Pence to visit 3 countries near Russian Federation, stress support

US reaffirming ties with smaller European allies
US Vice President Pence To Visit Estonia, Georgia, Montenegro In Show Of Support
Author

31 July, 2017

"The contribution of the U.S. to the security of the Baltic states and also the whole of Europe is vital, and I certainly wish to thank the vice president", Ratas said before Pence's arrival.

"The vice president's presence here is definitely showing that this is not only about military exercises, but it is also showing unification with our values, with our foreign policy targets, and showing a clear message that we are together", Margvelashvili said.On the last stop, Pence will welcome NATO's newest member with his stop in Montenegro, whose accession to the alliance in June has infuriated Russian Federation.

"Our message to the Baltic States, my message when we visit Georgia and Montenegro will be the same", Pence said in Tallinn.

Pence was speaking on the first leg of a European tour that continues to Georgia and Montenegro.

The trip comes as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania seek USA assurances after years of Russian military expansionism. While recently backing NATO's collective-security pledge, remarks by President Donald Trump have in the past raised doubts about the U.S.'s commitment to the alliance.

On a visit to the Baltics, Pence denounced Russian Federation as an "unpredictable neighbor" that sought to "redraw worldwide borders by force". Washington in the past has argued the missiles are meant to deter missile attacks from Iran and other unpredictable regimes, while Russian Federation sees them as an unacceptable escalation of US power near its borders.

"Well, the president has made it very clear that Russia's destabilizing activities, its support for rogue regimes, its activities in Ukraine, are unacceptable", he told Fox News during an interview in Tallinn, Estonia Sunday.

Putin's decision to cut staff members was also a delayed retaliation to sanctions imposed at the end of Barack Obama's presidency in 2016, when the United States expelled 35 Russian diplomats from the country and seized two compounds used by Russian missions.

In Estonia, Pence is expected to highlight bilateral ties with the US, particularly on trade, investment and cyber issues.

The US Vice President Mike Pence will visit Montenegro on 2 August. On August 1 a meeting between the Prime Minister and the US Vice President will be held at the Administration of the Government of Georgia, followed by joint press statements.

Relations between Moscow and Tallinn have been fraught since Estonia broke free from the Soviet Union in 1991, joining both the EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in 2004.


More news


  • Man goes missing while swimming at Long Island beach

    Man goes missing while swimming at Long Island beach

    A spokesperson for the company told CBS New York grief counselors have been available for employees. Scott Anderson, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, said in a statement.
    Astros' Dallas Keuchel rusty in return from DL

    Astros' Dallas Keuchel rusty in return from DL

    There have been many trade talks including Verlander's name but, it seems as if Verlander will finish his season with Detroit . Matt Boyd lasted 7.1 innings and let in 3 runs on 8 hits and Justin Wilson received his 13th save of the year for the Tigers.
    No extension for filing tax returns

    No extension for filing tax returns

    Intimations relating to I-T returns from CPC , Bengaluru, do not carry any name or signature of the tax officer. On Saturday, the CBDT rubbished earlier reports that the deadline to file tax returns would be extended.
  • Eurozone unemployment falls to 9.1% in June

    Eurozone unemployment falls to 9.1% in June

    One of the ECB's dilemmas is that a steady decline in unemployment is not translating into higher wages, a key driver of inflation.
    Snapdeal Ends $950M Merger Talks With Flipkart

    Snapdeal Ends $950M Merger Talks With Flipkart

    Bahl and Bansal had also expressed reservations about the "indemnity clause" in the proposed deal, the people cited above said. The development follows Flipkart's revised offer of United States dollars 900-950 million to buy its smaller rival.
    Les Murray has sadly passed away

    Les Murray has sadly passed away

    Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said, " Les Murray brought the world game to Australian homes". 'Vale, Les Murray . Murray appeared on a track titled 'What Nationality Is Les Murray?' by Melbourne alternative-rock band TISM.
  • Trump's White House advisor slams media for divorce story

    Trump's White House advisor slams media for divorce story

    He is convinced (as most presidents are) that he is the best communicator, strategist, pollster and everything else for himself. The dismissal of Priebus removes the last major impediment to letting Trump follow those instincts at all times.
    Virat Kohli Hasn't Been Tested as Skipper Yet, Says Sourav Ganguly

    Virat Kohli Hasn't Been Tested as Skipper Yet, Says Sourav Ganguly

    With his replacement Abhinav Mukund scoring 81 in the 2nd innings, Kohli described the selection issue as "massive headache". In ODIs, Kohli has scored 8,132 runs and has slammed as many as 28 centuries and 43 fifties in 189 matches, averaging 54.68.
    Russian Rostelecom has invested $31 million in a hopeless project

    Russian Rostelecom has invested $31 million in a hopeless project

    If Google has over 49 million clicks per day, the audience of "Sputnik" is not more than 4.2 thousand. Earlier it was announced that "Sputnik" will be able to create its own maps in the nearest future.
  • Judges block bid to prosecute Tony Blair over Iraq War

    Judges block bid to prosecute Tony Blair over Iraq War

    In 2006, the House of Lords ruled there is no such crime as the crime of aggression under the law of England and Wales. The appeal to the High Court followed a decision by Westminster Magistrates' Court past year to reject his bid.
    Peel Hunt Reiterates

    Peel Hunt Reiterates "Buy" Rating for Acal plc (LON:ACL)

    The Firm is engaged in credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services. Equity research analysts at Investec Securities now has a GBX 385.00 target price on National Express Group (LON:NEX).
    England cricket stars travel by Tube to South Africa Test match

    England cricket stars travel by Tube to South Africa Test match

    The team are in the middle of a five-day Test match against South Africa at the Oval in south London . Bowling: Morkel 9-3-20-1; Philander 6-0-30-0; Rabada 4.2 -3-9-0; Morris 2-0-10-0.