Remarks

Thank you so much Mr Vice President. And it's a pleasure to see you again.

And I want to thank you for the American people, for everything you are doing to keep the whole world safe, basically.

And I know there are many theatres in the world you really have to take your attention to.

So I do understand the issue of burden sharing. It is crucial.

I also want to thank you personally for everything you have done over the years in engaging with Europe. It has been noted. You have been here before and it's really important.

And I look forward also, from that perspective, to our talks. And on Europe stepping up, European part of NATO stepping up, you are absolutely right. It has to be done.

We have to grow up in that sense, and spend much more. We have also had to discuss the defence industrial base.

This is a problem we have both in the US and in the rest of NATO. We are simply not producing enough. We are not keeping up with the Russians and the Chinese.

And then, of course, Ukraine: how to bring Ukraine to a lasting peace. No Minsk again. So it has to be lasting. Putin should never try it again.

And how to get them into a place of maximum strength when the talks starts.

So a lot to discuss and really looking forward also to build the relationship.