Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Salvadoran Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco at the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation
02/03/2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Salvadoran Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco at the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation
02/03/2025 11:02 PM EST
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
San Salvador, El Salvador
InterContinental San Salvador
FOREIGN MINISTER HILL: (Via interpreter) His Excellency the Secretary of State, my friend, Marco Rubio, and members of his delegation; your excellency the U.S. ambassador accredited in our country, Mr. William Duncan; Madam Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira; to the president of the Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River, Daniel Álvarez; Madam Salvadoran Ambassador to the United States, Ms. Milena Mayorga; our friends from the press; ladies and gentlemen, I feel privileged today and filled with enormous gratitude toward the people and the new administration of the United States of America.
Two weeks have gone by and we have this visit from the Secretary of State, who is already a friend of our country. That is only a sign of the ties of friendship and goodwill for the well-being of our peoples. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you for this enormous gesture.
It is an honor to be able to sign this agreement, this memorandum of understanding and cooperation for civil nuclear energy. It is another accomplishment and goal for President Bukele. In addition to offering energy 24 hours a day at competitive pricing without depending on geopolitics or on oil prices, it is a commitment for our prosperity. And to that end, this nuclear energy is a strategic option which will not just help reduce our carbon footprint, it will also ensure reliable and efficient electric energy for our country’s development and for the well-being of our people.
El Salvador is making rapid progress in building our key infrastructure, from housing projects to the establishment of large-scale technology companies. In these specific efforts, we need the accompaniment from our greatest and most trustworthy partner, from our friends on whom we can depend that they will give us the best training and knowledge transfer which will be essential. The experience that you have on civil nuclear energy will give us all of the tools we need to train our people, to train our Salvadoran experts, who will lead the technical and regulatory aspects of this transition – this unprecedented transition.
Support from the U.S. Government, as we all know, goes much beyond just energy generation. This memorandum of understanding also opens the doors to develop nuclear applications for essential sectors such as medicine, agriculture, water resource management, and safe waste management. This will also build our capacity for research, innovation, and sustainable development.
Thank you once again, Mr. Secretary. Thank you on behalf of El Salvador, on behalf of each of our inhabitants. I’m grateful deeply for your support and commitment. This is and always will be a place where you are welcome. It is a country that welcomes you with open arms and an open heart, ready to walk hand in hand with you. I am convinced that this is just the beginning and a great start of a stage of close and fruitful cooperation and strengthening between our nations and our peoples. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Thank you very much to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, Alexandra Hill, for those remarks. At this time, we will hear and I invite His Excellency the Secretary of State of the United States of America.
SECRETARY RUBIO: (In Spanish) and then I’ll switch to English for our friends as well, and I’ll be brief on both.
(In Spanish.)
It’s a great honor and a privilege. This is my first signing ceremony. Been Secretary of State now for just – is today Tuesday? Two weeks. (Laughter.) And it’s great to do it here in a nation, among people with which we have so much in common that unifies us. There’s an extraordinary Salvadoran American community in South Florida and also in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where I’ve worked in the Senate, now as Secretary of State, for a number of years. And we are unified and hold in common so many things.
It’s also exciting to be here in the presence of all of you to see the transformation of a society and of a nation that not too long ago faced great insecurity. But we have seen the transformation under the leadership of this administration here and President Bukele. A country that was once known for violence and for the inability to live openly and freely with one’s family and enjoy life has now become one of the most secure in the hemisphere thanks to his leadership, to the difficult decisions that had to be made.
But now in addition to continuing to maintain and build upon that security comes the extraordinary opportunity of transformation – to prepare this country and its people for the 21st century, for the technologies like nuclear energy that will allow you to power a 21st century economy that will allow this to be the home of every advanced technology and industry of this new era, so that the people – the young people of this country and all people of this country – will be able to live not just in peace but in prosperity, raise their families here, and give their children the chance at a life even better than their own. It’s so exciting to be here today as part of this agreement that – of civil nuclear cooperation, in which we can take the first step, side by side with you, the people of El Salvador, to build that better future.
I think I would also take a moment to announce, especially to our friends covering this back home in America, of an extraordinary meeting we had. We spent over two and a half – (in Spanish) – two and a half to three hours with my friend President Bukele and his team, and then we had some time privately. And while more details will be forthcoming, the president in an act of extraordinary friendship to our country, knowing the challenges we face in the U.S., has agreed to the most unprecedented and extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world.
First, obviously, he continues with full cooperation on the returning of Salvadorans who find themselves illegally in the United States and welcome them back home, and that’s already existing and that will continue. But second, he has agreed to accept for deportation any illegal alien in the United States who is a criminal from any nationality, be they MS-13 or Tren de Aragua, and house them in his jails. And third, he has offered to house in his jails dangerous American criminals in custody in our country, including those of U.S. citizenship and legal residents. No country’s ever made an offer of friendship such as this.
You can think about it: any unlawful immigrant, illegal immigrant in the United States who’s a dangerous criminal – MS-13, Tren de Aragua, whatever it may be – he has offered his jails so we can send them here and he will put them in his jails. And he’s also offered to do the same for dangerous criminals currently in custody and serving their sentences in the United States, even if they’re U.S. citizens or legal residents. We are just profoundly grateful. I spoke to President Trump about this earlier today, and it’s just one more sign of what an incredible friend we have here in President Bukele and the people of El Salvador.
Thank you and God bless you, and now let’s – I look forward to signing this agreement. (Applause.)
(The memorandum was signed.)
The Week at State: January 31 - February 6
02/07/2025
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January 31 - February 6, 2025
We’re refocusing our foreign policy, beginning with tackling important security and economic issues in our own hemisphere.
Here’s what happened at State this past week. ⤵️Secretary Rubio took his first international trip as Secretary of State to Central America and the Dominican Republic.
We applauded Panama’s decision to exit China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Secretary Rubio Bolsters Ties to Neighbors in Inaugural Tour
Secretary Rubio meets with El Salvador President Bukele at his home in San Salvador. (State Dept./Freddie Everett)
“Putting America First means paying closer attention to our own hemisphere,” Secretary Rubio said in an email previewing his trip to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
Secretary Rubio’s first international trip as Secretary of State highlighted the priorities and interests of President Trump’s vision of a pro-America region where American leadership is back.
Throughout the week, Secretary Rubio demonstrated how we’re working days, nights, and weekends to:Stop illegal and large-scale migration.
Fight the scourge of transnational criminal organizations and drug traffickers.
Counter China.
Deepen economic partnerships to enhance prosperity in our hemisphere.
By working with our regional partners, we’re advancing the Trump Administration’s America First foreign policy.
Combating Illegal Migration, Narcotrafficking, and Transnational Crime
Secretary Rubio observes a K-9 unit counternarcotics training demonstration as part of a criminal migrant repatriation and fentanyl seizure in Guatemala City, Guatemala, February 5, 2025. (State Dept./Freddie Everett)
We are working with our regional partners to confront the challenges of illegal migration and the flow of illicit fentanyl into the U.S.
In Panama, Secretary Rubio witnessed a repatriation flight returning over 40 migrants to Colombia, which he called “a powerful example of the strength of the U.S.-Panama partnership.”
In El Salvador, Secretary Rubio met with Salvadoran President Bukele, who committed to accepting and incarcerating criminals including members of violent gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua — from any country. He also toured a private company, Aeroman, which is helping to prevent migration and build a middle class.
In Guatemala, the Secretary visited La Aurora International Airport to see counternarcotics efforts and criminal removals. He stated, “Getting fentanyl precursors out of the hands of criminals is vital to preventing fentanyl from taking the lives of innocent Americans.”
The U.S. Welcomes Panama’s Shift Away from the Chinese Communist Party
Secretary Rubio participates in a tour of Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Panama, February 2, 2025. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)
In Panama City, the Secretary met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha to make clear that the U.S. cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its growing control over the Panama Canal area.
Panama’s President Mulino announced that Panama will allow its participation in the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative to expire. Secretary Rubio applauded this decision, calling it “a great step forward for U.S.-Panama relations, a free Panama Canal, and another example of the President’s leadership to protect our national security and deliver prosperity for the American people.”
News You May Have MissedSecretary Rubio addressed critical issues in an interview with FOX News, including the future of the Panama Canal, countering Chinese influence, stabilizing the Middle East, and reforming USAID to better serve U.S. national interests.
Israel’s President Netanyahu met with President Trump in Washington.
President Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum to restore maximum pressure on the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, deny Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon, and counter Iran's malign influence abroad.
Secretary Rubio confirmed he will not attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
We took decisive action to restore a tough U.S.-Cuba policy across the Americas and throughout the world.
The U.S. and El Salvador signed a memorandum of understanding to advance peaceful nuclear cooperation.
Secretary Rubio discussed the security of Costa Rica’s 5G system with President Rodrigo Chaves Robles.
Looking AheadFebruary 10-11: AI Action Summit in France
February 14-16: Munich Security Conference
February 17: Washington’s Birthday
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Sanctioning Key Infrastructure Enabling Russia-Based Ransomware Attacks
02/11/2025
Sanctioning Key Infrastructure Enabling Russia-Based Ransomware Attacks
02/11/2025 08:47 AM EST
Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Sanctioning Key Infrastructure Enabling Russia-Based Ransomware Attacks
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Sanctioning Key Infrastructure Enabling Russia-Based Ransomware Attacks
Press Statement
February 11, 2025
In coordination with Australia and the United Kingdom, the United States is today sanctioning Zservers, a Russia-based bulletproof hosting (BPH) services provider, and two Russian nationals serving as Zservers operators, for their roles in supporting LockBit ransomware attacks. As a BPH service provider, Zservers provided cybercriminals access to specialized servers and other computer infrastructure designed to resist law enforcement action.
Russia continues to offer safe harbor for cybercriminals where groups are free to launch and support ransomware attacks against the United States and its allies and partners. Today’s actions underscore the United States’ commitment, along with our international partners, to combating cybercrime and degrading the networks that enable cyber criminals to target our citizens. We will continue to stand with our partners to disrupt ransomware actors that threaten our economies and critical infrastructure.
The Department of the Treasury actions today were taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, as further amended by E.O. 14144. For more information on today’s action, see Treasury’s press release.
The Department of the Treasury actions today follow two Department of State reward offers totaling up to $15 million for owners, operators, administrators, and affiliates of the LockBit ransomware variant, as well as a separate reward offer totaling up to $10 million for LockBit ransomware administrator Dmitry Khoroshev. The reward offers were approved under the Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program.
Tags
Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy Cyber Issues Cybersecurity Office of the Spokesperson Russia Sanctions and Designations The Secretary of State
Release of Marc Fogel
02/11/2025
Release of Marc Fogel
02/11/2025 08:27 PM EST
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
Promises made, promises kept. President Trump promised the Fogel family he would bring Marc home, and today, Marc is on his way. After three and a half years of detention in Russia, Marc is finally free. Marc’s release is also a reminder that other American citizens are still detained in Russia. President Trump is committed to bringing all of them home.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio And Senior Advisor Adam Boehler With Sean Hannity of Fox News February 11, 2025 Via Telephone
02/12/2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio And Senior Advisor Adam Boehler With Sean Hannity of Fox News February 11, 2025 Via Telephone
02/12/2025 01:32 AM EST
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
Washington D.C.
QUESTION: Welcome to hour two of Hannity. This is a Fox News alert. Two major developments from the White House tonight. First, we are awaiting President Trump’s meeting with newly freed hostage Marc Fogel. He was released from a Russian prison only hours ago. Plus, according to the United States Envoy for Hostages Adam Boehler, another American hostage will be released tomorrow.
Anyway, joining us now with more details, on the phone we have Secretary of State Marco Rubio along with the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostages nominee Adam Boehler is with us. First, Mr. Secretary, Secretary Rubio, let me say to you and to President Trump and to Steve Witkoff and to Adam and everybody involved, it brings a lot of joy to me and to most Americans to know that America – an American has been released. We look forward to tomorrow’s news as well.
What can you tell us about what happened?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, first let me just tell you we have a great team here. Adam and his team do a great job with this, and Steve Witkoff is phenomenal. But none of this is possible without President Trump. This is the tenth American that’s come home after being detained somewhere overseas in just three weeks in the White House. It’s an extraordinary achievement.
And look, this is what happens when you have a strong president, and that’s what we’re seeing. And look, anytime an American comes home we should be excited about it. We have – this is a case that languished under the Biden administration. They really didn’t give it priority. I met with the family. I believe the mother got to meet President Trump at that now infamous rally in Butler, right – the same day the President was almost killed. And so tonight is really a happy occasion. It should be for all Americans, but certainly for Mr. Fogel and his family.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, you said ten American hostages released. I was only aware of seven, including tonight. Tomorrow would be eight, and the six Venezuelan hostages and the one tonight. What are the other three?
MR BOEHLER: We’ve got a couple we can introduce. We have somebody, Anastasia, that was actually brought over from Belarus to the border of Lithuania, where the ambassador – part of Marco Rubio’s team took her in and then flew her to the United States, and she is in Texas right now. And so that’s another example. We don’t always get to advertise every one of them, but Sean, the team is doing great.
QUESTION: Yeah. What can you tell us about this? Maybe I’ll go back to Secretary Rubio and then we’ll get your take, Adam.
MR BOEHLER: Yeah.
QUESTION: Vladimir Putin – two things have developed that I know you’re active and involved to the hilt on both of them. President Zelenskyy saying he’s open to a deal. Now, Vladimir Putin got nothing in return – is my understanding – for the release of this hostage. Steve Witkoff goes, apparently met for three and a half hours with Vladimir Putin, and brings home this hostage, and – which I think is spectacular. But I think it’s very symbolic in the sense that –and Vladimir Putin had made very positive public comments about Donald Trump and the adult being back in the White House basically. What can we glean from this and read into this? Is this hopefully the end of war in Europe?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, look, I wouldn’t – one has nothing to do with the other directly per se, but it will in time because of the following reason: We have a strong president. And I think people forget how important that is. At the end of the day, we are dealing all over the world with strong leaders. We may not like them or what they do, but these are strong leaders that respect strength. And that’s what we have with Donald Trump in the White House.
QUESTION: Yeah.
SECRETARY RUBIO: And he also made this a campaign priority. So I think you’re beginning to see the fruits of what happened when we’re led by a strong president who does what he says he’s going to do and doesn’t just give it lip service. And I think that the reason why this might be linked to some of the other things over time is because of that strength. When you have a president that’s strong like Donald Trump, you’re going to have a chance to achieve things, whether it’s in Ukraine and ending that war, whether it’s some of the conflicts that we’re now seeing in the Middle East or anywhere in the world, because they know he’s not playing around. I mean, he says he’s going to do it and then he does it. This is not some president that wastes a lot of time talking about things that he’s never going to do or doesn’t mean to do. If he says he’s going to do something, he’ll do it, and these leaders know it. And so hopefully that’ll bear fruit in a bunch of places beyond just what we’re seeing tonight.
QUESTION: And Mr. Secretary, let me ask you – and I know you were in the meeting with King Abdullah today from Jordan, and he seemed supportive at least on some level of the President’s plan for Gaza, which his to clean up the rubble, clean out the mess, and begin a process of rebuilding Gaza and also demilitarizing the area of militants. And he also gave a deadline of Saturday at noon for Hamas to release all the hostages or all hell will break loose. What’s your take —
SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah.
QUESTION: What was your take on the meeting?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, it was always a good meeting. Jordan is a great ally of the United States and the king has been a longtime ally of the United States. We work very closely on a lot of things. But here’s the bottom line: If people don’t like the Trump plan for Gaza, right now it’s the only plan. And so I think it’s now incumbent upon the Arab countries – our allies; we work very closely with them – if they think they’ve got a better plan, we need to hear it. And so hopefully that will be the product of that.
And as far as the ceasefire is concerned, look, Hamas is breaking the deal. The President is tired of the drip, drip, drip of he wants people out. You saw the condition of the hostages that were released just a week ago, and they were on the verge of death. I mean, they looked terrible. They were really clearly in bad shape. And the President just got fed up with it. If these guys don’t go through with their deal on Saturday, then I think we’re back to where we were a few months ago where Hamas is going to be eliminated and the Israelis are going to go in and take care of that problem. Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that point, but he’s serious about it. I mean, he’s tired of waiting for one people, two people, three people at a time. It’s time for all of them to come home.
QUESTION: And we can’t ignore the fact that the President, as his first foreign visitor, was Prime Minister Netanyahu, nor can we ignore the fact that weapons that were denied Israel – powerful bombs that – or the equivalent of those bunker busters – he released to Israel, which should be an indication that if that deadline is missed on Saturday that I would not only think that Hamas should be nervous, but I would think that the Iranians also should be concerned. Am I wrong?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, I think anybody who is an enemy of the United States or anyone who seeks harm to the United States should be very concerned, because Donald Trump – President Trump has a history of acting on what he says. Just ask the Iranians and Soleimani. There’s multiple incidents that – and things that would have never happened, okay? What happened in Afghanistan would have never happened under Donald Trump. October 7th would have never happened if Donald Trump was president. The war in Ukraine would have never happened. But we had a weakness in the White House, and that led to these sorts of things happening. They’re not going to happen now.
QUESTION: Adam, let’s talk about – I know that there has been an announcement that another hostage besides Marc Fogel will be released tomorrow. We don’t have any details. Is there any light you can shed on that?
MR BOEHLER: I would say it’s another in a stream of hostages. It’ll be unilateral as well. And I can’t release until the person is released, obviously. It could endanger a hostage release, and that I can’t do. But I can say that we expect another one tomorrow and hopefully a lot more through that because the President made it a priority to get all Americans home.
QUESTION: Adam, how many hostages, American hostages, are there worldwide that maybe most Americans don’t know about?
MR BOEHLER: This all – there’s definitional questions on this, Sean, but let me try to answer it the best I can, which is when you look at hostages and people that are being withheld that shouldn’t be withheld, you’re talking about a hundred plus. I will tell you right now there are 6,000 Americans in foreign jails. That doesn’t mean everybody is innocent by the way, but right now there are 6,000 Americans in foreign jails.
QUESTION: Yeah. Secretary Rubio, since Donald Trump has been elected – and it’s hard to imagine – he’s only begun his fourth week in now his second term here, and he’s working at the speed of light. And I’m sure you’re burning the midnight oil every night as well. And as we look at all these different hotspots around the world, I don’t – I think I’m more optimistic than I’ve been in a long time. And we saw, for example, Colombia and Canada and Mexico – I know you were actively involved and you went to Panama. The issue of the Panama Canal and a violation of that treaty was in the forefront, but my sources are telling me that a deal is within reach that will be very favorable to America. Any insight you can give us into that negotiation?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, I mean, the Panamanians have a process there. They are a country of laws. They have to work through their system to get a good result. But at the end of the day, I think we left there with a very firm understanding that the status quo in the Panama Canal was not acceptable. As the President said, we gave the canal over to Panama, not to China. And I think we’ll see – have already seen concrete steps. They’re the first country in the Western Hemisphere to pull out of the Belt and Road Initiative. I think there are other things forthcoming as well.
And look, it’s a serious issue. I mean, if that canal were to be blocked in a time of conflict by the Chinese, we – or anybody for that matter – we would have a lot of trouble getting naval assets over into the Pacific or back home to the U.S. for refueling or what have you, for re-stockpiling. So it’s an important – there’s a reason why they built it, and it’s important to national security.
So I feel optimistic about that. It’ll take a few more weeks to work through some of the details. But again, I work for a president – President Donald Trump – who comes at things with a position of strength. And people know it’s not just tough talk. I mean, he now has a history of acting on what he says he’s going to do. And he’s always going to be on the American side of every issue. I can’t say that enough.
We had a foreign policy for a long time – and I want to say even under multiple administrations of both parties – where oftentimes it felt like we were arguing on behalf of what was good for the world. And we’re not for things that are bad for the world, but we’re the Government of the United States. We have to be first and foremost for what’s good for the United States and for our people, and that’s been completely lost in foreign policy. Now it’s back, and I think you’re seeing the – and there’s more and more to come.
QUESTION: Would I – would it be fair to characterize your feeling after being in Panama that you have a high degree of confidence that a deal will be reached that will be favorable?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, we’re going to have a good outcome with the Panamanians. Look, they’re good friends. I mean, the president of Panama is very pro-American. And they’ve got to work through their own internal processes. They have laws about how they can do certain things, and they have to do it the right way, and we want them to do it the right way.
But ultimately, we want to get an outcome that’s good for them, by the way. It’s not good for them to have the canal with the kind of influence that another country has over it. So I think we’re going to get a very good outcome there, and we already have seen some things happen and more are going to be happening. And we’ve just got to let that work its way through a little bit, and – but we’re going to get there.
QUESTION: Adam, I’ll give you the last question here. You’re the special envoy for hostages. And as we’ve been saying all night, we’re moments away from Marc Fogel being released and showing up at the White House. We know he landed in Washington, D.C. He might even be at the White House at this moment. As soon as that – as soon as we get some video of that, we’ll bring it to you. That’s him getting off the plane back on American soil that we’re showing our audience right now.
But I want to go back. I think every American, when they hear about American hostages it makes their blood boil, and Americans want our hostages fought for. And they want these – they want our hostages brought home. And are there areas of the world that you fear – that you feel that you – you have a high degree of confidence that we will be able to negotiate the return of Americans that have been held for any length of time?
MR BOEHLER: I want to say something just because we just went out there, and I witnessed a Secretary of State, a National Security Advisor, the President’s best friend, stand in the cold, in the snow, waiting for Marc Fogel. I was there with them. And what that represents is Americans – this is why the President was elected by Americans. There’s none of this high-horse things. We wait for Americans. Our job is on behalf of Americans, and I thought it was awesome to see, and I think the pictures will bear it out. He’s with us in a convoy right now. I’m in the car with the Secretary, and we’re taking him to the President, who told us, by the way, “I don’t care what time he comes in, I never go to sleep.”
So that’s the man that we’re following. So I just want everybody to know that because —
QUESTION: By the way, I think – I think Secretary Rubio and I personally can vouch for that. He does not sleep.
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, if he does, I don’t know what time it’s at. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: I think I’ve talked to him over the years all hours of the 24-hour day. There’s no doubt about it. But it’s certainly better than a president that went to bed at 6 o’clock every night and maybe worked two or three hours a day. It’s been a refreshing change.
Listen, Secretary Rubio —
MR BOEHLER: So Sean, just to answer your question –
QUESTION: What’s that?
MR BOEHLER: You asked a question, which is any specific regions. All of them. We want them all home.
QUESTION: I want – we want them all home. Very well said, Adam.
Listen, on behalf of, I’m sure, the family but more importantly on behalf of the American people, a debt of gratitude to the President; to you, Secretary Rubio; to you, Adam; to Steve Witkoff, who actually went to Russia to pick him up and bring him home; just a debt of gratitude to all of you. An American is coming home safe. We expect another one tomorrow. That’s more phenomenal news, and we appreciate all your time and all your hard work. Thank you both.
SECRETARY RUBIO: Thank you.
MR BOEHLER: Thanks, Sean.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio And Senior Advisor Adam Boehler With Chris Cuomo of NewsNation February 11, 2025 Via Telephone
02/12/2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio And Senior Advisor Adam Boehler With Chris Cuomo of NewsNation February 11, 2025 Via Telephone
02/12/2025 01:53 AM EST
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
Washington D.C.
QUESTION: First of all, Mr. Secretary of State, congratulations. I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to you since the appointment, and I wish you well in doing the work of the American people. What do you want us to know about what you’re doing tonight and what you think it signifies?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, look, anytime an American comes home who’s being held overseas like this situation is, it’s a time for celebration. We’re happy for him and for his family. It’s a case we followed very closely for a number of years, and obviously we’re excited about that. But I think it’s also important to note it was not in return for anything. There wasn’t some deal here where we had to release, like, 10 spies. And I think it shows President Trump’s commitment to bringing home Americans. I think – Adam knows better than I do at this point – but I think it’s up to 10 people now in just three weeks who were being detained overseas who have been brought home, and so I think this is a very positive development.
QUESTION: Hey, Adam, let me get you in here. Congratulations on bringing home an American. Obviously that’s good news no matter what your perspective. Help us understand why the Russians didn’t ask for anything in return.
MR BOEHLER: I think what you’re seeing here is a bunch of unilateral actions, and I think it speaks to the strength of the President United States, to Steve Witkoff, to Marco and the team they’re building, which is basically they’re trying to show that they know that the President cares about hostages. He’s made it a priority, and you’re seeing a whole bunch of people act unilaterally. It happened in Venezuela, and now it’s happening here, which is, you’ve got Russians saying hey, we want to show action because it’s a – it’s a presidential priority.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary of State, where are you in terms of your level of confidence that this act is a true indication of possibility when it comes to getting Mr. Putin to be reasonable about ending his campaign in Ukraine?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, look, I wouldn’t link the two because they’re not linked in the sense that there was some sort of understanding on Ukraine in exchange for this. What I would say about it, though, is that if you can’t even get an American held under these circumstances released, then the chances of working together in good faith are none. So it’s certainly a good sign. But obviously the – look, the situation in Ukraine is complex and difficult, and it’s one that is going to require a lot of work, a lot of hard diplomacy. It’s a war the President’s made clear he wants to see end. And so this is good. I mean, it’s not indicative that it’s going to make it easier to do a deal, but if you can’t get an American who shouldn’t have been there out, then the chances of doing something far more difficult are not very high.
QUESTION: You’ve got a lot on your plate, obviously, and that’s why you wanted the opportunity. How concerned are you that we’re going to lose the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, look, I mean, the – it’s always a tenuous ceasefire, because you’re dealing with a terrorist organization in Hamas —
QUESTION: Sure.
SECRETARY RUBIO: — who has kidnapped, murdered, raped, savaged innocents. And so you’re not dealing with a nation-state here who’s operating under the laws of war or any laws for that matter. So it’s very tenuous. We’ll see what happens on Saturday. I think the President’s been very clear he wants to see those hostages come – be released. He’s tired of this drip, drip every week. There’s some Americans there as well. He wants to see them released, and he’s made very clear that if that’s not the case on Saturday, then then all bets are off. And it’s not going to be good for Hamas. But let’s hope that that resolves itself. I don’t think anyone wants to see a resumption of hostilities. But by the same token, we can’t have Hamas deciding what parts of the deal they’re going to live up to and what parts they’re not.
QUESTION: Do you believe their assertion that Israel hasn’t let in aid that was agreed to?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I think you can’t believe anything Hamas says. Obviously, the bigger point here is, yeah, I mean, you’re going to – part of the challenge here is that Hamas, we know, continues to use networks to smuggle in weaponry and aid for themselves to reconstitute themselves. Israel can’t allow that to happen. You can’t allow them, Hamas, to use the ceasefire to sort of rebuild itself and recover strength. So it’s a ceasefire but it’s not a stupid ceasefire. You can’t have it as an opportunity for them to rebuild themselves and come back and do the same thing all over again. Hamas exists with a very clear purpose. That is the destruction of the Jewish state.
So let’s hope that we can overcome this hurdle over the next 72 hours. I know that a lot of countries in the region are weighing in, and hopefully we’re going to have a good outcome on Saturday; and if not, then I think Hamas will be to blame.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senior Advisor Adam Boehler with Kaitlan Collins of CNN February 11, 2025 Via Telephone
02/12/2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senior Advisor Adam Boehler with Kaitlan Collins of CNN February 11, 2025 Via Telephone
02/12/2025 02:05 AM EST
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
Washington D.C.
QUESTION: Also joining me right now off the top is President Trump’s special envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, who helped negotiate the release of Marc Fogel, and I should note he is also with the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. And it’s great to have you both joining us. Obviously this is such an exciting moment for Marc Fogel’s family, for his mother, I know. And Adam, you posted that photo of him on the plane back home earlier today that everyone saw, really the first seen of him outside of Russia that we have seen. Can you just walk us through how this happened and how quickly this came together?
We’re trying to get Adam Boehler back on the line, as you can hear there. What they’re doing right now is they are at Joint Base Andrews. They are waiting on the plane that is carrying Marc Fogel to land back. It is a plane, I should note, that belongs to Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, who has been such a big part of dealing with the Middle East and then was meeting with the king of Jordan here in Washington just earlier this week, and then we heard word that he was in Russia. There was questions over why, and then it was announced by Trump’s National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, earlier today, who said that Marc Fogel was indeed going to be coming home after this negotiation.
Such an exciting moment for his family, who was very upset when Marc Fogel was not included in the last release by Russia, the prisoner swap that happened when Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter, came home. And Adam, I think you’re back on the phone with me. The question I had for you in this moment was just walk us through how this happened and how quickly this came together.
MR BOEHLER: Well, it was a major effort on behalf of Secretary Rubio – here with me – with Steve Witkoff and others, and it came together very quickly, but that’s because the President leaned in.
QUESTION: Secretary Rubio, can you just —
SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah.
QUESTION: — your thoughts on this and what we know about Marc Fogel’s doing, how his health is right now?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, we’ll find out soon enough. From all the reports, he’s doing fine, he’s doing well. Obviously he’s been in prison for three years. That’s never good for anyone, but he seems to be in good health, and we’ll learn more here in a second. Sorry about all of the (inaudible) —
MR BOEHLER: Yeah, our technology – our technology’s not that great, sorry, but yeah.
SECRETARY RUBIO: But to just add to what Adam said, we – this is a great team. Obviously Steve Witkoff is phenomenal, and Adam and his shop and what they do. But – and the President. Look, let’s be fair and frank here: I mean, the President’s made it a priority to bring home Americans, and I think this is the 10th American who’s come home since the President took office, and it’s always a happy moment when something like this happens. It’s great for the family. We’re excited to be a part of it.
QUESTION: Yeah. It’s such an exciting moment for his family. I know his mom is on the verge of turning 96 and she was talking about having that conversation with him earlier today.
We’ve seen these swaps before. We heard Mike Waltz, the National Security Advisor, call it an exchange today. Did the U.S. or an ally release someone in exchange for Marc Fogel?
MR BOEHLER: Well, what happened here is there was consideration one way or other for nonviolent criminal, and so the United States gave some consideration, although it wasn’t linked one way or the other. And so at the end of the day what we wanted to do here is look at a step forward, and I think you see Russia making a step for the President, for President Trump, based on his focus on hostages.
QUESTION: So tell me what you mean by that in terms of whether there was a direct exchange for this, or is it an agreement to have a conversation about releasing other people from either the U.S. or other nations?
MR BOEHLER: For us, it was the start. This was a unilateral decision. It means for us we make and give thoughts to other people that are nonviolent from a Russia perspective, and so it means the President’s open to things now because this was a first step one way or the other.
QUESTION: Okay. So it’s signaling a conversation for something to happen but not an actual one-for-one exchange as we’ve seen play out on the tarmac in situations before. Do I have that right?
MR BOEHLER: Yeah, that’s correct. You won’t see an exchange go on right now. I think you will see the President give consideration if there are some nonviolent people or maybe there’s no issues one way or the other, but you will not see a one-for-one thing happening at the same time.
QUESTION: And Secretary Rubio, can you walk us through what was the behind the decision to have Steve Witkoff, who we’ve seen playing a critical role in a lot of these foreign policy moments, go directly to Russia instead of a third-party country? What should that – what should that tell us?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, he went to pick up Marc Fogel. I mean, that’s where he was. So he went there to get him and bring him back, and we’re grateful for his willingness to do it on his own airplane, on his own dime. It’s a great service to this country. And he look, he’s very talented. I mean, he’s a very talented man, very savvy in business, and – but he went over there to pick him up and bring him back. And we’re grateful to him for his willingness to do it. He’s a great asset to the team.
And I just go back, look, the President has made it a priority. He’s been in office now for three weeks. He’s made it a priority to bring back as many Americans who are overseas and detained, we’ve seen that focus, and I think is a very positive thing. And look, I think it’s good as well for our ability to communicate with Russia. I mean, we’d like to see this war in Ukraine come to an end, a fair end, a fair peace, a just peace, an enduring peace. But obviously it’s always good to see these things. They’re not linked, but I do think it’s a good sign that they’re willing to be cooperative in this way. And obviously it’s a small step forward, they’re not exactly linked together, but anytime an American’s coming home we should be excited about it, and we certainly are.
QUESTION: Yeah, this is the first time we’ve seen a senior U.S. official that we know of that has has gone to Russia since 2021, I believe, since before Russia invaded Ukraine. So Secretary Rubio, in your role, what does this mean? And what does this signal about what could be next for negotiating and end to that war, which obviously President Trump has talked about at length?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, there’s – even as we speak there are multiple people involved. The Vice President, the Treasury Secretary are in Europe. I’ll be there later this week. Secretary Hegseth’s in Europe now, so we’ll be talking to our European allies. We’ll be talking to the Ukrainians. I’ll be meeting with them later this week. So will the Vice President. I think the Secretary, Treasury Secretary Bessent’s going to be meeting with them as well.
So there’s a lot to engage here. This is a difficult conflict. It’s a complicated conflict, and it’s not just about bringing an end to it. The President’s made clear he wants to bring an end to it because there’s a lot of people dying and a lot of destruction, but it’s about a fair one, one in which Ukraine remains a country that’s sovereign and independent and we can bring an end to this very costly and destructive conflict. It’s a long way to go between here and there. It’s not going to be easy.
And again, I don’t want to claim that what’s happening here tonight is in any way the first step towards that, but I do think it’s a good sign that the Russians were willing to do something in this regard, and hopefully we can build on that in the days to come.
QUESTION: What do you think made them willing to do this?
SECRETARY RUBIO: President Trump. I think that they want to have a relationship with him, and I think they want – they understand that this is a president that comes from a position of strength, not a position of weakness, who’s made his feelings pretty clear, especially over the last few weeks. So I think it’s not a coincidence that we’re seeing things happen under President Trump that were not possible under the previous administration. So like I said, look, there’s a lot of hard work ahead to bring an end to that conflict and deal with all the other things going on in the world, which are very complicated. But tonight is a happy occasion, certainly for the Fogel family and for so many who loved him who were so worried about him for so long.
MR BOEHLER: And I just want to note this is a unique circumstance, as Secretary Rubio is saying. This is a unilateral move. It follows unilateral moves by Venezuela, other countries. We have another American coming in tomorrow, and so this is – the President has made this a top priority, and he’s got the A team on it. He’s got Steve Witkoff on it. He’s got Marco on it. He’s got Waltz on it. We’re waiting for Waltz to join us right now, and the three of us will be there to welcome him in the snow. We drove out because nothing’s more important than Americans and bringing our Americans home, and we’ll never forget them.
QUESTION: Who is the next American that’s coming home?
MR BOEHLER: Well, that’s going to be a surprise for tomorrow.
QUESTION: So the – is it from Russia?
MR BOEHLER: I can’t comment on where it’s from, but you’ll have patience. You’ll see tomorrow. You need other things for the viewers tomorrow, too.
QUESTION: Okay, so we’ll be waiting to see – I mean, obviously we’re hearing from – we heard from Marc Fogel’s mom this morning, who said she got a call from him when he was in an airport, telling her that he was coming home, an exciting moment. Secretary Rubio, how directly involved was – obviously this is a decision that President Putin makes. How directly involved was he in this in terms of getting this across the finish line?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I think we all know enough about Russia and to know that nothing happens there of this magnitude without President Putin being involved and having some role to play in that regard. So – and I won’t comment on all the details of it other than to say that – we don’t want to endanger the opportunity to communicate with them in the future, but I think that – I think it’s fair to say that it wouldn’t have happened without him okaying it.
QUESTION: You did mention – there is a lot of movement this week happening between this happening right now and this announcement that we heard from you all at the White House today, to Secretary – Treasury Secretary Bessent is going to Ukraine, as Trump confirmed today. Vice President Vance is going to be meeting with him. You said you’re going to be meeting with him, Mr. Secretary. How do you feel about the timeline of when this war could come to an end given this? Should it be sooner than maybe some people expected?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, I don’t think anybody – I don’t think anybody can assign a time or date to it. These are complicated – this is a conflict that’s been going on for two years now. Obviously there’s a lot of complexities to it, so I would hate to assign a timeline. We want to see it end as soon as possible. We don’t just want to see it end. We want to see it end in a way that’s sustainable, meaning that we’re not going to be back here in two years with a new war and in a way that the Ukrainians retain their sovereignty and their national integrity. And so I think – but I wouldn’t assign a timeline to it. It’s a priority. The President campaigned on ending this war in a fair and just way, and obviously we’re going to have a lot of work to do. I hope it happens as soon as possible, but I can’t give you a time frame on it.
QUESTION: You sound optimistic, though.
SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I mean, I’m optimistic. We’re going to work really hard. At the end of the day, you’ve got some really complicated situations here. We’re dealing with some pretty tough people. The Ukrainians have sacrificed a lot. The Russians and Putin have already committed a lot to this as well. It’s not going to be easy to stop it, but I’m optimistic that we’re going to work harder than any administration’s ever worked to bring an end to this. The President’s made it a priority. He campaigned on it and – but it’s not going to be easy. There’s a lot of work (inaudible).
QUESTION: Yeah. Adam Boehler, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, you’re both at Joint Base Andrews waiting on Marc Foley to come home and just – Marc Fogel to come home and just seeing what this moment means, of course, in terms of his return for his family. I know that they are very happy tonight. Thank you for taking the time to hop on the phone with us.
MR BOEHLER: Thanks a lot.
Welcoming the Release of U.S. Citizen and Political Prisoners from Captivity in Belarus
02/12/2025
Welcoming the Release of U.S. Citizen and Political Prisoners from Captivity in Belarus
02/12/2025 05:08 PM EST
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Welcoming the Release of U.S. Citizen and Political Prisoners from Captivity in Belarus
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Welcoming the Release of U.S. Citizen and Political Prisoners from Captivity in Belarus
Press Statement
February 12, 2025
President Trump’s strong leadership has led to the release of an American unjustly detained in Belarus and two political prisoners. I want to particularly thank the Lithuanian government for its cooperation and assistance – they remain a true ally and friend. I also want to thank my team in Consular Affairs, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs for all the hard work that went into securing these releases. We remain committed to the release of other U.S. citizens in Belarus and elsewhere. We call for the release of nearly 1,300 political prisoners who remain in jail across Belarus.
Tags
Belarus Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs
Assistant to the President and Special Presidential Envoy Kellogg’s Travel to Europe
02/12/2025
Assistant to the President and Special Presidential Envoy Kellogg’s Travel to Europe
02/12/2025 06:32 PM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Assistant to the President and Special Presidential Envoy Kellogg’s Travel to Europe
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Assistant to the President and Special Presidential Envoy Kellogg’s Travel to Europe
Media Note
February 12, 2025
Assistant to the President and Special Presidential Envoy for Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg will travel to Germany, Belgium, and Ukraine February 13-22 to advance President Trump’s goal of securing peace through strength in Ukraine and upholding the national security interests of the United States of America. Special Presidential Envoy Kellogg will participate in the Munich Security Conference and will visit NATO and EU headquarters in Brussels, where he will engage with allies and partners across Europe who are willing to work with the United States to end Russia’s war against Ukraine and restore stability in Europe. In Ukraine, he will meet with government officials and private citizens who have bravely endured almost three years of war. President Trump has made it clear that the fighting needs to stop, and the United States is ready to support a durable solution. Special Presidential Envoy Kellogg is committed to carrying out the tough diplomacy it will take to achieve the President’s objective.
Follow Special Presidential Envoy Kellogg on X: @SPE_Kellogg
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Secretary Rubio’s Travel to Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates
02/12/2025
Secretary Rubio’s Travel to Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates
02/12/2025 07:15 PM EST
Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Rubio’s Travel to Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates
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Secretary Rubio’s Travel to Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates
Press Statement
February 12, 2025
The following is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Munich on February 13 to participate in the Munich Security Conference, where he will discuss a range of U.S. priorities with international partners. While in Munich, Secretary Rubio will also participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He will then travel to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates from February 15-18. Secretary Rubio’s engagements with senior officials will promote U.S. interests in advancing regional cooperation, stability, and peace. The trip will center on freeing American and all other hostages from Hamas captivity, advancing to Phase II of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and countering the destabilizing activities of the Iranian regime and its proxies.
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Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Germany Israel Office of the Spokesperson Official International Travel Saudi Arabia The Secretary of State United Arab Emirates
Secretary Rubio’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha
02/13/2025
Secretary Rubio’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha
02/13/2025 03:41 PM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha today. They discussed the need for bold diplomacy to end the war in a negotiated manner leading to a sustainable peace. Secretary Rubio underscored U.S. commitment to Ukrainian independence and the stability of Ukraine and the region.
Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan
02/14/2025
Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan
02/14/2025 12:52 PM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan
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Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan
Readout
February 14, 2025
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan today to discuss ways to further strengthen U.S.-Türkiye relations, our shared interests in the region, and our growing bilateral trade. Secretary Rubio emphasized the need for close cooperation to support a stable and unified Syria that is not a threat to the United States, Türkiye, or the region. The Secretary noted Türkiye’s leadership in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, our joint efforts to support a just and lasting peace in the South Caucasus, and our shared objective of ending Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Bilateral Relations and Engagement Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State Turkey
The Week at State: February 7 - February 13
02/14/2025
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February 7 - February 13
Secretary Rubio will travel to Germany to participate in the Munich Security Conference and G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He will then travel to the Middle East.
Here’s what happened at State this past week. ⤵️The Trump Administration secured the release of detainees from custody in Russia and Belarus.
Secretary Rubio visited U.S. Southern Command as he concluded his visit to the Western Hemisphere, where he secured commitments advancing U.S. interests.
Secretary Rubio outlined how American leadership is back in an opinion piece on FOX News.
Promises Made, Promises Kept: U.S. Detainees Released from Russia and Belarus
After three and a half years of detention in Russia, American teacher Marc Fogel returned to his family in the United States on February 11. Secretary Rubio credited President Trump’s strong leadership for Fogel’s release, and for the release on February 12 of another American unjustly detained in Belarus. Belarus also released two political prisoners.
The Trump Administration is following through on commitments to return detained Americans home where they belong. Secretary Rubio thanked teams across the Department of State for the hard work that went into securing these releases, and called for the release of nearly 1,300 political prisoners who remain in jail across Belarus.
On NewsNation with Chris Cuomo, Secretary Rubio and Adam Boehler highlighted the Administration’s commitment to bringing Americans home from horrific Hamas captivity.
Secretary Rubio Visits SOUTHCOM, Concluding His First Trip As Secretary of State
Secretary Rubio visited U.S. Southern Command in Florida on February 7, discussing regional priorities and security with command leaders. The visit took place as he closed out his first official trip abroad, where he secured commitments to advance U.S. security and economic interests.
“President Trump’s America First policy means looking at our own region. Our joint effort of focused diplomacy and military excellence makes America safer and stronger,” Secretary Rubio said on X.
America First, Not America Alone
Secretary Rubio outlined how the Trump Administration has made clear that American leadership is back in an opinion piece on FOX News.
“Our America First foreign policy under President Trump’s leadership is paying off. Nations in our hemisphere and beyond now know: America First does not mean America Alone,” the Secretary said on X.
News You May Have MissedVice President Vance spoke at the AI Summit in Paris.
Secretary Rubio held a bilateral meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
Secretary Rubio spoke with SiriusXM Patriot about our efforts in the Middle East and foreign aid done right.
The Baltic States have cut energy ties with Russia, bringing new opportunities to the American energy sector.
Secretary Rubio spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Secretary Rubio spoke with Mexican Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente about joint actions to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, dismantle the cartels, and stop fentanyl and arms trafficking.
Secretary Rubio concluded his first international trip as Secretary of State. He thanked the American and locally employed staff who are out in the field every day advancing U.S. interests to make President Trump’s America First policy a reality.
Looking AheadFebruary 13–18: Secretary Rubio’s travel to Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates
February 17: Washington’s Birthday
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Serbia National Day
02/15/2025
Serbia National Day
02/15/2025 12:01 AM EST
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the citizens of the Republic of Serbia on your Statehood Day, Sretenje.
This year offers new possibilities to further strengthen the ties of friendship between the American and Serbian people and bring increased security and prosperity to both our nations. We support Serbia as it pursues its path to European integration and long-term security and independence of its energy supplies and resources. Together, we can develop new investment opportunities in the energy and technology sectors and increase the stability of the Western Balkans. We are excited to participate in EXPO 2027 and wish Serbia every success as it hosts nations of the world in two years.
The United States looks forward to building on decades of cooperation as we continue our partnership with Serbia across multiple sectors including trade, defense, and regional peace and security.
Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Quint Foreign Ministers
02/15/2025
Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Quint Foreign Ministers
02/15/2025 11:28 AM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom; and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission in Munich, Germany. They discussed the importance of the transatlantic relationship and ways to work on shared priorities, including trade reciprocity and a durable peace in Ukraine. Secretary Rubio also underscored China’s continuous challenge to our interests and security, and the need to defend our economies from China’s unfair trade practices. Finally, Secretary Rubio emphasized the importance of close coordination to address Iran’s destabilizing behavior, particularly its mounting nuclear noncompliance.
Joint Statement on the Trilateral United States – Japan – Republic of Korea Meeting in Munich
02/15/2025
Joint Statement on the Trilateral United States – Japan – Republic of Korea Meeting in Munich
02/15/2025 12:11 PM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
The following text was released by the Governments of the United States of America,
Japan, and the Republic of Korea
Begin text:
Secretary of State of the United States of America Marco Rubio, Foreign Minister of Japan Iwaya Takeshi, and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Cho Tae-yul met on February 15 in Munich to reaffirm the unshakable trilateral partnership between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. They emphasized their shared commitment to the safety, security, and prosperity of their three countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region. They pledged to take decisive actions to counter threats, enhance economic resilience, and advance shared interests.
Strengthening Trilateral Security Cooperation
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers underscored the necessity of enhancing the strength of the Alliances to ensure peace and prosperity, including through robust security cooperation among the three countries.
They reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering defense and deterrence, including by conducting trilateral exercises and strengthening the capabilities of Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. and ROK Armed Forces. The United States reiterated its ironclad commitments to the defense of Japan and the Republic of Korea, backed by America’s unmatched military strength, including its nuclear capabilities. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen extended deterrence cooperation through the ROK-U.S. and Japan-U.S. Alliances.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the waters of the Indo-Pacific, including the South China Sea. They emphasized their commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific and ensuring international law prevails.
They also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community. They encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues and opposed any attempts to unilaterally force or coerce changes to the status quo. They also expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations.
Addressing the North Korean Threat
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their resolute commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs). They expressed their serious concerns over and the need to address together the DPRK’s nuclear and missile programs, malicious cyber activities including cryptocurrency thefts, and increasing military cooperation with Russia. They sent a strong warning that the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea will not tolerate any provocations or threats to their homelands. They decided to strengthen their trilateral efforts through close policy coordination at all levels.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers condemned the long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread, and gross violations of human rights in and by the DPRK. They also committed to maintain and strengthen the international sanctions regime against the DPRK by responding firmly to violations and evasions of the relevant UNSCRs and applying pressure on Pyongyang to halt illicit activities that fund its nuclear and missile programs. They are committed to the immediate resolution of the issues of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war as well as the issue of separated families.
Enhancing Economic Security and Resilience
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers announced their intention to strengthen energy security by unleashing the United States’ affordable and reliable energy and natural resources, and by enhancing energy cooperation, particularly in liquefied natural gas, in a mutually beneficial manner. They also welcomed efforts to diversify critical minerals supply chains and to collaborate on developing and deploying cutting-edge small modular reactor and other advanced nuclear reactor technology.
Recognizing the pivotal role of technological advancement in regional security and economic prosperity, the Secretary and Foreign Ministers committed to closer cooperation on developing critical and emerging technologies. They committed to deepening cooperation on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum science and technology, cybersecurity, biotechnology and its enabling infrastructure, as well as digital information and communications technology infrastructure. They also intend to reinforce research collaboration among the national laboratories of the three countries. They pledged to secure vital supply chains to enhance our economic resilience.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to a free and fair global economic order, standing firmly against economic coercion and unfair trade practices. The Secretary and Foreign Ministers pledged to bolster economic partnerships that benefit the hardworking citizens and businesses of their nations.
Advancing Shared Values and Regional Engagement
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers welcomed the ROK’s hosting of APEC 2025 and committed to working together to achieve meaningful outcomes. They reaffirmed their commitment to upholding shared principles, including respect for democracy, sovereignty, and the rule of law. They also committed to strengthening ties with like-minded partners to defend these principles. The Secretary and Foreign Ministers made clear they stand shoulder to shoulder against any effort to destabilize democratic institutions, economic independence, and global security.
End text.
G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Margins of the Munich Security Conference
02/15/2025
G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Margins of the Munich Security Conference
02/15/2025 01:39 PM EST
Office of the Spokesperson
The text of the following statement was released by the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union.
Begin text:
The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, met on the margins of the Munich Security Conference for the first time under Canada’s 2025 Presidency.
The G7 members discussed Russia’s devastating war in Ukraine. They underscored their commitment to work together to help to achieve a durable peace and a strong and prosperous Ukraine, and reaffirmed the need to develop robust security guarantees to ensure the war will not begin again.
The G7 members welcomed their discussion today with Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. They recalled the G7’s important contribution towards ending the war in Ukraine, including through measures pursuant to the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, by supporting Ukraine financially through the use of extraordinary revenues stemming from Russian Sovereign Assets, by imposing further cost on Russia, if they do not negotiate in good faith, through caps on oil and gas prices, and by making sanctions against Russia more effective. Any new, additional sanctions after February should be linked to whether the Russian Federation enters into real, good-faith efforts to bring an enduring end to the war against Ukraine that provides Ukraine with long-term security and stability as a sovereign, independent country. The G7 members reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
The G7 members discussed the provision to Russia of dual-use assistance by China and of military assistance by DPRK and Iran. They condemned all such support.
The G7 members discussed political, security and humanitarian issues in the Middle East, including in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran, and their commitment to advancing regional peace and stability. They underscored the importance of a durable, Israeli-Palestinian peace. They reaffirmed their support for the full implementation of the ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas, including for the release of all hostages and the expansion of humanitarian aid in Gaza. The G7 members stand behind the ongoing efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States in continuing to work towards a permanent ceasefire. They reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and the need to ensure that Hamas neither reconstitutes militarily nor participates in governance. They recognized Israel’s inherent right to self-defence, consistent with international law.
The G7 members welcomed the outcomes of the International Conference on Syria, hosted by France on February 13, 2025. They reiterated their shared commitment to the people of Syria and their support for an inclusive political transition process, in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. They welcomed, as well, positive developments in Lebanon, including the recent election of President Joseph Aoun, the designation of Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister, and the formation of a new government. The G7 members reaffirmed their commitment to both countries’ stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
The G7 members unequivocally condemned Iran’s destabilizing actions, including its rapid advancement of uranium enrichment without credible civil justification, its facilitation of terrorism organizations and armed groups across the Middle East and Red Sea, its proliferation of ballistic missiles and drones, and its transnational repression and violation of fundamental human rights.
The G7 members reiterated their commitment to a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region, grounded in respect for the rule of law and sovereignty. They strongly opposed any attempts to change unilaterally the status quo using force and underscored the importance of resolving disputes peacefully. They strongly opposed China’s attempts to restrict freedom of navigation through militarization and coercive activities in the South China Sea.
The G7 members expressed serious concern over the DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. They demanded that the DPRK abandon all its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and any other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner in accordance with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). They underscored that 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. They urged the DPRK to cease immediately all assistance for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including by withdrawing its troops. They called upon DPRK to resolve the abductions issue immediately.
The G7 members also discussed urgent situations of conflict and instability elsewhere in the world, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, and in Haiti and Venezuela.
The G7 Foreign Ministers looked forward to their meeting in Canada in Charlevoix, Quebec on March 12-14.
End text.
Secretary Rubio’s Call with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov
02/15/2025
Secretary Rubio’s Call with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov
02/15/2025 03:20 PM EST
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Secretary Rubio’s Call with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov
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February 15, 2025
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as a follow up to President Donald Trump’s conversation with Russian president Vladimir Putin earlier this week.
The Secretary re-affirmed President Trump’s commitment to finding an end to the conflict in Ukraine. In addition, they discussed the opportunity to potentially work together on a number of other bilateral issues.
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Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson Russia
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