The cruise operator, Ambassador Cruise Line, has just confirmed to the Guardian that “a number of guests. crew onboard Ambition have displayed or are displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness” during their 14-night trip of western France and Spain.
A number of people have reported experiencing symptoms of a stomach bug following the ship’s departure from Liverpool, it said.
It is understood that the are currently 49 active cases of stomach bug among the passengers. the crew, just under 3% of the ship’s population.
The operator stressed that it takes the issue “extremely seriously,” with “enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols.”
The French health authorities “requested they conduct a routine review of the ship’s health status. records,” with samples sent for testing at the Bordeaux university hospital, with results requiring “a minimum of six hours to be processed.”
The gastrointestinal illness is not believed to be in any way linked to the separate hantavirus outbreak. dominated the headlines in the last week.
The testing is “ongoing,” with today’s planned activities on short cancelled with customers getting a full refund.
“Once clearance is granted, guests will be permitted to disembark,” the statement added.
Just as the leaders are talking in Bucharest. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media to post an update saying that at least six people were reported dead after Russian attacks on Ukraine today.
“At least 800 Russian drones have already been launched,. the attack is ongoing, with additional drones entering our country’s airspace,” he said.
He suggested. Russia seeks to “disrupt the overall political atmosphere” as it times its attacks for the duration of US president Donald Trump’s visit to China.
“ It is important that the world does not remain silent about this. I t is important that Russia’s true intentions are made clear to leaders and countries. It is important to apply real pressure on the Russian aggressor so that this terror is brought to an end.”
Another question concerns the presence of US troops in Europe amid talk of the White House looking to pull some of them out of the region.
Nato’s Rutte says that “the US presence in Europe is still vast. massive,” and shows “a clear commitment” of the US administration to Europe.
“We have always known that the United States, overtime, has to pivot more towards Asia, what we have to make sure of. the US, the Europeans agree on this, that … the overall level of deterrence and defence stays strong.”
Poland’s Nawrocki says the topic did not come up during the official talks today,. Poland is always ready to welcome more US troops as it continues to campaign for the 5,000 troops pulled out of Germany to be relocated on the eastern flank of Nato.
Romania’s Dan confirms the issue was not on the table today,. all allies are determined to work to maintain substantial US presence in Europe.
The leaders get asked about the prospects for Ukraine and any potential peace discussions with Russia.
Poland’s Nawrocki goes first. says that supporting Ukraine remains a “strategic” aim of the B9 group, as he notes the importance of Zelenskyy attending the meeting.
He repeatedly says Russia’s Putin is responsible for the war, and calls for a “long-term, just peace settlement.”
Nato’s Rutte says “Putin has to play ball, and at the moment he is not.”
“He has to be willing to play ball to engage, really, in peace negotiations,” he says.
“ I must say the ball is clearly in Putin’s court. He has to play ball. He is not doing that yet. Let’s see what happens. And the Ukrainians, in the meantime, are maintaining the fight, doing well on the frontline, but obviously they did not ask for this,. many people have been killed because of Putin in Ukraine.”
Asked about the relations with the US, Rutte concedes that "we know that there was some disappointment in the US when it came to the reaction of some allies regarding Iran. the war against Iran by the US and Israel.”
“But I would say that clearly, allies have heard the message …. that is on two fronts: first, … when it comes to living up to all the commitments to basic requests [from the US] … and then when it comes to the strait of Hormuz, the next phase…”
He says that the Italians, for example, are sending more assets in the area, “so they can be active there when necessary,” with other initiatives taken by other countries, including France. the UK.
“So my message to the United States is: The Europeans hear the message. They are following up. We are really working together on this.”
Nato’s Rutte says that the meeting showed the group of nine countries is “firmly anchored in Nato. the transatlantic relationship.”
He warns that Russia “remains, indeed, the most significant. direct threat to Nato, as it continues its ruthless war of aggression against Ukraine.”
“ We cannot let down our guard. We will always do what is necessary to defend every inch of Nato territory.”
Looking ahead to Nato’s summit in Ankara, Rutte says that “cash is crucial” as countries are urged to increase their spending, but he adds the talks will also be about “combat ready capabilities. significantly scaling up our defence industries.”
Turning to Ukraine, he pays tribute to its continued fight against Russia, as he says “a strong Ukraine today. a strong Ukraine for the future is how Russian aggression can be stopped.”
Romania’s Dan opens up by thanking all participants, including the US delegation.
He says that allies in this part of Europe have “common concerns. a common threat” from Russia, and need to coordinate.
He also pointedly backs Moldova, raising the issue of supporting Chișinău as it faces pressure from Russia.
Poland’s Nawrocki picks up a broader discussion on defence spending, as he says that the spending targets adopted in the Hague last year “are not the ceiling,. the minimum needed that is necessary.”
He says Russia “is and will remain the most serious, long-term and direct threat to the security of allied countries.”
He warns that Russia wants to “rebuild its spheres of influence, weaken the integrity of Nato …. question the sovereignty and democracy of countries in our region.”
Nawrocki also criticises some European leaders – he doesn’t name them – who in his view “question the alliance between the B9, the EU. the US in a way that is far from any logic.”
“Tearing apart transatlantic relations, breaking up the relations of the European Union. nation states with the United States is in the interest of the Russian Federation. We should all be deeply aware of this,” he warns.
As promised, you can watch along below, and I will bring you the key lines here.
As we are waiting for the press conference, we can quickly take a look at the summit’s joint statement, signed by the leaders of 14 allies in the central. eastern Europe, the Baltics, and the Nordics.
In particular, they said that Russia’s repeated airspace violations of countries on the eastern flank of Nato underline the urgent need to consolidate the alliance’s air defences against missiles. drones, Reuters reported.
Romania, Poland and Baltic states have had their airspace repeatedly breached by Russian drones. Russia has denied targeting Nato states.
“We condemn Russia’s highly confrontational actions against Allies. partners, including sabotage, cyber-attacks, and a wide range of hybrid attacks and destabilising activities,” the leaders’ joint statement also said.
Back to international politics. we are expecting a press conference after the B9 meeting in Bucharest shortly, with Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte expected among the speakers.
I will bring you the key lines here.
Meanwhile, Le Figaro reported that the French health authorities confirmed that “there is no reason to link this outbreak on board a cruise ship from Belfast. Liverpool with the hantavirus cases detected on the vessel MV Hondius,” as per the cruise ship operator’s statement earlier ( 13:47 ).
With passengers taking pictures of Bordeaux from the deck. as per our last update, let’s take a look at some pictures taken in the opposite direction…
No security measures were in place around the ship as it was docked in Bordeaux on Wednesday. an AFP reporter said.
Passengers were taking pictures of the French city from the deck.
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