U.S.Department of State,update

Assistant Secretary Lee Satterfield Travels to Croatia and Cyprus
04/04/2022
Assistant Secretary Lee Satterfield Travels to Croatia and Cyprus
04/04/2022 07:28 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Lee Satterfield is traveling to Croatia and Cyprus from April 3-9, 2022.

In Croatia, Assistant Secretary Satterfield will celebrate the 30-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Croatia, following the successful U.S.-Croatia Strategic Dialogue. Assistant Secretary Satterfield will join a senior U.S. delegation participating in the U.S.-Croatia Forum, where she will promote people-to-people ties through engagements with Croatian government officials, youth, civil society leaders, and alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.

In Cyprus, Assistant Secretary Satterfield will participate in a historic ceremony with leadership from the Republic of Cyprus and the American University of Beirut (AUB) to celebrate AUB’s decision to open its first campus outside Lebanon. The Assistant Secretary will have bilateral discussions on a range of topics and meet with U.S. exchange students and alumni to highlight the importance of people-to-people relationships in working towards a solution within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality to benefit all Cypriots. For further information, contact ECA-Press@state.gov. Follow along on Twitter at @ECA_AS .



U.S.-Turkey Joint Statement on the Strategic Mechanism
04/04/2022


U.S.-Turkey Joint Statement on the Strategic Mechanism
04/04/2022 01:18 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

The following is the text of a joint statement released by the Governments of the United States and Turkey.

Begin text:

In keeping with the commitment made by Presidents Biden and Erdogan during their meeting in Rome in October 2021, the United States and Turkey launched the U.S.-Turkey Strategic Mechanism on April 4 in Ankara. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal, with their respective delegations, met in Ankara to review topics of mutual interest, including economic and defense cooperation, counterterrorism, and key areas of shared regional and global interest. They reiterated their shared commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The United States welcomed Turkey’s efforts to facilitate a just, negotiated diplomatic solution to end the war.

U.S. Department of Commerce Under Secretary Marisa Lago will visit Ankara April 5-6 to advance the economic and trade cooperation goals of the Strategic Mechanism.

The United States and Turkey look forward to a Ministerial-level meeting within the framework of the Strategic Mechanism later in 2022.

End text.

The U.S. Department of State Opens Fulbright Program for Secondary STEM Teachers in Croatia
04/05/2022 10:44 AM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

Today in Zagreb, Croatia, at the U.S.-Croatia Forum, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield announced an expansion of the Fulbright Program to secondary-level educators in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from Croatia. Today’s announcement follows the U.S.-Croatia Strategic Dialogue, which was held in Washington, D.C. in March and mapped future areas of cooperation between the two countries on global issues, defense and security, energy and climate change, regional cooperation, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges. The announcement also comes as the U.S. and Croatia celebrate 30 years of bilateral diplomatic relations, as well as the 30th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Croatia.

The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program will bring Croatian teachers in the field of STEM to the United States for six-week Fulbright programs of peer learning and leadership development. The first STEM teachers from Croatia are slated to begin their program in January 2023.

The first inter-state agreement signed between the United States and Croatia was the establishment of the Fulbright Program in the Southeast European nation in 1992. More than 300 Croatians are Fulbright alumni, including a former President of Croatia. Also, more than 200 Americans have participated in the Fulbright Program as American Scholars and Students in Croatia.

The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program newly launched in Croatia brings approximately 200 teachers to the United States each year from 70 countries around the world for six-week programs. International teachers travel to a U.S. university to engage in academic seminars focusing on pedagogy, technology training, and teaching placements at local secondary schools. Participants observe classrooms, team-teach, and share their expertise with educators and students at the host university and American K-12 schools. Each year approximately 75 local K-12 schools across the U.S. receive these visiting teachers, and we estimate they bring their culture, history and global skills to share with more than 15,000 American school children. Program participants also take part in civic and cultural activities in their host communities.

The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program partners with the following U.S. host universities in 2022:
Appalachian State University (NC)
California State University – Chico
Florida Gulf Coast University
Georgia State University
Kent State University (OH)
Montana State University
University of Arkansas
University of Massachusetts – Lowell
University of Nevada – Reno
University of North Carolina – Greensboro
University of North Carolina – Wilmington
University of Wisconsin – Madison

For more information, please visit www.fulbrightteacherexchanges.org/ or email ECA-Press@state.gov.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken Before Departing at Joint Base Andrews
04/05/2022
Secretary Antony J. Blinken Before Departing at Joint Base Andrews
04/05/2022 11:19 AM EDT

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Joint Base Andrews

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good morning, everyone. As this Russian tide is receding from parts of Ukraine, the world is seeing the death and destruction left in its wake, and we’re seeing in particular the horror that’s been left behind in Bucha, something that is touching people literally around the world.

What we’ve seen in Bucha is not the random act of a rogue unit. It’s a deliberate campaign to kill, to torture, to rape, to commit atrocities. The reports are more than credible. The evidence is there for the world to see. This reinforces our determination and the determination of countries around the world to make sure that one way or another, one day or another, there is accountability for those who committed these acts, for those who ordered them. There’s also a strong determination to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to continue to support Ukraine in its brave fight to push the Russian aggression out of Ukraine, and of course, to sustain and increase the pressure on Russia to stop this aggression.

We’re heading off to Brussels now for a meeting of the NATO foreign ministers, for a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers, the leading democratic economies in the world, all of which will go to supporting the efforts that – accountability and support for Ukraine, increase pressure on Russia.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary —

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, when you talk about basically a deliberate campaign to kill civilians, does the U.S. have evidence linking senior Russian officials in Moscow to either ordering or knowledge of the acts being committed?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: We’re working, as are others, to put the evidence together to support the efforts of the Ukrainian prosecutor general, to support the efforts of the UN Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry that we helped establish, marshaling all of this, putting all of this together.

We said before the aggression that we anticipated that if it went forward, there would be atrocities committed. Information that we’ve seen going into the aggression suggested that this would be part of the Russian campaign. Horrifically, tragically, what we’re seeing in Bucha and in other places supports that. But in all of these instances, there’s a very important effort to put the evidence together, to compile it, to document it, to support the different investigations that are going on. That’s what we’re doing. That’s what others are doing. This will play out over time.

Meanwhile, what’s vital is to sustain and build on the support for Ukraine, to sustain and build on the pressure against Russia to bring this war to an end, to stop the death and destruction that Russia’s perpetrating in Ukraine. Thank you.


Sanctions on Darknet Market and Ransomware-Enabling Virtual Currency Exchange
04/05/2022

Sanctions on Darknet Market and Ransomware-Enabling Virtual Currency Exchange
04/05/2022 03:43 PM EDT


Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Following a coordinated German law enforcement action, the United States today took further action to combat Russian-related illicit finance and cybercrime by sanctioning the world’s largest darknet market for Russian speakers, Hydra, and the virtual currency exchange Garantex.

Today’s action – coordinated with our allies and partners – disrupts ransomware infrastructure and actors and targets the abuse of virtual currency to launder ransom payments.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Hydra, which provides a marketplace for illicit services, including ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) and hacking services and software, stolen personal information, counterfeit currency, stolen virtual currency, and illicit drugs. The U.S. Department of Treasury also designated Garantex, a virtual currency exchange that has processed millions of dollars in transactions associated with illicit actors, including nearly $6 million from Russian ransomware gang Conti and more than $2 million from Hydra.

The United States is committed to taking action against those who engage in money laundering or the financing of terrorism and allow their systems to be abused for illicit purposes. Wanton disregard for regulations and compliance by persons that run virtual currency exchanges will be investigated and, if appropriate, those responsible will be held accountable for their actions. The United States urges the international community to effectively implement international Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) standards with respect to virtual asset, particularly regarding virtual assets service providers.

For more information on today’s action, please see Treasury’s press release .


Secretary Blinken’s Call with Azerbaijan President Aliyev
04/05/2022
sident Aliyev
04/05/2022 05:41 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev today. The Secretary offered his condolences for the tragic gas explosion in Baku over the weekend. The Secretary condemned the Kremlin’s heinous war crimes in Ukraine and highlighted the continued commitment of the U.S. and its partners to hold the Russian Federation and its enablers accountable for the unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine. The Secretary called for restraint, de-escalation, and renewed diplomacy. The Secretary expressed his encouragement for peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including President Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan’s planned meeting on April 6 with European Council President Michel. He reiterated the United States stood ready to help by engaging bilaterally and with like-minded partners, including through our role as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, to help the countries find a long-term comprehensive peace.



Secretary Blinken’s Call with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan
04/05/2022
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan
04/05/2022 05:31 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today. The Secretary condemned the Kremlin’s heinous war crimes in Ukraine and highlighted the continued commitment of the U.S. and its partners to hold the Russian Federation and its enablers accountable for the unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine. The Secretary underscored that now was not the time for further escalation in the region. The Secretary expressed his encouragement for further peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including Pashinyan’s and Aliyev’s planned meeting April 6 with European Council President Michel. He reiterated the United States stood ready to help by engaging bilaterally and with like-minded partners, including through our role as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, to help the countries find a long-term comprehensive peace.


$100 Million in Additional U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine
04/05/2022


$100 Million in Additional U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine
04/05/2022 09:23 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The world has been shocked and appalled by the atrocities committed by Russia’s forces in Bucha and across Ukraine. Ukraine’s forces bravely continue to defend their country and their freedom, and the United States, along with our Allies and partners, stand steadfast in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

I have authorized, pursuant to a delegation from the President earlier today, the immediate drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $100 million to meet Ukraine’s urgent need for additional anti-armor systems.  This authorization is the sixth drawdown of arms, equipment, and supplies from Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.  Combined with $300 million in assistance announced by the Department of Defense on April 1 under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, this additional drawdown brings the total U.S. security assistance commitment to Ukraine to more than $2.4 billion since the beginning of this Administration, and more than $1.7 billion* *since the beginning of Russia’s brutal assault against Ukraine began on February 24.

In addition to what we have provided, more than 30 countries have joined us to deliver security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began. Together, we are delivering security assistance every day, and we are expediting shipments of even more of the arms and defense equipment Ukraine is using to defend itself. As we strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield and at the negotiating table, we will also work with our Allies and partners to gather information to document reported abuses and make it available to the appropriate bodies to hold those responsible to account.

United with our Allies and partners, we will continue to provide security assistance in support of Ukraine’s defense, as well as economic support, and humanitarian aid for communities devastated by Russia’s ruthless brutality.




The Department of State Breaks Ground on New U.S. Consulate General in Milan, Italy
04/06/2022


The Department of State Breaks Ground on New U.S. Consulate General in Milan, Italy
04/06/2022 07:53 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

In a display of the strengthening ties between the United States and Italy, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), the U.S. Mission in Italy, and other U.S. and local officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the new U.S. Consulate General in Milan on April 6.

The new U.S. Consulate General campus, which includes the restored iconic Liberty Building, Liberty Plaza, and Parade Ground, will offer a modern public gathering space and gateway welcoming visitors and staff.

SHoP Architects of New York is the design architect and Caddell Construction Company, LLC of Montgomery, Alabama, is the construction contractor. An estimated $65 million will be directly invested in the local economy and approximately 450 workers will be employed at the peak of construction activities. The new U.S. Consulate General is scheduled for completion in 2025 and will provide an ecologically resilient platform for diplomacy in northern Italy.

Learn more about the project here.

Since the start of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program in 1999, OBO has completed 171 new diplomatic facilities. OBO currently has more than 50 active projects either in the design phase or under construction worldwide.

OBO provides safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and that support U.S. diplomats in advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives abroad.

For further information, please contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov or visit www.state.gov/obo.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Belgian Foreign Minister Wilmès
04/06/2022

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Belgian Foreign Minister Wilmès
04/06/2022 09:29 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmès in Brussels. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Wilmès condemned the atrocities committed by President Putin’s forces in Bucha and elsewhere in Ukraine and reaffirmed the U.S. and Belgian commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. They noted that, together with other Allies and partners, we will continue to impose severe sanctions on the Kremlin for as long as it carries out its brutal and unprovoked war in Ukraine. The Secretary also expressed support for Belgium’s investment screening to protect national security interests.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne Before Their Meeting
04/06/2022

Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne Before Their Meeting
04/06/2022 11:02 AM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

The Hotel

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. I’ll just say very quickly what a pleasure it is to see my friend and colleague Marise Payne. We’ve spent a fair bit of time together in various parts of the world —

FOREIGN MINISTER PAYNE: We’re here.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: — but it’s very good to see you here in Brussels. We’re excited at the prospect of bringing some of our partners from the Asia Pacific together with NATO – that’s certainly part of what we’re doing here together – but also a lot of work that we’re following up on that we’ve been doing together in the region through AUKUS, and many other initiatives that we’re engaged in, and of course, the situation resulting from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

So, lots to catch up on. Great to see you.

FOREIGN MINISTER PAYNE: Indeed. Great to be here too, Tony, with our team. We’ve just arrived, as you noted, but importantly, at this critical time, a critical time for partners like Australia and the United States to be closely joined in response to the actions of authoritarian states that are untenable, unacceptable, complete illegal violations, wholesale violations of international law and the UN Charter. So coming here this week is extremely important for Australia to join with the United States and our partners in that response to make sure that we are working in as coordinated and comprehensive a way as possible.

So I’m looking forward to those discussions, and also to reinforcing the importance that no matter where in the world they behave like this, authoritarian states cannot be allowed to trample on the rights of democratic countries and on the people who have chosen to live and work in those democracies. So it is a very important engagement.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Andrea Mitchell of NBC
04/06/2022

Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Andrea Mitchell of NBC
04/06/2022 11:47 AM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you so much for being with us. I wanted to ask you about what is going on right now. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs had told Congress that this will likely last years, this war. A protracted war is going to last years, according to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Will today’s new commitment of Javelins, anti-tank weapons to Ukraine shorten that timeline?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Andrea, we want to see this come to an end as quickly as possible, and that’s exactly why we’re making sure that we’re doing everything we can to support Ukraine and to give them the assistance that they need to put pressure and to increase pressure on Russia, even as we’re strengthening our – the defenses of our NATO Alliance.

QUESTION: So what about the Javelins?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So the Javelins, we just did – the President authorized another $100 million in a drawdown that will provide more Javelins to our Ukrainian partners. Put this in perspective: Between the United States and other allies and partners, for every Russian tank in Ukraine, we have provided or will soon provide 10 anti-tank systems – 10 for every single Russian tank. So in terms of what they need to act quickly and act effectively, to deal with the planes that are firing at them from the skies, the tanks that are trying to destroy their cities from the ground, they have the tools that they need, they’re going to keep getting them, and we’re going to keep sustaining that.

But to the chairman’s point, and the President said this as well, as much as we want to see this come to an end as soon as possible to stop the death and destruction that’s being wrought by Russia in Ukraine, there is also a very likely scenario by which this goes on for some time. The Russians, even as they’re moving their forces, they’ve retreated from Kyiv, they’ve retreated from the north and the west, they’re consolidating forces in the east, in the Donbas. They have a lot of force still left. The Ukrainians have something else that’s ultimately stronger, and that is a fierce determination and will to defend their country with the support of many countries around the world.

QUESTION: Can they win?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So ultimately, yes, because what is success, what is victory? It’s holding on to the sovereignty and independence of their country. And there is no scenario by which over time that will not happen. The problem is it may take time, and in the meantime, tremendous death and destruction. But what is so powerful here is that the Ukrainians have made it very clear that they will not subjugate themselves to Vladimir Putin’s will.

QUESTION: But no matter how much we give them, how can Ukraine ever last against Russia for the long term unless the U.S. and other countries guarantee its borders, its safety, as President Zelenskyy wants?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first things first. The first thing is to see that this aggression by Russia comes to an end, that there is a ceasefire, that Russia withdraws its forces, that Ukraine asserts its sovereignty and its independence. But then, yes, we have to do things to make sure that, to the best of our ability and Ukraine’s ability, this can’t happen again, that Russia is deterred, that Ukraine is defended. We’re having constant conversations with —

QUESTION: Will we guarantee that?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So we’re having —

QUESTION: Will the U.S. get more involved?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: We’re having constant conversations with our Ukrainian partners pretty much on a daily basis, including about what it is we and others could do in the event of a successful negotiation to defend them and help them defend themselves going forward. All of this is the subject of conversations right now. I’m not going to get ahead of that, but we’re going to do everything we can, others will do what they can to make sure that Ukraine can defend itself and deter aggression being repeated by Russia.

QUESTION: President Putin has said he wants to recreate the Soviet Union, the glory of the Soviet Union. With those ambitions, how can Ukraine ever be safe as long as Putin’s in power?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, two things: First, in terms of what Russia set out to do, what Putin set out to do in Ukraine, this has already been a strategic setback, if not a failure. Because keep in mind, Andrea, the goal that Putin set in his own words was to eliminate Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. He sees it as a state that doesn’t deserve to be independent, that needs to be subsumed back into some kind of greater Russia. That is not happening, not just the retreat from Kyiv but the fact that no matter how you play this out the Ukrainians are not going to subject themselves to a Russian dictatorship.

QUESTION: He’s more popular than ever at home.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So he may be for now more popular. Of course, if you were getting fed a steady diet, morning, noon, and night of propaganda, which unfortunately the Russian people are, that speaks to what popularity he has. At the same time, when people are responding to polls, they may be very much afraid of giving the truthful answer. There’s now a 15-year criminal penalty for anyone who in any way opposes the so-called special military operation. So you have to take that with a grain of salt.

Having said that, I think there is a real fundamental problem, which is the Russians don’t get the factual information that they need to make judgments for themselves, and that’s because of a system that Vladimir Putin has perfected in which that information is denied them.

QUESTION: President Biden has called Putin a butcher, a war criminal. You have said that the people responsible for the crimes in Bucha and those who ordered them will be held accountable.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s right.

QUESTION: How can that happen without Vladimir Putin standing trial?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: First, Andrea, the wheels of accountability can move slowly, but they move, and someday, someway, somewhere, those who committed these crimes and those who ordered the crimes will be held accountable. But it takes time, and part of this is building the case, part of this is – which we’re doing and others are doing. Part – there’s a Ukrainian special prosecutor who is working on this. We’re supporting her efforts. We set up at the United Nations at the Human Rights Council a Commission of Inquiry that’s looking into this as well. We’re supporting those efforts, building the case, getting the evidence, documenting it. The International Criminal Court is looking at this too.

But all of this will play out over time, and we have to build the case, we have to get the evidence, we have to document it – we’re doing all of that. So is that next month, next year, in five years? It could take time, but I think – I can guarantee you there will be a relentless effort to make sure that those responsible for what we’re seeing are held accountable. And what we’re seeing, Andrea, is I think beyond what any of us even could fully anticipate. We said before Russia committed this aggression that there would be atrocities, that it was a deliberate part of their campaign. And even knowing that, when this Russian tide receded from Bucha and we saw the death and destruction left in its wake, and we saw what that looked like, including people who had been assassinated – and in fact, their hands tied – executed, their hands tied behind their backs – the abuse committed against women, against children, it’s horrific. And there has to be accountability for it.

QUESTION: Did you see the video that President Zelenskyy provided to the United Nations, or other images from Bucha? As you describe it, the atrocities, you have small children. What do you tell your children? What would you tell them?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, thankfully, they’re too small to actually see that, be able to digest it and to understand it.

QUESTION: But some day, they’ll – they will —

SECRETARY BLINKEN: But some day they will. And I have to tell you, Andrea, I think – and I suspect most of us have the same reaction, especially those of who have children or even small children – you put yourself in the shoes of the father, the mother, the grandfather, the grandmother who’s in the middle of this, who is suffering this, whose kids’ lives are at stake or in jeopardy, or who have been lost. And it hits you – I said the other day, seeing these images from Bucha was like a punch to the gut. It takes the wind out of you. You can know something intellectually, but then when you see these images and you translate that into your own life, when you ask yourself, “What if this was happening in my town, to my kids? To my family?” I think it only reinforces our determination to do everything we can to support the Ukrainians, to put pressure on Russia, to bring this to an end as quickly as possible.

QUESTION: Your UN ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described these atrocities and compared it by extension to the Holocaust. Talked about what the council in Mariupol had described, people forcibly – tens of thousands – taken from their homes, taken to Russia and put in camps. Isn’t that the very definition of genocide?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, we have to get all of the information, all of the evidence. We have to, as I said, document everything that’s happened, fully understand what’s happened. It’s an interesting irony in a sense. This is in some ways the most documented war in real time that we’ve experienced because of technology, because of smart phones, because of the incredible courage of reporters who remained in Ukraine. But even so, the things that we’re not seeing in real time, including Bucha – and it’s only when that tide recedes that you see what’s actually happened.

So I think we’re going to learn a lot more in the days and weeks ahead. I’m afraid that what we’re going to learn is even more horrifying.

QUESTION: Do we know anything about what’s happening in these Russian camps with Ukrainians, and do we have any hope of getting them back?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: We don’t have good information on that, but certainly we’re doing everything we can. Other countries are doing everything they can to make sure that anyone who is being detained is released.

QUESTION: The U.S. has promised to take in 100,000 of these millions of refugees. Europe has opened their doors, put them in their homes.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: They have.

QUESTION: NBC has reported on at least two women, two Ukrainian women on the southern border, who were taken and for two weeks put behind barbed wire and at times shackled in an ICE camp. How can we do that compared to the way Europe is welcoming them?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I’m not aware of those reports. It’s something I’ll certainly look into. But here’s what’s going on. First, Europeans have been extraordinary in their generosity, in opening their hearts, opening their arms, opening their homes to so many people. Our friends in Poland, in the first instance, have had more than 2 million people come through Poland. Many of the refugees – most of them, in fact – want to stay close to home because what you’re seeing, Andrea – and I know you’ve seen this firsthand – is virtually everyone is a woman and children. Most of the men between 18 and 60 have stayed in Ukraine to fight. They like to stay close at hand. They want to go back, they want to be reunited with their husbands, with their brothers, with their sons. And once they’re in Europe, they also have a lot of freedom of movement and the ability to reunite with other family members there.

Having said that, President Biden made clear that we will welcome 100,000 Ukrainians. We’re ‑‑

QUESTION: Is there a time frame?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So it’s over a period of time. What we’re doing right now is looking at what are the legal pathways that we can do that because there’s the normal refugee program, but that, by definition, takes a long time. It takes a couple years –

QUESTION: Quick question before we lose time: sanctions.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yeah.

QUESTION: New sanctions, now Europe is putting on new sanctions. China and India keep buying fuel from Russia and fueling this war, helping to fund Putin’s war. Why aren’t we sanctioning China and India?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So in the first instance, Andrea, these sanctions are having a dramatic impact.

QUESTION: But there are big loopholes, and Europe still is buying natural gas and still will for another year.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: There are loopholes that, piece by piece, one by one, we’re trying to close. Sometimes that takes time. But let’s look at what’s already happened. The sanctions cumulatively have put the Russian economy into a deep recession. And what we’re seeing is a likely contraction of the Russian economy by about 15 percent. That is dramatic. We’ve seen something else. We’ve seen an exodus from Russia of virtually every major company in the world. And Putin, in the space of a matter of weeks, has basically shut down Russia to the world. All of the opening, all of the opportunity that took place over the last 30 years is gone. And the Russians will feel that, I’m afraid, in their daily lives. They won’t be able to buy the things they’re used to buying, and they won’t be able to afford to buy what they’d like to buy.

And beyond that, the export controls that we put in place, denying Russia the technology that it needs to modernize critical industries like defense, like energy extraction – over time, those are going to have an even greater impact.

So we’re already seeing a dramatic impact to this. And yes, there are places where different countries are doing different things. We’re working every single day to close that down.

QUESTION: Quick question on Iran before I let you go. You’re talking about Iran here in Brussels. Is Iran’s Revolutionary Guard – which has attacked Americans and our allies – a terrorist organization?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So, they are. And —

QUESTION: Will they continue to be?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I’m not going to get into the details of where we are on the negotiations. I would say simply that I’m not overly optimistic at the prospects of actually getting an agreement to conclusion, despite all the efforts we put into it and despite the fact that I believe we would be – our security would be better off. We’re not there. We’ll have to see if we can close —

QUESTION: Is time running out?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: And time is getting extremely short. But this is something that we’ll be talking to our European partners about this afternoon and then over the course of the next day. We’ve been working in very close coordination with the Europeans, with the European Union, with France, with Germany, with the UK.

So we’ll see where we get. I continue to believe it would be in the best interests of our country if we can get back into compliance with the deal, if Iran will do the same. We’re not there.

QUESTION: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. Thanks for your patience.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Andrea.

QUESTION: Good to see you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: You as well. Thanks.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Payne
04/06/2022


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Payne
04/06/2022 12:53 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in Brussels. The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed joint efforts to hold the Russian Federation accountable for its unprovoked and unjust war against Ukraine as well as mutual efforts to provide security assistance to Ukraine. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister reiterated their commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and noted the April 4 release of the AUKUS Leaders’ Statement, summarizing the progress AUKUS partners have made over the past six months. They also shared concerns about recent regional developments and ways to support countries in making open and transparent decisions about their own security and economic interests.




Department of State Offers Reward for Information to Bring Transnational Criminal to Justice
04/06/2022

Department of State Offers Reward for Information to Bring Transnational Criminal to Justice
04/06/2022 01:10 PM EDT



Ned Price, Department Spokesperson

The Department of State is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Semion Mogilevich, a longtime transnational criminal currently living in Russia. Mogilevich is wanted in the United States for his alleged participation between 1993 and 1998 in a multi-million dollar scheme to defraud thousands of investors related to a public company headquartered in Newtown, Pennsylvania. The scheme collapsed in 1998 after thousands of investors lost more than $150 million. Mogilevich was indicted in 2002 and again in 2003.

This reward is offered under the Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP), which the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs manages in close coordination with federal law enforcement partners and other U.S. government agencies. More than 75 transnational criminals and major narcotics traffickers have been brought to justice under the TOCRP and the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP) since the NRP’s inception in 1986, with the Department paying more than $135 million in rewards for information to-date.

Any information in response this reward offer should be directed to the FBI at +1-800-225-5324 (Voice), +1-215-839-6844 (WhatsApp), or online at https://tips.fbi.gov .

For more information on the individuals listed above and the TOCRP, please see https://www.state.gov/bureau-of-international-narcotics-and-law-enforcement-affairs/inl-rewards-program/.




Joint Statement of the United States and Finland on Cooperation in Quantum Information Science and Technology
04/06/2022

Joint Statement of the United States and Finland on Cooperation in Quantum Information Science and Technology
04/06/2022 01:04 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The text of the following joint statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Finland on the occasion of a U.S.-Finland meeting held April 5, 2022, on science and technology.

Begin Text:

Recognizing that science, technology, and innovation have enabled transformative capabilities across multiple sectors, from energy to health and communications to transportation, and that the foundation of this progress is the global research enterprise, and its constant creation of new knowledge, understanding, and insights;

Appreciating that Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) revolutionizes both our understanding of fundamental phenomena as well as the development of powerful computers, secure and rapid communication, and sensors with unprecedented precision, accuracy, and modalities;

Understanding that the emergence of such robust technologies depends on an intensive effort to expand theoretical and practical understandings of QIST and to develop new tools for characterization, validation, and verification purposes;

Acknowledging that international partnerships are key to combine the expertise, ingenuity, and creativity of our countries to expand our fundamental understanding of QIST and thereby accelerate the realization of new technologies for the benefit of humanity; and

Mindful of the terms of research and innovation programs in which both nations actively participate, and within which both advocate for international cooperation to be as open as possible;

We, signed below, intend to harness the spirit of science, technology, and innovation to pursue cooperation and the mutual respect it confers, and to promote QIST including but not limited to quantum computing, quantum networking, and quantum sensing, which underpins the development of society and industry.

We intend to advance this agenda by:
Embarking on good-faith cooperation, that is underpinned by our shared principles, including openness, transparency, honesty, equity, fair competition, objectivity, and democratic values.
Committing to create inclusive scientific research communities and tackle cross-cutting issues of common interest such as equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, so that every person is able to fully participate and have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Collaborating in venues such as workshops, seminars, and conferences to discuss and recognize the progress of research in QIST, which in turn will lead to the identification of overlapping interests and opportunities for future scientific cooperation.
Promoting avenues to encourage a broad and inclusive quantum ecosystem to facilitate multidisciplinary research, and to share research methodologies, infrastructure and data, when appropriate.
Fostering shared economic prosperity by building a trusted global market and supply chain for QIST R&D, and supporting economic growth, by engaging stakeholders including industry consortia, research leaders, policy makers, and business security stakeholders to grow the future QIST marketplace based on shared engagement principles.
Supporting the development of the next generation of scientists and engineers necessary to expand the field, which could include personnel exchanges and other potential mechanisms
Leveraging regular multilateral opportunities to discuss QIST matters of international importance and respective policy issues.
Exploring other potential activities to be decided upon by participating countries.

We confirm our mutual understanding that cooperation informed and enabled by this Statement will leverage, as appropriate, the Agreement Relating to Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Finland as an operational framework.

We intend to focus on cooperation in QIST as outlined in this vision for the mutual benefit of participating countries and continue to enhance scientific cooperation under our respective leaderships.

End text.




Briefing with Special Representative for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Sung Kim on Recent Developments in the DPRK and U.S. Efforts to Advance Denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula
04/06/2022emocratic People’s Republic of Korea Sung Kim on Recent Developments in the DPRK and U.S. Efforts to Advance Denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula
04/06/2022 02:39 PM EDT



Sung Kim, Acting Assistant Secretary Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Via Teleconference

MS PORTER: Good morning, everyone, and thank you so much for joining today’s press call. Special Representative for the DPRK Ambassador Sung Kim is visiting Washington this week for a series of engagements and is here to discuss U.S. policy toward the DPRK. We’re very glad to have the special representative with us on the line today to tell you a little bit more about his visit. Ambassador Kim will start with some opening remarks and then proceed with taking your questions. I’d like to also take this opportunity to remind everyone that while this call is on the record, the contents of this briefing are embargoed until the end of the call. And with that, I’ll hand it over to Special Representative Kim.

AMBASSADOR KIM: Great, thank you very much, Jalina. And thank – many thanks to all of you for joining us this morning. Let me start by saying a few words on where we are and where we are heading in our work on the DPRK, and then I’d be happy to take your questions.

Since taking office, the Biden-Harris administration has made clear its priority to reduce the threat posed by the DPRK. We are determined to protect the security of the United States, along with that of our allies and partners in the region and beyond. We are of course closely following developments in the DPRK, and we maintain the ultimate goal of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

We know there are challenges, and these will not be easily resolved, but we remain fully committed to working closely with our allies and partners in a global effort to make progress toward this end goal. Our efforts involve both diplomatic outreach and threat reduction. And while it is clear the DPRK leadership is determined to advance its illegal weapons programs, we know that our efforts are constraining their progress. At the same time, we have not closed the door on diplomacy. We are committed to pursuing serious and sustained dialogue. As we have said many times, we are prepared to meet the DPRK without preconditions. But Pyongyang must make the choice to halt its destabilizing actions and instead choose engagement.

The U.S. Government at all levels has engaged vigorously on the DPRK with our allies and partners around the world. The Secretary, Deputy Secretary Sherman, and I have consulted regularly with our counterparts in the ROK and Japan bilaterally as well as trilaterally. We have repeatedly offered to meet the DPRK to discuss any and all issues, and yet the DPRK has declined our invitation to dialogue. Instead, they have initiated a series of missile tests that recently culminated in at least three ICBM launches. These actions pose a serious threat to regional stability.

The U.S. strongly condemns these tests, each of which was a blatant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. These launches demonstrate the DPRK continues to prioritize its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs at the expense of regional and international security. This prioritization is also at the expense of the North Korean people. The government has chosen to deploy its limited resources to fund illegal weapons programs even as the humanitarian situation in the country has grown increasingly dire.

The potential range of these ICBMs should also remind us that the DPRK’s actions are a global security concern. It is not merely about the United States and the DPRK.

In response to DPRK’s recent escalatory actions and as part of our effort to impede the DPRK’s ability to advance its missile program, we have taken a series of diplomatic, economic, and military measures. As of March 25, we have raised the DPRK’s ballistic missile launches at the UN Security Council six times this year. Russia and the PRC have consistently blocked our efforts to produce a UN public statement. And in spite of this, we’ve worked with a growing group of like-minded countries to draw attention to the DPRK’s irresponsible behavior.

On March 7th, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, INDOPACOM, ordered intensified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance collection activities in the Yellow Sea. USINDOPACOM also enhanced readiness among our ballistic missile defense forces in the region to help ensure the security of our allies.

A week later, on March 15th, USINDOPACOM announced it had conducted a carrier-based air demonstration in the Yellow Sea as a demonstration of resolve and commitment to our regional allies. The U.S. Department of Treasury and the Department of State have also announced several new actions to help prevent the DPRK from accessing foreign items and technology that enable it to advance its prohibited weapons programs. We have placed sanctions on a number of individuals and entities as well.

We will also continue to work closely with our allies and partners to address the critical issue of the DPRK’s cyber program, which poses a sophisticated and agile espionage, cyber crime, and attack threat. The illicit revenues from the DPRK’s malicious cyber activities directly fund its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs.

Our actions are intended to make clear to the DPRK that its escalatory behavior has consequences and that the international community will not accept the DPRK’s ongoing weapons development as normal. Most importantly, we want to make clear to the DPRK that its only viable path forward is through diplomacy. We harbor no hostile intent towards the DPRK. This administration is willing to listen to the DPRK’s full range of concerns and address difficult topics, but this can only happen through dialogue.

The DPRK finds itself isolated in unprecedented ways and has shut itself off during the COVID pandemic. Only the resumption of diplomacy can break this isolation, and only then can we pick up the important work that has been done before, building on the Singapore Joint Statement.

But even as we take steps to further deter the DPRK and reduce its threat, the threat that it poses to the region and beyond, we will continue to reach out with a sincere commitment to diplomacy. I sincerely hope this message will make its way to Pyongyang and that they will respond positively.

Be happy to take your questions now. Thank you.

MS PORTER: Let’s take our first question from Courtney McBride.

QUESTION: Just what is the U.S. interpretation of or reaction to the recent statements from Kim Yo-jong which appeared designed to threaten South Korea?

AMBASSADOR KIM: Thank you. Her statement in response to some comments that the ROK defense minister made – I obviously was concerned by Kim Yo-jong’s statements. They were provocative. We obviously hope that instead of making such provocative statements, that they would focus instead on some serious engagement that will address our common goal of denuclearization – and may promote stability on the Korean Peninsula.

MS PORTER: Let’s take our next question from Janne Pak, please. Janne Pak, USA Journal Korea.

OPERATOR: One moment.

QUESTION: Hello?

MS PORTER: Hi.

QUESTION: Hello, can you – hi, can you hear me?

MS PORTER: Yes, we can hear you.

QUESTION: All right. Thank you. Hi, Jalina. Nice to hear from you. And hi, Ambassador Kim. I have two questions on North Korea. Recently, North Korea has declared long-term confrontation rather than dialogue. If North Korea does not come to the table of negotiation, how will the United States diplomatic solution proceed?

And the second question: You said that you will not close the U.S. diplomacy. In the meantime, North Korea has continued to develop nuclear missile in the background while having dialogue with the United States. Do you believe that North Korea will give its nuclear weapons through dialogue? If so, what is the reason? Thank you very much.

AMBASSADOR KIM: Thank you very much, Ms. Pak. So we remain committed to the path of dialogue, and we believe, along with our allies and partners, that the only viable path forward is through diplomacy, and we hope that the North Koreans will accept our invitation to engage in a serious and sustained dialogue to advance our shared goals on the peninsula, starting with, of course, the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. But as I indicated in my opening remarks, we are willing and prepared to address any serious concerns that they may have about their situation on the peninsula.

With your question of – the second question about if they don’t give up through diplomacy, well, I mean, we – we and our allies and partners are determined to continue to seek the path of diplomacy. We believe that that is the only viable path forward to achieve denuclearization on the peninsula and to maintain peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.

MS PORTER: Let’s please go to the line of Ryohei Takagi.

QUESTION: Can you hear me?

MS PORTER: Yes.

QUESTION: Oh, thank you for briefing, Ambassador Kim. We support you are trying to persuade China to join the new UN Security Council resolution against North Korea. So what was your Chinese counterpart’s reaction to possible sanction resolution?

And secondly, I’m just wondering whether you had any good suggestions from Chinese counterparts to encourage the DPRK to engage in meaningful negotiations? Thank you.

AMBASSADOR KIM: Thank you very much, Takagi-san. So I had a very long and detailed discussion with Special Representative Liu Xiaoming yesterday. We covered a number of issues, including our work in the UN Security Council to achieve a new UN Security Council resolution. We believe that the unprecedented number of DPRK ballistic missile launches this year and the instability they belong to the Korean Peninsula are obviously in nobody’s interest, and we call on the PRC as well as Russia to work with us to send a very clear message to the Security Council that North Korea’s actions are unacceptable.

The U.S. and China have a very important shared interest in maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula, and through my many years of involvement in this issue, I’m convinced that Beijing shares our goal of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. So I look forward to working with Special Representative Liu and his colleagues in Beijing to make progress towards that goal.

MS PORTER: Let’s now go to the line of Doug Byun.

QUESTION: Hi. Hello, Ambassador. Thank you for doing this. I was wondering if the – I mean, you kind of mentioned this, but I was wondering if North Korea has responded in any way, negative or positive, to U.S. overtures, and also if the United States is sending any private messages instead of just messaging over public messaging.

And I have one more question regarding the – Secretary Blinken’s meeting with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts last month in Hawaii. At the time, the sides said they had discussed new ideas to bring North Korea back to the dialogue table. I was wondering if you could share some of what some of those new ideas were and if there has been any progress in your discussions on those ideas. Thank you.

AMBASSADOR KIM: Thanks very much, Doug. We have not received any response from Pyongyang, which is very disappointing because we have sent several messages, both public and private, inviting them to a dialogue without any conditions. We made very clear that we’re willing to address their concerns, but also chart a path forward on how we can achieve progress on the denuclearization goal.

I still hope that they will respond positively to our many outreaches, but thus far they have not.

The Secretary, as you mentioned, had very productive meetings with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Hawaii a couple of months ago. In fact, I think that is another example of the close coordination and communication that we have enjoyed with our allies on this very difficult issue. I don’t want to go into the details of those discussions, but I can assure you that all three of us are committed to exploring all possible avenues to jumpstart a serious diplomatic process.

MS PORTER: Let’s go to the line of Edward Wong, please.

QUESTION: Hello. I was wondering, with the change in administration in Seoul, what is your assessment of the direction that Seoul would now like to take their policy on the DPRK? And how much of it is a departure from the policy of the Moon administration?

AMBASSADOR KIM: Yeah, thanks, Edward. It’s tempting, but I don’t think it’s my place to predict the incoming South Korean government’s policies on this issue. What I can say is that we have enjoyed very close cooperation and coordination with the ROK, and I fully expect that with the incoming administration that close coordination will continue on this very important issue. Thank you.

MS PORTER: Let’s please go to the line of Sangmin Lee.

QUESTION: (Inaudible) to several measure to North Korea to hold DPRK accountable for their provocative action, shooting ICBM. So the resumption of large-scale field-based U.S.-Korean military exercises is – can be another measure you’re thinking about?

MS PORTER: Hi, if you’re still on the line, can you please repeat your question for us? Thank you.

QUESTION: Can you hear me?

MS PORTER: We can hear you now. If you’re able to repeat your question, that would be wonderful.

QUESTION: Okay, okay. So the – Ambassador, you mentioned about several measure to hold DPRK accountable for their provocations. So do you think that the resumption of large-scale field-based U.S.-ROK joint military exercises can be another measure you’re thinking about?

AMBASSADOR KIM: Thank you very much, Sangmin. So the U.S.-ROK joint military exercises, as you know, are defensive and they’re done to make sure that we have the combined deterring capability necessary to deal with any contingency on the peninsula. So these are extremely important exercises, and I know that both militaries are committed to continuing those efforts going forward.

MS PORTER: Let’s go to the line of Michelle Nichols, please.

QUESTION: Hi, thanks so much for the call. I’m the Reuters correspondent up here at the UN, so I just wanted to follow up on the earlier question about the resolution. Is China and Russia engaging on the draft resolution? What exactly are you proposing? Are you seeing any spillover from the Ukraine conflict?

And this call – you mentioned earlier that you’re hoping this – Pyongyang will get a message that the U.S. wants to talk. Is that why you’re doing this call, to sort of publicly get a message to them because they’re not responding? Thanks.

AMBASSADOR KIM: Thanks very much. As I mentioned earlier, I think the escalatory and provocative actions by the North Koreans require us to have a decisive response in the Security Council, and this is why we have, in cooperation with our partners, proposed a new UN Security Council resolution. We have had discussions with the PRC and Russia. Unfortunately, I cannot report that we have had productive discussions with them thus far, but I would defer to my very capable colleagues in New York to continue that effort. I know that there is overwhelming consensus that the Security Council needs to respond to these blatant violations of multiple Security Council resolutions, and we hope that Russia and China will agree that it’s in their interest to work with us on this new Security Council resolution.

The purpose of doing this call, I think, is to try to address any questions and comments that the press corps may have about the status of our North Korea-related efforts. It’s not necessarily to send a public message to the North Koreans, because I think we have made ourselves very clear through both public statements and private messages to the DPRK that we are ready to engage them in a serious and meaningful dialogue.

MS PORTER: Let’s please go to the line of Sho Watanabe, please.

QUESTION: Hello, do you hear me?

MS PORTER: Yes, we can hear you.

QUESTION: Okay, thank you for doing that. I have two questions. One, that North Korea’s anniversary on April 15th is now approaching, and there are also the concerns about further provocations. So in your meeting with your Chinese counterparts, did you ask China to urge North Korea not to conduct any tests or even nuclear tests, and you persuaded China to use their own leverage to North Korea?

And my second question is: Do you think there are any concrete steps that can be taken further by the three countries – Japan, U.S., and the South Korea – to increase our deterrence towards North Korea? Thank you.

AMBASSADOR KIM: Thank you very much, Mr. Watanabe. So we are worried that, in connection with the upcoming April 15th anniversary, that the DPRK may be tempted to take another provocative action. We obviously hope not, but we will be prepared.

Part of their preparation is related to your second question about the importance of trilateral cooperation among the U.S., the ROK, and Japan. As I mentioned earlier, we have had closest possible communication and coordination with both governments, Tokyo and Seoul, and that will continue, especially as we anticipate that there may be further provocative actions by the DPRK. And I think those possible measures include a number of different areas and I know that our colleagues in the military are also considering what we can be doing together bilaterally as well as trilaterally – more strengthen our deterrent capability.

MS PORTER: Let’s please go to the line of Jinmyung Kim, please.

QUESTION: Hi, can you hear me?

MS PORTER: Yes, we can hear you.

QUESTION: This is Jinmyung Kim from South Korea’s Chosunilbo, and thank you for doing this. Ambassador Kim, I have a question about the UN Security Council resolution you are seeking with South Korea’s Special Representative Noh Kyu-duk. And so what is the nature of this resolution? Do you seek to impose new, substantial sanctions on North Korea? Or do you simply aim to have a kind of declaratory statement that condemns North Korea’s action?

And my second question is: So everybody knows that it is probably unachievable right now because of the lack of cooperation – Russia’s cooperation. So why do you still pursue this resolution while you know that it may not go through? And my second question is: In your dialogue with Chinese special representative, have you seen any positive signs that China has already engaged in direct communication with DPRK to help bring back them to the negotiating table? Thank you.

AMBASSADOR KIM: Thanks very much, Ms. Kim. So the new UN Security Council resolution is intended to address a number of things, especially their continued missile activities, ballistic missile activities, because this resolution is in response to the escalatory, provocative actions that they have taken through a series of missile launches this year. They’re up to 13 launches just this year, deeply concerning, and at least three of those have been ICBM launches. I think it’s important for the Security Council to respond to such behavior that are clearly a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

You may be right that the PRC and Russia will not cooperate despite our earnest efforts, but I think it’s still important for us to do what is responsible. This actually affects more than the DPRK issue. This is about the credibility of the United Nations. When a country violates multiple Security Council resolutions in addition to their own commitments under the Six-Party Talks as well as the Singapore joint declaration, I think we need to hold them accountable. And this is why we’re pushing the resolution despite the fact that so far, we have received very little cooperation from Beijing and Moscow.

MS PORTER: We have time for a final question, and let’s go to the line of Conor Finnegan.

QUESTION: Hey, Ambassador. Just first brief follow-ups to some of my colleagues’ questions. When you said that you were worried about provocative action perhaps next week on the anniversary, is that concern specifically of a nuclear test? When you talk about no response from North Korea, I’m just wondering why you think that they haven’t responded.

And then finally, you referenced the Singapore declaration in your opening remarks. Do you think that that declaration should form the basis for future negotiations despite what some people see as its flaws and its vague language? Thank you.

AMBASSADOR KIM: Thanks, Conor. So in terms of the upcoming anniversary and the provocation – provocative actions the DPRK may take, I don’t want to speculate too much, but I think it could be another missile launch, it could be a nuclear test. The important thing is that we, in cooperation and coordination with our allies and partners, are prepared to deal with whatever they may undertake. And I want to emphasize that we obviously hope that they will refrain from further provocation. They’ve already done quite a bit this year – 13 launches. So hopefully the anniversary can pass without any further escalation.

And I – it’s always hard for me to speculate on why Pyongyang does what it does or what it doesn’t do. I mean, we have indicated very sincerely our interest in a diplomatic effort with them, and hope that they will respond. I mean, I would just speculate that given that the country has been a – complete shutdown for the past two years due to the COVID pandemic, perhaps that’s a factor in the fact that they have not responded. But I will limit my speculation to that.

On the Singapore declaration, I mean, you’re right about there’s been criticism that the document was too vague, not detailed enough. But we believe that it would form a useful basis to build on, because that is one document in which the dear leader Kim Jong-un has personally made a commitment towards denuclearization. So I think it would appropriately form a basis for a further effort to develop a viable diplomatic path and roadmap towards the complete denuclearization goal. Thank you.

MS PORTER: Thank you, everyone. That concludes today’s briefing. The embargo is now lifted. Special Representative Kim, thank you so much for your time, and I hope you all have a great day ahead.

AMBASSADOR KIM: Thank you.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Andrea Kalan of the State Department’s Russian-Language Telegram Channel
04/06/2022

Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Andrea Kalan of the State Department’s Russian-Language Telegram Channel
04/06/2022 02:33 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

The Hotel

QUESTION: Thank you, Secretary Blinken, for joining us today to take questions for our USApoRusski Telegram channel followers. Let’s go straight to the questions.

Our first question comes from Ekaterina Kotrikadze, an independent Russian journalist with TV Dozhd. She asks: “President Zelenskyy gave a speech at the UN Security Council and he was tough. He accused the organization of meaninglessness and weakness. He’s got a point. What is the mission of a Security Council which cannot actually provide security? He thinks it’s time to exclude Russia. Would you agree with Zelenskyy, and is it possible to reform the UN Security Council in the near future?”

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, President Zelenskyy is right that there is a problem with the Security Council. There is a fundamental problem when one of its permanent members, whose number-one responsibility is to maintain international peace and security, is the very country that is grossly violating international peace and security with its aggression on Ukraine, and that’s Russia. So there’s a pretty fundamental problem there.

At the same time, I think what we’re seeing is the United Nations as a whole coming together powerfully in support of Ukraine and against the Russian aggression, 141 countries having their vote counted and their voice heard in that. So I think the UN itself is stepping up, also at the Human Rights Council where a Commission of Inquiry has been created to investigate the abuses being committed by Russia and Ukraine. But the Security Council itself does have a problem that is a real challenge, and unless and until Russia acts as a responsible member of that council, the problem will remain.

QUESTION: Thank you. And our next question comes from Vitaliy Sizov from UATV. Vitaliy asks: “Is the U.S. ready to be a guarantor of security in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement is reached with Russia?”

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So we’re in constant contact with our Ukrainian partners at all levels talking about, among other things, whether – if there is a negotiated solution, outcome, what can be done to help ensure that this doesn’t happen again, that Ukraine is able to defend itself going forward, that it can deter future Russian aggression. And I’m not going to get into the details of what that might involve, but a number of countries are talking to Ukraine about exactly that.

And we want to make sure that to the best of our ability, once this Russian aggression is over and Ukraine fully asserts its sovereignty and independence, that this can’t be repeated.

QUESTION: Our next question is from Iurii Sheiko from Deutsche Welle: “Yesterday you announced additional security assistance for Ukraine of $100 million. You said it would contain anti-armor systems. Ukraine has already received a lot of anti-tank weapons while the main danger to its cities like Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and many others is posed not by tanks or other armored vehicles, but by aircraft, artillery, and missiles. Does the U.S. intend to provide or support providing systems to defend from those types of weapons, namely bigger air defense capabilities, artillery installations, or jets?”

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, we and many other countries around the world, especially in Europe, have been providing over many months not only anti-armor systems to deal with the tanks, but anti-air systems to deal with helicopters and airplanes. And the Ukrainians, because of their extraordinary courage, have been incredibly effective in using these systems to push back Russian aggression. Russia didn’t leave Kyiv or the outskirts of Kyiv by its own free will; it was pushed out and pushed back by Ukrainians and they were using many of the systems we provided them.

What we’re focused on is making sure that we get to Ukraine the systems that they can use now and use effectively. At the same time, we’re looking at other systems – some of them larger, more sophisticated – that may be useful and important going forward, but where, for example, Ukrainians need to be trained, because some of these systems you can’t just turn them over and have them be used immediately. Training is required; maintenance is required.

So what we focused on is what can Ukrainians use immediately and use effectively, but we’re also looking at over the longer term what could they use with the right training, with the right support, with the right maintenance. All of that we’re working on right now.

QUESTION: Okay. And our final question comes from Current Time TV: “Most Russians are kept in the dark about the war in Ukraine. No independent media outlets remain inside Russia. Many Kremlin critics have been forced to leave the country and opinion polls show broad support for the so-called special military operation, prompting accusations of Russian society’s collective responsibility for the war. Current Time’s own vox pops show that many Russians are unaware or supportive of their army’s actions in Ukraine. What message do you have for the Russian public in this context?”

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I wish I could effectively deliver a message to the Russian public. The fact of the matter is I can’t speak on Russian television. Most social media is blocked, or I would be blocked from speaking to it. And so Russians are being fed morning, noon, and night a steady diet of propaganda that doesn’t reflect the facts, that doesn’t reflect the truth, that doesn’t allow them to make their own judgements. Because we can all come to our own judgments and our own conclusions, and they may be different as long as we have the facts upon which to make those judgments. Unfortunately, tragically, the Russian people aren’t getting them.

But if I was able to speak to the Russian people and thought they could hear me, I guess the question I would ask is: How is this war, how is this aggression being committed by Russia on Ukraine – how is it doing anything to make a difference in your lives? How is it answering any of the needs that you have, the same needs that Americans and Europeans and Ukrainians and people all over the world have, which is to send your kids to school, to put food on the table, to save some money, to build a better future? How does it help? How does it do anything to address those needs that are shared around the world?

And I guess I’d say as well that President Biden, when – before this aggression against Ukraine said to President Putin repeatedly that the strong preference of the United States is to have a more stable, predictable relationship with Russia. How does attacking a country unprovoked and in a pre-planned way do anything to build that kind of stability and predictability? We have so many big things that we can and should be working on as countries: dealing with COVID-19, recovering economically, answering the existential challenge posed by climate change. These are things that affect Americans and Russians and people all over the world. That’s what we should be spending our time on.

But tragically, because, without reason, Vladimir Putin decided to attack Ukraine, the world is now focused on this. And it’s the entire world; it’s not just the United States. Countries have come together from across the planet, 141 at the United Nations, standing up and rejecting this Russian aggression, supporting the Ukrainian people. So I wish the Russian people could get that message because this is not about them. This is tragically about a choice that Vladimir Putin has made, a choice that does nothing to advance the lives of Russians, and unfortunately, tragically, is doing everything to destroy the lives of Ukrainians.




Targeting Additional Russian Financial Institutions, Officials, and Other Individuals
04/06/2022fficials, and Other Individuals
04/06/2022 03:26 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The United States is united with our allies and partners to ensure the Government of Russia pays a severe price for causing such death and destruction in Ukraine, and particularly for the horrors in Bucha and elsewhere. In furtherance of this goal, today we are implementing full blocking sanctions on two key Russian financial institutions: Sberbank, Russia’s largest financial institution, and its subsidiaries and Alfa Bank, one of the largest private banks in Russia, and its subsidiaries. These entities continue to sustain President Putin’s aggression against Ukraine. Accordingly, all U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with Sberbank or Alfa Bank.

In addition, we are imposing sanctions on the adult children of President Vladimir Putin, Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova, as well as Maria Lavrova, the wife of Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Ekaterina Lavrova, his adult child.

The United States is also designating 21 members of Russia’s National Security Council, including former President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, for their role and authority in crafting the Kremlin’s brutal policies and resulting abuses.

And finally, President Biden’s Executive Order today bans new investment in Russia – forcing Russia further down the road of financial and economic isolation.

This announcement of new economic sanctions follows our approval last night of $100 million in new security assistance to help Ukraine meet a continued need for additional anti-armor systems. This is only the most recent of six drawdowns of arms, equipment, and supplies from Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine since August 2021, and brings U.S. military assistance to almost $2.5 billion since September, and $4.5 billion since 2014. The United States commends the continued support of our allies and partners across the world in the face of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. We stand with Ukraine and recognize the bravery and heroism of its people and they defend their country and their freedom against Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine.

United with our Allies and partners, the United States will continue to impose economic costs on Russia for their actions through economic sanctions and provide security assistance in support of Ukraine’s defense, as well as economic support and humanitarian aid for communities across Ukraine devastated by Russia’s ruthless brutality.

For more information on today’s action, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release .




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with French, German, Italian, and UK Counterparts
04/06/2022

ch, German, Italian, and UK Counterparts
04/06/2022 05:00 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, and UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss today in Brussels, where they reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion. The Secretary again strongly condemned the reported atrocities by President Putin’s forces in Bucha and across Ukraine and called for accountability. He and his counterparts discussed how best to continue working to isolate the Russian Federation on the international stage for its flagrant violation of international law and principles, to increase pressure on the Kremlin, and to advance a swift end its devastating war against Ukraine. They also discussed plans to provide additional humanitarian and security assistance to Ukraine.

Prior to this meeting, Secretary Blinken met with his E3 counterparts to discuss our common resolve to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. They agreed that a diplomatic solution entailing a mutual return to full implementation of the JCPOA is the best outcome, but noted that we are prepared for other scenarios if necessary.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg
04/06/2022


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg
04/06/2022 05:47 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. The leaders discussed efforts to provide security and other forms of assistance to our Ukrainian partners in response to the Russian Federation’s unprovoked war against Ukraine. They also noted preparations for the June 29-30 NATO Summit in Madrid and reaffirmed support for NATO’s Asia-Pacific partners, Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and New Zealand, attending the Ministerial for the first time. Secretary Blinken reiterated U.S. support for the development of a new NATO Strategic Concept that addresses current and future threats to the international rules-based order.




Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with UK National Security Adviser Lovegrove
04/06/2022
Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with UK National Security Adviser Lovegrove
04/06/2022 09:05 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with UK National Security Adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove today in Washington. Deputy Secretary Sherman and NSA Lovegrove continued their close coordination in responding to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and atrocities the Russian Federation forces have committed. The Deputy Secretary and NSA Lovegrove reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region and ensuring the AUKUS partnership delivers critical security and technology capabilities to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.




G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine
04/07/2022

G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine
04/07/2022 07:42 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union.

Begin Text:

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn in the strongest terms the atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces in Bucha and a number of other Ukrainian towns. Haunting images of civilian deaths, victims of torture, and apparent executions, as well as reports of sexual violence and destruction of civilian infrastructure show the true face of Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and its people. The massacres in the town of Bucha and other Ukrainian towns will be inscribed in the list of atrocities and severe violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights, committed by the aggressor on Ukrainian soil.

In the presence of the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, we expressed today our heart-felt solidarity with the Ukrainian people and our deepest condolences to the victims of this war and their families. We underline our unwavering support for Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and express our readiness to assist further, including with military equipment and financial means, to allow Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s aggression and to rebuild Ukraine.

We underscore that those responsible for these heinous acts and atrocities, including any attacks targeting civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure, will be held accountable and prosecuted. We welcome and support the ongoing work to investigate and gather evidence of these and other potential war crimes and crimes against humanity, including by the ICC Office of the Prosecutor, the Commission of Inquiry mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, the Human Rights Monitoring Mission Ukraine of the OHCHR, and the OSCE’s mission of experts mandated by OSCE Participating States. We will provide investigative support, technical experts and funding. We will continue to promote accountability for all those complicit in Moscow’s war of choice, including the Lukashenka regime in Belarus. We are convinced that now is the time to suspend Russian membership of the Human Rights Council.

Russia must immediately comply with the legally binding order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to suspend the military operations that it commenced on 24 February 2022 in the territory of Ukraine. Further, we urge Russia to withdraw completely its military forces and equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

We warn against any threat or use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. We recall Russia’s obligations under international treaties of which it is a party, and which protect us all. Any use by Russia of such a weapon would be unacceptable and result in severe consequences. We condemn Russia’s unsubstantiated claims and false allegations against Ukraine, a respected member of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention that is in compliance with its legal obligations under those instruments. We express concern about other countries and actors that have amplified Russia’s disinformation campaign.

We express our gravest concern with Russia forcefully seizing control of nuclear facilities, and other violent actions in connection with a number of nuclear facilities, nuclear and other radioactive material, which have caused and continue to pose serious and direct threats to the safety and security of these facilities and their civilian personnel, significantly raising the risk of a nuclear accident or incident, which endangers the population of Ukraine, neighboring States and the international community.

We reiterate our demand that Russia upholds its obligations under international humanitarian law and desists from further blatant abuses. The Russian leadership must immediately provide for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access and make safe passages work, enabling humanitarian aid to be delivered to besieged cities and civilians to reach safety.

We commit to supporting the Government of Ukraine’s humanitarian coordination structure and to disburse humanitarian support quickly. We ask others to join in this effort. A humanitarian push including more funding is urgently needed for Ukraine and beyond as Russia’s ruthless war and actions are having massive consequences on global commodity and food prices. The resulting rise in food insecurity is being felt disproportionately by the most vulnerable. We stand in solidarity with our partners across the world who have to bear the rising price of President Putin’s unilateral choice to wage war in Europe. We will make coherent use of all instruments and funding mechanisms to address food insecurity, keep markets open, and build resilience in the agriculture sector on all continents. We will actively counter Russia’s narrative that Western sanctions have caused the rise in global food prices and call it out for what it is: a blatant lie.

In light of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, carried out with Belarus’ complicity, we have already adopted unprecedented and coordinated economic and financial sanctions against Russia that impose a significant cost on its economy. We stress the necessity of further increasing the economic pressure inflicted on Russia and the Lukashenka regime in Belarus. Together with international partners, the G7 will sustain and increase pressure on Russia by imposing coordinated additional restrictive measures to effectively thwart Russian abilities to continue the aggression against Ukraine. We will work together to stop any attempts to circumvent sanctions or to aid Russia by other means. We are taking further steps to expedite plans to reduce our reliance on Russian energy, and will work together to this end.

We commend those neighboring states to Ukraine that demonstrated great solidarity and humanity by welcoming Ukrainian refugees and third country nationals affected by the conflict. We confirm the need for increased international assistance and will continue to support these countries, including by receiving more refugees. President Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine has already forced millions of civilians, especially women, children, and elderly, to flee their homes. Over 4.2 million crossed the border to other countries, almost all of them to the EU and the Republic of Moldova. We reiterate our concern about the risk to this vulnerable population, including the risk of human trafficking and our commitment to protect these refugees.

Ministers paid special attention to the Republic of Moldova, which hosts the largest group of refugees from Ukraine per capita. The Ministers agreed to further coordinate their assistance for Moldova’s humanitarian response and long-term resilience following the Moldova Support Conference co-hosted by Germany, France and Romania on 5 April in Berlin and the establishment of the Moldova Support Platform.

End Text.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba before their Meeting
04/07/2022
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba before their Meeting
04/07/2022 12:20 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It’s always a pleasure to be with my friend and colleague, Dmytro Kuleba. It’s especially a pleasure to see him now, to see him in person, especially under the circumstances. I just have to say, as we were saying in the NATO meeting that we just came from, Dmytro, your personal courage is emblematic of that of the Ukrainian people. We have great admiration for you, for all of our Ukrainian friends in this incredibly difficult time.

But I think what you heard today from all of our allies and partners from the Asia-Pacific region as well was a tremendous sense of solidarity in support of Ukraine against Russia’s outrageous aggression, and doing everything that we can to continue not only to sustain our support to Ukraine, but to build on it; not only to continue the pressure that we’re exerting against Russia, but to build on it; and to see to it that Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence is fully asserted and protected in advance.

So there’s a lot of work that goes into that, but this was a very, very good opportunity to hear directly from you about your assessment of the situation on the ground, and then the work that we’re doing together between the United States and Ukraine but also amongst so many different countries that support Ukraine in this difficult moment. So, good to see you, my friend.

FOREIGN MINISTER KULEBA: Likewise. We speak regularly, we meet regularly, and I appreciate that you and I can talk on literally any given moment when the need arises. This is how a relationship between two real friends and strategic partners should evolve.

Ukraine is grateful to the United States for ironclad diplomatic and military support, and for the leadership in – of the United States in initiating, imposing, and enforcing sanctions against Russia. I have told you once that the recipe of Ukrainian victory in this war – it’s the Ukrainian stamina plus Western weapons and sanctions against Russia.

And I am satisfied with the dynamics of our cooperation on weapons and on sanctions as well, but when it comes to sanction – to weapons – and this is the point that I made today to all allies – we have no doubts that in the end, Ukraine will get everything that it needs and will overcome all the reluctance and hesitation coming from some allies when it comes to specific weapons. But the issue of timeline is crucial, and I’m looking forward to our conversation today to discuss the timeline of supplies of the weapons which are needed to defend Ukraine.

I would also like to thank you for reaching out to third countries who haven’t taken their firm stance on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and for explaining to them not only what happened – what is happening, but also the global repercussions of the Russian aggression against my country. It’s important to mobilize the entire world that stands for democracy and respect of the rule-based order. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you, everyone.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi Before Their Meeting
04/07/2022

Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi Before Their Meeting
04/07/2022 12:59 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It’s a great pleasure to meet my friend, the foreign minister. We’ve been together in all different parts of the world, but it’s particularly good to have colleagues from the Asia Pacific here at NATO. We are building stronger ties between NATO and our Asia Pacific partners, starting with Japan. And we also had Korea; we had Australia and New Zealand here today. And this is something that will carry through to the summit in Madrid, building greater coherence, greater collaboration, greater cooperation between Europe and Asia, between NATO and Asia Pacific partners.

We’ll also have a chance to talk about so much of the work we’re doing together around the world, and also looking very much forward to President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida getting together and seeing each other.

So, Yogi, good to be with you.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAYASHI: Thank you very much (inaudible). But it’s always nice to see you, Secretary Blinken. And actually, as you mentioned, this is the – for Japanese foreign ministers to come to NATO, this is the first time. So like you said, it’s very important facing those – Russian aggression against Ukraine, we have to strengthen our international cooperation. And on the topic (inaudible) to us, the U.S.-Japan alliance, it’s very (inaudible). So thank you very much again.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, everyone.

FOREIGN MINISTER HAYASHI: Thank you.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken Press Availability at the Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers
04/07/2022


Secretary Antony J. Blinken Press Availability at the Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers
04/07/2022 03:00 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good evening, everyone.

Two weeks after my last trip here with President Biden, we’re back in Brussels as part of this administration’s ongoing and urgent efforts with allies and partners to counter the Russian Government’s war of aggression in Ukraine and to stand up for the principles necessary to maintaining international peace and security.

Together, we are sustaining and building on our support for Ukraine – security, humanitarian, economic. Together, we’re sustaining and building on pressure on the Kremlin and its enablers, including with unprecedented sanctions. Together, we’re bolstering the defense of NATO itself, including by hardening our eastern flank.

Just over the past 48 hours, I’ve had an opportunity to meet with my NATO counterparts. For the first time ever, foreign ministers from the United States Indo-Pacific allies – Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea – participated as a group in a NATO ministerial. Ministers from Georgia, from Finland, from Sweden, and Ukraine also took part, as did the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

In addition, I met with my counterparts from the G7, the world’s leading democratic economies.

The participation of all of these allies and partners highlights the remarkably broad coalition of countries from around the world that are united in standing with Ukraine and against the Russian Government’s aggression – countries that recognize Moscow isn’t just attacking one country, but the entire international rules-based order.

The sickening images and accounts coming out of Bucha and other parts of Ukraine have only strengthened our collective resolve and unity. In Bucha, a woman described how Russian soldiers forced her and around 40 other people to gather in a small square. The soldiers brought five young men there and ordered them to kneel. Then, a Russian soldier shot one of them in the back of the head. He turned to the people gathered and said of the victim – and I quote – “This is dirt. We’re here to cleanse you from the dirt.”

That’s just one person Russian soldiers killed in Bucha. According to Ukraine’s prosecutor general, they’ve already found 410 bodies of dead civilians in that one town alone. And it’s not just Bucha.

In Motyzhyn, the body of the 50-year-old mayor, Olga Sukhenko, was found in a shallow grave, along with her hands bound, alongside the bodies of her husband and son. They were last seen alive being taken away by Russian soldiers.

In Kharkiv, a woman who was sheltering at a school with her five-year-old daughter and neighbors when a Russian soldier picked her out and forced her to accompany him to an empty classroom. He cut her face and knife with a neck – neck with a knife, excuse me – threatened to kill her, and raped her repeatedly at gunpoint.

With each day, more and more credible points of rape, killings, torture are emerging. And for every Bucha, there are many more towns Russia has occupied and more towns it is still occupying, places where we must assume Russian soldiers are committing more atrocities right now.

Here’s what we’re doing together with our allies and partners to stop this aggression, to stand with Ukraine, and hold accountable those who are responsible.

First, we continue to work in close coordination with allies and partners to raise the costs on the Russian Government for its aggression. Yesterday, we announced new sanctions on Russia’s largest financial institution and one of its largest private banks, on 21 members of Russia’s national security council, on the adult children of President Putin. President Biden also signed an executive order prohibiting new investment in Russia by any person in the United States.

The European Union is also actively considering robust new measures, including bans on Russian coal, on Russian vessels accessing EU ports, on transactions with four key financial institutions.

Second, the United States continues to work at an unprecedented pace to help Ukraine defend itself. Last Friday, the Department of Defense announced $300 million in new security assistance. On Tuesday, I authorized an additional 100 million to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs for more Javelin anti-armor systems. This will bring total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s invasion in February to over $1.7 billion and over $2.4 billion since January of last year.

More than 30 countries have joined us in delivering security assistance to Ukraine, aid that our Ukrainian partners are putting to very effective use, as we see in the Kremlin’s retreat from Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and towns. Today, I met again with my colleague and friend, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, to discuss how we can continue to provide Ukraine’s courageous defenders with what they need to keep pushing Russia back.

Third, we continue to provide significant aid to address the acute humanitarian crisis caused by the Kremlin’s war. More than a quarter of Ukraine’s population – over 11 million people – have been displaced. That’s roughly equal to displacing the entire population of Belgium, the country we’re in now, in the space of six weeks. President Biden announced that the U.S. Government is prepared to provide more than $1 billion in new humanitarian assistance to those affected by Russia’s war of aggression. That comes on top of $293 million we’ve provided in 2022 alone to vulnerable communities in the region, including to neighboring countries that have opened their arms and opened their homes to four million Ukrainian refugees.

The global harm caused by the Kremlin’s aggression is growing, including the disruption it’s caused to the production and distribution of wheat in Ukraine on which so many countries rely, something that I heard about and saw firsthand just a week ago when we were in, among other places, Morocco and Algeria. In Africa, where a quarter of the population is now facing a food security crisis, Russia’s war of choice has raised the costs of basic staples, worsening the hardship that people were already feeling. So at the G7, we discussed in some detail ways that we can mitigate the war’s impact on the most vulnerable people around the world.

Fourth, the United State continues to work methodically to collect, to preserve, to analyze evidence of atrocities and to make this information available to the appropriate bodies. We’re supporting a multinational team of experts that’s assisting a war crimes unit set up by Ukraine’s prosecutor general, with a view toward eventually pursuing criminal accountability. These efforts will also ensure that Russia cannot escape the verdict of history.

Just moments ago, as I was coming into this room, I learned that UN member states had come together once again to condemn Russia’s aggression and suspend it from the Human Rights Council. A country that’s perpetrating gross and systematic violations of human rights should not sit on a body whose job it is to protect those rights. Today a wrong was righted.

Fifth, we discussed ways we can shore up the collective security of our NATO Allies. As the President has said, we will defend every inch of NATO territory. We now have 100,000 U.S. troops in Europe. NATO’s established four new multinational battle groups in Romania, in Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, in addition to those already in Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, to reinforce our eastern flank.

Sixth, we discussed the additional support that NATO Allies can provide to partners like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia, who are most vulnerable to Russian aggression and threats, from cyber security to combating disinformation.

Finally, we discussed at length a new NATO Strategic Concept. This is the public blueprint for how the Alliance will continue to safeguard transatlantic security in what is a rapidly changing landscape. We’ll release that document at the NATO summit in Madrid in June. President Putin thought, among other things, that he would weaken and divide NATO. This Strategic Concept will make clear that NATO is in fact stronger, it’s more united, it’s more capable of addressing 21st century threats.

And I can say unequivocally from my discussions with many colleagues here in recent days, colleagues from around the globe, the revulsion at what the Russian Government is doing is palpable. There’s a greater determination than ever to stand with Ukraine, to shore up and revitalize the international order that Moscow is trying to upend, to bring to bear even greater costs on the Russian Government, to ensure that people are held accountable for their crimes.

Thank you.

MR PRICE: We’ll now turn to questions. We will start with Vivian Salama from The Wall Street Journal.

QUESTION: Thanks, Ned. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Two questions, if you’ll indulge me. UK Foreign Minister Liz Truss said today that allies have agreed to help Ukrainian forces move from their Soviet-era equipment to NATO standard equipment on a bilateral basis. She used very specific language there. And so is the U.S. going to match that pledge, and if so, can you tell me a little bit about the timeline or when you plan on doing that?

Second question is Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Kuleba said today that as long as the West continues buying Russian gas or oil, it is supporting the Russian war machine. That’s a direct quote. Are you pressing Europeans to commit to a timeline – a more aggressive timeline for banning Russian oil and gas? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Great, thanks. So on the first question, first, as you know and as I said, we have been individually as the United States and collectively as partners – more than 30 countries – providing to Ukraine the weapons and systems that we believe it can use most effectively and that it needs to push back against Russian aggression. And we’re not going to let anything stand in the way of getting Ukrainians what they need and what we believe can be effective. So we’re looking across the board right now not only at what we’ve provided and continue to provide but whether there are additional systems that would make a difference and that we could provide them. And we’re doing that in close consultation with the Ukrainians as well as with allies and partners.

On the energy situation, so we’ve seen over many years a dependence buildup in Europe on Russian gas especially as well as on Russian oil. And I think what I’m hearing very clearly is a commitment to end that dependence. We’ve seen again and again Russia use energy as a weapon, as political leverage, and of course, the proceeds that it gets from the sale of its energy is now – yes – helping to fuel its aggression against Ukraine. And my strong sense is that Europeans are very much committed, as I said, to ending that dependence. But it’s also not like flipping a light switch. You have to do it methodically. You have to put in place the necessary alternatives. The United States is doing a great deal to help in that regard. As you know, for this winter alone we’ve worked to make sure that there were sufficient supplies, for example, of LNG to compensate for any losses from decreased sales of Russian energy or a cutoff in Russian energy.

Going forward – you heard President Biden talk about this a couple weeks ago when he was here – we’re committed to increasing the supply of LNG. Other countries are taking steps to increase supplies of different kinds of energy. And as I said, Europeans seem committed to moving forward on this.

I think it also tells us how imperative it is that we accelerate the transition to renewables. And we can, I think – and Europe can make a virtue out of necessity not only by moving away from Russian energy, from Russian gas and oil, but moving toward sustainable energy and toward renewables. But it’s a process. It takes time. But my strong sense is that Europe is committed to doing that. Thanks.

MR PRICE: Missy Ryan, The Washington Post.

QUESTION: (Inaudible.) I have two questions for you. Foreign Minister Kuleba also today said that as Russia prepares for its concentrated offensive in eastern Ukraine that Kyiv needs new kinds of weapons and more weapons in days, not weeks, or else more people will die. Has the United States committed or will the United States commit to providing new kinds of weaponry to Ukraine within that timeframe?

And then the second question for you: Do you believe that the apparent Russian atrocities revealed in Bucha and in other parts of Ukraine make it harder to attain a negotiated settlement to the war? Thanks.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So Missy, again, on the weapons, we’ve been doing this all along. And by the way, the provision of weapons to Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression, President Biden moved out on that aggressively many, many months before the aggression took place because of our concern that Russia was planning and preparing for it. We did an initial drawdown the President instructed back at the end of last summer, another one in December, and then, of course, many since the aggression. So one of the reasons that Ukrainians have been able to be so effective in pushing back this Russian aggression, of course, it starts with their extraordinary courage, but it’s also because they already had in hand the weapons necessary to do that. And then since the aggression, we have repeatedly and continuously, along with many allies and partners, supplied them with the most effective systems that we believe they need to deal with the armored vehicles, to deal with the tanks, to deal with the planes, to deal with the helicopters.

But as I just said, we are looking at day in day out what we believe they most need, to include new systems that have not heretofore been provided. We’re listening to them in terms of their assessment of what they need. We’re putting that all together and we’re proceeding, and we have a strong sense of urgency. That was something that I think was felt among all allies and partners here, here today.

When it comes to Bucha, the atrocities, the war crimes, accountability in and of itself is absolutely necessary. And this is – we’ve seen this in past conflicts where atrocities have been committed, where war crimes have been committed, and where we have determined to get the evidence, get the facts, build the case, we’ve been able to do that. And sometimes it’s taken a long time. The conflicts have come to an end, often through diplomacy. Accountability has continued. Sometimes it’s actually not come to a conclusion until many years after the conflict’s ended, but it has. And one day, one way, there will be accountability.

QUESTION: Does Bucha make it harder to reach – negotiate a settlement?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: The Russians will have to decide if they want to meaningfully engage in diplomacy and in negotiations. The Ukrainians have made clear that – repeatedly – that they’re prepared to do that, but we have heard – they have heard nothing from the Russians suggesting that they’re serious about it. I don’t think in a sense Bucha has anything to do with that – it has everything to do with what President Putin’s calculus is, what he decides.

What we can do about it and what we are doing about it is making sure that the Ukrainians have everything that they need to defend themselves and also strengthen their hand at – in any negotiation; that we make sure that we’re keeping the pressure on Russia and indeed increasing that pressure through unprecedented sanctions; and as well, that we shore up NATO’s defenses to take away any notion in Russia’s mind of extending the aggression being committed against Ukraine to a NATO country.

MR PRICE: Nick Schifrin, PBS.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you. Der Spiegel and others are reporting that German intelligence picked up over open lines Russian soldiers specifically talking about indiscriminately killing civilians. Can you confirm that West – the West has recordings of Russian soldiers talking about that? But the larger question is: What does it say that Russian soldiers were apparently discussing this over open communications?

And one on diplomacy: In the lead-up to the war, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov either lied to you or didn’t know what he was talking about. Can you deal with him in the future? And the connected question: Today, as European capitals are evicting Russian officials, will the U.S. follow? Thanks.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Nick. I can’t comment on the specific report that you’re referring to, but what I can say is this – because we’ve said it before: We said before Russia committed this aggression that if it did, part of its campaign plan was to inflict atrocities, was to target individuals, was to commit the kinds of crimes that we’re now seeing, to terrorize civilian populations. And so this, as we saw it, was part of the game plan all along. Now, horrifically, the world is seeing it as we see what happens in Bucha.

And I’ve described it as it’s – there’s a strange thing going on in the sense that, look, our TV screens have been filled for the last 42, 43 days with images coming out of Ukraine thanks to incredibly courageous Ukrainians who are filming things on their smartphones and incredibly courageous reporters who stayed in Ukraine and are trying to bring this to the world. And yet, sometimes this constant flow of images almost normalizes and trivializes things to the point that people kind of see it as something that’s in the background and don’t respond to it. But then, something so stark, so outrageous emerges like Bucha that it hits people. And again, to me, it’s like we’ve seen – as Ukrainians have pushed back this Russian tide, we see with the tide receding what’s left behind, and that is horrific death and destruction.

With regard to diplomacy, look, there are diplomats from various countries that one deals with in the course of doing your job who occasionally have or more than occasionally have an adversarial relationship with the truth. That’s part of the job.

QUESTION: And the Russian officials? Will the U.S. follow European —

SECRETARY BLINKEN: We are always looking at this and we’ll continue to do so.

MR PRICE: We’ll take a final question from Teri Schultz.

QUESTION: I’m up here. Sorry. Okay.

Hi. Thanks, Mr. Secretary. Sorry, just to follow up on Missy’s question, you yourself called what happened in Bucha outrageous. Everyone knows the secretary general says that we are preparing for more such atrocities in Mariupol – in Donbas as a major offensive is coming. How do you sit across the table from Dmytro Kuleba and said, well, we’re looking at what else we think you might need, when he surely comes with a list? He tells us he came with a list; he gives us his list. So – and he says he doesn’t have the days that you are taking to look at this. How do you explain that to him?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I talk to Foreign Minister Kuleba multiple times a week, and we’re constantly going over what it is Ukraine needs, what it is we’re providing, what it is we’re helping other allies and partners provide. And again, you’ll have to ask him, but I think we were just together maybe an hour ago, and I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but I think he said very clearly the appreciation that he has and that Ukraine has for the support that we have been consistently providing.

So as we’re speaking, we continue to provide what Ukraine needs. But it’s also a constantly evolving picture. They are coming – they’re coming forward with new systems that they think that would be helpful and effective. We put our own expertise to bear, especially the Pentagon, to help determine what indeed we think could be effective, what Ukrainians would be ready to use as soon as they get it, and what we actually have access to and get to them in real time.

So it is an ongoing process. And again, the fact that the Russians have been pushed out of Kyiv, that they’ve been pushed back to eastern Ukraine, is the product of two things: first, as I said, the extraordinary courage of Ukrainians; but second, the fact that they’ve had in hand, including from before the aggression started, the tools necessary to help achieve that.

MR PRICE: Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks.




Russia’s Suspension from the UN Human Rights Council
04/07/2022

Russia’s Suspension from the UN Human Rights Council
04/07/2022 05:40 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

By suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council, countries around the world chose to hold Moscow to account today for gross and systematic violations of human rights in its premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified war of choice against Ukraine. We have seen growing evidence of Russia’s brutal disregard for international law and human rights in Ukraine, most notably in the death and devastation it has caused in communities such as Bucha, Irpin, and Mariupol. The atrocities the world has witnessed appear to be further evidence of war crimes, which serves as another indication that Russia has no place in a body whose primary purpose is to promote respect for human rights. As I said earlier today, today a wrong has been righted.

The world is sending another clear signal that Russia must immediately and unconditionally cease its war of aggression against Ukraine and honor the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. The international community will continue to hold Russia to account, and the United States will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their sovereignty, democracy, and freedom.




Further Targeting Russian State-Owned Enterprises
04/07/2022

Further Targeting Russian State-Owned Enterprises
04/07/2022 11:07 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The United States and over 30 allies and partners across the world have levied the most impactful, coordinated, and wide-ranging economic restrictions in history in response to the Russian government’s war against Ukraine. Today, we take additional actions to raise the economic cost on President Putin. We are imposing blocking sanctions on two Russian state-owned enterprises: Joint Stock Company United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), as well as 28 USC subsidiaries and eight members of the USC board of directors; and Public Joint Stock Company Alrosa.

USC is one of Russia’s largest state-owned enterprises, and it developed and constructed the warships that have bombarded Ukraine’s cities. Alrosa is a diamond-mining company, controlled by the Russian government, the proceeds of which help to finance the Russian government’s war and atrocities against Ukraine.

Our actions today, alongside the actions we have taken since the beginning of President Putin’s brutal and unjustified war in Ukraine, are designed to reinforce each other and intensify over time. We remain committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemn Russia’s atrocities and disregard for life. We support accountability for the Kremlin’s wrongdoing in this war of choice. As long as the Kremlin continues its brutal assault on Ukraine and its people, we stand united with our allies and partners in imposing additional costs on Russia.

For more information on today’s action, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release and the State Department fact sheet.




International Roma Day
04/08/2022

International Roma Day
04/08/2022 08:14 AM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States, I extend best wishes to Roma everywhere on this special day when we celebrate the rich culture, language, heritage, and aspirations of Roma globally, including the generations of Romani Americans who have helped build and continue to enhance the United States.

We also recognize today that many of the world’s Roma continue to suffer from marginalization, systemic discrimination, statelessness, and violence. This treatment and exclusion prevent many Roma from reaching their full potential in political, social, and economic spheres. As Europe’s largest ethnic minority, we acknowledge the challenges experienced by Roma who have fled Ukraine in the face of President Putin’s unjustified and brutal attack on that country. In addition to the trauma of war, they must frequently cope with a lack of documentation and stigmatization along their evacuation routes.

The United States calls on all governments to uphold their international obligations, respect the human rights of all people, and provide equitable access to civil registration, housing, health care, and public services. We condemn bigotry in any form—including persistent anti-Roma bigotry—and underscore our support of the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area.

Every individual is born free and equal in dignity and rights, and the United States remains devoted to inclusion and equity for members of all races and ethnicities, both at home and abroad. To commemorate International Roma Day, we reaffirm this commitment to Roma throughout the world.




Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister Morgan
04/08/2022


Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister Morgan
04/08/2022 03:17 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister Marta Morgan in Washington, D.C. today. Deputy Secretary Sherman and Deputy Foreign Minister Morgan spoke about our coordinated response to President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war in Ukraine. The two leaders also spoke about the United States’ and Canada’s continued work to promote security and democracy in Haiti and around the world.