02:39Belgium: Stoltenberg reminds Trump of NATO 'importance' with 9/11 reference
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg avoided commenting on the resignation of General Michael Flynn from his role as US National Security Advisor, during a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday.
Following his refusal to comment, Stoltenberg outlined NATO's importance to the US, stating "We have to remember that a strong NATO is not only good for Europe, but is also good for the United States, because that provides the United States with allies, with friends," before adding "which is of great importance for the United States, we saw that after the 9/11 terrorist attack, the only time NATO has invoked Article 5."
In relation to Russia, Stoltenberg said "As long as we are strong, as long as we are united, as long as we are predictable, then we can also engage in a political dialogue with Russia, so I welcome a dialogue between NATO and Russia, but also, of course, between NATO allies, including the United States, and Russia."
The NATO chief's comments were given following the resignation of Flynn earlier today. The general who failed to disclose that he discussed US sanctions with a Russian official and then subsequently misled then-Vice President-elect Mike Pence about the content of said conversation.
02:39NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg avoided commenting on the resignation of General Michael Flynn from his role as US National Security Advisor, during a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday.
Following his refusal to comment, Stoltenberg outlined NATO's importance to the US, stating "We have to remember that a strong NATO is not only good for Europe, but is also good for the United States, because that provides the United States with allies, with friends," before adding "which is of great importance for the United States, we saw that after the 9/11 terrorist attack, the only time NATO has invoked Article 5."
In relation to Russia, Stoltenberg said "As long as we are strong, as long as we are united, as long as we are predictable, then we can also engage in a political dialogue with Russia, so I welcome a dialogue between NATO and Russia, but also, of course, between NATO allies, including the United States, and Russia."
The NATO chief's comments were given following the resignation of Flynn earlier today. The general who failed to disclose that he discussed US sanctions with a Russian official and then subsequently misled then-Vice President-elect Mike Pence about the content of said conversation.