BELGIUM: Obama Slams Russia On Gay Rights During EU Keynote Address

President Obama yesterday delivered the keynote speech before European Union and NATO leaders in Brussels, during which he denounced Russia's campaign against its LGBT citizens. CNN reports:

"We believe in human dignity - that every person is created equal, no matter who you are, or what you look like, or who you love, or where you come from," he said. Later, Obama reiterated criticism of Russian intolerance spawned by a law passed before the Sochi Olympics that outlawed promoting gay rights to children. Western ideals and values of openness and tolerance would endure long past repression, he argued. "Instead of targeting our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, we can use our laws to protect their rights," he said. "Instead of defining ourselves in opposition to others, we can affirm the aspirations that we hold in common. That's what will make America strong. That's what will make Europe strong. That's what makes us who we are."

Here is the president's speech in full.