President Donald Trump says Iran is not living up to the "spirit" of the nuclear deal that it signed in 2015. He's announcing a new strategy in a speech at the White House.

Trump says the administration will seek to counter the regime's destabilizing activities and will impose additional sanctions on the regime to block its financing of terrorism.

The president says the new strategy will also seek to address the proliferation of Iran's missiles and weapons.

And he says the U.S. will deny Iran's paths to develop nuclear weapons.

Washington - 13 October 2017

1. Wide of President Donald Trump walking toward podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"By its own terms, the Iran deal was supposed to contribute to regional and international peace and security. And yet, while the United States adheres to our commitment under the deal, the Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict, terror and turmoil throughout the Middle East and beyond."

3. Wide cutaway of Trump

4. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Importantly, Iran is not living up to the spirit of the deal. So today, in recognition of the increasing menace posed by Iran and after extensive consultations with our allies, I am announcing a new strategy to address the full range of Iran's destructive actions."

5. Wide cutaway of Trump

6. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"We will work with our allies to counter the regime's destabilizing activity and support for terrorist proxies in the region. Second, we will place additional sanctions on the regime to block their financing of terror. Third, we will address the regime's proliferation of missiles and weapons that threaten its neighbors' global trade and freedom of navigation. And finally, we will deny the regime all paths to a nuclear weapon."

7. Wide cutaway of Trump

8. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"I am authorising the Treasury Department to further sanction the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for its support for terrorism and to apply sanctions to its officials, agents and affiliates. I urge our allies to join us in taking strong actions to curb Iran's continued dangerous and destabilising behaviour."

9. Wide cutaway of Trump

10. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Based on the factual record I have put forward, I am announcing today that we cannot and will not make this certification. We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence, more terror and the very real threat of Iran's nuclear breakout."

11. Wide cutaway of Trump

12. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Key House and Senate leaders are drafting legislation that would amend the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act to strengthen enforcement, prevent Iran from developing an internat (sic) -- this is so totally important -- an intercontinental ballistic missile and make all restrictions on Iran's nuclear activity permanent under U.S. law. So important."

13. Wide cutaway of Trump

14. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated. It is under continued review and our participation can be cancelled by me, as president, at any time. As we have seen in North Korea, the longer we ignore a threat, the worse that threat becomes. It is why we are determined that the world's leading sponsor of terrorism will never obtain nuclear weapons."

15. Trump walks away from podium

President Donald Trump says Iran is not living up to the "spirit" of the nuclear deal that it signed in 2015. He's announcing a new strategy in a speech at the White House.

Trump says the administration will seek to counter the regime's destabilizing activities and will impose additional sanctions on the regime to block its financing of terrorism.

The president says the new strategy will also seek to address the proliferation of Iran's missiles and weapons.

And he says the U.S. will deny Iran's paths to develop nuclear weapons.

Washington - 13 October 2017

1. Wide of President Donald Trump walking toward podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"By its own terms, the Iran deal was supposed to contribute to regional and international peace and security. And yet, while the United States adheres to our commitment under the deal, the Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict, terror and turmoil throughout the Middle East and beyond."

3. Wide cutaway of Trump

4. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Importantly, Iran is not living up to the spirit of the deal. So today, in recognition of the increasing menace posed by Iran and after extensive consultations with our allies, I am announcing a new strategy to address the full range of Iran's destructive actions."

5. Wide cutaway of Trump

6. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"We will work with our allies to counter the regime's destabilizing activity and support for terrorist proxies in the region. Second, we will place additional sanctions on the regime to block their financing of terror. Third, we will address the regime's proliferation of missiles and weapons that threaten its neighbors' global trade and freedom of navigation. And finally, we will deny the regime all paths to a nuclear weapon."

7. Wide cutaway of Trump

8. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"I am authorizing the Treasury Department to further sanction the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for its support for terrorism and to apply sanctions to its officials, agents and affiliates. I urge our allies to join us in taking strong actions to curb Iran's continued dangerous and destabilizing behavior."

9. Wide cutaway of Trump

10. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Based on the factual record I have put forward, I am announcing today that we cannot and will not make this certification. We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence, more terror and the very real threat of Iran's nuclear breakout."

11. Wide cutaway of Trump

12. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Key House and Senate leaders are drafting legislation that would amend the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act to strengthen enforcement, prevent Iran from developing an internat (sic) -- this is so totally important -- an intercontinental ballistic missile and make all restrictions on Iran's nuclear activity permanent under U.S. law. So important."

13. Wide cutaway of Trump

14. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated. It is under continued review and our participation can be cancelled by me, as president, at any time. As we have seen in North Korea, the longer we ignore a threat, the worse that threat becomes. It is why we are determined that the world's leading sponsor of terrorism will never obtain nuclear weapons."

15. Trump walks away from podium

President Donald Trump says Iran is not living up to the "spirit" of the nuclear deal that it signed in 2015. He's announcing a new strategy in a speech at the White House.

Trump says the administration will seek to counter the regime's destabilizing activities and will impose additional sanctions on the regime to block its financing of terrorism.

The president says the new strategy will also seek to address the proliferation of Iran's missiles and weapons.

And he says the U.S. will deny Iran's paths to develop nuclear weapons.

Washington - 13 October 2017

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASHES++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"While the United States adheres to our commitment under the deal, the Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict, terror and turmoil throughout the Middle East and beyond."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Importantly, Iran is not living up to the spirit of the deal. So today, in recognition of the increasing menace posed by Iran and after extensive consultations with our allies, I am announcing a new strategy to address the full range of Iran's destructive actions."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"We will work with our allies to counter the regime's destabilizing activity and support for terrorist proxies in the region. Second, we will place additional sanctions on the regime to block their financing of terror. Third, we will address the regime's proliferation of missiles and weapons that threaten its neighbors' global trade and freedom of navigation. And finally, we will deny the regime all paths to a nuclear weapon."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"I am authorizing the Treasury Department to further sanction the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for its support for terrorism and to apply sanctions to its officials, agents and affiliates. I urge our allies to join us in taking strong actions to curb Iran's continued dangerous and destabilizing behavior."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Based on the factual record I have put forward, I am announcing today that we cannot and will not make this certification. We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence, more terror and the very real threat of Iran's nuclear breakout."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated. It is under continued review and our participation can be cancelled by me, as president, at any time. As we have seen in North Korea, the longer we ignore a threat, the worse that threat becomes. It is why we are determined that the world's leading sponsor of terrorism will never obtain nuclear weapons."

US President Donald Trump welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House Friday.

He thanked her for keeping up "maximum pressure" on the North Korean regime in efforts to end it's nuclear ambitions.

Trump says he and Merkel also discussed Iran, adding, "The Iranian regime fuels violence bloodshed and chaos all across the Middle East. We must ensure that this murderous regime does not even get close to a nuclear weapon and that Iran ends its proliferation of dangerous missiles and its support for terrorism."

Trump also said other countries must step up their financial and military contributions to fight Islamic State militants.

Washington, DC - 27 April 2018

1. US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk down hallway to lecterns

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President: (continued from previous shot)

"Thank you very much. Today I'm honored to welcome Chancellor Angela Merkel back to the White House. Over the past year I have enjoyed getting to know the chancellor very well through many productive calls, discussions, and meetings. We have a great relationship. Chancellor, I want to congratulate you once again on your election victory, fourth term in office. It's really something. Congratulations."

3. Cutaway of Merkel nodding at Trump

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"For decades, the alliance and friendship between Germany and the United States has advanced the cause of peace, prosperity and freedom. Today our nations face a wide array of shared challenges and opportunities. And I am confident that we will meet them together with the same strength and resolve that has always defined the United States-German friendship. This afternoon I want to congratulate the Republic of Korea and its historic summit with North Korea. We're encouraged by President Moon and Kim Jong Un's expressed goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. I will be meeting with Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks. We look forward to that and hopefully it will be productive. I want to thank Chancellor Merkel for her leadership in our campaign of maximum pressure on the North Korean regime, which has helped us to reach this important step, this moment where we are right now it's taken a long time many, many decades to get here. Let's see what happens. We seek a future of peace prosperity and harmony for the whole Korean peninsula. Unlocking not only a brighter future for the people of Korea, but for the people of the world. However, in pursuit of that goal we will not repeat the mistake of past administrations. Maximum pressure will continue until denuclearization occurs. I look forward to our meeting. It should be quite something. In our meetings today, the chancellor and I discussed Iran. The Iranian regime fuels violence bloodshed and chaos all across the Middle East. We must ensure that this murderous regime does not even get close to a nuclear weapon and that Iran ends its proliferation of dangerous missiles and its support for terrorism. No matter where you go in the Middle East, wherever there is a problem Iran is right there as we eradicate what little remains of ISIS in Syria, we must also ensure that Iran does not profit from our success. To prevent this outcome, it is essential that our coalition and regional partners step up their financial and military contributions to the anti-ISIS efforts. Some of these countries are immensely wealthy and they are going to start paying for it and paying for this tremendous help that we've given them."

5. Side shot of Trump and Merkel

On Capitol Hill, there was a predictably mixed reaction to President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a nuclear accord with Iran.

While some members of Congress expressed concern, saying the president made a mistake, other Senators praised the move.

"I'm glad we are out of it." Sen. Marco Rubio said after the president's announcement. "Iran ... is more dangerous today than it was the day before the deal was signed."

Rubio, who ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary, said he is not surprised President Trump made the decision to withdraw from the deal, as he had made a promise to do so during the presidential campaign.

Sen. Chris Coons, who sits on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said the decision makes the U.S. "less safe, less secure by weakening our bonds with our allies."

The 2015 agreement had lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program that would make it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections.

Washington - 8 May 2018

++SOTS SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Ben Cardin, (D) Maryland:

"I think the president's made a mistake and our objective is to make sure Iran never has a nuclear weapon and to take action against their non-nuclear violations with cooperation of our European partners. And withdrawing from the nuclear agreement isolates America. I think it helps Iran and it works against our objectives to control their type of activities. We need to strictly enforce the nuclear agreement, we need to build on it. We need to isolate Iran. We need to work with our partners and the president by withdrawing from the international agreement has isolated America."

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"Thoughts? Yeah, I'm glad we're out of it. Because it was a terrible deal and if you look at Iran today, they're stronger and more dangerous than they were before the deal. In Yemen, they have effective control, in Syria, they've started a civil war in Yemen. Hezbollah has more weapons and more reach and more political power in Lebanon than ever before. They've exploited the Gulf kingdom divide. The military budgets have grown exponentially. Iran has more influence and is more dangerous today than it was the day before the deal was signed."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"They knew what was coming. Our allies have known for months and - but here's the bottom line. I campaigned for president and for Senate on the promise of getting rid of this deal. He won on the same promise - he was elected to do this, this is what he said he was going to do. I don't know why it surprises people that someone runs for president. gets elected on the promise of getting rid of the Iran deal and then gets rid of it."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Jeff Flake, (R) Arizona: ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

"I think that agreement, obviously, had problems. It didn't address Iran's maligned behavior or ballistic missiles. But after you were in it and after Iran has already realized the benefits of it - to now allow them to get out of their obligations on the nuclear side would be foolhardy, in my view. And also it says more about our willingness to work with our allies. We're having enough problems around the world, in terms of our reliability - whether it's trade or you know commercial engagements or security arrangements - to add this now at this point would not be good for us- particularly the knock on effects on other agreements, perhaps with North Korea or certainly security challenges or challenges that are yet to come."

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chris Coons, (D) Delaware:

"This is a truly disappointing development. I think President Trump makes us less safe, less secure by weakening our bonds with our European allies with whom we crafted a deal that stopped the advance of the Iranian nuclear weapons program. I've got a couple of questions for the president. After this, how will we gain North Korea's confidence in any future agreement and how will we gain the confidence of our partners in the JCPOA, the Iran deal - China and Russia, Germany, France and the UK that we will have the inclination to stick with any future deal? I don't think it makes us any safer."

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"I didn't see the president's comments yet. In general, I felt that the agreement negotiated by the Obama administration and other parties was flawed because it did not pertain to ballistic missiles and it essentially gave sanctions relief without taking away the ability of the Iranians to ultimately build a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, I would've preferred a course of action where the president worked with our allies to fix those flaws."

++EDIT ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump says Iran is not living up to the "spirit" of the nuclear agreement.

Trump says Iran is doing "a tremendous disservice" to the agreement brokered by the Obama administration.

The 2015 agreement by Iran and six other world powers ended some of the sanctions that had punished and isolated Iran for its nuclear program but maintained others dealing with ballistic missile research, terrorism, human rights violations and money laundering.

Trump spoke during a joint press conference Thursday with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Trump says the agreement was "a terrible agreement. It shouldn't have been signed."

He says his administration will have "something to say about" the Iran nuclear deal "in the not too distant future." He didn't elaborate.

Trump also said he is pressuring China to do more to dissuade the advancement of North Korea's nuclear agreement.

"I said you'll make a much better deal on trade if you get rid of this menace or you do something about the menace of North Korea," said Trump, speaking about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Washington - April 20, 2017

1. Wide of stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"As far as Iran is concerned, I think they are doing a tremendous disservice to an agreement that was signed, it was a terrible agreement, it shouldn't have been signed. It shouldn't have been negotiated the way it was negotiated. I'm all for agreements, but that was a bad one — as bad as I've ever seen negotiated. They're not livingg up to the spirit of the agreement — I can tell you that. And we're analyzing it very, very carefully and we'll have something to say about it in the not-so-distant future, but Iran has not lived up to the spirit of the agreement, and they have to do that. They have to do that. So we will see what happens."

3. Wide of stage

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"As far as North Korea's concerned, we are in very good shape. We are building our military rapidly. A lot of things have happened over a short period of time. Been here for approximately 91 days — we're doing a lot of work. We're in a very good position and we're going to see what happens. I can't answer your question on stability. I hope the answer is a positive one, not a negative one. But hopefully that will be something that gets taken care of. I have great respect for the president of China. As you know we had a great summit in Florida, in Palm Beach, got to know each other I think got to like each other. I can say from my standpoint I like him very much, I respect him very much. And I think he's working very hard. I can say that all the pundits out there are saying that they never have seem China work like they're working right now. Many Many coal ships have sent back many other things have happened. Some very unusual moves have been made over the last two or three hours. And I really have confidence that the president will try very hard. We don't know whether or not they're able to do that, but I have absolute confidence that they'll be trying very, very hard. And one of the reasons that we're talking about trade deals and we're talking about all of the different things, but we're slowing up a little bit — I actually told him, I said, you'll make a much better deal on trade if you get rid of this menace or you do something about the menace of North Korea, because that's what it is, it's a menace right now."

5. Wide of stage

House Speaker Paul Ryan says President Donald Trump should be "applauded" for his meeting with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un. But Ryan is cautioning on Wednesday that the next steps toward an agreement won't go fast.

The Wisconsin Republican, who is retiring this year, told reporters that "The president needed to disrupt the status quo, and the president has disrupted the status quo" with the historic meeting in Singapore. He said "the president should be applauded....Now let's go get an agreement."

Trump and Kim signed a joint statement that contained a repeat of past promises to work toward a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, but the details haven't been nailed down.

He cautioned that no one should expect that process to go quickly. "Time," he said, "will tell how this ends."

Washington - 13 June 2018

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

"The status quo was not working with North Korea. What was the status quo in North Korea? They were racing toward a nuclear weapon. They were racing toward having multiple independent ICBMs with nuclear tipped warheads on top of them. The president needed to disrupt the status quo and the president has disrupted the status quo. He should be applauded for doing that. And we should be under no illusion of our experiences with North Korea. It's a terrible regime. They've done terrible things and they've been deceitful in the past. But it's really important that we disrupted the status quo like the president has. I'm encouraged by the negotiations that are now taking place between Secretary Pompeo and the North Koreans. The path we were on was not working. Prior administrations have failed to fix this. And so it's really important that we'd dealt with this issue as it was because it wasn't going to get any better. The president should be applauded for disrupting the status quo. Now, let's go get an agreement and we should be under no illusion that it's going to be fast. This is going to take time and we have to make sure that we have irreversible, comprehensive denuclearization of North Korea. So that's what we need to get out of this. I'm pleased the president has gotten us to the position we are in. Time will tell how this ends."

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington - 31 January 2019

1. Wide, Trump seated behind desk with guests in Oval Office  

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"Reporter: Do you have an agreement with North Korea  on the time and place for that next summit?

Ah, yes. I do. Yeah, we're going to announce it pretty soon.  We'll be announcing it early next week.

Reporter: And also said that ...

And they very much want the meeting and I think they really want to do something. We'll see. But I think they really want. But again remember, North Korea was a whole different story.  When I came to office many people thought we were going to war with North Korea. I would sit and listen and I would read people saying go to war with North Korea. Well you'd lose, I mean potentially, hundreds of millions of lives.  You know Seoul has 30 some odd million people and it's literally right off their wall, by the way. That wall works, I can tell you."

3. Mid, Trump handing out pens after signing ceremony

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"Reporter: Do you have confidence in (CIA Director) Gina Haspel and (Director of National Intelligence) Dan Coats to give you good advice?

No, I disagree with certain things that they said. I think I'm right. But time will prove that. Time will prove me right, probably. I think Iran is a threat. I think it's a very big threat. And I think I did a great thing when I terminated the ridiculous Iran nuclear deal.  It was a horrible one sided deal, that was 150 billion dollars plus 1.8 billion in cash and lots of other bad things. If you remember, they took our 10 sailors out of waters and people are disputing and made us look very bad. But of course, the payment was due the following day so they eventually let them go.  Which they had to. I disagree very much on that. I also think and you'll be seeing something next week because you look at what's happened in Syria, with respect to ISIS and the caliphate. We took over a lot of area in the last two weeks. We've done tremendous in the last couple of weeks, at the same time we're consolidating and a tremendous amount of good things are happening. You even look at what's going on, and I can't tell you that this is a guarantee because we're going into close to 19 years in being in Afghanistan, and for the first time they're talking about settling. They're talking about making an agreement and we bring our people back home, if that happens. We'll see what happens. But they're in very serious negotiations for the first time. There's a reason for that. So, I think we're doing so well on a foreign policy basis. You look at North Korea, many of you are going to be traveling with us to North Korea and for the meetings with North Korea, we're going to a certain location. I think most of you know where the location is. I don't think it's any great secret that we'll be announcing the location and the date the exact date it will be at the end of February. And we've made tremendous progress with North Korea. When I came in, or let's say at the end of the last administration, frankly it looked like we were going to war with North Korea. Now there's no missile testing.  There's no rocket testing. There's no nuclear testing. We got back our prisoners or our hostages and we're getting back our remains. They have been coming in and we've had some beautiful ceremonies in Hawaii and other places. So, I just tell you, that we are doing really well. Our military is being rebuilt, it's very close to being rebuilt with tremendous amounts of new aircraft, new ships, new weapons of all kinds which we need because hopefully the stronger we get the less you have to use it. I guess you know that from growing up in school the stronger we are the less we're going to have to use it. We don't want to have to use it but we're going to have the strongest military by far that we've ever had. So, I didn't see the report from the intelligence ... when you read it it's a lot different than it was covered on in the news. But, I think that Iran is somebody as, is a nation that we have to watch very closely. They sent up a rocket the other day and it failed but it was sent up. Now they can say they're setting it up for civilian purposes, but I don't think too many people believe that. They're doing tests and we don't want to be in a position where we're behind. We're not going to be leading from behind anymore. So that's the story. I have great respect for a lot of people but I don't always agree with everybody."

5. Wide, Trump listening to reporter asking question  

STORYLINE:

U.S. President Donald Trump says he'll announce next week the site and date for the second summit he's planning with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for late February.

Vietnam has been considered as a possible summit venue, along with Thailand, Hawaii and Singapore.

Trump tells reporters in the Oval Office that his administration is making "tremendous" progress on North Korea.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he's sent a team to Asia to "lay the foundations" for steps toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Despite that optimism, Trump's director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, told Congress on Tuesday that intelligence information doesn't support the idea that Kim will eliminate his nuclear weapons or the capacity for building more.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington - 31 January 2019

1. Wide, Trump seated behind desk with guests in Oval Office  

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"Reporter: Do you have an agreement with North Korea  on the time and place for that next summit?

Ah, yes. I do. Yeah, we're going to announce it pretty soon.  We'll be announcing it early next week.

Reporter: And also said that ...

And they very much want the meeting and I think they really want to do something. We'll see. But I think they really want. But again remember, North Korea was a whole different story.  When I came to office many people thought we were going to war with North Korea. I would sit and listen and I would read people saying go to war with North Korea. Well you'd lose, I mean potentially, hundreds of millions of lives.  You know Seoul has 30 some odd million people and it's literally right off their wall, by the way. That wall works, I can tell you."

3. Mid, Trump handing out pens after signing ceremony

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"Reporter: Do you have confidence in (CIA Director) Gina Haspel and (Director of National Intelligence) Dan Coats to give you good advice?

No, I disagree with certain things that they said. I think I'm right. But time will prove that. Time will prove me right, probably. I think Iran is a threat. I think it's a very big threat. And I think I did a great thing when I terminated the ridiculous Iran nuclear deal.  It was a horrible one sided deal, that was 150 billion dollars plus 1.8 billion in cash and lots of other bad things. If you remember, they took our 10 sailors out of waters and people are disputing and made us look very bad. But of course, the payment was due the following day so they eventually let them go.  Which they had to. I disagree very much on that. I also think and you'll be seeing something next week because you look at what's happened in Syria, with respect to ISIS and the caliphate. We took over a lot of area in the last two weeks. We've done tremendous in the last couple of weeks, at the same time we're consolidating and a tremendous amount of good things are happening. You even look at what's going on, and I can't tell you that this is a guarantee because we're going into close to 19 years in being in Afghanistan, and for the first time they're talking about settling. They're talking about making an agreement and we bring our people back home, if that happens. We'll see what happens. But they're in very serious negotiations for the first time. There's a reason for that. So, I think we're doing so well on a foreign policy basis. You look at North Korea, many of you are going to be traveling with us to North Korea and for the meetings with North Korea, we're going to a certain location. I think most of you know where the location is. I don't think it's any great secret that we'll be announcing the location and the date the exact date it will be at the end of February. And we've made tremendous progress with North Korea. When I came in, or let's say at the end of the last administration, frankly it looked like we were going to war with North Korea. Now there's no missile testing.  There's no rocket testing. There's no nuclear testing. We got back our prisoners or our hostages and we're getting back our remains. They have been coming in and we've had some beautiful ceremonies in Hawaii and other places. So, I just tell you, that we are doing really well. Our military is being rebuilt, it's very close to being rebuilt with tremendous amounts of new aircraft, new ships, new weapons of all kinds which we need because hopefully the stronger we get the less you have to use it. I guess you know that from growing up in school the stronger we are the less we're going to have to use it. We don't want to have to use it but we're going to have the strongest military by far that we've ever had. So, I didn't see the report from the intelligence ... when you read it it's a lot different than it was covered on in the news. But, I think that Iran is somebody as, is a nation that we have to watch very closely. They sent up a rocket the other day and it failed but it was sent up. Now they can say they're setting it up for civilian purposes, but I don't think too many people believe that. They're doing tests and we don't want to be in a position where we're behind. We're not going to be leading from behind anymore. So that's the story. I have great respect for a lot of people but I don't always agree with everybody."

5. Wide, Trump listening to reporter asking question  

STORYLINE:

U.S. President Donald Trump says he'll announce next week the site and date for the second summit he's planning with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for late February.

Vietnam has been considered as a possible summit venue, along with Thailand, Hawaii and Singapore.

Trump tells reporters in the Oval Office that his administration is making "tremendous" progress on North Korea.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he's sent a team to Asia to "lay the foundations" for steps toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Despite that optimism, Trump's director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, told Congress on Tuesday that intelligence information doesn't support the idea that Kim will eliminate his nuclear weapons or the capacity for building more.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for more than an hour Friday about extending an existing nuclear arms agreement and potentially starting a new one to include China.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the two leaders also discussed "very, very briefly" the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller as well as the conflict in Venezuela.

She also repeated the administration's line that "all options continue to be on the table" regarding Venezuela, where Russia is helping to prop up the embattled government of Nicolas Maduro.

Washington - 3 May 2019

1. Mid Sarah Sanders walks toward reporters on White House driveway

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"I'm going to actually start first with a quick little update here. Earlier this morning the president spoke with (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin. They had a very good discussion. Spoke for a little over an hour. They discussed nuclear agreements, both new and extended, with the possibility of having conversations with China on that front as well. They discussed trade and the fact that it has increased between the two countries since the president has come into office. They also talked about North Korea. They also spoke about Ukraine and Venezuela and overall very positive conversation. And we'll have a more detailed readout coming shortly but wanted to give you guys that update while I was out here. Steve?

Reporter: What are the details, in this new nuclear agreement. Is it a new nuclear agreement with China, Russia, United States?

There was a discussion about having ... extending the current nuclear agreement as well as discussions about potentially starting a new one that could include China as well."

3. Back view of Sanders speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter: Did the president discuss at all the findings of the Muller report and Russian interference as it was determined by that investigation? And did he also discuss some of the land-based offenses in Europe?

Very, very briefly was discussed essentially in the context of that it's over and there was no collusion, which I'm pretty sure both leaders were very well aware of long before this call took place. Something we've said for the better part of two and a half years and now they moved on to talk about those topics that I discussed with Russia.

Reporter: Did Putin relay any message to the president from Kim Jong Un after Putin and Kim met during their summit?

They spoke about North Korea for a good bit of time on the call and reiterated both the commitment and the need for denuclearization. And the president said several times on this front as well the need and importance of Russia stepping up and continuing to help and put pressure on North Korea to denuclearize. And that was again the focus of the president's comment on that front."

5. Close-up Sanders

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter: There was a meeting at the Pentagon this morning with the president's top level national security officials about Venezuela, currently looking at military options. Has the ball on that in the past couple of days?

As we've said all, all along, all options continue to be on the table. We're looking at a number of different fronts. I don't have any new announcements or a change in direction. We continue to stand with the people of Venezuela and the president is continuing to push for aid to be delivered to those people. Beyond that, I don't have any updates but all options continue to be on the table. And the president the president's going to do what is required, if necessary."

7. Cutaway reporter

8. Wide

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter: Russia's being very supportive of the Maduro regime. Did the president make any progress on getting him to step off that support or help with the transition?

Again the president reiterated the need for a peaceful transition. And his focus throughout the conversation was on the need to help the people and make sure that that aid was actually getting to them and being delivered. Take one last question.

Reporter: Has White House formally instructed Don McGann not to comply with the congressional requests?

I'm not aware of a formal conversation on that front. Thanks guys.

Reporter: Who initiated this call and is it any closer to these ... President Trump and Putin meeting for a summit down the line? And then, secondarily what was the response from Putin when the president talked about the need to engage in a peaceful transition?

I'm not aware of any planned meeting upcoming for the two presidents, but I do know that Secretary (of State Mike) Pompeo is expected to meet, I believe with his counterparts next week. And those conversations after that we'll see what happens from there.

Reporter:You said that they talked about the Mueller report being over but the Mueller report also outlines in extensive detailed attempts by Putin and Russia to interfere in the election. Did not come up at all?

Again the conversation on that part was very quick. But what I can tell you is that this administration, unlike the previous one, takes election meddling seriously and we're going to do everything that we can to prevent it from happening. That's why we've taken a whole of government approach. We have had contact with all 50 states and are looking at ways to actually prevent it from taking place instead of like they did in 2016, just letting it happen. No about it and doing nothing and then trying to blame it on the incoming administration. We're not going to let that happen. And so we're going to actually be serious and take our jobs seriously. Thanks guys"

10. Pan Sanders walks away

President Donald Trump says Iran is not living up to the "spirit" of the nuclear agreement.

Trump says Iran is doing "a tremendous disservice" to the agreement brokered by the Obama administration.

The 2015 agreement by Iran and six other world powers ended some of the sanctions that had punished and isolated Iran for its nuclear program but maintained others dealing with ballistic missile research, terrorism, human rights violations and money laundering.

Trump spoke during a joint press conference Thursday with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Trump says the agreement was "a terrible agreement. It shouldn't have been signed."

He says his administration will have "something to say about" the Iran nuclear deal "in the not too distant future." He didn't elaborate.

Trump also said he is pressuring China to do more to dissuade the advancement of North Korea's nuclear agreement.

"I said you'll make a much better deal on trade if you get rid of this menace or you do something about the menace of North Korea," said Trump, speaking about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Washington - April 20, 2017

1. Wide of stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"As far as Iran is concerned, I think they are doing a tremendous disservice to an agreement that was signed, it was a terrible agreement, it shouldn't have been signed. It shouldn't have been negotiated the way it was negotiated. I'm all for agreements, but that was a bad one — as bad as I've ever seen negotiated. They're not livingg up to the spirit of the agreement — I can tell you that. And we're analyzing it very, very carefully and we'll have something to say about it in the not-so-distant future, but Iran has not lived up to the spirit of the agreement, and they have to do that. They have to do that. So we will see what happens."

3. Wide of stage

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"As far as North Korea's concerned, we are in very good shape. We are building our military rapidly. A lot of things have happened over a short period of time. Been here for approximately 91 days — we're doing a lot of work. We're in a very good position and we're going to see what happens. I can't answer your question on stability. I hope the answer is a positive one, not a negative one. But hopefully that will be something that gets taken care of. I have great respect for the president of China. As you know we had a great summit in Florida, in Palm Beach, got to know each other I think got to like each other. I can say from my standpoint I like him very much, I respect him very much. And I think he's working very hard. I can say that all the pundits out there are saying that they never have seem China work like they're working right now. Many Many coal ships have sent back many other things have happened. Some very unusual moves have been made over the last two or three hours. And I really have confidence that the president will try very hard. We don't know whether or not they're able to do that, but I have absolute confidence that they'll be trying very, very hard. And one of the reasons that we're talking about trade deals and we're talking about all of the different things, but we're slowing up a little bit — I actually told him, I said, you'll make a much better deal on trade if you get rid of this menace or you do something about the menace of North Korea, because that's what it is, it's a menace right now."

5. Wide of stage

President Donald Trump says Iran is not living up to the "spirit" of the nuclear agreement.

Trump says Iran is doing "a tremendous disservice" to the agreement brokered by the Obama administration.

The 2015 agreement by Iran and six other world powers ended some of the sanctions that had punished and isolated Iran for its nuclear program but maintained others dealing with ballistic missile research, terrorism, human rights violations and money laundering.

Trump spoke during a joint press conference Thursday with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Trump says the agreement was "a terrible agreement. It shouldn't have been signed."

He says his administration will have "something to say about" the Iran nuclear deal "in the not too distant future." He didn't elaborate.

Trump also said he is pressuring China to do more to dissuade the advancement of North Korea's nuclear agreement.

"I said you'll make a much better deal on trade if you get rid of this menace or you do something about the menace of North Korea," said Trump, speaking about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Washington - April 20, 2017

1. Wide of stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"As far as Iran is concerned, I think they are doing a tremendous disservice to an agreement that was signed, it was a terrible agreement, it shouldn't have been signed. It shouldn't have been negotiated the way it was negotiated. I'm all for agreements, but that was a bad one — as bad as I've ever seen negotiated. They're not livingg up to the spirit of the agreement — I can tell you that. And we're analyzing it very, very carefully and we'll have something to say about it in the not-so-distant future, but Iran has not lived up to the spirit of the agreement, and they have to do that. They have to do that. So we will see what happens."

3. Wide of stage

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"As far as North Korea's concerned, we are in very good shape. We are building our military rapidly. A lot of things have happened over a short period of time. Been here for approximately 91 days — we're doing a lot of work. We're in a very good position and we're going to see what happens. I can't answer your question on stability. I hope the answer is a positive one, not a negative one. But hopefully that will be something that gets taken care of. I have great respect for the president of China. As you know we had a great summit in Florida, in Palm Beach, got to know each other I think got to like each other. I can say from my standpoint I like him very much, I respect him very much. And I think he's working very hard. I can say that all the pundits out there are saying that they never have seem China work like they're working right now. Many Many coal ships have sent back many other things have happened. Some very unusual moves have been made over the last two or three hours. And I really have confidence that the president will try very hard. We don't know whether or not they're able to do that, but I have absolute confidence that they'll be trying very, very hard. And one of the reasons that we're talking about trade deals and we're talking about all of the different things, but we're slowing up a little bit — I actually told him, I said, you'll make a much better deal on trade if you get rid of this menace or you do something about the menace of North Korea, because that's what it is, it's a menace right now."

5. Wide of stage

US President Donald Trump welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House Friday.

He thanked her for keeping up "maximum pressure" on the North Korean regime in efforts to end it's nuclear ambitions.

Trump says he and Merkel also discussed Iran, adding, "The Iranian regime fuels violence bloodshed and chaos all across the Middle East. We must ensure that this murderous regime does not even get close to a nuclear weapon and that Iran ends its proliferation of dangerous missiles and its support for terrorism."

Trump also said other countries must step up their financial and military contributions to fight Islamic State militants.

Washington, DC - 27 April 2018

1. US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk down hallway to lecterns

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President: (continued from previous shot)

"Thank you very much. Today I'm honoured to welcome Chancellor Angela Merkel back to the White House. Over the past year I have enjoyed getting to know the chancellor very well through many productive calls, discussions, and meetings. We have a great relationship. Chancellor, I want to congratulate you once again on your election victory, fourth term in office. It's really something. Congratulations."

3. Cutaway of Merkel nodding at Trump

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"For decades, the alliance and friendship between Germany and the United States has advanced the cause of peace, prosperity and freedom. Today our nations face a wide array of shared challenges and opportunities. And I am confident that we will meet them together with the same strength and resolve that has always defined the United States-German friendship. This afternoon I want to congratulate the Republic of Korea and its historic summit with North Korea. We're encouraged by President Moon and Kim Jong Un's expressed goal of complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. I will be meeting with Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks. We look forward to that and hopefully it will be productive. I want to thank Chancellor Merkel for her leadership in our campaign of maximum pressure on the North Korean regime, which has helped us to reach this important step, this moment where we are right now it's taken a long time many, many decades to get here. Let's see what happens. We seek a future of peace prosperity and harmony for the whole Korean peninsula. Unlocking not only a brighter future for the people of Korea, but for the people of the world. However, in pursuit of that goal we will not repeat the mistake of past administrations. Maximum pressure will continue until denuclearisation occurs. I look forward to our meeting. It should be quite something. In our meetings today, the chancellor and I discussed Iran. The Iranian regime fuels violence bloodshed and chaos all across the Middle East. We must ensure that this murderous regime does not even get close to a nuclear weapon and that Iran ends its proliferation of dangerous missiles and its support for terrorism. No matter where you go in the Middle East, wherever there is a problem Iran is right there as we eradicate what little remains of ISIS in Syria, we must also ensure that Iran does not profit from our success. To prevent this outcome, it is essential that our coalition and regional partners step up their financial and military contributions to the anti-ISIS efforts. Some of these countries are immensely wealthy and they are going to start paying for it and paying for this tremendous help that we've given them."

5. Side shot of Trump and Merkel

U.S. President Donald Trump singles out Germany Thursday for not paying their NATO commitments during a meeting at the White House with Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

"Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defense contributions," said Trump.

"Germany has not contributed what they should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary, far bigger than the United States frankly, " he said.

While Stoltenberg said "all allies had started to increase defense spending" after years of decline.

Trump and Stoltenberg both also spoke about the push to denuclearize North Korea.

Washington DC - 17 May 2018

1. Cutaway of meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're delighted to report that last year as a result of our joint efforts, we witnessed the single largest increase in defense spending among European member states and Canada in a quarter of a century. That really is quite a spectacular achievement. So I congratulate you and congratulate you very much. We really have worked in many respects, but that was I think a big one. We had countries that were not paying what they were supposed to be paying. Now most countries are not all, and they think you'll be able to handle the ones that aren't, right? I have confidence."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're still waiting on 20 member states to meet their NATO commitments and spend at least 2 percent on defense and 2 percent is a very low number. The number really should be 4 percent, 2 percent is a very low number. In particular Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defense contributions. Germany has not contributed what it should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary. Far bigger than the United States frankly."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"I also discussed with Secretary-General Stoltenberg our commitment to stopping nuclear proliferation, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We want a future of safety security peace for all Koreans and for the entire world. My administration is also committed to working with our allies to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and their destabilizing activities all across the Middle East. No matter where you go, no matter when there's a problem there's Iran right behind it and we're not going to have that any longer."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"After years of decline, all allies have started to increase defense spending. No allies are cutting budgets anymore and more and more allies are up 2 percent of GDP for defense. But I also agree that we have to do more. So allies will continue to work on defense spending, because we need to invest more in our security when the world is more unpredictable, as it is today."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We also support your efforts to try to find a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. The aim should be to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and to make sure that there are no nuclear weapons there. And also to stop not only the development of nuclear weapons but also the missile program. So therefore we support the initiative on the work for having a summit."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We think it's important also to make sure that we still have pressure on North Korea. North Korea has to seize this opportunity, this historic opportunity to solve the crisis on the Korean Peninsula."

13. Cutaway

U.S. President Donald Trump singles out Germany Thursday for not paying their NATO commitments during a meeting at the White House with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

"Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defence contributions," said Trump.

"Germany has not contributed what they should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary, far bigger than the United States frankly, " he said.

While Stoltenberg said "all allies had started to increase defence spending" after years of decline.

Trump and Stoltenberg both also spoke about the push to denuclearise North Korea.

Washington DC - 17 May 2018

1. Cutaway of meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're delighted to report that last year as a result of our joint efforts, we witnessed the single largest increase in defense spending among European member states and Canada in a quarter of a century. That really is quite a spectacular achievement. So I congratulate you and congratulate you very much. We really have worked in many respects, but that was I think a big one. We had countries that were not paying what they were supposed to be paying. Now most countries are not all, and they think you'll be able to handle the ones that aren't, right? I have confidence."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're still waiting on 20 member states to meet their NATO commitments and spend at least 2 percent on defense and 2 percent is a very low number. The number really should be 4 percent, 2 percent is a very low number. In particular Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defense contributions. Germany has not contributed what it should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary. Far bigger than the United States frankly."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"I also discussed with Secretary-General Stoltenberg our commitment to stopping nuclear proliferation, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We want a future of safety security peace for all Koreans and for the entire world. My administration is also committed to working with our allies to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and their destabilizing activities all across the Middle East. No matter where you go, no matter when there's a problem there's Iran right behind it and we're not going to have that any longer."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"After years of decline, all allies have started to increase defense spending. No allies are cutting budgets anymore and more and more allies are up 2 percent of GDP for defense. But I also agree that we have to do more. So allies will continue to work on defense spending, because we need to invest more in our security when the world is more unpredictable, as it is today."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We also support your efforts to try to find a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. The aim should be to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and to make sure that there are no nuclear weapons there. And also to stop not only the development of nuclear weapons but also the missile program. So therefore we support the initiative on the work for having a summit."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We think it's important also to make sure that we still have pressure on North Korea. North Korea has to seize this opportunity, this historic opportunity to solve the crisis on the Korean Peninsula."

13. Cutaway

U.S. President Donald Trump singles out Germany Thursday for not paying their NATO commitments during a meeting at the White House with Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

"Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defense contributions," said Trump.

"Germany has not contributed what they should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary, far bigger than the United States frankly, " he said.

While Stoltenberg said "all allies had started to increase defense spending" after years of decline.

Trump and Stoltenberg both also spoke about the push to denuclearize North Korea.

Washington DC - 17 May 2018

1. Cutaway of meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're delighted to report that last year as a result of our joint efforts, we witnessed the single largest increase in defense spending among European member states and Canada in a quarter of a century. That really is quite a spectacular achievement. So I congratulate you and congratulate you very much. We really have worked in many respects, but that was I think a big one. We had countries that were not paying what they were supposed to be paying. Now most countries are not all, and they think you'll be able to handle the ones that aren't, right? I have confidence."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're still waiting on 20 member states to meet their NATO commitments and spend at least 2 percent on defense and 2 percent is a very low number. The number really should be 4 percent, 2 percent is a very low number. In particular Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defense contributions. Germany has not contributed what it should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary. Far bigger than the United States frankly."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"I also discussed with Secretary-General Stoltenberg our commitment to stopping nuclear proliferation, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We want a future of safety security peace for all Koreans and for the entire world. My administration is also committed to working with our allies to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and their destabilizing activities all across the Middle East. No matter where you go, no matter when there's a problem there's Iran right behind it and we're not going to have that any longer."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"After years of decline, all allies have started to increase defense spending. No allies are cutting budgets anymore and more and more allies are up 2 percent of GDP for defense. But I also agree that we have to do more. So allies will continue to work on defense spending, because we need to invest more in our security when the world is more unpredictable, as it is today."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We also support your efforts to try to find a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. The aim should be to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and to make sure that there are no nuclear weapons there. And also to stop not only the development of nuclear weapons but also the missile program. So therefore we support the initiative on the work for having a summit."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We think it's important also to make sure that we still have pressure on North Korea. North Korea has to seize this opportunity, this historic opportunity to solve the crisis on the Korean Peninsula."

13. Cutaway

On Capitol Hill, there was a predictably mixed reaction to President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a nuclear accord with Iran.

While some members of Congress expressed concern, saying the president made a mistake, other Senators praised the move.

"I'm glad we are out of it." Sen. Marco Rubio said after the president's announcement. "Iran ... is more dangerous today than it was the day before the deal was signed."

Rubio, who ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary, said he is not surprised President Trump made the decision to withdraw from the deal, as he had made a promise to do so during the presidential campaign.

Sen. Chris Coons, who sits on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said the decision makes the U.S. "less safe, less secure by weakening our bonds with our allies."

The 2015 agreement had lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program that would make it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections.

Washington - 8 May 2018

++SOTS SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Ben Cardin, (D) Maryland:

"I think the president's made a mistake and our objective is to make sure Iran never has a nuclear weapon and to take action against their non-nuclear violations with cooperation of our European partners. And withdrawing from the nuclear agreement isolates America. I think it helps Iran and it works against our objectives to control their type of activities. We need to strictly enforce the nuclear agreement, we need to build on it. We need to isolate Iran. We need to work with our partners and the president by withdrawing from the international agreement has isolated America."

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"Thoughts? Yeah, I'm glad we're out of it. Because it was a terrible deal and if you look at Iran today, they're stronger and more dangerous than they were before the deal. In Yemen, they have effective control, in Syria, they've started a civil war in Yemen. Hezbollah has more weapons and more reach and more political power in Lebanon than ever before. They've exploited the Gulf kingdom divide. The military budgets have grown exponentially. Iran has more influence and is more dangerous today than it was the day before the deal was signed."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"They knew what was coming. Our allies have known for months and - but here's the bottom line. I campaigned for president and for Senate on the promise of getting rid of this deal. He won on the same promise - he was elected to do this, this is what he said he was going to do. I don't know why it surprises people that someone runs for president. gets elected on the promise of getting rid of the Iran deal and then gets rid of it."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Jeff Flake, (R) Arizona: ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

"I think that agreement, obviously, had problems. It didn't address Iran's maligned behavior or ballistic missiles. But after you were in it and after Iran has already realized the benefits of it - to now allow them to get out of their obligations on the nuclear side would be foolhardy, in my view. And also it says more about our willingness to work with our allies. We're having enough problems around the world, in terms of our reliability - whether it's trade or you know commercial engagements or security arrangements - to add this now at this point would not be good for us- particularly the knock on effects on other agreements, perhaps with North Korea or certainly security challenges or challenges that are yet to come."

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chris Coons, (D) Delaware:

"This is a truly disappointing development. I think President Trump makes us less safe, less secure by weakening our bonds with our European allies with whom we crafted a deal that stopped the advance of the Iranian nuclear weapons program. I've got a couple of questions for the president. After this, how will we gain North Korea's confidence in any future agreement and how will we gain the confidence of our partners in the JCPOA, the Iran deal - China and Russia, Germany, France and the UK that we will have the inclination to stick with any future deal? I don't think it makes us any safer."

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"I didn't see the president's comments yet. In general, I felt that the agreement negotiated by the Obama administration and other parties was flawed because it did not pertain to ballistic missiles and it essentially gave sanctions relief without taking away the ability of the Iranians to ultimately build a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, I would've preferred a course of action where the president worked with our allies to fix those flaws."

++EDIT ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for more than an hour Friday about extending an existing nuclear arms agreement and potentially starting a new one to include China.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the two leaders also discussed "very, very briefly" the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller as well as the conflict in Venezuela.

She also repeated the administration's line that "all options continue to be on the table" regarding Venezuela, where Russia is helping to prop up the embattled government of Nicolas Maduro.

Washington - 3 May 2019

1. Mid Sarah Sanders walks toward reporters on White House driveway

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"I'm going to actually start first with a quick little update here. Earlier this morning the president spoke with (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin. They had a very good discussion. Spoke for a little over an hour. They discussed nuclear agreements, both new and extended, with the possibility of having conversations with China on that front as well. They discussed trade and the fact that it has increased between the two countries since the president has come into office. They also talked about North Korea. They also spoke about Ukraine and Venezuela and overall very positive conversation. And we'll have a more detailed readout coming shortly but wanted to give you guys that update while I was out here. Steve?

Reporter: What are the details, in this new nuclear agreement. Is it a new nuclear agreement with China, Russia, United States?

There was a discussion about having ... extending the current nuclear agreement as well as discussions about potentially starting a new one that could include China as well."

3. Back view of Sanders speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter: Did the president discuss at all the findings of the Muller report and Russian interference as it was determined by that investigation? And did he also discuss some of the land-based offenses in Europe?

Very, very briefly was discussed essentially in the context of that it's over and there was no collusion, which I'm pretty sure both leaders were very well aware of long before this call took place. Something we've said for the better part of two and a half years and now they moved on to talk about those topics that I discussed with Russia.

Reporter: Did Putin relay any message to the president from Kim Jong Un after Putin and Kim met during their summit?

They spoke about North Korea for a good bit of time on the call and reiterated both the commitment and the need for denuclearization. And the president said several times on this front as well the need and importance of Russia stepping up and continuing to help and put pressure on North Korea to denuclearize. And that was again the focus of the president's comment on that front."

5. Close-up Sanders

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter: There was a meeting at the Pentagon this morning with the president's top level national security officials about Venezuela, currently looking at military options. Has the ball on that in the past couple of days?

As we've said all, all along, all options continue to be on the table. We're looking at a number of different fronts. I don't have any new announcements or a change in direction. We continue to stand with the people of Venezuela and the president is continuing to push for aid to be delivered to those people. Beyond that, I don't have any updates but all options continue to be on the table. And the president the president's going to do what is required, if necessary."

7. Cutaway reporter

8. Wide

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter:  Russia's being very supportive of the Maduro regime.  Did the president make any progress on getting him to step off that support or help with the transition?

Again the president reiterated the need for a peaceful transition. And his focus throughout the conversation was on the need to help the people and make sure that that aid was actually getting to them and being delivered. Take one last question.

Reporter: Has White House formally instructed Don McGann not to comply with the congressional requests?

I'm not aware of a formal conversation on that front. Thanks guys.

Reporter: Who initiated this call and is it any closer to these ... President Trump and Putin meeting for a summit down the line? And then, secondarily what was the response from Putin when the president talked about the need to engage in a peaceful transition?

I'm not aware of any planned meeting upcoming for the two presidents, but I do know that Secretary (of State Mike) Pompeo is expected to meet, I believe with his counterparts next week. And those conversations after that we'll see what happens from there.

Reporter:You said that they talked about the Mueller report being over but the Mueller report also outlines in extensive detailed attempts by Putin and Russia to interfere in the election.  Did not come up at all?

Again the conversation on that part was very quick. But what I can tell you is that this administration, unlike the previous one, takes election meddling seriously and we're going to do everything that we can to prevent it from happening. That's why we've taken a whole of government approach. We have had contact with all 50 states and are looking at ways to actually prevent it from taking place instead of like they did in 2016, just letting it happen. No about it and doing nothing and then trying to blame it on the incoming administration. We're not going to let that happen. And so we're going to actually be serious and take our jobs seriously. Thanks guys"

10. Pan Sanders walks away

House Speaker Paul Ryan says President Donald Trump should be "applauded" for his meeting with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un. But Ryan is cautioning on Wednesday that the next steps toward an agreement won't go fast.

The Wisconsin Republican, who is retiring this year, told reporters that "The president needed to disrupt the status quo, and the president has disrupted the status quo" with the historic meeting in Singapore. He said "the president should be applauded....Now let's go get an agreement."

Trump and Kim signed a joint statement that contained a repeat of past promises to work toward a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, but the details haven't been nailed down.

He cautioned that no one should expect that process to go quickly. "Time," he said, "will tell how this ends."

Ryan also gathered to speak with several Republican members of Congress about what they are doing to address opioid addictions. In the coming weeks, several bills related to opioid addiction will be brought to the floor for debate and votes. When asked if pharmaceutical companies bare some blame for the crisis, Ryan said there's "responsibility to go all around on this."

He also painted a rosy scenario Wednesday for a still-evolving Republican immigration deal, saying it gives the GOP an opportunity to enact legislation this year on the contentious issue. But details remained in negotiation between conservatives and moderates, and whatever emerges faces an uphill climb.

Washington - 13 June 2018

1. Various of House Republicans press conference

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

"The status quo was not working with North Korea. What was the status quo in North Korea? They were racing toward a nuclear weapon. They were racing toward having multiple independent ICBMs with nuclear tipped warheads on top of them. The president needed to disrupt the status quo and the president has disrupted the status quo. He should be applauded for doing that. And we should be under no illusion of our experiences with North Korea. It's a terrible regime. They've done terrible things and they've been deceitful in the past. But it's really important that we disrupted the status quo like the president has. I'm encouraged by the negotiations that are now taking place between Secretary Pompeo and the North Koreans. The path we were on was not working. Prior administrations have failed to fix this. And so it's really important that we'd dealt with this issue as it was because it wasn't going to get any better. The president should be applauded for disrupting the status quo. Now, let's go get an agreement and we should be under no delusion that it's going to be fast. This is going to take time and we have to make sure that we have irreversible, comprehensive denuclearization of North Korea. So that's what we need to get out of this. I'm pleased the president has gotten us to the position we are in. Time will tell how this ends."

3. Various of press conference

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

"This is an effort to bring our caucus together, our conference together on immigration. I'm very, I'm very pleased with our members. What happened was our members got together, spoke with one another and compromised with each other so that we could find a way forward without exercising a discharge petition, which would mean we would never make law. And so now what we have is an actual chance at making law in solving this problem."

5. Various of press conference

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

"I think there's a responsibility to go all around on this. Look, you're discharging people coming out of the hospital with 120, you know, Vicodin, with kids coming out with wisdom teeth with three weeks worth. This prescription -- we need to come up with non-opioid pain management treatments, non-opioid treatments. This is the key here so there's a lot of responsibility to be shared."

7. Various of press conference with members holding photos of people from their districts who have been affected by opioid addiction

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Greg Walden, (R) Oregon:

"Amanda, whose picture I have here today, was seeking relief from pain surrounding her mental illness. Tragically, she ended up dying from a fentanyl overdose. Her father came before our committee and bravely shared his family's story. He hoped that their loss would help spur Congress to modernize federal laws. Sadly, Amanda's story as you'll hear today is not unique. All of us know someone directly or indirectly affected by this crisis. Truly it is the crisis next door."

9. Various of press conference

House Speaker Paul Ryan says President Donald Trump should be "applauded" for his meeting with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un. But Ryan is cautioning on Wednesday that the next steps toward an agreement won't go fast.

The Wisconsin Republican, who is retiring this year, told reporters that "The president needed to disrupt the status quo, and the president has disrupted the status quo" with the historic meeting in Singapore. He said "the president should be applauded....Now let's go get an agreement."

Trump and Kim signed a joint statement that contained a repeat of past promises to work toward a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, but the details haven't been nailed down.

He cautioned that no one should expect that process to go quickly. "Time," he said, "will tell how this ends."

Ryan also gathered to speak with several Republican members of Congress about what they are doing to address opioid addictions. In the coming weeks, several bills related to opioid addiction will be brought to the floor for debate and votes. When asked if pharmaceutical companies bare some blame for the crisis, Ryan said there's "responsibility to go all around on this."

He also painted a rosy scenario Wednesday for a still-evolving Republican immigration deal, saying it gives the GOP an opportunity to enact legislation this year on the contentious issue. But details remained in negotiation between conservatives and moderates, and whatever emerges faces an uphill climb.

Washington - 13 June 2018

1. Various of House Republicans press conference

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

"The status quo was not working with North Korea. What was the status quo in North Korea? They were racing toward a nuclear weapon. They were racing toward having multiple independent ICBMs with nuclear tipped warheads on top of them. The president needed to disrupt the status quo and the president has disrupted the status quo. He should be applauded for doing that. And we should be under no illusion of our experiences with North Korea. It's a terrible regime. They've done terrible things and they've been deceitful in the past. But it's really important that we disrupted the status quo like the president has. I'm encouraged by the negotiations that are now taking place between Secretary Pompeo and the North Koreans. The path we were on was not working. Prior administrations have failed to fix this. And so it's really important that we'd dealt with this issue as it was because it wasn't going to get any better. The president should be applauded for disrupting the status quo. Now, let's go get an agreement and we should be under no delusion that it's going to be fast. This is going to take time and we have to make sure that we have irreversible, comprehensive denuclearization of North Korea. So that's what we need to get out of this. I'm pleased the president has gotten us to the position we are in. Time will tell how this ends."

3. Various of press conference

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

"This is an effort to bring our caucus together, our conference together on immigration. I'm very, I'm very pleased with our members. What happened was our members got together, spoke with one another and compromised with each other so that we could find a way forward without exercising a discharge petition, which would mean we would never make law. And so now what we have is an actual chance at making law in solving this problem."

5. Various of press conference

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

"I think there's a responsibility to go all around on this. Look, you're discharging people coming out of the hospital with 120, you know, Vicodin, with kids coming out with wisdom teeth with three weeks worth. This prescription -- we need to come up with non-opioid pain management treatments, non-opioid treatments. This is the key here so there's a lot of responsibility to be shared."

7. Various of press conference with members holding photos of people from their districts who have been affected by opioid addiction

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Greg Walden, (R) Oregon:

"Amanda, whose picture I have here today, was seeking relief from pain surrounding her mental illness. Tragically, she ended up dying from a fentanyl overdose. Her father came before our committee and bravely shared his family's story. He hoped that their loss would help spur Congress to modernize federal laws. Sadly, Amanda's story as you'll hear today is not unique. All of us know someone directly or indirectly affected by this crisis. Truly it is the crisis next door."

9. Various of press conference