Pence to NATO: Don’t worry

VICE PRESIDENT Pence sought to calm anxious European leaders Saturday, pledging that the U.S. will be “unwavering” in its commitment to NATO and vowing that the Trump administration will “hold Russia accountable.”

Pence, in his first foreign trip representing the Trump administration, joined allies at the Munich Security Conference, an annual gathering of diplomats and defense officials.

Some at the forum expressed concern over President Trump’s approach to foreign affairs.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel questioned Pence, while calling on countries to work together, touting the E.U., NATO and the UN, and also lauding the benefits of “a free, independent press.”

“Will we be able to continue working well together, or will we all fall back into our individual roles?” Merkel asked.

Merkel also acknowledged that Europeans rely on the U.S. in the fight against Islamic extremist terrorism. “We need the military power of the United States,” she said.

Pence, who met with Merkel one-on-one after their speeches, tried to assuage fears. “Your struggles are our struggles. Your success is our success,” Pence said. “And ultimately, we walk into the future together.”

Later in the day, Pence chatted with U2 lead singer Bono, who called the vice president the “second-busiest man on Earth.” In a subsequent meeting, Pence assured Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko of U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.