Thursday was the official end of the NATO summit, from which Europe reporter Geert Jan Hahn kept us informed. Today he still hasn’t returned home, but he remained in Vilnius to gather the latest news from the summit. Let’s call one last time, about spies and a compliment from a G7 leader.
Geert Jan, your journey is really over, isn’t it?
‘It’s over. Now we’re dealing with hangovers and reactions to reactions. I’m currently walking through an artists’ neighborhood in Vilnius, it’s always nice to be here for a while. I’m visiting a friend who has been living here for a few years, with whom I once moved to Ukraine. ‘
What will you personally remember most about this top?
“Well, I already told you on Thursday night that I was with a number of reporters at the same restaurant as Justin Trudeau. After that conversation, he came to say hello. He was there with his team members, especially those from the embassy that he just opened here. After dinner he thanked the owner and staff and took pictures with them. We asked the owner if she knew who he was, but the answer was no. He saw, I think, from the cameras that we were there that we were reporters, because at one point he casually stopped at the door jamb, wearing his black T-shirt, and said, “Keep it up.’ You are only complimented by the leader of a G7 country.”
On Thursday you mentioned the leader of another country, Zelensky. You weren’t sure then that he was a winner at the summit. Are you out now?
“No, I still don’t know if he went home happy or if the others think he should be happy. Or that he pretends to be satisfied. This is because there has been a lot of criticism against him, so he should have moderated his criticisms, not asked for everything. But it still makes sense, since he’s already achieved so much by asking or approaching people in a playful way, like Germany, for example.’
This time he had a different victim, I think
“Yes, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. In his daily speech that he gave on his way home from the train, I think he was genuinely pleased in the opening paragraphs. About military support, about security agreements with the G7 countries and about the NATO-Ukraine Council, which effectively allows Ukraine to seek advice on an equal footing with NATO countries. But then it happened. Wallace had said that NATO was not an Amazon where Zelensky could deliver his shopping list. According to him, Zelenski could be a little more grateful, after which Zelenski thanks people for the minutes in the video; He mentioned Lithuania, Spain, the Netherlands three times and even Japan and Australia. But Wallace was not mentioned, which was another stab under the water. This makes you wonder: is he really satisfied or is he playing? What comes to mind is that he is the leader of a country at war, and for that he can never be satisfied. The summit could never have been successful for Zelensky if Ukraine had not joined NATO.’
What else caught your eye this week?
‘Sometimes there was nothing to do in the main hall, then world leaders were having a meeting. At that moment I was able to see what was happening at the Public Forum, via a live stream. I found the conversation with Wallace and Ollongren interesting. It was about ammunition and what can and cannot be sent to Ukraine. I also found the conversation with Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, very interesting. You try to read between the lines and listen to what they’re saying, and there were a number of spies in the room who I’ve had contact with to learn what Rutte’s performance was like.’
Spies?
“They were Adája Stoetman of Clingendael and Niels Mulder of Young Atlanticists, young thinkers interested in geopolitics, especially defense and security. The public forum brings together experts and thinkers from around the world to discuss how we can best help Ukraine while protecting our red line. Everything took place in a tent next to the press center, and behind it the politicians sit and discuss. Valued guests such as experts and politicians participate in that public forum and receive questions from the audience. It’s nice because you have a little more discussion and you can also hear people’s thoughts on whether or not to cross that red line. The fact that such a Public Forum takes place close to the summit and is very accessible, that’s the great thing.’
Everything sounds good, Geert Jan. And will you be back in the editorial office next week?
‘Sure, I’ll be back on the 0700 flight on Friday morning as I still had to do all the plans for BNR on Thursday. Had I flown on Thursday I would have had to cancel a lot of things and that would have been a shame. I’ll be back next week, see you then!’
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
