We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/ScriptS - NATO - Tuesday
HEADLINE: NATO Agrees on Pathway for Ukraine as Turkey Backs Adding Sweden
TEASER: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says NATO does not seem ready to invite Ukraine
PUBLISHED AT: 07/11/2023 at 8:40 p.m.
BYLINE: Patsy Widakuswara, Anita Powell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Vilnius
VIDEOGRAPHER: AP, AFP, Zoom, Skype
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Jepsen, DJones, Mia Bush
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AP, AFP, Zoom
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 1:58
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO: ))
[[From Lithuania, U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday this year’s NATO summit represents a “historic moment,” as the security bloc prepares to enlarge while tackling issues around the grinding war in Ukraine. But although the path has been cleared for Sweden’s inclusion in the bloc, Kyiv is not getting a timetable for its membership. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reports from Vilnius. ]]
((NARRATOR))
On the first day of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, the alliance agreed to welcome Ukraine to become a member, without giving a timeframe.
((Radio: NATO chief, Jens Stoltenberg))
((Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General))
"And then the decision to remove the requirement for Membership Action Plan, which actually means that instead of two steps (for Ukraine) to become a member there would now be one step. And we also made it clear that the invitation would be issued when conditions are met."
((NARRATOR))
Stoltenberg’s proposal is a compromise. Some leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, worry a fast track for Ukraine membership means war with Russia.
((NARRATOR))
Meanwhile, Baltic states, including summit host Lithuania, think it will be a deterrence.
((NARRATOR))
All members showed support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the summit.
((Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President))
“Thank you for your help for our defense, for your clear, honest and bold position on your invitation for Ukraine to join NATO.”
((NARRATOR))
NATO leaders also renewed their commitment to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense,
((NARRATOR))
amid Russia's war on Ukraine. Moscow’s aggression has driven countries to join the alliance, soon turning it into a 32-nation bloc.
((President Joe Biden))
"And this is a historic moment, adding Finland and Sweden to NATO is consequential.”
((NARRATOR))
Sweden’s accession was secured after alliance member Turkey dropped its objections,
((NARRATOR))
partly because of Biden agreeing to push the sale of American-made F-16 fighter jets that Ankara has long sought to purchase. Sweden has agreed to back Turkey’s bid to join the European Union.
((Radio: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan))
((Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President))
"I believe that it is now time for consultations at the level of heads of state within the scope of the strategic mechanism, and today I see this meeting at the NATO margins as the first step towards that.”
((NARRATOR))
The summit ends Wednesday, and Biden will head to Helsinki to meet with Nordic leaders.
((Patsy Widakuswara, VOA News, Vilnius))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Vilnius
Embargo DateJuly 11, 2023 21:21 EDT
Byline
Patsy Widakuswara, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
