U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

Secretary Blinken’s Call with UK Foreign Secretary Lammy
12/15/2024

Secretary Blinken’s Call with UK Foreign Secretary Lammy
12/15/2024 02:42 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
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Secretary Blinken’s Call with UK Foreign Secretary Lammy

Readout

December 15, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:


Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The Secretary and Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in Syria and the principles endorsed by the United States and countries in the region that should be upheld during the transition process and formation of a new government. The Secretary underscored U.S. support for an accountable and representative Syrian government chosen by the Syrian people. On Gaza, they discussed the importance of concluding a ceasefire deal that provides for the release of all hostages without any further delay.

They also discussed the importance of finalizing a UN Security Council authorized African Union-led mission in Somalia to counter al-Shabaab and bolster security in East Africa. Finally, on Ukraine, they discussed the need to surge security assistance, especially given Russia’s escalatory decision to turn to the DPRK to supply soldiers to continue its brutal war of aggression.

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Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State United Kingdom

Joint Statement from Foreign Ministers Condemning DPRK-Russia Cooperation
12/16/2024

Joint Statement from Foreign Ministers Condemning DPRK-Russia Cooperation
12/16/2024 08:10 AM EST

Office of the Spokesperson
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Joint Statement from Foreign Ministers Condemning DPRK-Russia Cooperation

Media Note

December 16, 2024



The text of the following statement was released by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the High Representative of the European Union.


Begin Text.


We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the High Representative of the European Union condemn in the strongest possible terms the increasing military cooperation between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation, including the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia for use on the battlefield against Ukraine. In a continued show of support and unity, we recall and reinforce our May 2024 coordinated sanctions action and joint statement on DPRK-Russia cooperation.


Direct DPRK support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security. The DPRK’s export of ballistic missiles, artillery shells, and other military materiel to Russia for use against Ukraine and Russia’s training of DPRK soldiers involving arms or related materiel represent flagrant violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), and 2270 (2016). We are deeply concerned about any political, military, or economic support that Russia may be providing to the DPRK’s illegal weapons programs, including weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, which would exacerbate the already tense environment on the Korean Peninsula.


Together, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to support Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We urge the DPRK to cease immediately all assistance for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including by withdrawing its troops. We urge Russia to immediately end its war of aggression against Ukraine and cease its military cooperation with the DPRK. We encourage members of the broader international community to join our call and we will continue to act in concert, including through imposition of economic sanctions, to respond to the danger posed by the DPRK-Russia partnership.


End Text.



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Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs North Korea Office of the Spokesperson Russia Ukraine


Targeting Financial and Political Enablers of Milorad Dodik
12/18/2024



Targeting Financial and Political Enablers of Milorad Dodik
12/18/2024 11:17 AM EST



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson
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Targeting Financial and Political Enablers of Milorad Dodik


Press Statement





December 18, 2024



The United States is imposing sanctions today on three individuals and four entities that form part of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik’s patronage network and enable the Dodik family’s continued attempts to evade U.S. sanctions. This action also includes the designation of Stasa Kosarac, a Bosnia and Herzegovina politician who serves as a key enabler of Dodik’s corruption and destabilizing political agenda.


The U.S. government previously designated Dodik for, among other things, engaging in corruption related to the Western Balkans. For years, Dodik has used his official position to accumulate personal wealth through companies connected to himself and his son, Igor Dodik. This corruption has undermined public confidence in Bosnia and Herzegovina state institutions and the rule of law. The Dodik network has continued its deliberate attempts to circumvent U.S sanctions, namely by manipulating management structures and re-registering designated companies under new names.


Today’s action further exposes the Dodik family’s blatant and corrupt attempts to enrich themselves and to circumvent U.S. sanctions. The United States will continue to target and promote accountability for those who facilitate Dodik’s corruption and enable his efforts to pursue destabilizing activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.


The Department of the Treasury’s actions are being taken pursuant to Executive Order 14033, “Blocking Property and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Certain Persons Contributing to the Destabilizing Situation in the Western Balkans.” For more information, please see Treasury’s press release.



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Anti-Corruption and Transparency Bosnia and Herzegovina Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson


Targeting Financial and Political Enablers of Milorad Dodik
12/18/2024


Targeting Financial and Political Enablers of Milorad Dodik
12/18/2024 11:17 AM EST



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Targeting Financial and Political Enablers of Milorad Dodik
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Targeting Financial and Political Enablers of Milorad Dodik


Press Statement





December 18, 2024



The United States is imposing sanctions today on three individuals and four entities that form part of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik’s patronage network and enable the Dodik family’s continued attempts to evade U.S. sanctions. This action also includes the designation of Stasa Kosarac, a Bosnia and Herzegovina politician who serves as a key enabler of Dodik’s corruption and destabilizing political agenda.


The U.S. government previously designated Dodik for, among other things, engaging in corruption related to the Western Balkans. For years, Dodik has used his official position to accumulate personal wealth through companies connected to himself and his son, Igor Dodik. This corruption has undermined public confidence in Bosnia and Herzegovina state institutions and the rule of law. The Dodik network has continued its deliberate attempts to circumvent U.S sanctions, namely by manipulating management structures and re-registering designated companies under new names.


Today’s action further exposes the Dodik family’s blatant and corrupt attempts to enrich themselves and to circumvent U.S. sanctions. The United States will continue to target and promote accountability for those who facilitate Dodik’s corruption and enable his efforts to pursue destabilizing activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.


The Department of the Treasury’s actions are being taken pursuant to Executive Order 14033, “Blocking Property and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Certain Persons Contributing to the Destabilizing Situation in the Western Balkans.” For more information, please see Treasury’s press release.



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Anti-Corruption and Transparency Bosnia and Herzegovina Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson


Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Lipavský
12/18/2024


Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Lipavský
12/18/2024 11:48 AM EST



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Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Lipavský


Readout





December 18, 2024



The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:


Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský about the latest developments in Syria, where Czechia has served as the protecting power for U.S. interests since 2012.  The Secretary affirmed the U.S. desire to continue this arrangement and expressed appreciation for Czechia’s willingness to help U.S. citizens in Syria, even after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.  During their call, Secretary Blinken also highlighted other areas of cooperation reflecting our deeply-shared values, including Czechia’s significant military, political, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine; collaboration on Taiwan and the strategic challenges posed by the PRC; and efforts to increase defense spending and strengthen NATO’s collective defense, including through the acquisition of U.S.-made F-35s—the largest military procurement in Czechia’s history. 



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Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Czech Republic Human Rights and Democracy North Atlantic Treaty Organization Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State


Re-Imposing Sanctions on Certain Entities Involved in Nord Stream 2
12/18/2024


Re-Imposing Sanctions on Certain Entities Involved in Nord Stream 2
12/18/2024 01:01 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
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Re-Imposing Sanctions on Certain Entities Involved in Nord Stream 2


Fact Sheet





December 18, 2024



Today, the Department is imposing sanctions on a number of entities previously sanctioned pursuant to the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act (PEESA), as amended, for involvement in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, as well as several new owners of vessels previously blocked pursuant to PEESA.


All targets are being sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, which authorizes sanctions with respect to specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation.


ENTITIES AND AN INDIVIDUAL INVOLVED IN NORD STREAM 2 CONSTRUCTION


Pursuant to section 1(a)(i) of E.O. 14024, the following entities are being designated for operating or having operated in the marine sector of the Russian Federation economy:
SAMARA HEAT AND ENERGY PROPERTY FUND (SAMARA) is a Russia-based marine services entity that was previously designated under PEESA.
JOINT STOCK COMPANY NOBILITY (NOBILITY) is a Russia-based marine services entity that was previously designated pursuant to PEESA.
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY KOKSOKHIMTRANS (KOKSOKHIMTRANS) is a Russia-based water transport logistics entity that was previously designated pursuant to PEESA.
JOINT STOCK COMPANY ARDAL (ARDAL) is a Russia-based marine services entity that acquired two vessels which were previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA.
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY FARVATER (FARVATER) is a Russia-based marine services entity that acquired a vessel previously identified as blocked property pursuant to PEESA.
KVT RUS (KVT RUS) is a Russia-based water transport entity that was previously designated pursuant to both PEESA and Section 232 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY MORTRANSSERVICE (MORTRANSSERVICE) is a Russia-based marine services entity that was previously designated pursuant to PEESA.
FEDERAL STATE BUDGETARY INSTITUTION MARINE RESCUE SERVICE (MARINE RESCUE SERVICE) is Russia’s state-owned maritime rescue service that was designated pursuant to PEESA for its involvement in service provision to Russian vessels constructing the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.


AKADEMIK CHERSKIY is a vessel being identified as property in which SAMARA has an interest. AKADEMIK CHERSKIY is managed by SAMARA and was previously identified as property of Samara pursuant to PEESA.


IVAN SIDORENKO and OSTAP SHEREMETA are vessels being identified as property in which NOBILITY has an interest. They are both vessels owned by NOBILITY and were previously identified as property of NOBILITY pursuant to PEESA.


ANTEY and HERMES are vessels being identified as property in which ARDAL has an interest. ANTEY and HERMES are both vessels owned by ARDAL and were previously identified as property under PEESA.


LAMANTIN is a vessel being identified as property in which FARVATER has an interest. LAMANTIN is owned by FARVATER and was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA.


FIONA is a vessel being identified as property in which KVT RUS has an interest. FIONA is owned by KVT RUS and was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA and CAATSA.


The following ten vessels are being identified as property in which MARINE RESCUE SERVICE has an interest:
ARTEMIS OFFSHORE is a vessel which was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA. ARTEMIS OFFSHORE is owned and managed by MARINE RESCUE SERVICE.
BAKHTEMIR is a vessel which was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA. BAKHTEMIR is managed by MARINE RESCUE SERVICE.
BALTIYSKIY ISSLEDOVATEL is a vessel which was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA. BALTIYSKIY ISSLEDOVATEL is managed by MARINE RESCUE SERVICE.
FINVAL is a vessel which was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA. FINVAL is owned by MARINE RESCUE SERVICE.
KAPITAN BEKLEMISHEV is a vessel which was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA. KAPITAN BEKLEMISHEV is managed by MARINE RESCUE SERVICE.
MURMAN is a vessel which was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA. MURMAN is managed by MARINE RESCUE SERVICE.
NARVAL is a vessel which was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA. NARVAL is owned and managed by MARINE RESCUE SERVICE.
SIVUCH is a vessel which was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA. SIVUCH is owned and managed by MARINE RESCUE SERVICE.
SPASATEL KAREV is a vessel which was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA. SPASATEL KAREV is managed by MARINE RESCUE SERVICE.
UMKA is a vessel which was previously identified as property pursuant to PEESA. UMKA is owned and managed by MARINE RESCUE SERVICE.


Pursuant to section 1(a)(i) of E.O. 14024, the following entity and individual are being designated for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy:
OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOI OTVETSTVENNOSTYU MTV (OOO MTV) is a Russia-based technology entity founded by U.S.-designated MATTHIAS ARTHUR WARNIG.
MATTHIAS WARNIG (WARNIG) is the founder of OOO MTV and the former CEO of NORD STREAM 2 AG. WARNIG was previously designated pursuant to PEESA.


Pursuant to section 1(a)(vii) of E.O. 14024, the following entity is being designated for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation:
NORD STREAM 2 AG is the operator of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project that was previously designated pursuant to PEESA.


Pursuant to section 1(a)(i) of E.O. 14024, the following entity is being designated for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy:
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY RNCB INSURANCE is a Russia-based insurance provider that was previously designated pursuant to PEESA for providing insurance to companies involved in the Nord Stream 2 project.


SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS


As a result of today’s sanctions-related actions, and in accordance with E.O. 14024, as amended, all property and interests in property of the sanctioned persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, all individuals or entities that have ownership, either 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 otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt. These prohibitions include 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.


The power and integrity of U.S. government sanctions derive not only from the U.S. government’s ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.


Petitions for removal from the SDN List may be sent to: OFAC.Reconsideration@treasury.gov. Petitioners may also refer to the Department of State’s Delisting Guidance page.



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Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Diplomacy Diplomatic Security Division for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions Economic Affairs International Security Multilateral Nonproliferation Office of the Spokesperson Sanctions Security


Digital Press Briefing: Ambassador Beth Van Schaack, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Office of Global Criminal Justice
12/18/2024

Digital Press Briefing: Ambassador Beth Van Schaack, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Office of Global Criminal Justice
12/18/2024 01:56 PM EST



Africa Regional Media Hub

MODERATOR: Good afternoon to everyone from the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub. I welcome our participants logging in from across the continent and thank all of you for joining us. Today, we are very pleased to be joined by Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice in the Office of Global Criminal Justice, Ambassador Beth Van Schaack. Ambassador Van Schaack will discuss her recent travel to East Africa and provide an update on U.S. Government efforts to advance transitional justice.

We will begin with today’s – today’s briefing with opening remarks from Ambassador Van Schaack, then we will turn to your questions. We will try to get to as many of your questions as we can during this briefing.

And so with that, I will turn it over to Ambassador Beth Van Schaack for opening remarks.

AMBASSADOR VAN SCHAACK: Great. Wonderful, Johann. Thank you so much, and thank you to everyone for joining. I really appreciate your interest in the incredible innovations in justice that are happening across the African continent, and I’m really pleased to have the opportunity to talk about some of the newest developments, including my recent trip. So I just wrapped up a trip to Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, where I met with a number of governmental actors, civil society groups, other individuals, members of the diplomatic community who are really interested in promoting and contributing to the transitional justice process that’s underway within Ethiopia. We’re also – I also engaged with principals at the African Union on transitional justice efforts that are happening across the continent.

So supporting these types of justice efforts has been a real priority for the Biden-Harris administration. Earlier in December you may have seen that President Biden became the first U.S. president to visit Angola and to deliver a speech at the Angolan National Museum of Slavery. And it was an incredibly poignant speech; I really commend it to you. I hope you’ll pull it up. He discussed in it the United States’ unfinished reckoning with racial injustice in our own country and how it is our duty to face our own history – the good, the bad, and the ugly – and basically to accept the whole truth of that history. This, I think, is a really powerful message for all justice advocates across the world who are fighting every day for truth and accountability.

The field of transitional justice emerged and developed to help societies affected by atrocities move forward towards lasting peace, stability, et cetera. And it’s really essential that such processes be victim-centered and to ultimately hold those most responsible for atrocities to account. How exactly this looks like and the balance of different transitional justice mechanisms and responses is really specific to each circumstances – to each circumstance or society. And this was really brought into stark relief as I’ve traveled across the globe, meeting with transitional justice experts, practitioners, government entities that are implementing these measures all over the world and all over the continent of Africa.

Every survivor and every community has different needs, which is why it’s really essential that their voices be a part of the process. We need to understand what survivors expect, what their preferences are, what their vision for holistic justice is. And the United States has always sought to support and provide technical and other forms of assistance to credible, transparent, and inclusive transitional justice processes that are responsive to these individual community needs.

In Addis Ababa I was really honored to speak at a conference at the African Union that convened youth leaders from across the continent who are vital voices in these processes. They were from West Africa, Southern Africa, really – north of the Sahara – the whole continent was represented by these incredible young people who are really going to be vital in their efforts within their own countries. I also participated in an Ethiopia-focused gathering of experts that was convened by the ministry of justice to discuss emerging transitional justice legislation in Ethiopia. Participants addressed a number of really compelling questions, both specific and profound: So what are the different ways in which a country can deliver justice post-conflict? How do we compensate victims equitably where resources are limited and so many have suffered? How do we hold wrongdoers to account while also facilitating some form of forgiveness if the victims are so inclined to forgive? And how do we memorialize atrocities so that they are not forgotten and so that a shared history can emerge?

We heard from participants working in The Gambia who provided really compelling insights from their own ongoing efforts to address the catastrophic harm caused by the Jammeh regime. They spoke about the importance of their Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission shining a light on atrocities while also issuing compelling recommendations for justice and for institutional reform. Now, while that effort is underway, the nation turned to radio broadcasts that carried the testimony of individuals who had committed horribly violent acts, and the broadcasts also amplified the voices of victims who expressed the deep and lasting pain that they continue to experience. And sometimes these hearings of the TRRC even shared intimate moments of forgiveness between victims and perpetrators.

The Gambians, however, have decided that this open conversation is not enough to address the harms of the past, and the United States is now working to support The Gambia’s efforts to create a hybrid court – in other words, a court that has international and national elements – to prosecute human rights violations committed during the Jammeh regime. And I was thrilled to see this week that the ECOWAS heads of state and government have decided to help establish this special tribunal for The Gambia. This is a landmark achievement and will be an agreement between ECOWAS and The Gambia, one of the first regional or even subregional internationalized institutions, and this offers another example of African innovations in transitional justice that builds on the Habre tribunal, builds on the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic, and builds on the Rwanda tribunal.

So we really look forward to continuing to work with our Gambian partners to ensure accountability. We also hope that the process will bring additional evidence to light, including in terms of who is responsible, where bodies may be buried so that they can be returned to their loved ones, and ensure that wrongdoers do not enjoy impunity.

While The Gambia’s process is still ongoing, Liberia’s is more at a beginning stage. Liberian participants at this event in Addis Ababa reflected on justice delayed for more than 20 years after the country’s concurrent civil wars, and also the current efforts to create a war and economic crimes court of their own. The office has been established; a director has been identified, drawn from the legal academy within Monrovia. This is also a remarkable, new, and innovative endeavor, and I was really pleased to meet with the new head of the office to create the war and economic crimes court while I was in Addis.

It was wonderful to see so many African justice actors coming together to learn from each other, to build on the knowledge that is developing across the continent, and to build on the experiences of those who came before. For example, there were a number of South African participants who shared the lessons learned from their groundbreaking Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was really one of the first of its kind. And they also noted that their process remains ongoing even now, years later. South Africa’s efforts to heal the wounds caused by decades of brutal apartheid still carry lessons for others today.

So I’ll just end here with my – a little more detail about my recent visit to Ethiopia. The international community is really eager to support Ethiopia’s transitional justice process. The inclusion in this gathering of – and a series of previous gatherings – of external international experts from all over the world, including this recent workshop, will only strengthen the process. It will build trust among the populus, many of whom remain understandably skeptical of state institutions, and it will also validate the efforts of the ministry of justice and other ministries within Ethiopia.

It was really interesting to hear from a participant in Colombia who has an ongoing transitional justice – which has an ongoing transitional justice process that involves a truth-telling component, it involves accountability, it involves reconciliation, it involves reparation. It’s an interesting model to the situation in Ethiopia just given the size of the country and the various dynamics of violence during the multiple conflicts across Ethiopia.

We’re really encouraged by the process so far in Ethiopia, but we’re also cognizant of closing civic space and ongoing reports of atrocities, particularly in Amhara and in Oromia. This, of course, will make comprehensive transitional justice now difficult if not, frankly, impossible. We know that people cannot participate in justice processes if they do not feel free to speak out, to tell their truth, and the ongoing conflicts in these other regions must be resolved through political dialogue. We are waiting to hear from the government about what actions are being taken to lay the work – to lay the groundwork for a more comprehensive transitional justice that can address a long history of atrocities and also the contemporary conflicts we’re seeing today.

One meaningful measure that should be considered would be to remove those implicated in abuses from positions of power – namely, putting members of the military, for example, who are accused of crimes on administrative leave pending a fuller investigation. And another step would be a public acknowledgment from the federal government for the abuses that occurred. We stand ready to be a partner if these processes are transparent, inclusive, and victim-centered going forward. But we’re really pleased to see the emergence of five pieces of legislation that are very solid starts, and we commend the government for being willing to open their draft bills to criticism, to suggestions, to input from experts within the international community.

And finally, on another subject, the United States is committed to fighting impunity for perpetrators. To that end, last week the Department of State designated four nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo under the Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program that my office administers. These four individuals are wanted by the DRC High Military Court for the war crime of murder. They are – stand accused of being involved in the 2017 killings of a U.S. citizen and United Nations expert Michael Sharp, his UN colleague, and three Democratic Republic of Congo nationals who were assisting these UN experts in their work.

This program offers a reward for up to $5 million for information that leads to the arrest, transfer, or conviction of certain individuals who are wanted for war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity by either a national, hybrid, or international court. This program is one of our foremost tools in fighting impunity for atrocity crimes worldwide and for supporting justice efforts and institutions around the world. This program has contributed to more than 20 cases and has already paid out more than $8 million over its lifetime, and so we really encourage those in the region that might have information about the killings of these individuals to come forward with information. And if you go to our website, there’s a WhatsApp number and also an intake form that you can take and additional information about the program.

So with that, I will end my opening remarks, and I really look forward to our conversation. Thank you so much for joining me this morning.

MODERATOR: Thank you, Ambassador, for those opening remarks. So we’ll now proceed to the Q&A, the questions-and-answers portion of the briefing.

All right. So we do have a question from Mr. Abel Tsgabu from Tigrai Television in Ethiopia: “Ambassador, given your recent visit to East Africa, what specific measures is the U.S. Government taking to support transitional justice mechanisms in the region, particularly in conflict-affected areas like Ethiopia and Sudan? Additionally, how does the U.S. plan to balance accountability for atrocity crimes with ongoing peacebuilding efforts after the signing of the Pretoria Agreement?”

Ambassador.

AMBASSADOR VAN SCHAACK: Yeah, terrific. Abel, thank you so much. It’s really a great question. I’ll try and touch on all elements of it. As you will have seen from the beginning of the conflict in northern Ethiopia, the United States Government has advocated for comprehensive, victim-centered, transitional justice. The Secretary did an atrocity determination and determined that war crimes were being committed by all parties to the conflict, and we were also seeing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing on the part of certain actors within that conflict. My team and I have taken several trips to Ethiopia over the last four years to provide technical advice and expertise on this process. Obviously, the United States Government was extremely active in the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, which very importantly includes a specific provision whereby the parties agree to submit to a comprehensive transitional justice process.

We’re also continuing to explore other ways that we can provide support, including in partnership with other members of the diplomatic and donor community. And all of this, of course, is contingent upon this process being credible, genuine, inclusive, participatory. Transitional justice was a central part of the Pretoria Agreement, and the government is taking these very concrete steps, as I mentioned, including the issuance of five pieces of new legislation. All of this will be essential to peacebuilding and to long-term stability, to ensuring that that Cessation of Hostilities Agreement holds. Over the history of Ethiopia, there’s never been a fully comprehensive or credible transitional justice process, and the cycles of impunity continue to fuel ongoing insecurity.

With respect to other situations around the continent – you mentioned Sudan in particular – obviously the situation there is extremely worrisome. It’s one of the worst, if not the worst, humanitarian crisis in the globe. We’re continuing to really push the parties to contribute to and to commit to a genuine resolution of that conflict, knowing that there is no military solution to that conflict. In the meantime, we can work with justice advocates and with documenters to help gather information for future accountability efforts.

MODERATOR: Thank you very much, Ambassador. Abel had a follow-up question, which is: “How does the U.S. approach the atrocities committed in Tigray, particularly considering the Ethiopian Government and Eritrean forces being accused of international crimes during the war? Is it realistic to pursue justice and accountability with the Ethiopian Government, which is itself implicated in these allegations?”

AMBASSADOR VAN SCHAACK: Yeah, thanks. I think I partially answered that. But to put a finer point on it, as I mentioned, the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement committed all parties to transitional justice, and that includes, of course, the government, which is implicated in abuses. As I mentioned, the Secretary determined in March 2023 that all parties to the conflict had committed atrocity crimes, including Ethiopian forces, also, of course, Eritrean forces, and then the Tigrayan forces and related militia.

I’m really encouraged at this stage by the Ethiopian Government’s commitment to transitional justice, and it is manifest in these five pieces of comprehensive legislation that think about accountability and the creation of a special prosecutor’s office, that think about some kind of a truth-telling process, that think about deep institutional reforms, and also a process of vetting individuals who were associated with previous abuses. The legislation is generally well-drafted, but I do think it benefited from all of the expert input from Colombia, from other parts of Africa, South Africa, from experts from the United States and Europe, who really dug in line by line and examined that legislation and are putting together a comprehensive collection of feedback. There’s really hope that this process, when it’s implemented in the comprehensive fashion, will bring some peace, justice, reconciliation to victims.

However, of course it will be essential for the government to be honest about its past and to take real measures to hold those responsible in its own ranks accountable. And we, of course, as a member of the international community, will continue to push them to do so. There have been some trials and proceedings, disciplinary proceedings, before military courts, but they’re very non-transparent. We don’t have any visibility into who was prosecuted for what crimes, what the resulting sentences were, and so for it to be part of a comprehensive process, there needs to be some visibility into how that process has played out.

MODERATOR: Thank you, Ambassador. So you mentioned before collection of data. We do have a question from Martin Plaut of Fair Observer in the UK. His question is: “What can you do to encourage the collection of data from Africa’s most repressive regimes, including Eritrea, Rwanda, and Equatorial Guinea?”

AMBASSADOR VAN SCHAACK: Yes, thanks so much, Martin. We don’t – my particular office does not work directly on those particular countries, in part because there isn’t a justice process underway. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has essentially shut its doors at this point. All of the individuals whom it indicted for genocide, complicity in genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, they’ve all been accounted for. They’ve either been brought to justice before the tribunal itself, they’ve been referred to national courts – including within Rwanda – or it has been conclusively determined that they are dead and so the cases against them have been closed.

But what I can say more broadly is the United States Government and other donor states have invested heavily in documentation, in ensuring that information about atrocities, as they’re being committed, can be collected and safely stored to an international standard. And even when human rights organizations don’t have access to the territory itself, they’re able to use increasingly sophisticated open-source methodologies to collect information from open sources like Facebook posts, Instagram posts. The metadata of those posts can be mined in order to determine where the individual is located, who they may be connected with, when the image was taken, where the image was taken, and those can be saved for future accountability efforts.

And so documentation is really essential to a whole range of transitional justice measures that might be employed once a society reaches a point in which it’s ready and able to carry out transitional justice. Of course, the situation in Eritrea is not at that point yet, but if and when there is a political transformation in repressive states around the world, inevitably a conversation begins about transitional justice. And having that documentation will be really critical to ensure that those processes are comprehensive, and they really reflect the experience of victims and survivors.

MODERATOR: Thank you, Ambassador. We have a couple of questions now which will take us a little but farther afield. The first one comes from Mr. Charbel Barakat of Aljarida newspaper in Kuwait. His question is: “Drawing on your extensive experience in advancing transitional justice, what key lessons or recommendations would you offer to the Syrian people as they navigate the challenges of establishing a safe, inclusive, and effective transitional justice process in the aftermath of the Assad regime, considering the profound and widespread violations committed by all sides during the protracted civil war?”

AMBASSADOR VAN SCHAACK: Yes. Thank you so much, Charbel. Obviously, this does not involve Africa, but here’s an opportunity to think about what comprehensive transitional justice looks like. And I personally kind of appreciate the question because I wrote my PhD thesis on that exact question, so I do have some ideas in this regard.

The Syrian people have experienced a vast array of atrocity at the hands of the Assad regime, but also other armed actors that have been active in that conflict, including, of course, the Islamic State, which at one point attempted to establish a truly repressive caliphate in parts of northern Syria. And so, over the course of this conflict – which, of course, now has ended so dramatically, as we hope – the Syrian people have been engaged in a whole range of documentation efforts. There have been conversations amongst the free Syrian lawyers and others about what justice might look like. There have been population-based surveys that have been undertaken. And the real takeaway from all of this preparatory work is that no true political transition can take place without some measure of accountability. Because individuals have experienced some of the most harrowing human rights abuses known to humankind over the past 13 years, they deserve a measure of justice, they deserve a truth-telling process that reveals the causes and consequences of these harms.

There are many different mechanisms that exist to be able to deliver this form of comprehensive justice to the people. And so now it turn – it comes to this interim government to establish an inclusive process that must include ethnic minorities, women, young people, the whole range of different segments of Syrian society that were impacted by these abuses, and to look for ways to deliver a measure of justice in this regard. And this would complement what’s already been happening around the world in courts in Europe and now in the United States as well. You may have seen that our Department of Justice has issued indictments against individuals involved in abuses within Syria as well. And so we’re seeing these national courts around the world respond to this endemic impunity, and now it really falls to the new government to create a victim-centered, inclusive, participatory process.

Sadly, there are still over a hundred thousand individuals who remain missing and unaccounted for. That has to be a primary responsibility now. But this needs to be done in a way that is organized, that is measured, that is participatory. I’m a little concerned by what we’re seeing on the ground. It’s a bit – it’s very chaotic. Survivors are looking through documents themselves, trying to find some final news of where their loved ones may have been held in detention. Recently released detainees and prisoners need immediate assistance in terms of psychosocial rehabilitation, psychological first aid, and then long-term counselling to deal with what will be extreme trauma that they would have experienced within detention, knowing what we know about how endemic torture was within the Assad regime’s detention centers. They’ll have medical needs, they’ll have economic needs. Of course, you have millions who remain displaced internal to the country, and also in neighboring countries who want to return. But they need to return home in a way that is dignified and not chaotic and they have access back to their property again, some of which was taken by the Assad regime.

We also see an immediate and acute need to preserve the millions of documents that were previously stored in prisons, detention and military facilities, and other government buildings. These documents will be really essential and instrumental for future accountability efforts, and for the search for the missing and disappeared.

We also need to secure mass and clandestine graves until such time as that forensic experts can properly document, excavate, identify the remains, and return them to their loved ones for a proper burial. And also importantly, we need to be tracking the movement of fugitives. Obviously, the understanding is that the Assad immediate family has been given safe haven in Russia, the former – their former protector before the UN Security Council and elsewhere in multilateral gatherings, but Russia is not going to take every perpetrator and those guys are going to need to find a place to be. And so we need to be tracking their movements, understanding whether they’re traveling under their own names or a new identity that they may try and develop for themselves.

And fortunately, as I mentioned, the international community has really stepped up in terms of delivering accountability when perpetrators are found within their midst. So already we have vast files on the architecture of atrocity within the Assad regime, and so prosecutors and investigators around the world are ready and survivors will inevitably recognize their former tormentors when they show up at the local Arab market or when gossip emerges that somebody may have arrived within a particular community in Germany or elsewhere where there’s a large Syrian diaspora. And so those prosecutors and investigators have developed fruitful relationships with diaspora communities, and the presence of those perpetrators will come to light.

So this is where we are in the immediate future. We need a much longer-term participatory process to really think about what justice looks like for 13 years of terrible atrocities which includes the use of chemical weapons against Assad’s own – against Assad’s own compatriots. So thank you so much for that question.

MODERATOR: Thank you, Ambassador. So, I know your time is limited; I hope that we have enough time for maybe one more quick question.

AMBASSADOR VAN SCHAACK: Sure.

MODERATOR: Okay. So, there’s a lot of interest on the call about eastern DRC and Rwanda. And so let me just pose the question from Bill Muamba of B-One TV in the DRC. His question is: “The announcement of an award for information of perpetrators of abuses in the Kasai region DRC is a strong signal. Would you take similar action regarding perpetrators of other human rights violations in eastern Congo, namely M23 combatants and Rwandan military officers?”

AMBASSADOR VAN SCHAACK: Yeah, thank you for that question. Really appreciate it, Bill. So, our – the way our program works is the individual has to be accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide – so one of the three core international crimes. We cannot issue a reward for either unnamed or even identified bad actors unless there are charges pending against those individuals.

So, as I mentioned, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former – for Rwanda, pardon me – has closed its doors at this point. There are no outstanding arrest warrants. In fact, the last individual who was at large – Fulgence Kayishema – was recently identified in South Africa. We had a reward for his identification and capture, and was finally found and now is fighting extradition essentially back to Rwanda where he will ultimately stand trial after making a pit stop in Arusha to transfer the file to Rwanda itself. So obviously the situation in the DRC is really troubling to see the re-emergence of the M23 after we had thought that it was – it had concluded its work and had been routed in that region. That’s obviously extremely troubling. And we’re also extremely troubled by external efforts to foment violence within that particular region. But until there are charges leveled against individuals, I can’t utilize this particular tool. That’s just the way it’s been designed.

We have, however, issued rewards for other bad actors. So for example, we have rewards issued for individuals who stand accused by the International Criminal Court of committing abuses within Darfur, and that is a matter that’s before the ICC investigation – that’s before the ICC now and subject to an active, open investigation. So it’s another example of how I can use this tool.

But thanks for your question, and thanks everybody for being a part of this conversation.

MODERATOR: Thank you very much for your time, Ambassador. Just do you have any final words to wrap up? I know your time is very limited, but anything we didn’t get to?

AMBASSADOR VAN SCHAACK: No, it’s just to say that Africa is now the source of some of the most creative and innovative thinking around transitional justice. We are seeing a whole range of new models emerge, and I really encourage everyone assembled here to continue to follow those efforts. These will be the models that then will serve as the basis for new efforts in Syria and elsewhere that may experience a political transition, where there’s a space open to think about justice and accountability.

So we should all be supporting and following and ensuring really accurate coverage of what’s happening in Liberia with the war and economic crimes court, what’s happening in The Gambia now with this new, exciting hybrid model with ECOWAS, what’s happening in the Central African Republic with the Special Criminal Court that just had another case come to finality even in very insecure operating conditions, and then future efforts that are happening within Ethiopia with these new pieces of legislation and really encouraging the full implementation of those new statutes to ensure a comprehensive transitional justice process for the people of Ethiopia. So really exciting time to be doing this work in the continent, and I really appreciate your interest and willingness to cover these issues. So thank you.

MODERATOR: All right. Fantastic. Thank you so much, Ambassador. So that concludes today’s briefing. I want to thank Ambassador Beth Van Schaack, Ambassador-at-Large for criminal – Global Criminal Justice, for joining us today, and thanks very much also to all the journalists who join us today. We will be producing a recording and a transcript of today’s briefing, and we will distribute it to participating journalists as soon as they’re ready. If you have any questions about today’s briefing, please contact the Africa Regional Media Hub at afmediahub@state.gov. That’s afmediahub@state.gov. And please also follow us on Twitter or X at our handle @AfricaMediaHub. So once again, thank you very much and great day to everybody.

# # #
Sanctioning Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs Officials Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuses against Protesters
12/19/2024


Sanctioning Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs Officials Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuses against Protesters
12/19/2024 12:38 PM EST



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The United States is imposing sanctions today on Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri and the Deputy Head of the Ministry’s Special Task’s Department Mirza Kezevadze under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for brutal and violent crackdowns on members of the media, opposition, and protesters, including during demonstrations throughout 2024.

The Department of State is also taking further steps to impose visa restrictions on additional Georgian individuals and their family members, including law enforcement and security officials who were involved in the violence against protesters, and municipal government officials who abused their power to restrict fundamental freedoms, including the right to vote without coercion or intimidation.

Today’s action builds on visa actions announced last week, expands U.S. sanctions imposed on Georgian officials in September, and complements actions taken by the UK today and actions taken in recent days by several other European countries.

The United States strongly condemns the Georgian authorities’ ongoing, brutal, and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, including peaceful protesters, media members, human rights activists, and opposition figures. We stand with the people of Georgia and remain committed to promoting accountability for those complicit in human rights abuses and undermining their democratic future.

The Department of the Treasury actions were taken pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse around the world. For more information, see Treasury’s press release. The Department of State’s steps to impose visa restrictions were taken pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, under the policy announced in May 2024.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken With David Gura of Bloomberg’s “The Big Take” Podcast
12/19/2024


Secretary Antony J. Blinken With David Gura of Bloomberg’s “The Big Take” Podcast
12/19/2024 10:54 PM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

New York City, New York

QUESTION: Let’s start with Syria. And you’ve described this moment as one of both promise and peril.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s right.

QUESTION: You have what seems like a de facto government that is a designated terrorist group and you’ve said that the U.S. has been in contact with HTS. What specifically have they said? I know there are other groups operating in the country as well. What have they said about how they might govern?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: What we’ve heard them say is positive. The question is: What are they actually going to do? We brought together with Jordan countries from around the region last week. And we came together to set expectations. What is the international community, what are the neighbors looking for as this transition takes place in Syria? And we all agreed we want to see something that’s inclusive, that’s nonsectarian, that respects minorities, women, that deals with any chemical weapons that may be remaining in Syria, that doesn’t ally with ISIS or any of the terrorist groups that are there.

And the reason that’s so important is we want to make it clear to HTS and all of the emerging authorities that the recognition that they seek, the support that they seek and need from the international community – well, there are certain expectations that come along with that. What everyone is focused on is what’s actually happening on the ground, what are they doing. Are they working to build a transition in Syria that brings everyone in?

If they do that and if they meet some of these other tests that the international community is looking for them to meet, then I think you can see something very positive.

QUESTION: I look at this country that has a lot of sanctions that are residual, a lot of sanctions have been in place for decades on Syria. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut has called for a temporary suspension of sanctions. Is that something that you would be amenable to and would that be effective in helping you have more engagement with what may be this new government?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So we’re looking at all the authorities we have. We’re looking at all of the sanctions – not only our own, the United Nations has sanctions on HTS, its leader. And I think what we need to see is actual concrete steps, building an inclusive nonsectarian government, a transition, eventually getting to an election.

As we see these steps taken, then I think we’ll be able to respond, others will be able to respond.

QUESTION: There’s been a lot of speculation that a ceasefire deal could come together. When President Biden spoke about the deal between Israel and Hizballah, he was asked at the end, “Do you think you could get a ceasefire deal by the end of your tenure?” He said he’s hoping and praying. Is there anything that’s happened that gives more grounds for hope than prayer going forward here?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: There is, and the reality is we should logically be able to get this. And I say that with all the caution that comes with that statement because we’ve been very close before and we’ve had these Lucy and the football moments where you’re just ready to kick the football and Lucy pulls it away.

But what’s changed is this: Hamas knows that the cavalry’s not coming to the rescue. For months and months, it hoped it would get a wider war with Hizballah, with Iran, with Iranian-aligned groups coming in and creating more problems from Israel on more fronts and helping Hamas endure. We now know that’s not happening, they know it’s not happening because of the very important work that was done with us and with others dealing with the unprecedented Iranian attacks on Israel, dealing with Hizballah. So I think that’s concentrated minds among Hamas on the need to complete this deal.

Having said that, it’s always incredibly fraught and it’s very hard to get decisions made, it’s hard to communicate. And for all of those reasons, even as close as it is, it can still move in the other direction. We have – we’ve all been fanning out, working with all of the different partners who can make a difference and who may have some leverage with, communications with Hamas – whether it’s Qatar, whether it’s Egypt, whether it’s Türkiye, where I was just last week.

The fundamental question right now is: Is Hamas finally prepared to say yes? And if it does, we get the hostages back, we get a ceasefire, we get an immediate dramatic improvement in the lives of Palestinian children, women, and men who have been caught in this horrible crossfire since October 7th of Hamas’s making. If they really purport to care about the Palestinian people, they will say yes and do it now.

QUESTION: Let me ask you about that horrible crossfire, and it’s something that you’ve written about in a recent essay for Foreign Affairs, the fact that millions have been displaced, tens of thousands have been killed, Gaza has been kind of reduced to rubble. You’ve made 12 trips to the region. How much regret do you have that a kind of sustained level of humanitarian aid hasn’t made it into Gaza over the course of this conflict?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: From day one, we’ve tried to do several things going back to October 7th: first, to stand resolute with Israel to try to make sure that October 7th would never happen again; second, to prevent this war from going wider, because if that happened, if other fronts opened up – whether it was with Iran, whether it was with Hizballah, these other groups – more death, more destruction, and it would probably prolong what was going on in Gaza; and three, to do whatever we could to make sure that people in Gaza were getting the assistance they need, were getting the protections they need. And we have been on this virtually every single day. And we’ve seen moments when more assistance was getting through than we’ve seen moments where it’s —

QUESTION: It ebbs and flows.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: — where it’s ebbed and flowed. But this has a dramatic effect on the lives and livelihoods of people in Gaza. The last week or ten days, there has been a noticeable improvement, but we’ve seen that before and then we’ve seen it fall off.

The best way to finally deal with the needs of the people would be to end the conflict, would be to get the ceasefire, to get the hostages home. That’s the best way because you have an environment that is unique. You have a population that’s trapped in Gaza. It doesn’t have anywhere to go. In most other conflicts people – they can become refugees. That’s not a good thing, but it’s better than being caught in the middle of a hot war. And also you have an enemy in the case of Hamas that’s fully enmeshed with the civilian population, living in and under buildings – apartment buildings, schools, mosques, hospitals. That doesn’t obviate at all the responsibility that Israel has to try to ensure that assistance gets to people who need it and that people are protected as best possible.

And look, we’ve been working very hard to make sure that as best we can, we actually start to implement plans for a better future for the region, or if we don’t have time to fully do that, to be able to hand them off – not just getting the hostage and ceasefire deal, but having a clear plan for what follows, a day-after plan for Gaza so that there’s no vacuum that Hamas can refill, that Israel can pull out, and you can have Gaza stand up for its people – administration, security, reconstruction. We have done an extraordinary amount of work carrying through what President Trump started with the Abraham Accords to get normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which would be the biggest gamechanger in the region. All of that is ready to be handed over to the new administration, and hopefully they’ll carry the ball forward.

QUESTION: You mentioned that normalization deal. It was something this administration invested a lot in before October 7th. Clearly, the conversations have been going on. There has been reporting that we’re close to a breakthrough there. Can you shed any light on sort of where those conversations stand today?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So one of the things I look back on is on October 10th, a year ago, I was supposed to go to Saudi Arabia and to Israel to work on the Palestinian component of this normalization deal and, of course, that trip didn’t happen because of October 7th. But even with Gaza, we’ve continued these conversations, we’ve continued this work. And in terms of the agreements that are needed between the United States and Saudi Arabia, they’re pretty much ready to go, and that would then trigger the normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. But two things are required to actually get that done: One is an end to the conflict in Gaza and two is having a credible pathway toward a Palestinian state.

As I said, all of the work’s been done and hopefully we’ll get to that end of conflict in Gaza. They’ll have to engage the conversation on answering the Palestinian question, but the work is there. And if that happens, this transforms the region. You have Israel that’s integrated in the region. There’s a common security architecture to deal with Iran. We saw that. It’s something we put together embryonically when Iran attacked Israel in an unprecedented way – direct attack. We not only for the first time participated in Israel’s active defense; we brought other countries, including countries in the region, into that defense. So you can see what’s possible in the future. But it requires an end to the conflict in Gaza and it requires moving forward on the Palestinians.

(Break.)

QUESTION: You’ve said of this new administration you want to pass the baton to them so they can get off and running. Forgive me but it does seem like they are off and running. You had President-elect Trump meeting in France with President Zelenskyy, President Macron; he’s met with Prime Minister Trudeau in Florida. His designate to be the special envoy to the Middle East has been in the region as well. Does that complicate the work that you’re doing?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, there’s one president at a time, one administration at a time, but we’re in very close contact with the incoming administration. I spent a couple of hours —

QUESTION: It does feel novel, though. I mean, we used to talk about the Logan Act.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yeah.

QUESTION: This does feel like these are different circumstances, (inaudible).

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I think there are a few things – I think there are a few things going on. First, as I said, we’ve been in very close contact with the incoming administration. I’ve spent a lot of time with Senator Rubio, and Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor, with Mike Waltz, his successor. We’ve had very good – not only conversations, but we’re trying to make sure that we’re as coordinated as possible so that they know what we’re looking at doing in the remaining time that we have. I want to be able to hand off to the incoming administration the best possible hand to play in all of these areas, in all of these challenges, because the world doesn’t stop just because we’re in a political transition.

It’s also normal that countries around the world want to hear from the incoming administration. They want to know what they can expect so they can get ready for that. As long as we’re communicating closely, which we are, and as long as we’re working to, again, try to make this handoff as effective as possible so that they can get moving on the run because there’s really no time to wait, then I think that’s a good thing.

QUESTION: Two more questions, the first of which is about Ukraine. At this stage, what you think Vladimir Putin is fighting for – is it to keep the land that he’s taken? Is it with the hope that he could get more land? Or is it about something else entirely? Is it about Ukraine’s sovereignty, its relationship with the West? And if it’s the latter, how does that complicate potential peace talks when indeed they happen?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, Putin has had an imperial project for a long time, and of course, first it started really close to home with Chechnya many years ago, Georgia 2008, Ukraine the first go around 2014, Ukraine the second go around 2022. And in his mind is the recreation of a greater Russia. And you don’t have to believe me; just read what he said. He’s been very clear about it. He’s failed in Ukraine. That proposition that he could erase Ukraine from the map, subsume it into Russia, has failed. And that’s a result of the incredible courage of the Ukrainian people, but it’s also a result of the dozens of countries that we rallied in defense of Ukraine to make sure that they could repel this Russian aggression, prevent the takeover of Kyiv, push the Russians back. And now you have a front line that moves a little bit, but probably won’t move that much from where it is.

It would be good, I think, if we could get to a ceasefire, if that’s where the Ukrainians want to go, but it has to be one that is just and durable. And for it to be durable, you’ve got to have some assurances built in that Russia can’t simply rest, refit, and then re-attack. The pressure that we’ve exerted with sanctions, with export controls, is building and building. It’s a heavier and heavier weight on Russia. Everything that they try to do takes longer, is harder to do, and costs more. I think he wants to get out from under that yoke, but he’s – I don’t think he’s going to give up on his imperial ambitions.

And so you have to make sure that whatever results – if President Trump is able to bring this to a landing of some kind, that it’s one that will endure, and that means necessary assurances that Ukraine has what it takes to deter future Russian aggression.

QUESTION: Lastly, you are such a spokesman and evangelist for multilateralism. You talk a lot about the importance of alliances, and we’re at this precipice where the incoming administration seems to give that less deference than you. How confident are you in the endurance of alliances, be they sort of the big multilateral ones – G7, G20 – smaller groups that you’ve sort of fostered and grown over the course of your tenure? Are they well-buffeted enough that you think they’ll continue no matter what?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I believe as long as they continue to demonstrate their value to the United States, they will endure. And I am convinced that they will. Look, there are two things that we know or at least that I believe and that we’ve tried to put in practice. One is, there’s no substitute for U.S. engagement and U.S. leadership around the world, because if we’re not doing it, chances are someone else is and probably not in a way that reflects our own interests, our own values; or maybe just as bad, no one is and then you get a vacuum, it’s filled by bad things before it’s filled with good things, and inevitably those come back to bite us.

But the flipside of that coin is just as important. Pretty much everything that we’re trying to do around the world that benefits the American people – because that’s our job – is better achieved if we’re working with others, if we’re cooperating, if we’re coordinating. Even the United States simply can’t get the job done alone, and that’s where our alliances and partnerships come in.

It’s interesting to me: We’ve built over the last four years much greater convergence among European countries, countries in the Indo-Pacific, and us on how to approach the challenges posed by China – probably the most consequential relationship that we have and many of these countries have. We’re now on the same page. And the reason I know that that’s working is every time I meet with my Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, he spends usually half an hour or 45 minutes at the top of the meeting complaining about everything we’ve done to align these countries. And it’s not about containing China or holding China down; it’s about dealing with the real problems that we have with China and that are affecting the lives of our people. We’re much more effective in changing the policies that a country like China pursues or any other country with whom we have a challenging relationship. I think that value proposition is real and it’s clear.

And last thing. You look at what we’ve been able to do in Ukraine. Yes, we’ve devoted a lot of resources to that – about $100 billion – although most of that was spent in the United States to build the necessary weapons for Ukraine, good American jobs as a result. We’ve done $100 billion. Our allies and partners, $150 billion. We’ve had real burden sharing. They’ve picked up the load. And I think as we go forward, we now have allies and partners doing more than they’ve ever done before.

As long as other countries are demonstrating that they are picking up their share, I think these alliances and partnerships will endure. It’s our comparative advantage. We’re the only country in the world that has these alliances and partnerships that are voluntary, that are based on shared interests, shared values.

So for me, it’s really been one of the secrets to our success around the world, and I think incoming administration hopefully will see that and continue that.

QUESTION: Thank you again. Nice to speak with you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Great to be with you. Thank you.




Open Skies Agreement with the Dominican Republic Enters into Force
12/19/2024

Open Skies Agreement with the Dominican Republic Enters into Force
12/19/2024 11:06 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

The U.S.-Dominican Republic Air Transport Agreement entered into force on December 19. This bilateral agreement establishes a modern civil aviation relationship with the Dominican Republic consistent with U.S. Open Skies international aviation policy and with commitments to high standards of aviation safety and security.  It also includes provisions that allow for unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, a liberal charter regime, expanded all-cargo rights, and open code-sharing opportunities.

This agreement with the Dominican Republic is a step forward in liberalizing the international civil aviation sector in the Western Hemisphere. It further expands our strong economic and commercial partnership; promotes people-to-people ties; and creates new opportunities for airlines, travel companies, and customers.  With this agreement, air carriers can provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travelers and shippers, which in turn spurs high quality job creation and economic growth.

Information on U.S. aviation policy and our Open Skies Air Transport agreements is available on the Department of State’s website here: https://www.state.gov/civil-air-transport-agreements/.




Alliance for Development in Democracy’s Consultative Dialogue on Economic Growth Partnerships and Supply Chains
12/19/2024


Alliance for Development in Democracy’s Consultative Dialogue on Economic Growth Partnerships and Supply Chains
12/19/2024 11:25 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

On December 16, in Panama City, Panama, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez met Ministers of Trade and senior officials from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Panama—representing the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD)—along with key stakeholders from the ADD Business Council and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This meeting marked the third meeting of the U.S.-ADD Joint Consultative Dialogue on partnerships for economic growth and supply chain resilience.

The dialogue advanced commitments from the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between ADD countries and the United States, focusing on joint efforts with the private sector to strengthen regional supply chains, especially in medical devices and pharmaceuticals.  Participants defined ADD priorities for 2025 and identified actionable steps to deepen trade between the United States and ADD member countries. The dialogue underscored the ADD Business Council’s vital role in implementing these efforts. The IDB presented opportunities for regulatory harmonization between ADD countries and the United States, proposing a common framework to simplify processes and attract greater investment to the region.

ADD member countries reaffirmed their commitment to strategic coordination and collaboration in 2025. They pledged to implement concrete actions to improve the investment climate, support economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for their citizens through inclusive democracy.

To stay up to date, follow Under Secretary Fernandez on X:  @State_E, LinkedIn:  @State-E, and Facebook:  @StateDeptE. For further media information, please contact E_Communications@state.gov.




United States Welcomes Liechtenstein’s Signing of the Artemis Accords   
12/20/2024


United States Welcomes Liechtenstein’s Signing of the Artemis Accords   
12/20/2024 02:50 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…United States Welcomes Liechtenstein’s Signing of the Artemis Accords   
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United States Welcomes Liechtenstein’s Signing of the Artemis Accords   


Media Note





December 20, 2024



Liechtenstein became the 52nd signatory of the Artemis Accords at a ceremony at NASA headquarters today. Director of Liechtenstein’s Office for Communications Rainer Schnepfleitner signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the Government of Liechtenstein in the presence of Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United States of America Georg Sparber, U.S. Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein Scott C. Miller, and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.


The United States welcomes Liechtenstein to the Artemis Accords. Liechtenstein is a valued friend and partner, with a steadfast commitment to human rights, democratic values, and good governance. Liechtenstein’s signature of the Artemis Accords demonstrates its continued commitment and contribution to advancing international cooperation in the space sector and beyond.


The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by the United States and seven other countries. They set out a practical set of principles to guide responsible space exploration.  Liechtenstein joins the United States and 51 other nations – Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay – in affirming the Accords’ principles for sustainable civil space activity.  The Department of State and NASA lead the United States’ outreach and implementation of the Accords. 


For more information, please visit https://www.state.gov/artemis-accords/. For media inquiries, please contact OES-Press@state.gov.



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Artemis Accords Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Liechtenstein Office of the Spokesperson Science, Technology, and Innovation


Joint statement Marking the First Anniversary of the Tallinn Mechanism
12/20/2024

Joint statement Marking the First Anniversary of the Tallinn Mechanism
12/20/2024 03:16 PM EST



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Joint statement Marking the First Anniversary of the Tallinn Mechanism


Media Note





December 20, 2024



The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom on the occasion of the First Anniversary of the Tallinn Mechanism.


Begin text:


Ukraine has withstood Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion for over 1000 days. This war does not only take place in the trenches but also in cyberspace; it confirms that cyberattacks are an integral part of 21st century conflict and warfare, and cybersecurity is a crucial dimension of the overall resilience of society. Thanks to Ukraine’s own resilience coupled with the international assistance it has received, Ukraine has persisted despite these attacks and has kept its digital ecosystem functioning throughout the war. The recent targeting of Ukrainian state registries underscores the importance of supporting Ukraine´s digital infrastructure in a comprehensive and timely manner.


In order to jointly coordinate and facilitate our support related to civilian cybersecurity in Ukraine, partners publicly announced the Tallinn Mechanism one year ago. The mechanism consists of Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union and NATO support the mechanism and have been observers since its creation.


The Tallinn Mechanism is using world class cyber and digital expertise, from both the private and public sector, to protect critical national infrastructure and vital services through bolstered cyber defense capabilities to Ukraine, enabling them to detect and disable the malware targeted at them. This support ranges from frontline hardware and software to prevent malicious cyber activity, endpoint detection and incident response, and training of cybersecurity officials. The Tallinn Mechanism is also supporting the ongoing critical need for satellite communication terminals in Ukraine. All the requirements of Ukraine are validated by the Ukrainian government through its governmental working group.


Since establishment, the Tallinn Mechanism has accumulated over $210 million in foreign assistance that strengthens Ukraine’s ability to address Russia’s malicious behavior in cyberspace and will continue to seek new avenues for supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes.


With its engagement, the Tallinn Mechanism sends a clear message: Ukraine has full support of like-minded nations and partner countries that will continue to assist Ukraine in protecting its civilian critical infrastructure against malicious Russian cyber activity. Russian activity has aimed to destroy Ukraine’s digital ecosystem and cyber capabilities, as well as attempt to destabilize Ukraine’s allies in the cyber domain. Russia’s activities demonstrate that it is a persistently reckless, aggressive, and irresponsible actor in cyberspace, in contravention of the consensus UN framework of resonsible state behaviour in cyberspace.


The Tallinn Mechanism countries remain committed to continuing assisting Ukraine now, during the war of aggression, as well as in the long term.


End text.



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Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Cyber Security Office of the Spokesperson Ukraine


Special Online Briefing with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara A. Leaf and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens
12/20/2024
Special Online Briefing with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara A. Leaf and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens
12/20/2024 05:28 PM EST



LONDON HUB

MODERATOR: Greetings to everyone from the U.S. Department of State’s London International Media Hub. I would like to welcome our participants dialing in from Syria and around the world for this briefing with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara A. Leaf and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens. We will have 30 minutes for this on-the-record briefing on Syria.

We are pleased to offer this briefing with simultaneous interpretation into Arabic. We therefore ask everyone to keep this in mind and speak slowly.

We will have some opening remarks from our speakers and then they will take questions from participating journalists.

I will now turn it over to Assistant Secretary Leaf for her opening remarks. Ma’ am, the floor is yours.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: So, let me just start with a few remarks. We visited Damascus today as the first American diplomats to go in since 2012. It was a short trip, but was a really important opportunity to engage with Syrians and hear from them directly during this watershed moment in Syria’s history.

After five decades of the Assad regime’s tyranny, Syrians have a rare opportunity to rebuild and reshape their country. I was truly inspired by the resilience and perseverance of the Syrian people we met today. No one understands the challenges ahead better than they do themselves. I appreciated hearing directly from Syrian civil society activists, members of different communities, and other Syrian voices about their vision for the future of their country and how we can help support them.

We met with the quite heroic White Helmets to affirm our continued support for their life-saving efforts and tireless work to transform Syria for the better of all Syrians.

We also held a commemorative event to honor the tens of thousands – Syrians and non-Syrians alike – who were detained, tortured, forcibly disappeared or missing, and who brutally perished at the hands of the former regime.

I also met with representatives of the interim authorities, including Ahmed al-Sharaa, to discuss the set of principles agreed upon by the U.S. and our regional partners in Aqaba. We welcomed positive messages, and we will be looking for progress on these principles in actions, not just words.

I also communicated the importance of inclusion and broad consultation during this time of transition. We fully support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that results in an inclusive and representative government, which respects the rights of all Syrians, including women and Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious communities.

For American diplomats, our foremost responsibility is to keep U.S. citizens safe and secure anywhere in the world. Even though the – even throughout the Assad regime years, the U.S. Government never stopped our intensive efforts to ascertain the fate of those detained or missing in Syria, such as Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz.

For the past two weeks, the U.S. Government, including via the efforts of the FBI and Ambassador Carstens, have ramped up these efforts, given new opportunities to engage with Syrians on the ground. I stressed our continued focus on this to the interim authorities. We also hope to uncover information about the fate of other American citizens who disappeared under the Assad regime. We’ re working to get additional U.S. officials into Damascus to help direct search, even as we have been directly enabling partners on the ground supporting this effort.

As we stated in Aqaba, Syrians have an unprecedented opportunity to forge a new, freer, and inclusive society that occupies its rightful place both regionally and on the world stage. The U.S. is committed to working with the Syrian people to help seize this historic opportunity.

We also discussed the critical need to ensure terrorist groups cannot pose a threat inside of Syria or externally, including to the U.S. and our partners in the region. Ahmed al-Sharaa committed to this. And so based on our discussion, I told him we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice reward offer that has been in effect for some years.

I’m going to now turn over the mike, as it were, to Ambassador Carstens, who will offer some remarks.

MR CARSTENS: Thank you, Ambassador Leaf, and thank you, everyone, for joining this call. I’ll be short.

As I think some of you know, I’ve been in Beirut and Amman working on this since about December 9th. When we were in Doha for the Doha Forum about December 7th and 8th, we realized that Damascus was about to fall and we wanted to reposition to get closer to Damascus where we could have more impact on the search for Austin Tice. As you can imagine, I think we’ve all been pressing and unrelenting in our efforts to get on the ground in Damascus to search for Austin Tice, mainly because we feel it’s our duty as the U.S. Government to press on until we know with certainty what happened to him, where he is, and to bring him home.

Now, to do so, we’ve cast a wide net. I’ve been working with partners, allies, NGOs, members of the media, and members of the interim authorities, in addition to our partners, of course, at the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, the FBI, and others to try to see if we can find his disposition – not only of Austin Tice, though, but other Americans that have gone missing in Syria to include Majd Kamalmaz, who disappeared in 2017.

So, our partners were able to help us fine-tune our search efforts, and today we worked with the interim authorities to jointly search a location of interest. Now, there are other locations that need to be searched in the coming days, weeks and months, and we’ll be working with the interim authorities – and I would call them a group of truth seekers – to find and return Austin Tice and other Americans who went missing under the Assad regime.

Thank you.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: And now I’d like to ask Ambassador Rubinstein to say a few comments as well.

AMBASSADOR RUBINSTEIN: Thank you very much. I would just add that I was honored to join my colleagues today for this trip, which in addition to being the first such diplomatic engagement in so many years, was particularly meaningful for me personally, having served earlier in my career during the Assad regime and later on in my career working on Syria issues. And it was particularly inspirational to meet with that wide variety of Syrians who now have the opportunities that Assistant Secretary Leaf described, and also are facing such grave challenges.

Thank you very much.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Okay, and I guess we’re ready for questions now.

MODERATOR: Thank you, colleagues. We will now begin the question-and-answer portion of today’s call. Our first question is a pre-submitted question and it comes from Hussam Baramo of Al-Quds Al-Arabi. And Hussam asks: “As a Syrian national, I see Syria’s priorities as stability, economy, and democracy. Do you have any plans to help on these issues?”

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Hussam, thank you for that. And yes, indeed, we are very committed to those three – those three elements. And you’ll see that those are very clearly laid out in the Aqaba principles that we published last Saturday when we – Secretary Blinken convened with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, as well as the EU and Arab League and several of our European partners as well.

So, our approach to Syria is very much rooted in the belief that we can best help the Syrian people exit this long national nightmare and get onto a road of not just recovery but actual – actually seizing the opportunity to build a new Syria. We can best do that with policies that aim to support the sovereignty that has been so trampled upon by Russia and Iran over these years, but also help them achieve stability – and stability that will be of a wider – a wider good for their own neighborhood.

We also want to see, obviously, inclusive and a transparent process and a participatory process that will be inclusive and render a government that draws on Syria’s rich fabric of communities, and women as well as men. And of course, we want to do what we can to help Syrians recover economically from the years of war and mismanagement – mismanagement and corruption.

MODERATOR: Thank you. We’ll next take a question from the live queue and we’ll go to Humeyra Pamuk from Reuters. Humeyra, please ask your question.

QUESTION: Hello. Thank you, Barbara. Thanks for doing this. A couple of questions. Just to be clear, in your comments you said U.S. is not going to pursue the Rewards for Justice, so you are removing the bounty on Jolani’s – Ahmed al-Sharaa’s head? Just —

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Yes.

QUESTION: — if you can confirm. Okay. And did you discuss with him the possible removal of sanctions? Did he ask for it? What did you promise him or what kind of – I mean, were there any assurances or did you ask him to do XYZ? What steps and then you U.S. would deliver that? Can you talk a little bit about that discussion?

And on Austin Tice, to all of you, based on your conversations with the interim authorities and your other contacts on the ground, have you received any new intel that would reinforce your assessment that he’s alive? Thanks.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Thanks, Humeyra. I’m largely going to say that the texture of details of the discussion that I had with Sharaa were diplomatic in nature, and I’m not going to go into detail. But I would just say that in – as a as a matter of course, we don’t discuss deliberation over sanctions. So, I wouldn’t in any case in this.

But we had a – we had a good thoroughgoing discussion on a range of regional issues as well as the domestic scene, and I heard him on his priorities, which are very much rooted in getting Syria on the road to economic recovery.

Roger, you want to take on the —

MR CARSTENS: Indeed. Your question on Austin Tice: By working with the interim authorities and just a lot of partners on the ground, we’ve actually had a lot of information coming in. The tragic part is we have to keep evaluating it. You’d like to get that thing that you receive, and you know for sure it’s true and real and that it’s going to make a difference. Sadly, the information comes in; we have to keep evaluating its validity. We’re, I would say, compiling all the information and pulling it all together. And really the bottom line is the information that we have right now doesn’t confirm either in one way or the other.

What I can tell you is this: The President of the United States said recently that he believes Austin to be alive, and it’s our duty to keep pressing and pushing to see if we can find all the information that we possibly can to get a sense of – with certainty, by the way – what happened to him, where he is, and to bring him home.

MODERATOR: Thank you. And if I may kindly remind everyone to please speak slowly for the benefit of our interpretation.

Our next question is a pre-submitted question, and it comes from Manar Abdulrazak from Radio Nasaem in Syria. And Manar asks: “Can the United States play a pivotal role in the reconstruction of Syria? What conditions or criteria will be set for that?”

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Thanks, Manar. At this point, of course, you may be aware the Caesar Act has pretty far-ranging restrictions on that, on that area. So, we are looking in the first instance at the authorities we have to assist the Syrian people, the Syrian public in some urgent areas. Of course, there is latitude for that in humanitarian assistance generally.

But when it comes to reconstruction, that’s going to – that is something that will be an issue that – for consideration and we’ re going to have to look at a number of things that relate to Caesar. Because, as you as you know, Caesar relates to – or rather the Caesar Act lays out a series of areas in which a government would have to be responsive and have to demonstrate progress, things that of course the Assad regime never made any attempt to do.

So, for the moment, I can’t really tell you anything on reconstruction.

MODERATOR: Thanks very much. We’ll next take a question from the live queue. If we could please go to Elizabeth Hagedorn from Al-Monitor. Elizabeth, you may ask your question.

QUESTION: Hi, thank you. On the subject of sanctions and HTS’s terror designation, I know you can’t preview the lifting of either of those, but is the U.S. looking at issuing any humanitarian carveouts that would make it easier for aid operations to operate in Syria? And then also, should we expect more regular trips and diplomatic engagement from U.S. officials in Syria? Thank you.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Yeah, so on the first, we already have the latitude to do quite a bit of humanitarian assistance and early recovery assistance. So, we will of course continue to refine our approach as we see the needs, but obviously it will be a multilateral effort as well.

As to your second issue, I’ m going to let Ambassador Rubinstein answer that.

AMBASSADOR RUBINSTEIN: The short answer to the question is yes to the degree that commissions – conditions permit. Obviously, we need to look at the operational conditions. We were able to have a successful visit today and we’re going to try to do them prudently and as frequently as practical.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: And I would just want to clear up one misapprehension. I was supposed to do a press engagement there in Damascus. Actually, the – we had planned for some time, and because my – our meeting went long at the MFA, we then found that we could not move the – our convoy fast enough because of what sounds like were some celebratory demonstrations or street parties or what have you in an area that we just simply couldn’t navigate fast enough because we were at the point of sunset and we had to get back on the road.

This being the first trip, this being not two weeks into post-Assad Syria, we necessarily – our security was very prudent about our stay in town. And so I just want to make it clear there was no security issue as such. It was just we could not literally get to the venue in time before we had to leave town.

MODERATOR: We’ll next take a pre-submitted question from Mohammed Elfenich with Alghad TV. And Mohammed asks: “Bashar’s crimes in Syria are horrific. Will he be brought to justice?”

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Well, Mohammed, that would be a question I would suggest you address to the Russian Government since that’s where he is. Obviously, accountability and justice for the crimes of decades, but especially the crimes committed during and after the civil war – Syrians desperately want that. And I think it behooves all of us in the international community to lean into this to offer the technical expertise and other support to deal with what is just a confounding mass of documentation of these crimes, as well as just a terrifyingly large number of graves and mass graves. So that will be a priority for our government, for certain.

MODERATOR: Next, we’ll go to the live queue and to Hiba Nasr from Asharq News. Hiba, please ask your question.

QUESTION: Thank you. Thank you, Barbara. I want to follow up. I know you said you don’t want to elaborate on diplomatic conversation, but since you have a limited amount of time during which you can make a difference before a new administration is in office, have you at least called for practical steps from HTS and al-Sharaa that would allow you to open the door for lifting the sanctions or removing them from the terrorist list, paving the way, for example, for reconstruction and the creating a new reality before the new administration arrives?

And my second question is —

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Well, so, Hiba, Hiba, can I just answer one? Because actually we have I think 80 questions that are queued up. So let me just take the first.

QUESTION: Okay, okay.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: So it’s a really good question but I want to go at it a little bit differently, because what really struck all of us today in every engagement with Syrians, even if it was an idle conversation with the staff or what have you – or civil society activists – a very strong conviction that the new Syria is for Syrians to design and the Syrian public wants a say, wants a place at – a seat at the table, many seats at the table.

So, the kinds of things, for instance, that 2254 calls for, that the Caesar Act calls for are actually the kinds of inclusive, transparent governance, respect for human rights, accountability, et cetera that we were hearing all day Syrians want. So, it is a – it is a very dynamic setting in Syria, to say the least. You – a country, a society comes out of over five decades of the most horrifying repression and then this terrible civil war. There’s obviously potential for a lot of conflict, internal conflict, and conflict over people for the first time having an opportunity to voice their opinions, their demands, et cetera.

But there was also just, frankly, a very common theme that – one Syria for one people and unity above all. So, I think there’s going to be quite a degree of internal pressure for – on both the interim authorities and then whatever transitional government comes a few months from now – to move in the direction that would in fact be consonant with the kind of requirements that we would have in terms of sanctions, changes on sanctions.

MODERATOR: Next we’ll take a pre-submitted question from Maryam Rahmati of Volant Media, and Maryam asks: “What kind of role do you think regional actors such as Iran and Türkiye will play in the future of Syria?”

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Well, if I’m to judge by today, Iran will have no role whatsoever, and it shouldn’t, frankly. Iran’s had decades now of the most predatory and destructive behavior and presence in Syria, and during the war itself, of course, mustered foreign militias, its own IRGC forces, Hizballah fighters, and really preyed upon and really viciously brutalized the Syrian people. So, it’s hard for me to imagine Iran having any role whatsoever. Why should it?

Türkiye obviously has a very sizable role. It has sizable influence. It has, historically, and it’s a neighboring state, and it has national security interests and all sorts of other interests. I think what – certainly what our government would like to see is a Syria that can stand on its own two feet, that can regain, like its neighbor Iraq, a full measure of sovereignty over its own affairs, and with neighbors being both constructive in their engagements with Syria, and also the Syrian Government, over time, being equally constructive in its engagements and no longer – Syria no longer being a source of insecurity, instability, drug trafficking, and so forth. So, I think it works both ways.

MODERATOR: Next we’ll go to the live queue to Nadia Bilbassy-Charters from Al Arabiya TV. Nadia, please go ahead and ask your question.

QUESTION: Thank you very much. Actually, my first question was asked, but let me follow up on a couple of things. Can you hear me now? No?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Yes. Yes.

QUESTION: Okay, perfect. Thank you. Thank you for doing this. A couple of follow-up, actually, because my questions was asked. Number one is: Did you raise with Mr. al-Sharaa that his brother and his brother-in-law have been appointed to a senior position? Number one. And second, when you said that you removed the $10 million bounty on his head, does this set a precedent to other wanted terrorists on the list, or do you think that this is a one-off case for the sake of Syria?

And for Roger, have you —

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Okay, but – okay, but let’s – I’m going to give you one question, so choose your question.

QUESTION: Okay. All right, I’ll go with the second one, is: How do you – can you explain the dynamic of removing the $10 million bounty on somebody who’s wanted by the FBI list? Is this a good thing for other people on this list, encourage them to disengage from terrorism? Or is it only applicable to Syria?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: So this is a decision, a policy decision, that was made in the interests of and consonant with and aligned with the fact that we are beginning a discussion with HTS. So, if I’m sitting with the HTS leader and having a lengthy, detailed discussion about a whole series of interested – or interests of the U.S., interests of Syria, maybe interests of the region, suffice to say it’s a little incoherent then to have a bounty on the guy’s head. Otherwise, I should ask the FBI to come in and, like, arrest him or something. So, I’m being facetious, but you know what I mean. We have a set of issues that we would like to discuss with HTS over time, and it is strictly pertaining to Syria and to the circumstances that we see before us. So no, it has no bearing on any other person.

MODERATOR: We’ll next take a question in the queue from Hisham Arafat of North Press Agency in Syria. And Hisham asks: “Matthew Miller recently mentioned a ceasefire between Türkiye and the SDF effective until the end of this week. Can you provide any updates regarding the ceasefire and efforts to de-escalate tensions in northern Syria?”

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Yes, certainly. So, there has been a ceasefire around Manbij and we were, all of us, quite concerned about the effects of fighting near the Tishrin Dam and damage to that dam, especially if it were significant structural damage, the threat that it could cause to thousands of people and communities downstream.

So, there’s that ceasefire. We are working energetically in discussions with Turkish authorities, also with the SDF. We think the better – the best way ahead is for a ceasefire around Kobani and that we work, engage to find what I would call a managed transition in terms of SDF’s role in that part of the country.

Look, from December 8th, everything has changed in Syria. That is quite evident. Everything has changed. And the conditions which led to the Kurds who, like many communities in Syria, were at the receiving end of terrible repression, the conditions which led Kurds in northeast Syria to organize themselves and to defend themselves as they did were one set of conditions, and things have really changed in a very dramatic fashion.

What I heard consistently throughout the day and what we’ve discussed with our Kurdish partners who have been very capable and able and indeed critical partners in the fight against ISIS, what I’ve heard consistently is that Syrians want all Syrian communities to think of themselves as Syrians. And in fact, I was chided a little bit about talking about minorities because Syrians said, including Syrians from minority communities, we’re one people. We want to think of ourselves as one people. We don’t want to be turned one against another in the way that the Assad regime did over the decades.

So, I think we’re working above all to de-escalate things there, to not distract from the really critical counter-ISIS fight and the critical role that the SDF has in managing a foreign terrorist fighter set of detention facilities as well was al-Hol Camp while Damascus and the SDF hopefully begin a dialogue themselves.

MODERATOR: And we have time for one more question. So, we’ll go to Jennifer Hansler from CNN. Jennifer, please go ahead and ask your question.

QUESTION: Hi there. Can you hear me?

MODERATOR: We can.

QUESTION: Can you hear me?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Yes.

QUESTION: Hello?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Jennifer?

QUESTION: Guys, can you hear me?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Jennifer, we can hear you. You can’t hear us.

MODERATOR: Okay. Jennifer, if you’d like to type your question in the chat, we’ll read it for you.

QUESTION: I’m not sure if you can hear me, but we’re hoping for, Barbara, can you give us some color about the meeting? Was it – did you find that Jolani had moderated himself in his effort to be a statesman? And then, Roger, are there any other prisons out there that you think that haven’t been found and is there any chance that he is in Iranian or Russian or Hizballah custody, Austin Tice? Thank you.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: So, to your first question, I would characterize the discussion as quite good, very productive, detailed. We ranged over a wide set of issues, domestic and external. He came across as pragmatic. Of course, we are – we’ve been hearing this for some time, some very pragmatic and moderate statements on various issues from women’s rights to protection of equal rights for all communities, et cetera.

Again, I mean, it was a good first meeting. We will judge by deeds, not just by words. Deeds are the critical thing.

I’ll let Roger address your second question.

MR CARSTENS: Hey, Jennifer, it’s Roger. Thanks for the question and I’ll try to talk a little more slowly.

So, I’ve been rather amazed at the amount of secret prisons that Assad seems to have amassed. I think initially we thought there’d be maybe 10 or 20. It’s probably more like 40. It might even be more. They’re in little clusters at times. Sometimes they’re in the far-out reaches of Damascus. But the bottom line is that over 12 years, we’ve been able to pinpoint about six facilities that we believe have a high possibility of having had Austin Tice at one point or another.

Now, over the last probably 11 or 12 days we’ve received additional information, based on the changing conditions, which lead us to add maybe one or two or three more facilities to that initial number of six. Now, we’ve tried to focus on those six because we have limited resources, and since State cannot be on the ground nor can the FBI for an extended amount of time right now, we’ve been working with our partners, allies, NGOs, and even members of the media to take a look at these facilities and give us a sense of what they’re seeing, what they’re finding.

I think, as time goes on, in the next few – in the coming days, weeks, and months it will be our duty, our responsibility to go to the first six sites and search them thoroughly, in addition to knowing that our partners and allies and friends have already searched them, to really fine-tune the evidence gathering in a way that only the FBI can do.

Additionally, we want to keep fanning that search out to the remaining facilities. And it could end up being like 20 or 30 or 40 prison sites as time goes on. And we’ll be dong that, of course, with the interim authorities who, to this point, have been very helpful in these searches. In a perfect world, we’ll find Austin and bring him home and we’ll stop the search. But the bottom line is – and you know this, Jennifer; you’ve heard me say this numerous times – we’re going to be like bulldogs on this. We’re not going to stop until we find the information that we need to conclude what has happened to Austin, where he is, and to return him home to his family.

MODERATOR: And that concludes today’s call. I am sorry that we could not get to all questions today. I would like to thank Assistant Secretary Leaf, Special Presidential Envoy Carstens, and Ambassador Rubinstein for joining us, and I would like to thank all of our journalists for participating.

If you have questions about today’s call, you may contact the London International Media Hub at MediaHubLondon@state.gov.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEAF: Thanks very much.

AMBASSADOR RUBINSTEIN: Thank you.

# # #
The Week at State: December 13 - December 19, 2024
12/20/2024

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December 13 - December 19, 2024

Traveling abroad this holiday season? Verify your destination’s entry and exit requirements and check out these holiday travel safety tips.

Here’s what happened at State this past week. ⤵️✈️ Secretary Blinken visited Türkiye, Iraq, and Jordan to discuss regional security amid Syria’s transition.
🗽 In New York, the Secretary attended UN Security Council sessions and participated in a conversation at the Council on Foreign Relations.
🎁 In coordination with the Marine Corps, we contributed to the annual Toys for Tots initiative.


Supporting the Syrian People During a Historic Moment of Transition

After the fall of the Assad regime, Secretary Blinken met with leaders in Türkiye, Jordan, and Iraq to discuss developments in Syria and across the region. The Secretary reiterated the United States’ support for the Syrian people.

In Baghdad, Secretary Blinken underscored U.S. commitment to the U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership and to Iraq’s security, stability, and sovereignty. He also endorsed engagement with all of Syrian society to establish an inclusive transition.

Following his visit with Iraq’s prime minister, Secretary Blinken joined counterparts from the region and Europe for the Arab Meetings on Syria in Aqaba, Jordan. The ministers approved the following guideposts for Syria’s transition: A transparent and inclusive government formation process.
Security measures to prevent the reemergence of all terrorist groups.
Increased UN support for Syria on the ground.

The Secretary highlighted partners' shared hope that “as Syria transitions from the Assad dictatorship to hopefully a democracy, it does so in a way that of course protects all of the minorities in Syria, that produces an inclusive, non-sectarian government, and does not become in any way a platform for terrorism.”

We encourage Americans to leave Syria.



AI, Sudan, and New Era Diplomacy in New York

As part of the United States’ December Presidency of the UN Security Council, Secretary Blinken traveled to New York to participate in two council sessions, one focused on artificial intelligence and another on Sudan.

He also met with the President of the Council on Foreign Relations to talk about how U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy strengthens our national security, enhances our economic competitiveness, and delivers for the American people.


The U.S. Responds to Vanuatu Earthquake

On December 17, Vanuatu experienced a 7.4 magnitude earthquake 23 miles from the capital, Port Vila. All U.S. Embassy and Peace Corps staff are safe and accounted for. We are actively exploring options to continue operations in Port Vila.

The United States is rushing $250,000 in supplies to humanitarian partners on the ground, including water, sanitation, and hygiene support. In tandem with the Vanuatu Red Cross Society, USAID keeps relief supplies pre-positioned in Vanuatu’s capital for emergencies just like these.

We encourage U.S. citizens in Vanuatu to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for critical safety updates and assistance.


Staff, Marines Cheer Local Kids with Toys for Tots

We continued our partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program, marking over two decades of support.

By participating in this cherished program, participants can help bring joy to families across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, ensuring that every child feels the spirit of the holiday season.


News You May Have MissedThe Secretary participated in a podcast with Foreign Affairs, reflecting on the geopolitical challenges facing the U.S. today.
The Organization of American States launched an AI initiative to shape shared standards and enhance collaboration between member states.
Allied foreign ministers condemned the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, which marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict.
We issued visa restrictions against senior officials who have undermined democracy in Georgia.
We marked International Migrants Day, sharing how U.S. efforts are bolstering U.S. national security and promoting stability worldwide.


🔎 Looking AheadDecember 25: Christmas Day; Start of Hanukkah
December 26: Start of Kwanzaa
December 31: New Year's Eve
January 1: New Year’s Day; Human Trafficking Prevention Month begins
👉 Note to Our Readers

We welcome your feedback on this newsletter. Send us your thoughts to EmailTeam@state.gov. 📩





Useful linksTravel advisories and updates on international travel for U.S. Citizens from the Department of State
Did you know that you can invite a representative from the Department of State to speak at your school, business, agency or organization? Learn about what we do through the firsthand experience of one of our representatives.

Read More at State.gov




Michigan Delegation Advances Economic Cooperation in the Gulf
12/20/2024

Michigan Delegation Advances Economic Cooperation in the Gulf
12/20/2024 06:37 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
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Michigan Delegation Advances Economic Cooperation in the Gulf


Media Note





December 20, 2024



From December 6-14, a delegation led by Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez and the American Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC), in collaboration with the Michigan Municipal League (MML) Foundation, traveled to Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. The delegation engaged with key leaders to promote strategic global partnerships, enhance subnational diplomacy, create opportunities for foreign direct investment, expand global networks and support cultural, educational and workforce exchanges. Participants in the delegation included representatives from Michigan’s city, state, county and local governments and government agencies: Oakland County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County, the Village of Cassopolis and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The delegation also featured business leaders from Michigan’s technology, cyber security, and automotive industries.


By engaging in high-level discussions with government and industry leaders, the delegation explored opportunities for collaboration, fostered international partnerships in strategic sectors, and and bolstered Michigan’s role as a leader in global innovation and economic development. Under the leadership of the AACC, the delegation worked to strengthen foreign commercial advocacy, benefiting Michigan’s private sector and Arab American business communities across the United States. Additionally, it aimed to promote job creation by fostering continued economic cooperation between the U.S., Arab American diaspora, and the Gulf region.


This trip provided a significant opportunity to forge new partnerships, enhance Michigan’s global standing, and scale of subnational diplomacy efforts. It built on the momentum established over the past year between the Subnational Diplomacy Unit and the state of Michigan, focusing on strengthening ties between local and international communities, promoting global business and economic engagement, and positioning Michigan as a hub for innovation and commerce. The delegation also supported the broader Michigan City and State Diplomacy Initiative, launched in May 2024 by Under Secretary Fernandez and MML President Helen Johnson to promote global engagement between local leaders and private sector and advance economic opportunities for investment and partnerships.


To stay up to date, follow Under Secretary Fernandez on X: @State_E, LinkedIn: @State-E, and Facebook: @StateDeptE. For further media information, please contact E_Communications@state.gov.



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Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy Michigan Office of the Spokesperson Oman Partnerships Qatar Subnational Diplomacy Unit Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment United Arab Emirates


Joint Statement on the Third Annual U.S.-Japan Energy Security Dialogue
12/23/2024

Joint Statement on the Third Annual U.S.-Japan Energy Security Dialogue
12/23/2024 02:16 PM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
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Joint Statement on the Third Annual U.S.-Japan Energy Security Dialogue


Media Note





December 23, 2024



Begin Text:


Japan and the United States held the third annual Japan-U.S. Energy Security Dialogue (ESD) on December 12 in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Director General KIHARA Shinichi and Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Economic Affairs Bureau Director General KATAHIRA Satoshi met U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources Geoffrey PYATT to discuss deepening our cooperation to strengthen energy security, accelerate the clean energy transition, and diversify supply chains for critical minerals and clean energy technologies.


Since October 2022, Ukraine’s energy system has been one of the main targets of Russia’s brutal military attacks. Russia has escalated its attacks since March 2024, causing significant damage to Ukraine’s power generation capacity and further endangering the Ukrainian people’s access to critical services. Japan and the United States reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and its brutal and unjust attacks on Ukraine and its energy infrastructure.


The United States and Japan recognized the need to carefully observe the impacts on global energy markets due to current geopolitical developments, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the situations in Middle East, and emphasized the importance of a stable energy market and their commitment to being critical energy partners. The Department of State and Department of Energy reiterated their commitment to supporting Japan’s energy security, including the United States’ ability to predictably supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) while working with other fossil energy importers and producers to minimize methane and carbon emissions across the fossil energy value chain, and accelerate the global transition to net-zero emissions by 2050.


Japan and the United States reiterated their commitment to implementing the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), considering the need for a robust partnership between producers and consumers of fossil fuels. Japan and the United States aim to minimize methane and CO2 emissions from the fossil energy sector, welcoming the outcome of LNG Producer-Consumer Conference 2024 (LNGPCC2024) held in Hiroshima, Japan on October 6, 2024, and recognizing the importance of the expansion of the CLEAN (Coalition for LNG Emission Abatement toward Net-zero) initiative and the CLEAN Annual Report 2024, as the world’s first methane data disclosure by project.


The United States and Japan recognized the climate crisis as the existential challenge of our time and intend to be leaders in the global response with emphasis on the importance of simultaneously achieving net-zero, economic growth, and energy security, while pursuing various pathways. Through Japan’s GX Promotion Act and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Japan and the United States are driving the decarbonization of our economies, spurring economic growth and job creation, improving industrial competitiveness, strengthening energy security through the increased development and deployment of clean energy technologies, and building more diverse clean energy and critical minerals supply chains. Japan and the United States reaffirmed our efforts to maximize the synergies across these historic investments and promote complementary, resilient clean energy supply chains.


The two countries emphasized the need to facilitate increased private sector investment by leveraging private sector demand for clean energy through the Clean Energy Demand Initiative (CEDI). The United States welcomed continued cooperation with Japan in the Indo-Pacific to advance the objectives of CEDI to increase investment in clean energy as well as options for the private sector to procure it, which will help U.S. and Japanese companies operating in the region meet their growing demand for clean power while contributing to economic growth. The growing power demand from AI creates new opportunities for clean energy deployment, including nuclear power, which supports supply capacity and energy security in the digital age.


Japan and the United States commit to cooperating on energy supply chains and to accelerate deployment of clean energy technologies. Both countries will work together to promote innovative technologies such as floating offshore wind, clean hydrogen and its derivatives such as ammonia, e-fuels and e-methane, carbon capture and storage/carbon recycling, and advanced nuclear reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs), to help increase access to secure supplies of clean energy.


Japan and the United States re-affirmed their commitment to seek cooperation on critical minerals projects through the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) to build diversified and resilient supply chains to enhance our economic and energy security. Both countries recognized the strong supply chain linkages for many critical minerals, including between Japanese midstream companies and processed parts producers, and U.S. end-user firms. Japan welcomed U.S. commitments to help enhance supply chain resilience against the potential abuse of export control measures on critical minerals to the detriment of our collective economic and national security. The United States and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to sustain and expand responsible bilateral and global trade. Particularly in e-scrap for the purposes of increasing critical mineral recycling and circular economies.


Japan and the United States acknowledged the Japan-U.S. Mekong Power Partnership (JUMPP) as an important mechanism for advancing our shared vision of a secure and sustainable energy future in the Mekong region. During the five years of JUMPP, both partners have accomplished meaningful strides towards clean energy integration and regional interconnectivity in Cambodia, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Thailand, and Vietnam through key contributions to technical analysis, market development, and renewable energy integration. Japan and the United States are pleased to share the JUMPP Accomplishments Report, a publication highlighting all the regulatory developments, increased clean energy capacity, and technology deployment over five years of this partnership.


Both sides recognized the significant increase in demand for firm, clean electricity with the surge in global interest for artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies and welcomed increased civil nuclear collaboration in third markets to meet those needs. This includes cooperation under the U.S. Department of State’s Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Program, to support capacity building, feasibility studies, and early engineering work for the deployment of nuclear energy under the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation consistent with IAEA standards and guidance in the Indo-Pacific region and elsewhere.


Japan and the United States confirmed the great value of this Energy Security Dialogue, and the productive track 1.5 component, and look forward to convening again at a senior level in 2025.


End Text.


For further media information, please contact ENR-Press@state.gov.



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Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of Energy Resources Climate Change Energy Japan Minerals Office of the Spokesperson Supply Chains


Sanctioning Georgian Dream Founder Bidzina Ivanishvili
12/27/2024


Sanctioning Georgian Dream Founder Bidzina Ivanishvili
12/27/2024 11:16 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Sanctioning Georgian Dream Founder Bidzina Ivanishvili
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Sanctioning Georgian Dream Founder Bidzina Ivanishvili


Press Statement





December 27, 2024



The United States is designating Bidzina Grigoris Dze Ivanishvili, founder and honorary chairman of Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, for undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation. Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream’s actions have eroded democratic institutions, enabled human rights abuses, and curbed the exercise of fundamental freedoms in Georgia. Furthermore, they have derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, a future the Georgian people overwhelmingly desire and the Georgian constitution mandates. The result has left Georgia vulnerable to Russia, which continues to occupy more than 20 percent of Georgia’s territory.


We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protestors, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures. The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia.


Ivanishvili is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(C) of Executive Order 14024 for being responsible for or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the United States or abroad, for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation.



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Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Division for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions Georgia Human Rights and Democracy Office of the Spokesperson Russia


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha
12/27/2024

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha
12/27/2024 11:24 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha
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Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha


Readout





December 27, 2024



The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:


Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to discuss battlefield updates and the United States’ support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s aggression. They discussed Russia’s brutal missile and drone attacks and the assistance the United States and our partners are surging in response to these attacks. The Secretary reiterated unwavering U.S. support for Ukrainians in defense of their freedom.



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Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson


Secretary Blinken’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan
12/28/2024


Secretary Blinken’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan
12/28/2024 11:26 AM EST



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss the latest developments in Syria. Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that upholds human rights and prioritizes an inclusive and representative government. The Secretary and FM Fidan also discussed the shared goal of preventing terrorism from endangering the security of Türkiye and Syria.