White House Roundup
Thursday April 24, 2025
President Donald Trump hosted Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway at the White House. There were two opportunities given to the White House Press Corps to speak with the two leaders and members of their delegations.
The two sides answered White House Press questions on matters ranging from tariffs, gas, Russia and Ukraine. President Trump stressed that he was not happy with Russia following that country’s strike on Ukraine, overnight. He maintained that he wanted peace between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Støre invited President Trump to Norway. Likewise, in reference to the Russian-Ukrainian war, Støre submitted that they need to have a ceasefire to save lives and move towards something which is more secure for Europe and the people concerned.
In the Norwegian delegation was former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg who is the current Minister of Finance of Norway.
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In addition, the White House held a meeting between Administration officials and the head of NATO.
NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte met with President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.
After the meeting, NATO’s Secretary General Rutte spoke to White House Press. He said he had a good meeting with President Trump and his team, and that huge steps have been taken in the last several days on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, that the ball is in Russia's court. Further, he added that he doesn't see the US withdrawing from peace discussions.
Lastly, Secretary General Rutte said that the US was very excited about the fact that NATO was spending so much more on defense, particularly the European and Canadian side. This effort is geared towards making sure that the other members equalize what the US was spending. "This is really a NATO which is stronger, which is fairer, which is also more lethal", he argued.
Secretary-General Rutte is a former Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway at the White House.
Photo by Cherub Nicholls
NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Thursday April 24, 2025. Photo by Cherub Nicholls