Marking Fifteen Years Since Russia’s Invasion and Occupation of Georgia
08/07/2023
Marking Fifteen Years Since Russia’s Invasion and Occupation of Georgia
08/07/2023 08:33 AM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Fifteen years ago, Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia and occupied 20 percent of its territory. The United States remains steadfast in our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The lives of the conflict-affected populations have forever been altered by Russia’s actions. With deepest respect and heartfelt sympathy, we remember those killed, injured, and displaced by Russia’s forces.
Russia’s actions during its occupation, including the Kremlin’s malign disinformation campaigns, so-called “borderization,” and mass displacement still cause untold hardships. As in Ukraine, the people of Georgia have suffered the consequences of Russia’s contempt for international law and desire to dominate its neighbors.
The United States remains determined to hold Russia accountable for its obligation under the 2008 six-point ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Russia must also reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. These actions are essential for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people to be able to return to their homes safely and live with dignity.
After fifteen years, the United States remains unwavering in our support for the people of Georgia and for their overwhelming desire for Euro-Atlantic integration, as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity, and seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Kombos
08/07/2023
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Kombos
08/07/2023 12:09 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos today via phone. The two discussed durable transatlantic unity in opposing Russia’s unjustified war in Ukraine, and Cyprus’ commitment to advancing peace and security in the eastern Mediterranean. The Secretary underscored U.S. commitment to continued investment in the U.S.-Republic of Cyprus bilateral relationship and U.S. readiness to support Cypriot-led efforts to reunify the island.
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba
08/07/2023
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba
08/07/2023 12:20 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba today via phone from Washington, D.C. The two discussed developments in Ukraine’s counteroffensive efforts, recent conversations about a just and durable peace in Ukraine held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and long-term security arrangements between the two countries. The Secretary reiterated the United States’ staunch and ongoing support of Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s aggression and reaffirmed continued support of a strong Ukrainian military and accountable defense institutions.
Addressing the Crisis of Global Food Insecurity, Together
08/07/2023
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FROM THE DESK OF
Secretary Antony J. Blinken
U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE
Last week, as the United States took over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August, I traveled to New York City to lead the Open Debate on Famine and Conflict-Induced Global Food Insecurity. The Security Council is charged with maintaining international peace and security, and we cannot do that without strengthening food security. Each of us has a responsibility to act so no one goes hungry. Here’s what I said after the meeting:
We’re here today and using our presidency of the Security Council this month to focus in on the rising challenge of global food insecurity. We’ve seen an almost perfect storm emerge in recent years – a combination of climate change, of COVID, and now particularly of conflict – that is driving this food insecurity. There are now about 260 million people around the world who are acutely food insecure. And in turn, this food insecurity itself drives conflict. It drives forced migration. It stunts growth, both physical growth and economic growth. It holds countries back. It holds people back.
The flip side of the coin is we’re also increasingly seeing food being used as a weapon of war – for leverage and for political purposes, in conflict after conflict. So, we wanted to put the focus on both of these challenges: rising food insecurity and the use of food as a weapon of war. We’ve just had 91 countries commit in a joint communique to ending the use of food as a tool of war. That, in and of itself, is a powerful statement, and we urge others to join.
Of course, the place where we’re seeing this most immediately and most acutely is in Ukraine, where, as part of Russia’s aggression, it initially blockaded Ukraine’s ports – in effect blocking the export of grains to the world that Ukraine had been a key country for providing. Then, thanks to the good work of the United Nations Secretary-General and Türkiye, an agreement was put in place that allowed grain to flow through the Black Sea: the Black Sea Grain Initiative. While that agreement was in force, more than 30 million tons of grain were able to get out of Ukraine and to markets around the world – well over half of that to developing countries and, in fact, two-thirds of the wheat to developing countries. It was the equivalent of 18 billion loaves of bread.
A few weeks ago, Russia tore up that agreement. The result has been rising prices for countries around the world. The result has been a diminution in the access to these food products, particularly for developing countries. Russia has also intentionally targeted food silos in Ukraine – literally destroying food as well as the means to produce it – while holding ports and sea lanes at risk to prevent countries from shipping these products out of Ukraine and to the people who need it. We’ve heard from around the world a chorus of condemnation for this action and the strong desire on the part of many, many countries that the Black Sea Grain Initiative be put back in place. It’s very simple. It’s on Russia to decide whether to do so. Of course, it could end the war that it started tomorrow, and that would solve the problem definitively. But short of that, at the very least, the world is insisting that it restore the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
The urgent assistance that we’re providing to countries around the world – not just in the context of Ukraine, but of other serious risks of famine – has been significant. Over the last year and a half, the United States has provided an additional $14.5 billion in food assistance to countries around the world. We are the largest contributor by far to the World Food Programme – 50 percent of its budget every single year. And today, I was able to announce another $360 million in assistance to combat food insecurity in Haiti and 11 African countries.
But for all the emergency assistance that we’re providing, and others are providing, it’s not enough. The United Nations and the World Food Programme has determined that, right now, to address the food insecurity for well over 100 million people around the world, we need $25 billion. To date, only $4.5 billion of that has been pledged by various countries. We have to do better. We have to do more. We have to do it now.
Finally, as important as these urgent appeals and the work that we’re doing to address immediate needs are, we also have to take a long-term perspective. By 2050, it is estimated that the population of this planet could be as many as 10 billion people. Demand for food is likely to increase by 50 percent over what it is today. And yet yields – what’s actually being produced – are going down, not up. We have to – and we are – addressing this challenge.
I spoke today at the Security Council about one of the initiatives the United States is advancing, which is the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils. We know that we have the ability to produce seeds for planting that are resilient – certainly more resilient to climate change – and are much more nutritious than some of the things being planted today. We also know that the quality of soil makes all the difference in the world. We now have the ability to map pretty much any terrain anywhere in the world to determine the quality of its soil – where it’s good, where it’s bad, where we can improve it, and how we can improve it.
You put those two things together – seeds and soil – and you can powerfully address the challenge of producing sustainable agricultural production capacity with better yields and more nutritious crops.
We are putting $100 million to that effort. Other countries are joining in, and we expect to see significantly more come forward in the weeks and months ahead. This is a powerful new way to really make a difference over the long term in making sure that we have strong agricultural capacity and production around the world, and notably in Africa.
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
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This email was adapted from “Secretary Antony J. Blinken After the UN Security Council Open Debate on Famine and Conflict-Induced Global Food Insecurity" delivered in New York City
on August 3, 2023.
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Secretary Blinken’s Call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Gabriel
08/08/2023
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Gabriel
08/08/2023 06:29 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel today, offering congratulations on her appointment. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Gabriel discussed the need for continued security assistance for Ukraine from Allies and partners and ongoing efforts to diversify energy sources toward cleaner, more secure supplies and technologies. The Secretary and Foreign Minister also addressed the importance of EU enlargement to secure stability and prosperity in the region.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Waihiga Mwaura of BBC Focus on Africa
08/08/2023
Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Waihiga Mwaura of BBC Focus on Africa
08/08/2023 03:34 PM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Washington, D.C.
QUESTION: Well, we’re now joined by the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the Black Sea Grain Initiative and food security. He’s joining us from Washington, D.C.
Secretary Blinken, thanks so much for making time for Focus on Africa. And I’ll get straight into it. Russia says it will only return to the Black Sea grain deal if reconnected to the SWIFT payment system. And all this is happening with the rising food prices. As it – when you look at this, would the U.S. consider this request?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first, take a step back. This initiative never should’ve been necessary in the first place. It was only necessary because Russia invaded Ukraine, and then having invaded Ukraine, blockaded its ports, including Odesa, where most of the grain going to so much of the developing world was leaving from. Türkiye and the United Nations negotiated this agreement, and when it was in effect – before Russia in effect tore it up – some 34 million metric tons of grain was getting out from Ukraine. More than half of that was going to the developing world, to lower and middle-income countries. And of that, two-thirds of the wheat was going to those countries – the equivalent of 18 billion loaves of bread.
So now Russia has torn it up, and yet despite its complaints, if you look at Russia’s exports of food products, they were at record levels. In other words, Russia was exporting more than ever before in its history. So the notion that there is some big impediment in terms of one bank or another not being involved in the process is simply wrong. Russian food products were getting out – we want them to. We want the world to benefit from their grain, from their wheat, just as the world wants to benefit from Ukrainian grain and wheat.
QUESTION: So are you saying the U.S. will not consider that request, in a nutshell?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: What I’m saying is there is now a proposal on the table from the United Nations to Russia to address what it purports to be its concerns. To my – and we support that UN initiative. To my knowledge, Russia has not responded to what the UN has proposed, but we support it.
And by the way, when the initiative was underway, just to make absolutely sure that there were no impediments to Russia getting its own wheat and grain out, I signed letters – what we call letters of comfort – to some of our banks, telling them very clearly there is no problem facilitating these transactions. In fact, as you know, our sanctions from day one exempted Russian wheat, grain, shipping, insurance, everything necessary to move that around the world. As I said, we want everyone’s food and grain to get everywhere it needs to go.
The other thing is this. Besides the countries directly affected, the countries that were directly receiving Ukrainian food products, receiving the grain, receiving wheat, every country in a sense was benefiting from this agreement because having that food on world markets kept prices down. We’ve now seen since Russia got out of the agreement prices go up by 10 to 15 percent. That hurts everyone.
QUESTION: Secretary of State, I want to jump in and get a sense from you on this. So Russia has promised free grain to some of the worst affected countries, especially on the African continent. Isn’t this somewhat a measure of good faith on the part of Russia?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, it’s – I – none of this is a laughing matter, but it’s laughable. What Russia was proposing is – was to get grain to a half dozen countries, about 50,000 tons. The Black Sea Grain Initiative delivered 20 million tons to lower and middle-income countries. In other words, what the Russians were proposing in compensation for getting out of the agreement is a drop in the bucket of what countries were getting and what they need.
And by the way, I was at the United Nations last week. Ninety-one countries signed on to a declaration saying that food should not be used as a weapon of war, and never mind what the United States is saying, country after country – and notably countries in Africa – were all calling upon Russia to get back into the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
QUESTION: Secretary of State, in regions such as the Sahel, food insecurity is particularly driven by instability in the region, where Russia has a lot of interest, for example. So when you see images such as supporters of the recent coup in Niger waving Russian flags on the streets of Niamey, does this concern you?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, of course it’s a concern, because what we’ve seen is that the big drivers of food insecurity that are affecting – that’s – and by the way, there are about 250 million people around the world who are acutely food insecure as we speak – the biggest drivers have been climate change, for a while COVID, and now increasingly conflict, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. And at the same time, we see Russia, as I’ve said, taking advantage of some of these conflicts and weaponizing food to try to advance its own interests.
But for sure we have concerns when we see something like the Wagner Group possibly manifesting itself in different parts of the Sahel, and here’s why we’re concerned: because every single place that this group, Wagner Group, has gone, death, destruction, and exploitation have followed. Insecurity has gone up, not down. It hasn’t been a response to the needs of the countries in question for greater security. I think what happened and what continues to happen in Niger was not instigated by Russia or by Wagner, but to the extent that they try to take advantage of it – and we see a repeat of what’s happened in other countries, where they’ve brought nothing but bad things in their wake – that wouldn’t be good.
QUESTION: Secretary of State, for those who support the halting of the Black Sea grain deal or a relook at it, they argue that the West is mainly concerned about Russia’s growing influence over Africa and the issue isn’t just about food supply, bearing in mind only 3 percent of Ukraine’s grain actually got to the African continent. Do you have any views on that?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, again, the majority of the grain that was getting out through the Black Sea Grain Initiative – more than 50 percent – was going to developing countries, including many in Africa; two-thirds of the wheat going to developing countries, including countries in Africa; and as I said, the equivalent of 18 billion loaves of bread. But meanwhile, what’s so important is this: Resolving this situation, Russia getting back into the Black Sea Grain Initiative, would be the quickest thing anyone could do to actually effectively address food insecurity.
There is so much more that we need to do and we are doing to address it in a comprehensive way and a sustainable way. Since the Russian aggression, just going back a year and a half, the United States has provided about $15.5 billion to global food security. We are by far the largest donor to the World Food Programme. We provide 50 percent of its budget; Russia, by the way, provides less than 1 percent of its budget.
We’re also very focused on how we make sure that we are giving countries the capacity to produce food themselves on a sustainable basis. When I met a year ago with many foreign ministers from African countries on the margins of a special summit we convened on food security at the United Nations, what I heard from my colleagues was yes, we appreciate very much the emergency assistance, but even more we’re looking for sustainable productive capacity at home. That’s what the United States is focused on. We’re trying to make sure that countries develop the means to produce food for themselves and, for that matter, for their neighbors.
QUESTION: And in the midst of that, the link between stability and food security as well – would the troops of the U.S. stay in Niger if the coup holds?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I don’t want to get into hypotheticals or get ahead of what’s happening in Niger. We strongly support the work that ECOWAS is doing to try to help restore the constitutional order in Niger. I’ve been in close touch with President Bazoum, with many colleagues in the region, including the Nigerian President Tinubu, colleagues at the African Union, and it’s very important that that constitutional order be restored. And right now I think ECOWAS is playing a very important role in moving the country back in that direction.
QUESTION: Secretary of State, thank you so much for your time and thank you for speaking with the BBC’s Focus on Africa.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good to be with you. Thank you.
Imposing Sanctions and Visa Restrictions to Hold the Lukashenka Regime to Account on the Third Anniversary of the Fraudulent Presidential Election in Belarus
08/09/2023
Imposing Sanctions and Visa Restrictions to Hold the Lukashenka Regime to Account on the Third Anniversary of the Fraudulent Presidential Election in Belarus
08/09/2023 11:33 AM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Today marks three years since the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus and the Alyaksandr Lukashenka regime’s crackdown on the Belarusian people’s demands for freedom. The United States continues to stand with the brave people of Belarus as they seek a country grounded in the rule of law, respect for human rights, and an accountable, democratically-elected government.
Today, the United States is sanctioning eight individuals and five entities for enabling Lukashenka’s domestic repression and facilitating Russia’s war against Ukraine. Additionally, we are imposing visa restrictions on 101 regime officials and their affiliates for undermining or harming democratic institutions in Belarus, including several judges responsible for issuing politically-motivated sentences against Belarusians for exercising their fundamental freedoms.
We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all 1,500 political prisoners held by the Lukashenka regime, including Ales Bialiatski, Viktar Babaryka, Maria Kalesnikava, Ihar Losik, and Siarhei Tsikhanouski. Since 2020, the Lukashenka regime has repressed Belarusian citizens, arrested peaceful protesters and community leaders, cracked down on opposition groups and civil society organizations, and subjected those detained to sham trials, all to maintain Lukashenka’s illegitimately acquired authority. The United States will continue to support the people of Belarus in their pursuit of a democratic future in free Belarus where human rights are respected.
The Department of the Treasury is designating the “Department of Financial Investigations of the State Control Committee of Belarus” and four members of its board of directors; three family members of U.S.-designated Aliaksey Ivanavich Aleksin; three entities owned or controlled by the Government of Belarus: Open Joint Stock Company Belavia Belarusian Airlines (Belavia), Open Joint Stock Company Minsk Civil Aviation Plant 407, Joint Stock Company Byelorussian Steel Works Management Company (BSW); one entity, Bel-Kap-Steel LLC, for being owned or controlled by BSW; and is identifying one aircraft owned by Belavia as blocked property. Treasury is taking these actions pursuant to Executive Order 14038 “Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus.” For more information about these designations, see Treasury’s press release .
Additional U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine
08/14/2023
Additional U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine
08/14/2023 10:38 AM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Today we are announcing the next package of security assistance to aid Ukraine as it defends its territory and protects its people. This package, which is valued at $200 million and is being executed from previously authorized Presidential Drawdown Authority, includes air defense munitions, artillery rounds, anti-armor capabilities, and additional mine-clearing equipment.
Every day, Russia is killing Ukrainian civilians and destroying civil infrastructure, while also weaponizing hunger and contributing to global food insecurity through its destruction of Ukraine’s civilian ports and grain infrastructure. Russia started this war and could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks. Until it does, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine, for as long as it takes.
Liechtenstein’s National Day
08/15/2023
Liechtenstein’s National Day
08/15/2023 12:01 AM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
On behalf of the United States of America, we send our warmest wishes to the people of India as they commemorate 76 years of independence this August 15. On this momentous day, we reflect on the depth and breadth of our strategic partnership, and we celebrate the proud history of the Indian people, who are the key to the bright future we are building together.
This last year has shown that the U.S.-India relationship is deeper and more expansive than ever. As the world’s oldest and largest democracies, we’ve created a strong bond between our nations, a bond that grows ever closer as we work together for a world that is open, prosperous, secure, stable, and resilient.
On behalf of the American people, I extend to the people of India best wishes on this important day. We stand with you in our shared commitment to tackle the most pressing global challenges to ensure the peace and prosperity of our peoples.
Under Secretary Jenkins Travels to Romania, the United Kingdom, and Poland
08/15/2023
Under Secretary Jenkins Travels to Romania, the United Kingdom, and Poland
08/15/2023 01:40 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie D. Jenkins will travel to Bucharest, Deveselu, London, Rzeszow, and Warsaw from August 16 to August 23, 2023.
In Bucharest, the Under Secretary will meet with foreign counterparts from the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss our ongoing cooperation on civil nuclear partnership and strengthening Euro-Atlantic security. While in Romania, the Under Secretary will be at the Naval Support Facility in Deveselu to visit the U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System that is part of the U.S. European Phased Adaptive Approach to protect European NATO Allies and U.S. deployed forces in the region. The Under Secretary will then travel to London to engage with government officials and civil society, including next generation scholars.
From London, Under Secretary Jenkins will travel to Rzeszow and Warsaw in Poland to underscore the importance of the U.S.-Poland strategic partnership as we work together to support Ukraine. In Rzeszow, the Under Secretary will meet with U.S. troops and observe our ongoing work to help Ukraine defend itself. In Warsaw, the Under Secretary will meet with counterparts from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss ongoing collaboration including nonproliferation and assistance to Ukraine.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Press Availability
08/15/2023
Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Press Availability
08/15/2023 03:27 PM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Washington, D.C.
Press Briefing Room
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good morning. Good morning.
QUESTION: Good morning.
QUESTION: Well, barely morning. (Laughter.)
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Speak for yourself, Matt.
Very good to see everyone here. Actually, I kind of hoped more of you might be on vacation by now but – (laughter) – I see we have a pretty full house. And I think to some extent that reflects the fact that this has been an incredibly busy period, and I wanted to take a moment to speak about a few of the things that we’re intensely focused on in this moment.
Let me start with this. On Friday, President Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and South Korean President Yoon at Camp David to mark what we believe is a new area in trilateral cooperation among our countries. I just spoke this morning with my counterparts from Japan and Korea – Foreign Minister Hayashi, Foreign Minister Park – to continue to prepare for the summit meeting on Friday. And I want to take this moment before saying anything else to extend the deepest condolences of the United States to President Yoon on the passing of his father. He was by all accounts a remarkable scholar and – among other things – a strong proponent of relations between the ROK and Japan.
This summit comes at a moment when our region and the world are being tested by geopolitical competition, by climate crisis, by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, by nuclear provocations. Our heightened engagement is part of our broader efforts to revitalize, to strengthen, to knit together our alliances and partnerships – and in this case, to help realize a shared vision of an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, prosperous, secure, resilient, and connected. And what we mean by that is a region where countries are free to chart their own path and to find their own partners, where problems are dealt with openly, where rules are reached transparently and applied fairly, and where goods, ideas, and people can flow lawfully and freely.
Japan and South Korea are core allies – not just in the region, but around the world. Strengthening our trilateral cooperation is critical to delivering for our people, for the region, and for the world. It’s a force multiplier for good. It helps us promote peace and stability and furthers our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. It advances our shared values and helps uphold principles of the UN Charter like sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity. It allows us to even more expand opportunity and prosperity.
That’s why President Biden is hosting this historic meeting – the first time foreign leaders have visited Camp David since 2015; the first standalone summit ever between our three countries. Together, the leaders will have an opportunity to discuss and to strengthen practical cooperation on a variety of shared priorities, from physical security to economic security, from humanitarian assistance to development finance, from global health to critical and emerging technologies.
This is something that I’ve been working on closely for many, many years, building collaboration among the United States, Japan, and South Korea. And I take this back to my time as deputy secretary. Then, over two years – 2015, 2016 – I held six trilateral meetings, one of which included then Vice President Biden. As Secretary, I’ve convened six more trilaterals to deepen and strengthen our cooperation. Former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, of course, is — also engaged intensely in working trilaterally with Japan and Korea. Over the years, we have moved from addressing difficult and sensitive issues of history to an increasingly ambitious and affirmative agenda. And as we look to the future, this growing partnership will continue to enable us to do more for the security and the prosperity of all.
Let me also say a word about Ukraine. Next week, we will mark a year and a half since Russia’s full-scale invasion – a year and a half of bombing Ukrainian schools and hospitals, weaponizing food and fuel, killing and wounding thousands of Ukrainians, even abducting Ukrainian children. For just as long, the people of Ukraine have demonstrated remarkable courage and resilience. The United States, dozens of other countries will continue to stand with them until Ukraine secures a just and durable peace.
Last week, President Biden requested $24.1 billion from Congress to deliver on that promise and continue to support Ukraine’s security, its economic, its humanitarian needs – as well as to help other countries experiencing the effects of Russia’s war. Our effort and resources, and those of allies and partners around the world, have enabled Ukrainians to fight for their lives, for their freedom, for their future. They’ve helped uphold the basic principles – sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence – that are vital to maintaining international peace and security. They’ve ensured that Russia’s invasion remains a strategic failure.
I urge Congress to pass this legislation funding – the supplemental funding, excuse me – right away. And while they’re at it, I once again strongly encourage the Senate to swiftly approve the dozens of ambassadors and other State Department officials who continue to await confirmation.
At the same time, our department is working with Ukrainian partners on long-term security commitments to help Ukraine deter and, if necessary, defend against future Russian aggression well into the future. Ukraine should be clear about the enduring nature of our support and that of many other countries that will provide similar commitments to Ukraine. President Putin should be clear about the futility of pursuing his aggression.
We also continue to condemn Russia’s termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is harming developing countries most of all, and appreciate efforts by countries like Romania and Moldova as we work to get Ukrainian grain to those who most urgently need it.
Finally, last week we confirmed that Iranian authorities released five U.S. citizens from prison to house arrest – Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Shargi, and two Americans who wish to remain private. Most have been in prison since before this administration took office. One has been held for nearly eight years. None should have been detained in the first place.
Yesterday I spoke with several of these detainees’ loved ones. Their resilience, their courage, never ceases to inspire. My message to them is the same thing that you’ll hear from me today. Moving our people to house arrest is a positive step, but they are not yet home. We’re closely monitoring their well-being, we’re especially grateful to our Swiss partners for their on-the-ground support, and we will not rest until our fellow citizens are back in the United States reunited with their families.
Nothing about our overall approach to Iran has changed. We continue to pursue a strategy of deterrence, of pressure, and diplomacy. We remain committed to ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. We continue to hold the regime accountable for its human rights abuses, destabilizing actions in the region, funding of terrorism, provision of drones to Russia, for its use in the war against Ukraine, among many other offenses.
We’ve been clear that Iran must de-escalate to create space for future diplomacy. This development – that is, the move of our detainees out of prison and to home detention – is not linked to any other aspect of our Iran policy. It is simply about our people.
You’ve heard me say this before: I have no higher priority than looking out for the security and well-being of Americans around the world. Our department will continue to do everything we can to gain the release of those who are unjustly held around the world.
And with that, happy to take some questions. Vedant.
MR PATEL: Matt, do you want to start us off?
QUESTION: Thank you. Good morning. It’s still morning for another 10 minutes, Mr. Secretary. Good morning. I wanted to ask you about the summit and your call this morning. And I realize that you don’t – no one likes to rank threats or issues in terms of importance. But a lot of it, of what you just talked about, is related to North Korea, but China is also an issue. So if you – how much of the summit do you think is going to be focused on China, and how much on North Korea, at least in terms of the security elements?
And then on a completely – well —
SECRETARY BLINKEN: No, go ahead. Go ahead, Matt.
QUESTION: — not exactly a related note, have you seen Oppenheimer yet? And if you have, what do you think?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: I’m glad that these are two very distinct questions. To take your second question first, no, I have not yet seen Oppenheimer; I’m trying to find the, what, three-and-a-half hours necessary —
QUESTION: Yes.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: — to watch it. But that is —
QUESTION: Exactly. And also expensive if you do it at the IMAX, as I —
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, it is in the cards or we’ll wait until it starts streaming. But I am looking forward to that.
What’s evolved over the last now eight years or so, going back to 2015, 2016 when I started to work on this as deputy secretary, is a trilateral grouping, a cooperation among our three countries that’s really evolved from, as I said, first to some extent a focus on helping and supporting Japan and Korea deal with some historical legacy issues to initially an intense focus on North Korea, to a much more expansive agenda that of course continues to focus on North Korea given the endless provocative actions it’s taken, but also much more expansively to advance what is a shared vision, as I’ve described it, for a free and open, resilient, secure, connected Indo-Pacific.
So I think much of what you will see come out of this summit are concrete initiatives that address the broad expanse of that affirmative agenda, including security questions, including economic security questions, but also including things like coordination on development aid, on humanitarian assistance, on shaping the use of emerging technologies, on greater people-to-people exchanges.
So I don’t think there’s any one thing that will dominate. But of course at the heart of our respective bilateral alliances and at the heart of the work that we’re doing together as three countries is security. And again, I don’t want to get ahead of what will happen on Friday, but I think you’ll see some very concrete measures that we’re taking to enhance our capacity to provide for our security as three countries and also more broadly security in the Indo-Pacific region.
MR PATEL: Humeyra, go ahead.
QUESTION: Thank you, Vedant. Hello, Mr. Secretary.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Humeyra.
QUESTION: I guess I should also ask if you would get three and a half hours whether you would go for Barbie or Oppenheimer, but I’m not going to. So on the trilateral –
QUESTION: You should make him answer that. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Well, I’m sure someone will follow that up, right?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: I’m happy to address that Humeyra, but go ahead, please.
QUESTION: On the trilateral summit, I’m wondering whether the United States is concerned about Japan’s plans to discharge treated radioactive water from the Fukushima power plant. Do you think these plans could undermine South Korean President Yoon and damage the rapprochement between Tokyo and Seoul?
And I have a couple of questions on Iran. The Wall Street Journal on Friday reported that Iran has slowed the pace at which it is accumulating near-weapons-grade enriched uranium. Is this correct? Based on the information you have, have they really slowed? Was their decision to do so in any way related to or part of the U.S.-Iran agreement that was announced last week?
And last but not least, why isn’t the U.S. permanent resident Shahab Dalili, who’s been detained in Iran since 2016, part of this deal? And why hasn’t he been designated as wrongfully detained? His son is outside the State Department today and is on a hunger strike to protest, asking the same questions. Thank you, sir.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: First, I also look forward to seeing Barbie, but no set plans to do that – again, have to find the time. Maybe we can do a double feature in the briefing room – (laughter) – for those who’ve seen neither movie.
Second, with regard to the release of water from Fukushima, we are satisfied with Japan’s plans, which are safe and in accordance with international standards, including, critically, the IAEA nuclear safety standards. Japan has coordinated closely, proactively with the IAEA on its plans, and they’ve conducted a science-based and transparent process, one that we’re satisfied with.
With regard to the questions about Iran, I can’t confirm the reports that you’ve cited. What I can say is, of course, we would welcome any steps that Iran takes to actually de-escalate the growing nuclear threat that it has posed since the United States got out of the Iran nuclear agreement. And, of course, we’ve been very focused on that, and President Biden’s determination to assure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon remains rock solid.
There is no agreement between us on nuclear matters. The agreement that we’re pursuing, to bring home those who are wrongfully detained in Iran, is an entirely separate matter that we want to bring to a successful conclusion, and that’s what I’m focused on.
I think it’s important to note that, even as we have been pursuing this effort to bring our Americans home, we have continued to pursue very vigorously our efforts to counter a whole variety of actions being taken by Iran that we profoundly object to and so do many other countries around the world. You see that in the continued implementation of sanctions against Iran. You see that in the steps that we’ve taken just recently to shore up our military presence in the Gulf to account for the Iranians trying to interfere with shipping. You see that in a whole variety of areas, where we are pushing back against Iran’s abuses of human rights, its destabilizing actions, its ballistic missiles, its funding of terrorism, the provision of drones to Russia for use in Ukraine. So there is a long list of things that Iran is engaged in and a long list of actions that we continue to take to oppose what Iran is doing.
Finally, the five Americans who have been moved from prison to home detention and who we expect to come home in the weeks ahead are Americans who’ve been found to be designated as wrongfully detained. We continue to look and will always continue to look at the situations, conditions of other Americans around the world who may be detained –
QUESTION: Can you say a little bit more on this case?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: I can’t. For reasons of privacy, I can’t talk about any individual cases. I can simply say that, as a matter policy, we’re constantly reviewing whether any particular individual – whether an American citizen or a legal permanent resident – who is incarcerated in another country is wrongfully detained. And that, of course, triggers a whole series of actions and steps that we take to try to secure their release.
MR PATEL: Olivia, in the back.
QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary, very much. Two separate questions for you. One is: Do you expect this weekend’s level of engagement to continue on an annual basis with South Korea and Japan?
And secondly, today marks two years since the Taliban took over Kabul as the U.S. withdrew its forces there. They’ve declared it a national holiday; they’ve recognized it as a great victory. As you’re no doubt aware, human rights and especially women’s rights – to say that they have been trampled there is an understatement. Many people there have been – said that it’s worse than they feared. So hearing that, seeing that, two years in after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, how do you believe the U.S. has done by the Afghan people and by the Afghan partners who remain stranded there?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. So on the trilateral cooperation, I think what you can expect to see coming out of this summit is a collaboration on a trilateral basis that is further institutionalized in a variety of ways, to include regular meetings at a variety of levels, senior levels in our governments. So that is something that I fully expect to see come out of Friday.
With regard to Afghanistan, you’ve heard me say this before – I’ll repeat it now – the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan was an incredibly difficult one, but also the right one. We ended America’s longest war. For the first time in 20 years, we don’t have another generation of young Americans going to fight and die in Afghanistan. And in turn, that has enabled us to even more effectively meet the many challenges of our time, from great power competition to the many transnational issues that we’re dealing with that are affecting the lives of our people and people around the world.
But to do so, even as we continue to work on supporting the Afghan people, we have some enduring commitments when it comes to Afghanistan. Those haven’t changed. We want to make sure that we continue to make good on any American citizens who happen to be in Afghanistan and who wish to depart. And as you know, we brought back virtually all of the American citizens who said they wanted to depart in the course of the withdrawal, and that effort continued well after and continues to this day, and I believe some 900 or so additional American citizens who’ve told us at one point or another that they wanted to leave we’ve made sure could get home.
At the same time, we are continuing to make very steady progress when it comes to making good on our responsibilities and commitments to our partners in Afghanistan, who were with us for many, many years. Through August 1, 2023 – between that period and when we left, so August 31st to August 1st of this year – nearly 34,000 Special Immigrant Visas to principal applicants and their family members have been issued and have been – and these people have been able to leave Afghanistan and come to the United States.
We remain the leading donor of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, some $1.9 billion since August of 2021. And we continue to work to hold the Taliban accountable for the many commitments that it’s made and not fulfilled, particularly when it comes to the rights of women and girls. We’ve been very clear with the Taliban, and dozens of countries around the world have been very clear, that the path to any more normal relationship between the Taliban and other countries will be blocked unless and until the rights of women and girls, among other things, are actually supported.
So this is an area of ongoing focus, of ongoing commitment. And that won’t cease.
MR PATEL: Vivian, go ahead.
QUESTION: Thanks so much, Mr. Secretary. I wanted to ask two questions, one on Iran, just sort of following up on Humeyra. With regard to the transfer of funds, which the U.S. has said you’re working out the details, what are – what kind of enforcement mechanisms are we going to see so we know that the Iranian Government is not necessarily abusing those funds? And then that would somehow be connected to the deal that the U.S. had partially brokered to get their funds released.
And very quickly on Niger, President Bazoum remains in detention, and the coup leaders are holding steady. The U.S. has maintained that it’s holding out hope for some sort of diplomatic resolution, but that so far hasn’t beared fruit. And so very bluntly, would the U.S. support any type of military action that ECOWAS has threatened? Or do you see any alternative to resolve this situation? Thank you.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks. So first, on Iran – and it’s important to be very, very clear about this – the funds in question are not American funds; they’re not American taxpayer money. They are Iranian funds that have been in South Korean banks for a number of years. From day one of our sanctions, there has always been an exemption for the use of funds for humanitarian purposes. The previous administration allowed several countries to continue purchasing oil from Iran and to place those funds in special accounts, and they allowed those accounts to be spent down for – for purposes with actually limited oversight. And that’s – the funds in the – in South Korea, that’s how they wound up there in the first place.
The dollars that are being made available – that is, Iranian funds that are being made now available to Iran – this is a way of actually facilitating their use strictly for humanitarian purposes and in a strictly controlled way – again, purposes that have been exempt from day one from our sanctions. Iran will not have direct access to these funds. There will be significant oversight and visibility from the United States.
With regard to Niger, first, we reiterate the imperative of releasing President Bazoum, his family, from detention. And we reiterate the imperative of returning to the constitutional order in Niger. We’re in strong support of what ECOWAS is doing to achieve exactly those results. You heard from ECOWAS just a couple of days ago about how they see the path forward. And we remain very focused on diplomacy for achieving the results that we want, which is the return to the constitutional order. And I believe that there continues to be space for diplomacy in achieving that result.
The pressure that’s been exerted by many countries, including through ECOWAS, on the military leaders responsible for disrupting the constitutional order in Niger is mounting. I think they have to take that into account, as well as the fact that their actions have isolated them from the region and from the world, as well as the fact that there is a diplomatic path forward under the constitution that would restore a constitutional order. That’s what we’re focused on.
As to other steps, you’ve heard what ECOWAS has said about preparing contingencies. We support what ECOWAS is doing. I don’t want to get ahead of where we are now or get into any hypotheticals about what may happen in the future. This is a moment to focus intensely on the diplomacy, to end this crisis, to restore the constitutional order. That’s clearly in the best interests of everyone, including those responsible for disrupting the constitutional order.
MR PATEL: Thank you so much, everybody.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, everyone. I hope you all get a break.
Video Remarks at the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Bialystok Ghetto Uprising
08/16/2023
Video Remarks at the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Bialystok Ghetto Uprising
08/16/2023 09:59 AM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Bialystok, Poland
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you for inviting me and my family to be with you on this solemn occasion.
Eighty years ago, no one would have dared to imagine a gathering like this – under the auspices of the mayor of Bialystok, in the presence of the United States ambassador to Poland, a former Polish ambassador to the United States, and Samuel Pisar’s wife – my mother – together with his children and grandchildren.
Survival simply was not in the cards when, on August 16, 1943, hundreds of Jewish men and women in the Bialystok ghetto led an uprising against the Nazis – a rebellion, as one leader put it, to determine how, not whether, they would die.
After crushing the revolt, the Nazis put the last of Bialystok’s Jews onto trains. Among them was my stepfather, Sam, then just thirteen years old, who was sent to Majdanek; his mother to Auschwitz; his little sister Freida likely to Theresienstadt.
How are we to understand this uprising eight decades later? I see it as one of countless acts of resistance by Jews in ghettos and Nazi German concentration camps across Europe – to reject their dehumanization, to reaffirm their dignity. Acts not of futility, but of bravery.
Acts like those of Sam’s father, David, who smuggled Jewish children out of the ghetto and weapons into it – for which he was eventually denounced to the Gestapo, and then tortured, killed, and thrown into a mass grave.
Acts like the decision of Sam’s mother, Helaina, made on the day they were deported – forcing her son to wear long pants instead of shorts, despite the blistering heat, so that he’d look more like a man than the boy he was, and so the Nazis would send him to a forced labor camp rather than to a death camp. He often said that, on that day, his mother gave him life for a second time.
For Sam himself, there were many acts of resistance. Surviving in the ghetto; escaping twice after being sent to the gas chamber at Auschwitz – once by picking up a brush and pail and pretending he’d been sent to clean the floors; and, at dawn on a spring day in 1945, breaking away from a Nazi death march and into the arms of American GIs.
He never stopped resisting – by building a new life, a storied career, a family, and by relaying what he had endured from town halls to halls of power.
When the Polish edition of his memoir was first published in the 1980s, he made one of many returns to Bialystok. After speaking at a local high school, students followed him out onto the streets. They wanted him to show them where the ghetto had once stood, and to know what their parents and grandparents did when SS guards herded Jews toward the railway station. “Did they offer you a sip of water?” the students asked. “Did they shed a tear?”
Samuel kept telling his story, even though it was excruciating to relive it, because he felt an overwhelming responsibility to ensure that people never forgot, a responsibility made heavier by the fact that he was the only member of his immediate family – and of hundreds of students in his school in Bialystok – to survive.
As we lose more and more survivors, the responsibility to relay and to grapple with that history passes to all of us. For that reason, I’m grateful to the city of Bialystok, to its leaders, and to its citizens for recognizing this day, among other steps you have taken to ensure coming generations know what happened here.
Like teaching the accurate history of the Holocaust in Bialystok’s schools; and inviting survivors like Marian Turski and Ben Midler to share their experience; and placing a steppingstone outside Sam’s childhood home, inscribed with the names of his murdered family members.
The United States will always be your partner in keeping this history alive. We’re taking another step in that effort by working with our Congress to invest $1 million to help create a virtual tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau so that more people who can’t visit can experience the indelible impact of seeing that site.
So many more markers can and must be placed to educate people about this chapter of human history. For as my stepfather knew, “Never again” was not a guarantee. It was a command, in his words, “to do whatever I can in the struggle for a victory of hope over hate, destruction, and death, forces that can yet again, if not take care, drive humankind to madness.”
For Samuel, “Never again” was also a call for each of us to ask those difficult questions, not only of our past but of our present, not only of others but of ourselves. What are my acts of resistance? What am I doing in the face of inhumanity?
Of all his efforts to resist the Nazis, the one that I believe made Sam proudest was the act of love, not only surviving himself but building a new family and instilling the lives of those in it with a sense of hope, of freedom, of justice. That was his greatest revenge against Hitler.
So on this day, I know he would be especially moved to see not only his wife and two of his children in Bialystok, but also three of his five grandchildren – Arielle, David, Jeremiah – all doing their part to fulfill the enduring responsibility that, together, we inherit: to make real the command of “Never again.”
Sanctioning Entities Connected to Russia-DPRK Arms Dealer
08/16/2023
Sanctioning Entities Connected to Russia-DPRK Arms Dealer
08/16/2023 12:54 PM EDT
Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson
Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on three entities connected to a U.S.-sanctioned arms dealer who has attempted to facilitate arms deals between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation for Russia’s use in its brutal war against Ukraine.
Earlier this year, the United States designated Slovakian national Ashot Mkrtychev for attempting to facilitate arms deals between the DPRK and Russia. Mkrtychev is the President of Versor S.R.O., the founder and owner of Limited Liability Company Verus, and the sole director of Defense Engineering Limited Liability Partnership. These three entities are being designated today.
Today’s action underscores our commitment to identify, expose, and impose severe costs on third-country actors who support Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. We will also continue to take actions against those attempting to evade our sanctions.
Treasury designated the above-mentioned entities pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13551 for being owned or controlled by or having acted or purported to act on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Mkrtychev, an individual blocked pursuant to E.O. 13551. For more information on today’s designation, please see Treasury’s press release .
Designating Individuals Involved in the Poisoning of Aleksey Navalny
08/17/2023
Designating Individuals Involved in the Poisoning of Aleksey Navalny
08/17/2023 10:47 AM EDT
Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson
Today, the United States is designating four Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives, Alexey Alexandrovich Alexandrov, Konstantin Kudryavtsev, Ivan Vladimirovich Osipov, and Vladimir Alexandrovich Panyaev, pursuant to the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 for their involvement in the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Aleksey Navalny three years ago this August. We are also imposing visa restrictions on Alexandrov, Kudryavtsev, Osipov, and Panyaev for their involvement in a gross violation of human rights, pursuant to Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023.
Today’s actions are a reminder that there are consequences for violating internationally recognized human rights. The United States will continue to use the authorities at our disposal to promote accountability for such egregious acts.
We condemn the latest injustice against Navalny and renew our call for his immediate release.
The Department of the Treasury designated Alexandrov, Kudryavtsev, Osipov, and Panyaev, pursuant to the Russia Magnitsky Act for having acted as agents of or on behalf of a person in a matter relating to extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against individuals seeking to expose illegal activity carried out by officials of the Government of the Russian Federation. Alexandrov, Kudryavtsev, Osipov, and Panyaev were previously designated pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their supporters, for acting for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the FSB. For more information on today’s designations, please see Treasury’s press release.
Lifting of Defense Trade Restrictions on the Republic of Cyprus for Fiscal Year 2024
08/18/2023
Lifting of Defense Trade Restrictions on the Republic of Cyprus for Fiscal Year 2024
08/18/2023 09:58 AM EDT
Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson
Secretary Blinken determined and certified to Congress that the Republic of Cyprus has met the necessary conditions under applicable legislation to allow the Department to approve exports, re-exports, and transfers of defense articles to the Republic of Cyprus for fiscal year (FY) 2024. Compliance with the conditions is assessed on an annual basis. As a result of this determination and certification, the Secretary lifted the defense trade restrictions for the Republic of Cyprus for FY 2024. The International Traffic in Arms Regulations will be amended to reflect the new policy, effective October 1, 2023. This determination does not represent a change; rather, it is re-certification of the FY 2023 determination.
The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 and the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2020 require that the policy of denial for exports, re-exports, or transfers of defense articles on the United States Munitions List to the Republic of Cyprus remain in place unless the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees not less than annually that— A) the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is continuing to cooperate with the United States Government in efforts to implement reforms on anti-money laundering regulations and financial regulatory oversight, and B) the Government of the Republic of Cyprus has made and is continuing to take the steps necessary to deny Russian military vessels access to ports for refueling and servicing. In accordance with both Acts, the Department reviews compliance with the Acts annually.
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