The United States Supports Canada’s Decision to Return Turbine to Germany
07/11/2022
The United States Supports Canada’s Decision to Return Turbine to Germany
07/11/2022 09:11 AM EDT
Ned Price, Department Spokesperson
The United States is united with our Allies and partners in our commitment to promoting European energy security, reducing our collective dependence on Russian energy, and maintaining pressure on the Kremlin. In that vein, we support the Canadian government’s decision to return a natural-gas turbine to Germany for use in the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. In the short term, the turbine will allow Germany and other European countries to replenish their gas reserves, increasing their energy security and resiliency and countering Russia’s efforts to weaponize energy.
We are working with our Allies and partners to reduce our collective dependence on Russian energy and maintain pressure on President Putin, including exploring ways to further reduce Russia’s energy-derived revenues to continue curtailing Russia’s ability to fund its brutal, ongoing war in Ukraine. At the same time, we are taking active steps to limit the impact of President Putin’s war on global energy markets and protect our economies.
We are grateful for the partnership with Canada and Germany and their solidarity in defense of Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war against its sovereign neighbor and the significant sanctions they have each put in place to hold the Kremlin accountable. The United States and our Allies and partners are committed to supporting Ukraine and ensuring the Russian government feels the compounding effects of our economic restrictions and robust sanctions.
Message on the 27th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide
07/11/2022
Message on the 27th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide
07/11/2022 09:04 AM EDT
Ned Price, Department Spokesperson
Today marks 27 years since the Srebrenica genocide. The American people join the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in mourning and honoring the victims – more than 8,000 men and boys who were murdered in July 1995. The United States will never forget.
We will continue to stand with the families who lost their loved ones and with those who continue to search tirelessly for the missing, fight for the truth, support the survivors, and pursue justice by investigating and prosecuting those responsible. It takes courage and strength to overcome pain and loss and to promote hope and tolerance. We are deeply committed to supporting leaders at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina who are willing to take meaningful steps toward reconciliation in the pursuit of a better future for all citizens.
The United States values its longstanding friendship with Bosnia and Herzegovina and continues to stand as a steadfast partner committed to our shared goal of a democratic, inclusive, and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina on the path to full Euro-Atlantic integration.
The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Receives LEED® Gold Certifications for U.S. Embassy Pristina and U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo
07/12/2022
The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Receives LEED® Gold Certifications for U.S. Embassy Pristina and U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo
07/12/2022 12:51 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
The U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo, and the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council. Gold certification signifies that the buildings meet exacting standards for energy use, lighting, water, and material use, and incorporate a variety of sustainable strategies.
These projects utilize multiple energy-saving features that enhance the campuses’ performance including a contemporary building envelope in Pristina that reduces heat gain, water-efficient landscaping, and a wastewater management system that has created a reality of nearly Net-Zero Water.
OBO employed a holistic approach to environmental stewardship, using low flow plumbing fixtures, efficient lighting and HVAC solutions, rainwater harvesting, and other sustainability measures in order to reduce strain on the water supply and strengthen the buildings’ capacity to conserve energy.
The U.S. Embassy in Pristina was designed by Davis Brody Bond with B.L. Harbert International as general contractor and Page as architect of record. The U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo was designed by Moore Ruble Yudell with B.L. Harbert International as general contractor and Page as architect of record.
These missions are a part of 57 U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide that have achieved LEED certification: three prestigious Platinum certifications, 20 Gold certifications, and 34 Silver or LEED Certified missions.
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 design 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.
Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Belgian Secretary General Gentzis
07/12/2022
Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Belgian Secretary General Gentzis
07/12/2022 06:15 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman met with Belgian Secretary General Theodora Gentzis today in Washington, D.C. Deputy Secretary Sherman and Secretary General Gentzis discussed the importance of close cooperation to support Ukraine in defending itself against Russia’s unjustified aggression, including continuing our joint efforts to provide Ukraine with security assistance and impose economic costs on Russia. The Deputy Secretary applauded Belgium’s recent commitment to spend two percent of GDP on defense by 2035 and underscored the importance of the ratification and implementation of Belgium’s investment screening law to protect Belgium’s national security interests.
Montenegro Statehood Day
07/13/2022
Montenegro Statehood Day
07/13/2022 12:01 AM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Montenegro as you celebrate your Statehood Day.
Our countries are united in our love for freedom and unwavering commitment to democracy. As Americans work to strengthen democracy at home and abroad, we are watching Montenegro’s multi-ethnic democracy bloom, becoming more robust, inclusive, and participatory.
This year, we celebrate Montenegro’s fifth anniversary as a NATO member. Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine reinforces that we must all be diligent in defending freedom, which the United States is proud to do alongside its NATO Ally Montenegro. I am grateful to the communities across Montenegro that have opened their doors to refugees and provided humanitarian support to Ukraine.
The United States will stand by Montenegro, as a friend, partner, and Ally, as it progresses on its Euro-Atlantic path and takes its rightful place as a full member of the European community.
Russia’s “Filtration” Operations, Forced Disappearances, and Mass Deportations of Ukrainian Citizens
07/13/2022
Russia’s “Filtration” Operations, Forced Disappearances, and Mass Deportations of Ukrainian Citizens
07/13/2022 09:14 AM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
On the eve of the Ukraine Accountability Conference, the United States calls on Russia to immediately halt its systematic “filtration” operations and forced deportations in Russian-controlled and held areas of Ukraine. The unlawful transfer and deportation of protected persons is a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians and is a war crime. Russian authorities must release those detained and allow Ukrainian citizens forcibly removed or coerced into leaving their country the ability to promptly and safely return home. We call on Russia to provide outside independent observers access to so-called “filtration” facilities and to forced deportation relocation areas in Russia.
Estimates from a variety of sources, including the Russian government, indicate that Russian authorities have interrogated, detained, and forcibly deported between 900,000 and 1.6 million Ukrainian citizens, including 260,000 children, from their homes to Russia – often to isolated regions in the Far East. Moscow’s actions appear pre-meditated and draw immediate historical comparisons to Russian “filtration” operations in Chechnya and other areas. President Putin’s “filtration” operations are separating families, confiscating Ukrainian passports, and issuing Russian passports in an apparent effort to change the demographic makeup of parts of Ukraine.
Reports also indicate Russian authorities are deliberately separating Ukrainian children from their parents and abducting others from orphanages before putting them up for adoption inside Russia. Eyewitnesses and survivors of “filtration” operations, detentions, and forced deportations report frequent threats, harassment, and incidents of torture by Russian security forces. During this process, Russian authorities also reportedly capture and store biometric and personal data, subject civilians to invasive searches and interrogations and coerce Ukrainian citizens into signing agreements to stay in Russia, hindering their ability to freely return home.
Evidence is mounting that Russian authorities are also reportedly detaining or disappearing thousands of Ukrainian civilians who do not pass “filtration.” Those detained or “filtered out” include Ukrainians deemed threatening because of their potential affiliation with the Ukrainian army, territorial defense forces, media, government, and civil society groups. Eyewitnesses, survivors, and Ukraine’s General Prosecutor have reported that Russian authorities have transported tens of thousands of people to detention facilities inside Russian-controlled Donetsk, where many are reportedly tortured. There are reports that some individuals targeted for “filtration” have been summarily executed, consistent with evidence of Russian atrocities committed in Bucha, Mariupol, and other locations in Ukraine.
President Putin and his government will not be able to engage in these systematic abuses with impunity. Accountability is imperative. This is why we are supporting Ukrainian and international authorities’ efforts to collect, document, and preserve evidence of atrocities. Together, we are dedicated to holding perpetrators of war crimes and other atrocities accountable.
The United States and our partners will not be silent. Ukraine and its citizens deserve justice.
EU Sanctions on Russia and Shipments To and From Kaliningrad
07/13/2022
EU Sanctions on Russia and Shipments To and From Kaliningrad
07/13/2022 03:56 PM EDT
Ned Price, Department Spokesperson
We welcome the announcement by the EU making clear how its member states will implement economic sanctions on Russia with respect to Kaliningrad. We appreciate the unprecedented economic measures that our Allies and partners, including Lithuania, have joined us in taking against Russia for its unprovoked war against Ukraine.
We applaud European Union member states, including Lithuania, for enforcing sanctions measures fully in accordance with EU guidance.
It is important to note that there is not now and there never has been a so-called “blockade” of Kaliningrad. Using a variety of routes, passengers continue to transit between mainland Russia and Kaliningrad, as do all humanitarian shipments and most other goods. We should also not forget why economic sanctions were put into place, which was in response to Russia’s unprovoked and brutal war in Ukraine.
Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to the Hague
07/13/2022
Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to the Hague
07/13/2022 04:04 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya will travel to The Hague, Netherlands, on July 13-14. She is leading the U.S. delegation at the Ukraine Accountability Conference, which is co-hosted by Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra, European Union Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, and International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan. This ministerial brings together over 40 countries to advance coordination of ongoing work to promote accountability for the human rights abuses, war crimes, and other atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. While at the ministerial, the Under Secretary will also have meetings with senior international counterparts to discuss support for refugees and other displaced persons, accountability for human rights abuses, and other pressing needs that have resulted from Russia’s ongoing, brutal aggression against Ukraine. Under Secretary Zeya will be joined at The Hague by the Department of State Office of Global Criminal Justice Ambassador-at-Large Beth Van Schaack, and Department of Justice Counselor for War Crimes Accountability Eli Rosenbaum.
For further information, please contact JGCJ@state.gov.
Bastille Day
07/14/2022
Bastille Day
07/14/2022 12:01 AM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I send my warm wishes to the people of France as they celebrate their national day.
We have an enduring and close relationship with France, our oldest Ally. In the spirit of “Liberté, Égalité, and Fraternité,” the United States cherishes its relationship with France, defined by our shared values, including our fundamental support for democracy and human rights. We fought side by side through two World Wars and worked together in the aftermath to create a more prosperous and secure Europe.
As we mark the 75th anniversary of the announcement of the Marshall Plan, we face daunting challenges to the post-War order. This year our two countries have cooperated closely in our mutual pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity. We recognize and appreciate French contributions to human rights and global security, including in Africa, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, as well as close cooperation to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. The United States is committed to working with France to combat the climate crisis and we applaud French leadership on climate, including the Paris Agreement. Our partnership is extensive and multifaceted from France’s recent signing of the Artemis Accords to our important cooperation in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. We highly value France’s contributions in creating a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Best wishes to the people of France for a joyous national day and a successful year.
OSCE Releases the Second Expert Mission Report on Human Rights Abuses and International Humanitarian Law Violations in Russia’s War Against Ukraine
07/14/2022
OSCE Releases the Second Expert Mission Report on Human Rights Abuses and International Humanitarian Law Violations in Russia’s War Against Ukraine
07/14/2022 02:14 PM EDT
Ned Price, Department Spokesperson
With Ukraine’s assent, the United States and 44 other countries invoked the OSCE Moscow Mechanism for a second time on June 2, establishing an expert mission to examine the further human rights abuses and humanitarian impacts of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. In the report released at today’s OSCE Permanent Council meeting, the mission of experts found “clear patterns of serious violations of international humanitarian law attributable mostly to Russian armed forces.” This is consistent with the findings in the first report, released April 13.
The current report, like its predecessor, also documents evidence of direct targeting of civilians, attacks on medical facilities, rape, torture, executions, looting, and forced transfer of civilians to Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and forced deportations to Russia itself. It further identifies two new “alarming phenomena,” namely the “establishment and use of so-called filtration centers” and the “tendency of the Russian Federation to bypass its international obligations by handing detained people over” to its proxies in eastern Ukraine to let them “engage in problematic practices, including the imposition of the death penalty.”
Taken together, the two reports comprise the most comprehensive accounting of evidence to-date of Russia’s human rights abuses, international humanitarian law violations, including potential war crimes, and other atrocities since President Putin launched his full-scale war against Ukraine on February 24. The United States and our partners will seek to hold accountable those responsible for all human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes, they commit in Ukraine.
Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis Travels to the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland
07/15/2022
Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis Travels to the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland
07/15/2022 02:46 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis travels to the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland July 16-22, 2022, to meet with U.S. Allies on military assistance for Ukraine as well as to discuss security cooperation and defense trade which enhance Transatlantic and global security.
In the United Kingdom, July 16-19, Assistant Secretary Lewis will attend the Farnborough International Airshow, where she will meet with senior civilian and military officials, as well as advocate for U.S. manufacturers at the one of the world’s largest defense and aerospace exhibitions.
In Germany, July 19-20, Assistant Secretary Lewis will meet with senior officials at U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) based in Stuttgart to discuss continued U.S. and international military support to Ukraine and address other regional and global security challenges.
In Poland, July 20-23, Assistant Secretary Lewis will hold consultations with senior civilian and military officials to promote regional peace and stability and deepen defense cooperation.
For further information, please contact the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs at PM-CPA@state.gov and follow @StateDeptPM on Twitter.
Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call With French Foreign Ministry Secretary General Delattre
07/15/2022
Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call With French Foreign Ministry Secretary General Delattre
07/15/2022 07:26 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke today with French Foreign Ministry Secretary General François Delattre. They discussed our ongoing joint efforts to provide support for Ukraine and hold Russia accountable in the face of its unprovoked and unjustified war. The two spoke of the important work to alleviate challenges to global food security resulting from the Kremlin’s actions. Deputy Secretary Sherman and Secretary General Delattre also discussed the latest developments in Albania’s and North Macedonia’s path to EU membership. They agreed on the urgent need for Iran to drop demands that go beyond the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and implement a mutual return to full implementation of the deal. Additionally, they discussed continuing assistance to Haiti, including France’s recent generous announcement of food support to the country and the importance of renewing the mandate of the UN political mission in Haiti.
