World News 4-5: Germany reassures on US troop withdrawal; Cuba will not negotiate political reform with US
Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz downplayed the US plan to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, stating it's not unusual and not retaliation for recent disagreements.
- Merz affirmed his commitment to the transatlantic relationship and cooperation with US President Donald Trump, despite past tensions.
- Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla reiterated that Cuba will not negotiate political reforms with the US, warning of new military threats from Trump's administration.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sought to de-escalate tensions with the United States, particularly concerning President Donald Trump's announcement of withdrawing 5,000 American troops from bases in Germany. In a recent interview, Merz characterized the troop withdrawal as "not something new" and suggested that the issue might be "a bit exaggerated." He emphasized that the decision is not a retaliatory measure stemming from recent diplomatic friction between the two leaders, specifically referencing Trump's criticism of Merz's remarks about Iran's negotiating stance.
Merz reaffirmed his dedication to the transatlantic alliance and cooperation with the US, signaling a desire to maintain strong ties despite political differences. He noted that Trump's call for a reduced US military presence in Europe and for European nations to assume greater responsibility for their own security has been a recurring theme since Trump's first term. This perspective from Berlin suggests a pragmatic approach, aiming to manage the situation without jeopardizing the broader strategic partnership.
Có thể vấn đề đang bị thổi phồng một chút, nhưng đây không phải điều gì mới.
Meanwhile, in Havana, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla firmly restated Cuba's position against negotiating political reforms with the United States. Speaking at an international gathering on International Workers' Day, Parrilla stressed that Cuba would never discuss issues pertaining to its sovereignty, independence, or the self-determination of its people with the US. He also issued a warning regarding what he described as "new, clear, and direct military threats" from the Trump administration, particularly in light of the intensified economic embargo against Cuba.
Separately, the article reports on two US soldiers missing during a joint military exercise, African Lion, in Morocco, with initial indications suggesting they may have fallen into the sea near a cliff. Search and rescue operations are underway. Additionally, the World Health Organization confirmed an outbreak suspected to be Hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, resulting in three deaths and three other illnesses, with investigations ongoing.
Cuba sẽ không bao giờ thảo luận với Mỹ những vấn đề liên quan đến chủ quyền, độc lập và quyền tự quyết của người dân Cuba.
Originally published by Tuổi Trẻ in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.