U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

 

Secretary Antony J. Blinken with Mary Ann Ahern of NBC Chicago WMAQ-TV 01/22/2023 . Secretary Antony J. Blinken with Mary Ann Ahern of NBC Chicago WMAQ-TV 01/22/2023 03:35 PM EST Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Chicago, Illinois Segment As Aired ANCHOR ONE:  Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Chicago today and says he came to the neighborhood that is Ukraine’s beating heart. ANCHOR TWO:  His visit coinciding with the two-year anniversary of President Biden taking office.  Our political reporter Marie Ann Ahern, joining us now, sat down with Secretary Blinken for an exclusive interview today. MS AHERN:  Good evening to all of you.  Secretary of State Antony Blinken witnessed how this Chicago neighborhood displays its big support for Ukraine.  Here on the city’s northwest side, Secretary of State Antony Blinken witnessed how the Ukrainian Village neighborhood displays its support for Ukraine. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  If that’s allowed to happen in one place with impunity, it could start to happen every place. (Video Clip of Secretary Blinken) As we like to say we’re from Washington.  We’re here to help. MS AHERN:  Senator Dick Durbin alongside Blinken to meet with community leaders. (Video Clip of Senator Durbin) Washington is rarefied atmosphere.  You need to come into communities that are directly impacted by these foreign policy decisions. MS AHERN:  Blinken sees no easy resolution between Russia and Ukraine.  Does diplomacy work with Putin? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Diplomacy works in this sense: We have pulled together over the last year, now that this war has been going on, dozens of countries around the world; dozens of countries to support Ukraine, to give it what it needs to defend itself. MS AHERN:  Next month, Blinken visits China.  And it was two years ago today that President Biden took office. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  We’re back at the table.  The United States is reengaged.  We’re leading.  And we know what happens when we don’t.  When we don’t, either someone else is — tries to take our place and probably not in a way that advances our interests and values — or no one does, and the world doesn’t organize itself. MS AHERN:  Blinken’s tour included this modern art museum, and as the father of two young children, the artwork from the Ukrainian children especially touched him. (Video Clip of Secretary Blinken) I think the first thing you think about is what if this were my kids?  This could be my kids.  And that’s a reminder of why it is so important that we sustain our support for Ukraine until the aggression ends. MS AHERN:  While his resume is centered on foreign policy, what you might not know, is Secretary of State Antony Blinken is a guitar player who loves classic rock. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Played in a lot of bands over the years.  I’d say that if I had had just one thing that I’m missing, I probably would have pursued it as a career.  The one missing thing was talent.  But other than that, I love it. MS AHERN:  Blinken’s Chicago visit also included remarks at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, and he also taped the popular radio program on NPR: Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, and that airs tomorrow morning ANCHOR TWO:  Wow. ANCHOR ONE:  That’s an interesting interview.  Love his mindset though thinking about his own children when looking at negotiations in Ukraine. MS AHERN:  Absolutely. Secretary Blinken’s Call with Azerbaijani President Aliyev 01/23/2023 Secretary Blinken’s Call with Azerbaijani President Aliyev 01/23/2023 11:13 AM EST Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev to urge an immediate reopening of the Lachin corridor to commercial traffic.  He underscored that the risk of a humanitarian crisis in the Lachin corridor undermined prospects for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.  The Secretary encouraged President Aliyev to redouble efforts in bilateral peace discussions with Armenia.  He also raised human rights concerns in Azerbaijan. A Conversation at the University of Chicago Last Week. 01/23/2023 View as a webpage  /  Share FROM THE DESK OF Secretary Antony J. Blinken U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE Last week, I traveled to Chicago, Illinois to participate in a moderated conversation at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics with its founder, David Axelrod, to help mark the Institute’s 10-year anniversary. It was a privilege to commemorate the Institute’s ten years of service and contributions and have a great conversation about U.S. diplomacy and how we address our toughest global challenges. I wanted to share a few excerpts from our conversation below – you can read the full conversation here. On the Two-Year Anniversary of the Biden Administration  MR . AXELROD: This isn’t just the anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Politics, but it’s also the two-year anniversary of the Biden administration. Talk to me about these two years from your perspective as Secretary of State. What has gone well? What are you proudest of? What are the things where you look back and say, “Gee, I wish we had done that a little bit better, or differently?” SECRETARY BLINKEN: So I think two years in, what it’s safe to say from my perspective, at least, is that we’re in a better place in the world than we were. The first instruction that I got from President Biden on taking the job was: Get out there, re-energize, rejuvenate, re-engage our alliances, our partnerships, and our work in international organizations. And the reason he was so determined that we do that is that, if you’re looking around at all of the issues that are actually having an impact on the lives of pretty much everyone in this room – whether it’s the impact of a global pandemic; whether it’s climate change; whether it’s the effect that all of these new technologies are having on our lives, the stuff that we carry in our pockets every single day; whether it’s drugs, the fentanyl crisis – we can’t deal effectively with a single one of these issues unless we’re actually finding ways to cooperate and coordinate and work with other countries. On climate change we’re 15 percent or so of global emissions. If we do everything right at home, we’ve still got to bring along the other 85 percent. COVID, which we all know all too well, we can do everything right at home – if there’s another variant circulating out there somewhere, it could still come back and bite us. I could go down the list. So we’ve done that, and in ways big and small, rolling up our sleeves every single day, we’re re-engaged. The other thing he said was this: We have to be out there not only to cooperate and coordinate with other countries – but we have to be out there and at the table. Because when we’re not, when America’s disengaged, one of two things happens. Either someone else tries to take our place – and probably not in a way that advances our own interests and values. Or – maybe just as bad – no one does. And we know the world doesn’t organize itself. In the absence of anyone taking on that role, you tend to have a vacuum that may be filled by bad things before it’s filled by good things. So the bottom line is this: We are re-engaged, we’re out there, we’re leading again, and we’re doing it with other countries in ways that are building coalitions to tackle these problems. Now, there are a huge number of disruptors out there, and we have to find ways to effectively address them. We have geopolitical disruptors in the form of great power competition that’s emerged again, particularly with Russia and with China in different ways, and we have these transnational disruptors, the ones we’ve just referenced, that are having a big impact on people’s lives. But we’re in a better place to address them. Last thing is this: We’ve been really smart about something else. Our strength at home is directly tied to our standing around the world. When we’re making smart investments in ourselves – as we did with infrastructure; as we did with the CHIPS Act to make sure that we remain the leader in making semiconductors here in the United States; as we did with the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which is the biggest single investment made to deal with climate change in the history of this country – when we’re making those investments at home, it’s actually having an impact on our standing around the world. I’ve got partners, countries coming up to us and saying: We see what you’re doing to make yourselves stronger at home. We want to work with you; we want to partner with you. On Alliances and Russia’s War on Ukraine  MR. AXELROD: You talked about alliances. Obviously the place where it has been most dramatically reflected is in Ukraine, a situation that you couldn’t have foreseen when you became Secretary of State. The question comes up – How much time do you have there before the coalition frays? Putin is obviously playing a waiting game, and the Russians have great tolerance for suffering and he seems intent to try and wait this out. What are you telling the Ukrainians and what is your sense of where this goes and how quickly it has to move before this thing kind of frays? SECRETARY BLINKEN: From almost day one, we’ve seen a lot of premature reports of the demise of the coalition. And on the contrary, not only has it held together, it’s grown consistently stronger. Time and again we’ve seen dozens of countries come together to try to make sure that Ukraine is getting what it needs when it needs it – the humanitarian support, the economic support – to defend itself, to push back against the Russian aggression, and to take back the land that was seized. We just did another so-called drawdown of military equipment for Ukraine – this time more than $2.5 billion. We’re up to almost $30 billion in military support, about $60 billion in total support. The Europeans have done much the same. [...] Every step along the way, starting from before the Russian aggression, we tried to make sure the Ukrainians had in their hands what they needed, what they could use to effectively push back against any Russian aggression. Before the war started, we saw the storm clouds. We tried to warn the world. We tried to prevent it. But even as we were doing that, we tried to make sure the Ukrainians were prepared. We did drawdowns of our equipment – Stingers and Javelins – going back to Labor Day a year ago and then again before Christmas. So they had in their hands what they needed when the Russians went to Kyiv, and they were able to repel it. All along the way, we’ve tried to make sure that as the war moved, as the Russians shifted what they were doing and where they were doing it, the Ukrainians had what they needed. You’ve seen a succession of different weapons systems go to the Ukrainians. The discussions that we have with allies and partners – including ourselves – is not only what weapons do they need, but they also need to be trained on them, so we’ve got to do that. They need to be able to maintain them. And they’ve got to be able to use them effectively. All of that goes into these decisions. On China MR .AXELROD: Talk about China, where – the China that you’re going to visit right now, not necessarily the same China from a year ago before the COVID debacle, before their economy was ground to a halt. What are you hoping to accomplish there? SECRETARY BLINKEN: So the President and President Xi had a very good, constructive, long conversation in Bali on the margins of this G20 meeting toward the end of last year, and I think the most important thing in the immediate for us is this: This is the most consequential and complex relationship of any that we have in the world. I think many other countries could say the same about their relationship with China. We’re in a competition. China is a leading competitor, and in many ways, the vision that they have for what the world should be and where it should go is not the same as the one we have. But competition is one thing, conflict is another, and it’s strongly in our interest to make sure that even as we compete very vigorously, we avoid competition veering into conflict. One of the ways you do that is making sure that you actually have good lines of communication, that you’re talking, that you’re engaging, that you’re putting some guardrails on the relationship, and that you’re putting a floor underneath it. That’s what the President and President Xi were doing in Bali. That’s the conversation they asked me to continue. On Pursuing a Career in the U.S. Foreign Service  MR. AXELROD:  I do want to ask you this: There are a lot of people here who are considering what they want to do with their lives. And there was a period of time in the last decade when joining the Foreign Service became less attractive. I want to give you a couple of minutes to make a sales pitch here for why people should consider that work, that form of service. SECRETARY BLINKEN: So I’ve had an incredible opportunity in my own life to do a bunch of different things. I was a journalist for a while. I was a lawyer for a while, for one year, 10 months, two weeks, three days, and five hours.  I dabbled in movies, et cetera. And then, after a long, circuitous journey, I wound up in government, working for President Clinton. And for the past 30 years, that’s pretty much what I’ve done, with a couple of periods of time out of government because elections happen and things change. And what I can tell you is this: There are so many different ways to find fulfillment, to find happiness, to find a sense of purpose in life – in the private sector, in NGOs, in academia, you name it. For me, at least, having had these different experiences, there is something unique about serving in government, and that something unique is right there behind us [Secretary Blinken points to the U.S. flag], and it’s behind me every single day, either figuratively or literally. And it may sound corny, but for me at least, knowing that I’m there with the American flag behind me every day is something that I haven’t really found in any other pursuit that I’ve engaged in. I think public service in some fashion, serving your community, if not serving your country – there’s something about that that just is unique in the fulfillment that you get from it, even with the frustrations that come along with it. I appreciate those who have taken the time to write to me in the past several months. To share your thoughts, please write to me and my team at EmailTeam@State.gov. Sincerely, Secretary Antony J. Blinken   Note to Readers This new flagship email – “From the Secretary’s Desk” – features the Secretary’s remarks and speeches on important current events. Sign up to receive this email regularly This email was adapted from Secretary Blinken’s Conversation with Institute of Politics Founding Director David Axelrod on January 20,2023. Find all my speeches, remarks, and other press statements on State.gov. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram to learn more about my work. I’m also on Spotify, where I'm creating playlists of my favorite music from around the world. Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with G7+ Partners on Ukraine Energy Sector Support 01/24/2023 Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with G7+ Partners on Ukraine Energy Sector Support 01/24/2023 01:30 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi co-hosted a meeting today with G7 and other key partners to reaffirm collective support for Ukraine’s energy sector.  The Secretary led discussion of ongoing efforts to expedite energy equipment deliveries to Ukraine, praised Ukrainian citizens’ continued resilience, and highlighted the new $125 million package from the United States to support the resilience of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including procurements of high-voltage autotransformers, mobile gas turbines to support essential public services, and distribution substation repair equipment.  The Secretary and his counterparts reiterated their call for Russia to halt its attacks on the people of Ukraine and their energy and heating systems. The group committed to continuing its close coordination to deliver equipment and humanitarian support this winter, procure essential infrastructure, and support Ukraine’s long-term vision to modernize and decarbonize its energy grid and integrate with the European system.  The Secretary emphasized the firm commitment of the United States to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. United States – Iceland Economic Partnership Dialogue 01/24/2023 United States – Iceland Economic Partnership Dialogue 01/24/2023 04:32 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The United States and Iceland held the fourth bilateral Economic Partnership Dialogue today in Reykjavik, led by Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Whitney Baird and Icelandic Director General for External Trade and Economic Affairs Ragnar Kristjánsson, with participation from U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Carrin Patman, Icelandic Ambassador to the United States Bergdis Ellertsdottir, State’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Bureau of Energy Resources, and Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.  The two sides welcomed the dialogue as an opportunity to deepen economic cooperation, address bilateral trade concerns, and strengthen the robust economic and trade partnership.  The principals discussed overall priorities in the economic and trade relationship, including securing supply chains, expanding investment security, and protecting critical infrastructure.  The two sides agreed to continue collaboration on energy security, renewable energy, and green solutions to address the climate crisis. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Baird outlined the first-ever U.S. Strategy on Global Women’s Economic Security.  Director General Kristjánsson welcomed the strategy and described Iceland’s commitment to gender equality in law and practice, including support for women’s economic leadership in government and business affairs. The United States and Iceland stand united in condemning Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.  The two Allies will continue to take appropriate economic response measures, to include sanctions on actors that support Putin’s illegal war, and to provide economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The United States and Iceland committed to continue to build upon the existing strong economic ties, deep-rooted cultural and historic relationship, common values of democracy and human rights, and mutual bilateral cooperation. The U.S. Strategy on Global Women’s Economic Security can be accessed here: U.S. Strategy on Global Women’s Economic Security – United States Department of State Countering the Wagner Group and Degrading Russia’s War Efforts in Ukraine 01/26/2023 Countering the Wagner Group and Degrading Russia’s War Efforts in Ukraine 01/26/2023 10:43 AM EST Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State The United States is sanctioning individuals and entities linked to Russia’s para-military Wagner Group and its head, Yevgeniy Prigozhin – including its key infrastructure and associated front companies, its battlefield operations in Ukraine, producers of Russia’s weapons, and those administering Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine.  This action supports our goal to degrade Moscow’s capacity to wage war against Ukraine, to promote accountability for those responsible for Russia’s war of aggression and associated abuses, and to place further pressure on Russia’s defense sector. In November 2022, the Department of State designated the Wagner Group pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian economy. It was previously designated by OFAC in June 2017 under E.O. 13660 for being responsible for or complicit in, or having engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine. Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating the Wagner Group as a significant transnational criminal organization pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13581, as amended by E.O. 13863. The Wagner Group’s pattern of serious criminal behavior includes violent harassment of journalists, aid workers, and members of minority groups and harassment, obstruction, and intimidation of UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR), as well as rape and killings in Mali. Concurrently, OFAC is designating Wagner pursuant to E.O. 13667 for being responsible for or complicit in, or having engaged in, the targeting of women, children, or any civilians through the commission of acts of violence, or abduction, forced displacement, or attacks on schools, hospitals, religious sites, or locations where civilians are seeking refuge, or through conduct that would constitute a serious abuse or violation of human rights or a violation of international humanitarian law in relation to CAR. Further, the Department of State is designating today five entities and one individual linked to the Wagner Group and Prigozhin.  These designations target a range of Wagner’s key infrastructure – including an aviation firm used by Wagner, a Wagner propaganda organization, and Wagner front companies. OFAC is also designating persons and entities based in CAR, the People’s Republic of China, Luxembourg, and the United Arab Emirates that are connected to Wagner’s operations around the world. The Department is also designating under E.O. 14024 three individuals for their roles as heads of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service, which has been reported to facilitate the recruitment of Russian prisoners into the Wagner Group.  The Department is also designating a Deputy Prime Minister who also serves as the Minister of Industry and Trade and the Chairman of the Election Commission of the Rostov Region. The Department is further designating under E.O. 14024 one individual and four entities associated with Russian Oligarch Vladimir Potanin, who was sanctioned pursuant to E.O. 14024 in December 2022.  Similarly, the Department is designating Sergei Adonev, a financier of Russian President Putin, alongside several associated entities and individuals.  The Department is also identifying two yachts and one aircraft associated with Adonev as blocked property. Additionally, the Department is designating under E.O. 14024 Aktsionernoye Obshchestvo Dalnevostochnyy TsentrSudostroyeniya i Sudoremonta (AO DTSSS) alongside eight subsidiaries. AO DTSSS and its subsidiaries are known for building and servicing Russia’s military, including its Pacific Fleet. Finally, the Department is announcing steps to impose visa restrictions on 531 members of the Russian military for actions that threaten or violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of Ukraine pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. These actions also advance President Biden’s plan to promote accountability for conflict-related sexual violence, which calls for federal agencies to leverage existing sanctions authorities to pursue its perpetrators. The United States is steadfast in our resolve against Russia’s aggression and other destabilizing behavior worldwide.  Today’s designations will further impede the Kremlin’s ability to arm its war-machine that is engaged in a war of aggression against Ukraine, and which has caused unconscionable death and destruction. For more information on today’s action, please see the Department of State’s fact sheet, the Department of the Treasury’s press release, and the White House Presidential Memorandum. Actions to Counter Wagner and Degrade Russia’s War Efforts in Ukraine 01/26/2023 Actions to Counter Wagner and Degrade Russia’s War Efforts in Ukraine 01/26/2023 10:40 AM EST Office of the Spokesperson The United States will continue to impede the Kremlin’s ability to arm and equip its war machine engaged in an unjustified war against Ukraine.  The Department of State is designating five entities and one individual linked to the Wagner Group and its head, Yevgeniy Prigozhin.  Additionally, the Department is designating nine individuals and 14 entities for their status as government officials, their involvement in the extended networks of designated persons, and/or for being part of Russia’s military industrial complex.  Finally, the Department is identifying two yachts and one aircraft as blocked property.  All targets are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, which authorizes sanctions with respect to specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation. INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS OF THE WAGNER GROUP CHARTER GREEN LIGHT MOSCOW is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the aerospace sector of the Russian Federation economy. Charter Green Light is an aircraft charter service that offers VIP, group, cargo, and helicopter charters based in Moscow, Russia.  It has been reported that it is the preferred company of the Wagner Group, which uses its charter planes to transport Wagner personnel and equipment. ALEKSEI ALEKSEEVICH MALYAREVICH is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, a person (Charter Green Light) whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order. Malyarevich is the founder and CEO of Charter Green Light. AFRICA POLITOLOGY is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, a person (Yevgeniy Prigozhin) whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order. Africa Politology develops strategies and mechanisms to induce Western countries to withdraw their presence in Africa and is involved in a series of Russian influence tasks in the Central African Republic, to include undermining Western influence, discrediting the UN, and carrying out lawsuits against Western press outlets. PRIME SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, a person (Wagner Group) whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order. Prime Security and Development has acted as a Wagner Group front company and its Director General has represented Wagner in discussions with African governments. SEWA SECURITY SERVICES is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, persons (Yevgeniy Prigozhin and the Wagner Group) whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order. The Wagner Group’s official presence in the Central African Republic (CAR) is via Sewa. OFFICERS UNION FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY (OUIS) is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, a person (the Wagner Group) whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order. OUIS has acted as a Wagner Group front company and has been used to obfuscate the identity of Wagner personnel. RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS The following three officials of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service have been identified as having facilitated the recruitment of Russian prisoners into the Wagner Group.  These individuals are being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(iii)(A) for being persons who are or have been leaders, officials, senior executive officers, or members of the board of directors of the Government of the Russian Federation: DMITRIY NIKOLAEVICH BEZRUKIKH ARKADIY ALEKSANDROVICH GOSTEV  IVAN PAVLOVITCH PROKOPENKO  Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, DENIS VALENTINOVICH MANTUROV, is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(iii)(A) for being a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of the Government of the Russian Federation.  Manturov oversees Russia’s defense industry and the production of war materiel for Russia’s use in Ukraine. The Chairman of the Election Commission of the Rostov Region, ANDREY VLADIMIROVICH BUROV, is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(iii)(A) for being a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of the Government of the Russian Federation.  Burov is responsible for facilitating illegitimate referendums in the occupied regions of Ukraine. VLADIMIR POTANIN’S NETWORK Vladimir Olegovich Potanin, one of Russia’s wealthiest oligarchs, was designated alongside members of his network on December 15, 2022. Today, we are designating four additional entities in Potanin’s network: MK INTERROS INVEST is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Potanin, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Section 1(a)(iii)(C). MK Interros Invest is a holding company used by Potanin to control his minority stake in Norilsk Nickel. WHITELEAVE HOLDINGS LIMITED (WHITELEAVE) is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, MK Interros Invest, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii). Whiteleave is a holding company and an affiliate of Potanin’s Interros Group that holds shares in Norilsk Nickel. SALTCLIFF TRADING LIMITED (SALTCLIFF) is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Whiteleave, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii).Saltcliff is a holding company owned or controlled by Potanin that manages his investments. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERROS CAPITAL (INTERROS CAPITAL) is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Whiteleave, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii).Interros Capital is a firm owned or controlled by Potanin, which purchased a majority stake in Rosbank. Additionally, the Department of State is designating SERGEY LEONIDOVICH BATEKHIN, the CEO of Interros, pursuant to Section 1(a)(iii)(C) for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Kholdingovaya Kompaniya Interros OOO (Interros), an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Section 1(a)(i). Interros was founded by Vladimir Potanin. BUSINESSMAN ADONEV AND HIS NETWORK Sergei Nikolaevich Adonev is a businessman in Russia who acts as a financier to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Rostec State Corporation head Sergei Chemezov. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY KALEIDOSKOP is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) for being an entity that operates or has operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy. SERGEI NIKOLAEVICH ADONEV is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(iii)(C) for being a person who is a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Kaleidoskop, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Section 1(a)(i). FILIPP SERGEEVICH ADONYEV is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(v) for being the spouse or adult child of Adonev, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Section 1(a)(iii)(C). LUKA SERGEEVICH ADONYEV is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(v) for being the spouse or adult child of Adonev, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant Section 1(a)(iii)(C). The yacht ADDICTION is being identified as blocked property in which Sergei Nikolaevich Adonev has an interest. The yacht ANATTA is being identified as blocked property in which Sergei Nikolaevich Adonev has an interest. The aircraft S5-SAD is being identified as blocked property in which Sergei Nikolaevich Adonev has an interest. ENTITIES SUPPORTING RUSSIA’S MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AKTSIONERNOYE OBSHCHESTVO DALNEVOSTOCHNYY TSENTR SUDOSTROYENIYA I SUDOREMONTA (AO DTSSS) (A.K.A. Joint Stock Company Far Eastern Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Center) is a shipbuilding and repair company that supports Russia’s military forces.  AO DTSSS is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation. Along with its subsidiaries, AO DTSSS is one of the main entities responsible for building and servicing Russia’s Pacific Fleet. AO DTSSS and its subsidiaries are additionally playing roles in Russia’s attempts to expand its military and economic influence in the Arctic, Far East, and Pacific. The following subsidiaries of AO DTSSS are being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, AO DTSSS: AKTSIONERNOYE OBSHCHESTVO TSENTR SUDOREMONTA DALZAVOD AKTSIONERNOYE OBSHCHESTVO SEVERO-VOSTOCHNYY REMONTNYY TSENTR AKTSIONERNOYE OBSHCHESTVO DALNEVOSTOCHNYY ZAVOD ZVEZDA  AKTSIONERNOYE OBSHCHESTVO 179 SUDOREMONTNYY ZAVOD  AKTSIONERNOYE OBSHCHESTVO 30 SUDOREMONTNYY ZAVOD  OBSHCHESTVO S ORGANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOSTYU DALNEVOSTOCHNYY PROEKTNYY INSTITUT VOSTOKPROEKTVERF AKTSIONERNOYE OBSHCHESTVO VLADIVOSTOKSKOYE PREDPRIYATIE ELEKTRORADIOAVTOMATIKA AKTSIONERNOYE OBSHCHESTVO TSENTRALNOYE KONSTRUKTORSKOYE BYURO LAZURIT VISA RESTRICTIONS  The Department of State is further taking steps to impose visa restrictions on 531 members of the Russian Federation military for actions that threaten or violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of Ukraine pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the individuals above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.  In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.  All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. For more information on E.O. 14024, see the full text . Designation of Former Representatives of the National Assembly of Serbia Verica Radeta and Petar Jojić for Involvement in Significant Corruption 01/27/2023 Designation of Former Representatives of the National Assembly of Serbia Verica Radeta and Petar Jojić for Involvement in Significant Corruption 01/27/2023 11:47 AM EST Ned Price, Department Spokesperson The United States is designating former Serbian National Assembly Representatives Verica Radeta and Petar Jojić for their involvement in significant corruption. While serving in the National Assembly of Serbia, Radeta and Jojić bribed and intimidated witnesses scheduled to appear before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to dissuade them from offering incriminating evidence against Serbian Radical Party (c SRS) leader Vojislav Seselj, who was subsequently convicted of war crimes. Their conduct interfered with judicial processes, leading the ICTY to issue international arrest warrants for contempt, threatening regional stability, and adversely impacting the national interests of the United States. These designations reaffirm the commitment of the United States to combat corruption, which harms the public interest, hampers partners’ economic prosperity, and curtails the ability of governments to respond effectively to the needs of their people. The United States continues to stand with all Serbians in support of democracy and the rule of law and will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain. These public designations — including that of Jojić’s adult son, Gojko Jojić — are made under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. Joint Statement on U.S.–Italy Science and Technology Cooperation 01/27/2023 Joint Statement on U.S.–Italy Science and Technology Cooperation 01/27/2023 01:03 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The following joint statement was released by the Governments of the United States and Italy at the 14th meeting of the U.S.-Italy Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. Begin Text: On January 26 and 27, the Government of Italy hosted the 14th United States – Italy Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology Cooperation. Ms. Monica Medina, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs at the U.S. State Department, and Mr. Shawn Crowley, Charge d’Affaires at U.S. Embassy Rome, joined Ms. Maria Tripodi, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Mr. Alessandro Gonzales, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Italy in the United States, and Mr. Giuseppe Pastorelli, Director for Integrated Promotion and Innovation, to convene the meeting. The JCM, launched 25 years ago, provides a regular opportunity to exchange views on some of the most important science and technology endeavors in our countries and to prioritize future collaboration. This JCM convened representatives from government agencies and research institutions in Italy and the United States to discuss environmental and climate sciences; particle and nuclear physics and astrophysics; health research; and emerging technologies. The two delegations agreed that science and technology cooperation is inspired by democratic values, equity, fair competition, freedom of inquiry, openness, research integrity, and transparency. Both sides endorsed continued research cooperation, including opportunities to enhance collaboration in physics and astrophysics; Earth science, applications, and observations; health and life sciences; climate change and mitigation; advanced materials; quantum information science; digital transition and artificial intelligence; and energy transition. End Text. Condemning the Attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran 01/27/2023 Condemning the Attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran 01/27/2023 01:32 PM EST Ned Price, Department Spokesperson The United States condemns the attack on the Azerbaijani embassy that occurred earlier today in Tehran. We echo President Aliyev’s call for a prompt investigation into this unacceptable violence. We offer our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who were killed and injured today. Any attack against diplomats or diplomatic facilities anywhere is unacceptable. We remind the Government of Iran of its responsibility under the Geneva Convention to protect foreign diplomats in Iran. Russia’s Intensifying Crackdown on Independent Civil Society 01/27/2023 Russia’s Intensifying Crackdown on Independent Civil Society 01/27/2023 01:44 PM EST Ned Price, Department Spokesperson In recent days, the Kremlin has struck more blows against independent civil society and media. On January 25, a Moscow court ruled to close the Moscow Helsinki Group, Russia’s oldest human rights organization and the inspiration for citizens’ groups monitoring human rights in the Europe-Eurasia region and around the world. The Kremlin’s crackdown on independent civil society and media at home creates a climate of impunity that enables its aggression against its neighbors. The Moscow Helsinki Group is among the most recent targets of Russian authorities’ expanding crackdown on the exercise of human rights, including freedom of expression. Recent Russian designations of the Andrey Sakharov Foundation and independent news outlet Meduza as “undesirable,” effectively outlawing their activities in Russia, are further examples of the Kremlin’s intensifying campaign to cut off independent sources of information and silence voices of conscience. The United States stands in solidarity with courageous human rights defenders, independent journalists, and pro-democracy advocates in Russia who continue their work despite considerable risk. We call for the unconditional release of the hundreds of political prisoners Russia continues to hold, including those deprived of their freedom for taking a principled stance against the Russian government’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We call again on the government of Russia to end its brutal aggression abroad and acts of repression at home, both of which violate international law and contravene Helsinki Final Act principles on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and the human rights of all people. Under Secretary Fernandez Signs Administrative Arrangement with European Commission’s Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology (DG-CNECT) on Artificial Intelligence 01/28/2023 Under Secretary Fernandez Signs Administrative Arrangement with European Commission’s Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology (DG-CNECT) on Artificial Intelligence 01/28/2023 08:09 AM EST Office of the Spokesperson Yesterday, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez signed an administrative arrangement between the United States and European Commission to further research on artificial intelligence. This arrangement presents an opportunity for joint scientific and technological research with our Transatlantic partners, for the benefit of the global scientific community. Furthermore, it offers a compelling vision for how to use AI in a way that serves our peoples and upholds our democratic values such as transparency, fairness, and privacy. The research areas will be integral to a stronger global future, and include: Extreme Weather and Climate Forecasting, Emergency Response Management, Health and Medicine Improvements, Electric Grid Optimization, and Agriculture Optimization. The United States and the EU are united in our goal to advance the benefits of AI and related critical technology. To stay updated, follow Under Secretary Fernandez on Twitter @State_E, Facebook @StateDeptE, and LinkedIn @State-E. For press inquiries, please contact: E_Communications@state.gov.