the backing of all the remaining countries. The official said that the discussions “are not final” but added: “There is increasing momentum behind his candidacy.” Pressure is growing on NATO members to approve Rutte before the leaders’ summit in Washington in July. He would replace Jens Stoltenberg, who has helmed NATO since 2014. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said last week that allies should aim at “completing the selection process probably in the first quarter of this calendar year.” Another senior NATO official confirmed the number of countries that still need to support Rutte, saying that around 10 were still holding back from a yes vote. “We will continue to hear their questions and concerns,” the first official said. “And we encourage … the Dutch mission at NATO to answer those questions.” Source link

With Trump looming, NATO defense chiefs gather to talk Ukraine – POLITICO

With Trump looming, NATO defense chiefs gather to talk Ukraine – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

Russia, of course, remains the biggest problem for most NATO countries. Not only is Ukraine in need of more Western ammunition to sustain an existential fight against invading Russian forces, but Moscow has also significantly escalated its threat to NATO. On Tuesday it designated Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of Estonia, a frontline NATO state, a “wanted” person, in a breach of diplomatic norms. For European allies, however, a greater source of uncertainty is the future of the U.S. security commitment, a fear heightened by Trump’s comments. Amid the unease, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced he wouldn’t attend the NATO meeting in person after being hospitalized for a medical emergency earlier this week. Trump’s electoral rhetoric prompted the U.S. ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, to momentarily shift the focus from Ukraine to U.S. politics when she briefed the media on Tuesday. “Encouraging the Kremlin to attack any NATO ally or alliance territory really puts our soldiers — U.S. soldiers — and our allies’ soldiers in greater danger,” Smith said, referring to Trump’s statements as …