Office of the Spokesperson
***THE DAILY PUBLIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN
Secretary Blinken has no public appointments.
DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES RICHARD R. VERMA
Deputy Secretary Verma has no public appointments.
ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY VICTORIA NULAND
Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State.
BRIEFING SCHEDULE
No Department Press Briefing.
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
December 28 marks five years since Russian authorities wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan. After a secret trial behind closed doors, Paul has spent years laboring in a Russian penal colony. In the past year alone, he has faced assault from other prisoners and harassment from Russian state-run media.
For far too long, Paul and his family have suffered the consequences of the Russian government’s decision to wrongfully detain U.S. citizens. Using people as political pawns is unacceptable. Since President Biden took office, the United States has secured the release of more than forty wrongful detainees, and not a day goes by without intensive U.S. Government efforts to bring Paul home. We will not rest until he is safely back with his family where he belong
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
December 28 marks five years since Russian authorities wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan. After a secret trial behind closed doors, Paul has spent years laboring in a Russian penal colony. In the past year alone, he has faced assault from other prisoners and harassment from Russian state-run media.
For far too long, Paul and his family have suffered the consequences of the Russian government’s decision to wrongfully detain U.S. citizens. Using people as political pawns is unacceptable. Since President Biden took office, the United States has secured the release of more than forty wrongful detainees, and not a day goes by without intensive U.
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
The United States is announcing the year’s final package of weapons and equipment for Ukraine. Our assistance has been critical to supporting our Ukrainian partners as they defend their country and their freedom against Russia’s aggression.
This package provides up to $250 million of arms and equipment under previously directed drawdowns for Ukraine. Capabilities provided in today’s package include air defense munitions, other air defense system components, additional ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, anti-armor munitions, and over 15 million rounds of ammunition.
A coalition of more than 50 countries continues to provide critical support for Ukraine’s forces. It is imperative that Congress act swiftly, as soon as possible, to advance our national security interests by helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future.
Office of the Spokesperson
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke via phone today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Fidan continued their discussion on the timing of Sweden’s NATO accession, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the importance of increasing the speed and scale of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
