U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

 

Lithuania National Day 02/16/2025 Lithuania National Day 02/16/2025 12:01 AM EST Marco Rubio, Secretary of State On behalf of the United States of America, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the people of Lithuania as you celebrate your independence. Lithuania is our trusted partner and stalwart Ally, and a beacon of freedom. I commend Lithuania’s dedication to advancing our shared priorities and your strong stance against authoritarian regimes, particularly China and Russia. We applaud Lithuania’s commitment to making both our countries more secure. The decision to significantly increase defense spending demonstrates your dedication to sharing the burden of our collective defense. I also want to thank you for hosting U.S. rotational forces. The U.S.-Lithuania economic relationship is also flourishing, with trade and investment rising to new heights. Prosperity and security go hand in hand, and our relationship offers a powerful example of this dynamism. As a steadfast Ally, Lithuania plays a crucial role in confronting global challenges and upholding our shared values. Congratulations once again. I extend my warmest wishes for health, prosperity, and security to all Lithuanians. Kosovo National Day 02/17/2025 Kosovo National Day 02/17/2025 12:01 AM EST Marco Rubio, Secretary of State On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations as you mark the 17th anniversary of Kosovo’s declaration of independence—an occasion to reflect on the resilience, determination, and aspirations of the people of Kosovo. The United States has proudly supported Kosovo’s journey to becoming a sovereign, democratic, multiethnic, and prosperous country. Regional peace, security, and economic development remain essential to Kosovo’s enduring prosperity. As you celebrate your independence, we honor the friendship and shared values between our people. Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov 02/18/2025 Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov 02/18/2025 07:57 AM EST Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today as a follow up to President Donald Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 12. Secretary Rubio was joined by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Ambassador Steve Witkoff, the team chosen by President Trump to reestablish the bilateral relationship. Foreign Minister Lavrov was joined by Russian Aide to the President Yuri Ushakov. President Trump wants to stop the killing; the United States wants peace and is using its strength in the world to bring countries together.  President Trump is the only leader in the world who can get Ukraine and Russia to agree to that. We agreed to: Establish a consultation mechanism to address irritants to our bilateral relationship with the objective of taking steps necessary to normalize the operation of our respective diplomatic missions. Appoint respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides. Lay the groundwork for future cooperation on matters of mutual geopolitical interest and historic economic and investment opportunities which will emerge from a successful end to the conflict in Ukraine. The parties to today’s meetings pledge to remain engaged to make sure the process moves forward in a timely and productive manner. One phone call followed by one meeting is not sufficient to establish enduring peace. We must take action, and today we took an important step forward. We would like to thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff with Jennifer Hansler of CNN and Matthew Lee of the Associated Press 02/18/2025 Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff with Jennifer Hansler of CNN and Matthew Lee of the Associated Press 02/18/2025 11:43 AM EST Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Diriyah Palace HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff with Jennifer Hansler of CNN and Matthew Lee of the Associated Press hide Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff with Jennifer Hansler of CNN and Matthew Lee of the Associated Press Interview February 18, 2025 QUESTION:  We’re joined now by the U.S. delegation that just wrapped up their meetings with the Russians.  Are you walking away with this with any agreements for any follow-on conversations? SECRETARY RUBIO:  Well, I would start by saying we’ve agreed on four principles that I think are important.  First is that we are going to work – we’re going to point our teams’ respectively to work very quickly to reestablish the functionality of our respective missions in Washington and in Moscow.  For us to be able to continue to move down this road, we need to have diplomatic facilities that are operating and functioning normally. The second point is that we’re going to appoint a high-level team from our end to help negotiate and walk – work through the end of the conflict in Ukraine in a way that’s enduring and acceptable to all the parties engaged.  The third point is to begin to work at a high level as well to begin to discuss and think about and examine both the geopolitical and economic cooperation that could result from an end to the conflict in Ukraine.  Obviously, we have to see that conflict come to a successful and enduring end in order for that to be possible. And the last thing we agreed to that is that, while our teams are going to be working on all of this, the four of us who were here today – the five of us that were here today are going to remain engaged in this process to make sure that it’s moving along in a productive way. QUESTION:  What does an enduring and successful end look like?  Did you present any proposals to the Russians today? NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WALTZ:  Well, there are some underlying principles.  This needs to be a permanent end to the war and not a temporary end, as we’ve seen in the past.  We know just the practical reality is that there is going to be some discussion of territory and there is going to be a discussion of security guarantees.  Those are just fundamental basics that will undergird and underlie any type of discussion.  But I think the most important part is the President has stated his desire, his determination, to end this war, to end the killing that is going on.  The death and destruction that is happening as this war goes on and on, month after month after month in the killing fields of eastern and southern Ukraine, is unacceptable.  It is not in the interest of either country.  It’s not in the interest of the world and certainly not in the interest of United States and Europe.  So all of those things will drive the negotiations going forward.  And as you can see, the President – President Trump is determined to move very quickly.  We just had a head-of-state phone call, the first in years.  And here we are, less than a week later, at the highest level of the U.S. and Russian Government.  And we expect to continue to drive that pace to not only end the war but then to unlock what could be very productive and stabilizing relationships going forward. QUESTION:  You mentioned territory.  Is it acceptable to the U.S. for Russia to retain any territory that is annexed since the beginning of the war in February 2022? NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WALTZ:  Well, I think those are things that – those are to be discussed.  And those are things that we will start and do the tough work ahead.  But the important thing is that we’ve started that process.  And what the President did not find acceptable was an endless war in Europe that was literally turning into – has turned into a meat grinder of people on both sides.  So if you just think about just in a few months President Trump has shifted the entire global conversation from not if the war is going to end but just how it’s going to end.  And only President Trump can do that.  And in the Oval Office less than a week ago, both President Putin and President Zelenskyy both said to him only you, President Trump, can drive this war to a conclusion.  QUESTION:  What concessions do you expect of the Russians? SECRETARY RUBIO:  Well, again, we’re not going to pre-negotiate it, nor – an end to this conflict.  These are the kinds of things that have to happen through hard and difficult diplomacy in closed rooms over a period of time.  What’s important to understand is two things.  The first is the only leader in the world who can make this happen, who can even bring people together to begin to talk about it in a serious way, is President Trump.  He’s the only one in the world who can do that right now. The second thing I would say is that in order for a conflict to end, everyone involved in that conflict has to be okay with it, has to be – it has to be acceptable to them.  But we have to understand that it’s been three and a half years since there’s been any sort of regularized contact between the United States and Russia, and in some cases between any of the participants in this conflict and Russia.  So the goal of today’s meeting was to follow up on the phone call the President had a week ago and begin to establish those lines of communication.  The work remains.  Today is the first step of a long and difficult journey but an important one.  And President Trump is committed to bringing an end to this conflict, as he said when he campaigned for president.  And he wants it to be – end in a way that’s fair.  He wants it to end in a way that’s sustainable and enduring, not that leads to another conflict in two to three years.  That’s not going to be easy to achieve, but he is the only one in the world that can begin that process.  Donald Trump is the only leader in the world that could initiate that process, and today was the first step in that process. QUESTION:  Is sanctions relief going to be involved in any of this normalizing, or trying to more level-set the relationship between the U.S. and Russia?  Did the Russians bring up sanctions relief in the meeting today? SECRETARY RUBIO:  Well, sanctions are all the result of this conflict.  There are sanctions that were imposed as a result of this conflict.  And so I would say to you that in order to bring an end to any conflict there has to be concessions made by all sides.  We’re not going to predetermine what those are.  We’re certainly not going to negotiate this today or in a press conference for that matter.  But – and there are other parties that have sanctions.  The European Union is going to have to be at the table at some point because they have sanctions as well that have been imposed.  So – but I guess the point here is the goal is – and we agreed on what the goal is – the goal is to bring an end to this conflict in a way that’s fair, enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all parties involved.  What that looks like, well, that’s what this – what the ongoing engagement is going to be all about. QUESTION:  The Ukrainians and the Europeans have suggested they feel very sidelined about how the process has played out so far.  How do you intend to address their concerns?  Will they be incorporated in future meetings in a multilateral way? SECRETARY RUBIO:  Well, the comment I would have on that is that for three and a half years while this conflict has raged, the three years while it’s raged, no one else has been able to bring something together like what we saw today, because Donald Trump is the only leader in the world that can.  So no one is being sidelined here.  But President Trump is in a position that he campaigned on to initiate a process that could bring about an end to this conflict, and from that could emerge some very positive things for the United States, for Europe, for Ukraine, for the world.  But first it begins by the end of this conflict. And so the only thing President Trump’s trying to do is bring about peace.  It’s what he campaigned on.  It’s something the world should be thanking President Trump for doing.  He was able – he’s been able to achieve what for three – two and a half, three years no one else has been able to achieve, which is to bring – to begin this process, a serious process.  Obviously, a lot of work remains before we have a result.  But President Trump’s the only one that can do it. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WALTZ:  I think it – look, it’s common sense.  If you’re going to bring both sides together, you have to talk to both sides.  And we’ll continue to remind everyone literally within minutes of President Trump hanging up with President Putin he called and spoke with President Zelenskyy.  So shuttle diplomacy has happened throughout history, it’s happened all over the world.  We are absolutely talking to both sides.  The Secretary of State just met with President Zelenskyy days ago, along with the Vice President, seven Cabinet members in Europe at the same time – really showing the importance of engaging our allies.  President Trump spoke with President Macron just yesterday.  Prime Minister Starmer is coming to Washington next week.  So I think we’ll – the facts – we’ll continue to push back on this notion that our allies haven’t been consulted.  They’re being – they are being consulted literally almost on a daily basis.  And we’ll continue to do so.  QUESTION:  Did you set a date for the two presidents to meet at this meeting?  When can we expect that meeting? NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WALTZ:  We did not.  We did not set that date.  But the two presidents talked about meeting and expect to meet. QUESTION:  Can you take us a little bit in the room today?  What was the interaction like?  How would you characterize the discussions? MR WITKOFF:  It was positive, upbeat, constructive, everybody there to get to the right outcome, solution-based.  We discussed it afterwards.  We couldn’t have imagined a better result after this session.  It was very, very solid. QUESTION:  Will you be traveling to Russia again, Mr. Witkoff? MR WITKOFF:  I’m not sure.  But we’ll make that determination in the next couple of weeks. QUESTION:  The Europeans – Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister has said the U.S. needs to back any sort of European solution to the war.  Is this something that you are willing to commit to? NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WALTZ:  Well, I think that’s something that we’ll continue to discuss.  We have certainly again, as a first principle, a European-led security guarantee.  We have – the President, many of us as members of – prior members of Congress, ourselves, have called for the Europeans to continue to contribute to our common defense, to continue to share the burden of NATO defense.  We’ll continue to point out that while things have improved, starting with President Trump’s first term, the fact that a third of our NATO Allies still do not contribute the minimum of 2 percent of their GDP to defense a decade after that we all collectively made that agreement isn’t acceptable.  We have the NATO summit coming up this June, and we would expect with the type of conflict, the type of warfare and destruction we’ve seen in Europe sadly the last several years, that we have 100 percent at the minimum, and in fact are exceeding that. So look, this is a – this is a common effort.  This isn’t just about what the United States is going to continue to contribute and what we are going to continue to ask of the American taxpayer.  We all have to make those tough decisions, we all have to contribute to our common defense, and we expect that – this to be a two-way street for our European allies.  And the fact that both the United Kingdom, France, and others are talking about contributing more forcefully to Ukraine’s security we think is a good thing. QUESTION:  Did you walk away from this meeting convinced the Russians want peace?  You said it might take some time to be convinced of that?  How are you seeing it now? SECRETARY RUBIO:  I mean, I don’t view diplomacy that way.  I think diplomacy ultimately is based on actions.  It’s based on commitments that are kept.  So I think they – I came away today convinced that they are willing to begin to engage in a serious process to determine how, how quickly, and through what mechanism can an end be brought to this war.  Whether we can ultimately reach that outcome will obviously depend on every side in this conflict’s willingness to agree to certain things.  So I think it’s important to have this meeting because we haven’t really had much engagement with the Russians for almost three years, and it sets the table for future conversations.  How that turns out will be up to the parties and their willingness not just to make commitments, but to live by them.  That’ll be tested in the weeks to come.  But I can tell you again, as I reiterate, President Trump has made it – he made it very clear during the campaign he thought this conflict needed to end.  He’s the only leader in the world that could’ve started a process that we saw here today, and this process is going to continue.  And when you talk about an enduring and sustainable end to the conflict, it means one that’s acceptable to everyone involved in it.  And that obviously includes Ukraine, but also our partners in Europe, and of course the Russian side as well. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WALTZ:  Sorry, I didn’t mean to jump in there, but I just wanted to also take a moment I think on behalf of all of us and the President to thank our partners in Saudi Arabia, to thank our hosts for bringing this together, and particularly the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his team.  We are moving quickly, which means they moved very quickly to be such gracious hosts, and we certainly are all appreciative. SECRETARY RUBIO:  Absolutely. QUESTION:  And if I could ask a last question:  Will the Saudis take on a more active mediation role as these talks move forward? SECRETARY RUBIO:  Well, that’s a decision for the kingdom to make, but I can tell you that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is playing an indispensable role in making today possible – not just hosting us, but bringing the parties together to have these conversations. I think it’s something we’re very grateful – something, we’re very grateful for the partnership that we have with them on a host issues, and this being one of them.  We thank them for doing it, and we hope that they will – I think they’ve offered, and I believe that they will, continue to be helpful in any way they can. QUESTION:  Great.  Thank you, all.  I really appreciate it.  SECRETARY RUBIO:  Thanks. QUESTION:  Can I just add a couple —   SECRETARY RUBIO:  Sure.  QUESTION:  I’ll be extremely brief.  I know you’re rushing to get a plane.  So what is the next step now?  The high-level team that you’ve mentioned is number two or number three or number four?  SECRETARY RUBIO:  Yeah.  So let me walk you through.  The next step is multitrack.  The first next step is working through our respective teams at the diplomatic side just to ensure that our diplomatic missions can function.  There’s been a series of reciprocal actions taken over the last ten years that have really diminished our ability to operate in Moscow as an example, and they would argue their ability to operate in Washington.  We’re going to need to have vibrant diplomatic missions that are able to function normally in order to be able to continue these conduits.  The second is a high-level team, including those who are experts on these topics of the technical side, to begin to engage with their side on parameters of what an end to this conflict would look like.  And on that front, obviously, there’s going to be engagement and consultation with Ukraine, with our partners in Europe, and others.  But ultimately there are – the Russian side will be indispensable to this effort and to – so that process will begin.  And then the third is – together with those other two – is beginning to engage in identifying the extraordinary opportunities that exists.  Should this conflict come to an acceptable end, the incredible opportunities that exist to partner with the Russians, geopolitically on issues of common interest, and frankly economically on issues that hopefully will be good for the world and will also improve our relations in the long term between these two important countries.  So all three of those efforts will be happening in conjunction with one another.  Obviously, the diplomatic one is one we think we’d hope to move pretty quickly on because this involves the treatment of our respective missions.  The second one will be difficult, which is the question of Ukraine and the end of that conflict, but I think that’s essential in order for the third piece to even be possible, which is our ability to work together on other geopolitical matters of common interest and, of course, some pretty unique, potentially historic economic partnerships as well.  The key that unlocks the door for those opportunities, however, is the end to this conflict.  QUESTION:  But – right.  But in terms of it – like when does the high-level team meet?  Has there been any date set for —    SECRETARY RUBIO:  There’s no date set, but that’s —    QUESTION:  Okay. SECRETARY RUBIO:  We – President Trump is, as you’ve seen over the last four weeks, not patient in terms of getting action.  He drives.  He drives hard.  He wants to get things done.  He’s been wanting to do this, and he’s moving very quickly to fulfill the promises he made to the American people when they elected him as our president.  QUESTION:  Okay.  And then in terms of number one and the restoration of the diplomatic missions, you’ll remember that the first big tit of the tit for tats was after the Skripal poisoning, and the U.S., under one of your predecessors – Mr. Tillerson – expelled a lot of Russian diplomats, to which they responded.  The consulate in St. Petersburg closed – got closed down by the Russians.  You guys closed down the consulate in – what? – Seattle and several others.  Are those going to reopen?  Are the staffs going to go —   SECRETARY RUBIO:  Well, that’s what we’re going to be talking about, and at a – ultimately – again, I’m not going to negotiate or work on that in public.  That’s what these channels will be about.  But ultimately, what the goal we need to have is we have to have some normalcy in our missions and their ability to function —    NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WALTZ:  And the main embassies even.  SECRETARY RUBIO:  And in the main embassies in particular.  NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WALTZ: Yeah, just the main embassies, regardless of the consulates. QUESTION:  Right. SECRETARY RUBIO:  I mean, if our diplomatic channels are broken, it’s going to be very difficult to consistently engage on a host of topics, including some unrelated irritants that could derail the broader talks on Ukraine.  So there has to be some improvement in the way our missions are able to work and in the environment and the space that they’re given to operate in.  So that’s something we want to move on quickly.  And it’s important to set the table for the other two things that we want to do. But I think the key really in all of this is ultimately going to be whether an agreement can be reached with all parties involved on an acceptable resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.  Because if that happens, not only will the world be a better place, but I think there will be some pretty unique opportunities to work with them —   QUESTION:  Right. SECRETARY RUBIO:  — on areas of bilateral, geopolitical interest and some very unique economic opportunities.  But we have to get the Ukraine situation resolved first in a way that’s acceptable to everyone.  QUESTION:  Okay.  My last one.  So – but does that mean if you get the status back to an operational – the normal operational level – staffs at the embassies – that you consider the Skripal case or the Crimea annexation to be closed or no longer issues?  Because I think – you mentioned Kier Starmer is going to be in Washington next week.  I can imagine that the Brits won’t be particularly pleased by that.  SECRETARY RUBIO:  Yeah, again, I’m not – yeah, I’m not going to negotiate or talk through every element of the disruptions that exists – or have existed in our diplomatic relations and the mechanics of it.  Suffice to say that President Trump has pledged and intends to keep his promise to do everything he can to bring an end to this conflict.  We cannot do that unless we have at least some normalcy in the way our diplomatic missions operate in Moscow and in Washington, D.C.  And so, we need to work to improve that, and we’re going to work with them to see what’s possible within that context.  QUESTION:  Does that include removing Lavrov from taking – rescinding sanctions that are – have been imposed on  —   SECRETARY RUBIO:  We’re just not at that level of conversation yet, but certainly that’s – there’ll be a number of topics that’ll have to be discussed along the way.  They haven’t – we – that – we haven’t even begun that process.  Today was just an agreement to begin a process to talk about those things. QUESTION:  All right.   Thank you. Tags Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State Secretary Rubio’s Call with Transatlantic Quint Foreign Ministers 02/18/2025 Secretary Rubio’s Call with Transatlantic Quint Foreign Ministers 02/18/2025 03:59 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Rubio’s Call with Transatlantic Quint Foreign Ministers hide Secretary Rubio’s Call with Transatlantic Quint Foreign Ministers Readout February 18, 2025 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, immediately following his meeting with Russia’s foreign minister earlier today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Secretary briefed the foreign ministers on the meeting. The group agreed to remain in close contact as we work to achieve a durable end to the conflict in Ukraine. Tags Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs France Germany Italy Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State United Kingdom Digital Press Briefing: U.S. Air Forces Africa Commander Gen. James B. Hecker and Zambia Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Oscar Nyoni 02/19/2025 Digital Press Briefing: U.S. Air Forces Africa Commander Gen. James B. Hecker and Zambia Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Oscar Nyoni 02/19/2025 12:46 PM EST Gen. James B. Hecker, U.S. Air Forces Africa Commander Lt. Gen. Oscar Nyoni, Zambia Air Force Commander 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 USAFE-AFAFRICA Commander, General James B. Hecker, and Zambia Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni, as part of the Association of African Air Forces’ African Air Chiefs Symposium 2025.  General Hecker and Lieutenant General Nyoni will discuss the U.S. commitment to partnerships with African nations and the efforts to operationalize the AACS.  We will begin today’s briefing with opening remarks from General James B. Hecker and Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni and then we will turn to your questions.  We will try to get to as many of your questions as we can during the briefing.  So I’d like to invite our panelists now to deliver their opening remarks.  General Hecker.  GENERAL HECKER:  Okay.  Well, thank you, first, for the opportunity.  We’re very excited to be able to address your audience today.  And I can tell you just from my experience here, the Zambian air chief as well as the Zambian people have really welcomed this group of folks with open arms.  The venue here has been fantastic, and we could not ask for anything better from the Zambian people.  Let me just kind of tell you a little bit about what this conference is about.  First of all, the conference is called AACS, which is the African Air Chiefs Symposium.  This is the 14th time that we have held such a meeting, and this occurs pretty much on a yearly basis, and it’s composed of the Association of African Air Forces.  Back in 2015, the people that made up the Association of African Air Forces were only four countries.  Today, we have 29 countries that are members of the African – Association of African Air Forces.    So it’s grown tremendously, and what we decided to do last year is try to operationalize everything that we are doing during the symposium.  So what we did is we decided to have an exercise, and the exercise was a flood – so a humanitarian assistance disaster relief – that occurred here in Zambia.  And then what we did is a table-top exercise where we got all the nations together – and there’s a total of 38 nations from Africa that are here, and of course 29 of those are part of the Association of African Air Forces – and we went over what we would – what would we do if this happened?  And it was a very fruitful table-top exercise because instead of just having one country – in this case, Zambia – dealing with the flood, we had 29 different nations offering different aircraft, offering assistance.  And questions came up, like:  Well, who’s going to pay for the fuel?  Do we have to bring our own fuel down?  How are we going to get diplomatic clearances to get overflight of certain countries?  And all these questions were brought up, and this is something that you don’t want to be brought up during a humanitarian assistance disaster relief effort.    So these are now brought up in advance, so if we did have one of these situations occur a week from now, we’re going to be much better prepared and Africa will be much better prepared to support Zambia during this critical time.  With that said, I’ll turn it over to General Nyoni for your opening comments.  LIEUTENANT GENERAL NYONI:  Well, thank you very much for this opportunity to be a part of this team.  At the onset, I want to say that it’s been a pleasure to be a host of this very fantastic gathering of air chiefs from all parts of Africa.  I want to say that I think the enthusiasm and the contributions that have been brought on board by the African chiefs from all over Africa – that’s Southern Africa, East Africa, West Africa, and the North – has been fantastic.  And seeing the contributions from them and their desire to be able to contribute towards solving African problems is highly appreciated.  And for us as Zambia, being at the center of it, it’s something that I think is very, very encouraging and inspiring.  Thank you.  MODERATOR:  Thank you very much, gentlemen.  So we will now begin the question-and-answer portion of today’s briefing.    So first question comes from Mr. Kamel Mansari of the Jeune Independent in Algeria, and the question is:  “Will the AACS symposium be addressing this year’s issues and conflicts in the African continent like, for example, the civil war in Congo and in Sudan?”  So I’d like to ask our panelists if they can reply to that question, please.  GENERAL HECKER:  No, it won’t.  We are strictly here at the African Air Chiefs Symposium concentrating on humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.  We are not getting into the political realm during this conversation, and we’re going to concentrate on humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.  MODERATOR:  Okay, very good.  Thank you very much.  So we have another question, and this is related to the hosting of the AACS.  So I understand that the co-hosts of the African Air Chiefs Symposium changes each year.  How has the partnership with Zambia been this year?  And maybe you could speak a little bit to the operation of hosting the AACS and how those decisions are made.   GENERAL HECKER:  Can I – I’ll do the first part of that and then I’m going to hand it over to the host.  So I just want everyone to know, this is an African-led operation.  So the host is, in this case, Zambia and General Nyoni.  I am the co-host for this, and he is the host.  So I’ll let the host speak to that.    LIEUTENANT GENERAL NYONI:  Yeah, it’s been a wonderful experience hosting the African Air Chiefs Symposium because this symposium has brought together air force chiefs from across Africa.  And the start of it has shown that the chiefs that have come for this symposium are all eager and desirous to contribute towards making this symposium a success and, of course, further operations successful.  And this has been seen from their contributions in the positive sense.  And so I think it’s been exciting because logistically I think we’ve tried to meet all the requirements, and also creating space for the discussions and an environment that is suitable and accommodating to everybody present.  And I think so far it’s been a wonderful experience.   MODERATOR:  All right, thank you very much.  So Pearl Matibe of Premium Times has her hand up.  Pearl, we can open your mike, if you’d like to ask your question to the panelists.    QUESTION:  Thank you very much, Johann.  I appreciate the opportunity.  I’d like to find out if you could speak to the scale of the event.  I know you talked about going back the year when it was first established.  So what I want to understand is how has it grown?  So for this event, how many African participants are taking part and how many African countries are taking part so that I can understand the scale and scope of the event?  And so can you just clarify also what was the first year that it was established?  In other words, how old is this event?  Thank you.   GENERAL HECKER:  Yeah, the – it’s kind of hard to pinpoint this.  This is our 14th annual event, okay, and we’re in 2025 now so you can back that up.  The – and that’s for the African Air Chiefs Symposium.  Okay, 14th event that we’ve had.  In 2015 is when the Association of African Air Forces began, and it was only four people during that time.  That four people – or four people – that it was four countries.  That four countries has grown to 29 countries that we have participating in the Association of African Air Forces.  However, we invite folks that aren’t part of the Association of African Air Forces as well.  So this event actually has 38 countries, of which 29 of them are members of the association of African forces – and those other members that were invited have the ability, if they would like to, to join the Association of African Air Forces.    LIEUTENANT GENERAL NYONI:  Yeah, exactly.  I think that, like I said earlier, 29 member-states have attended, and we are hoping that by the close of this conference maybe one or two more may add on to the number.  However, the total number of countries that attended are 38, and the difference is from those of friendly African countries that we thought need to see what we are able to do so that they can be a part of it.  The more the numbers of the African countries participating, from our angle, the better, because ourselves being members of this same association, we’ve seen the benefits that we can gain from being a member.  Thank you.   MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you very much, gentlemen.  Our second – sorry, next question goes to Paul Onogwu of KCC Communications, Super FM in Nigeria.  Paul’s question is about the Boko Haram insurgency.  And his question is:  “What role can the U.S. Air Force play in helping the Nigerian military achieve air superiority over these terrorists in a way and manner that gives ultimate protection to innocent civilians?”  GENERAL HECKER:  Well, I think as you know, the U.S. Government has provided training and equipment to Nigeria for quite a while so hopefully that will help them out.  But the – what we’re looking at in this conference is not that.  We’re not talking about air superiority or conflict.  We’re talking about how we can help each other – African nations can help one another – and that’s what the goal of this conference is.    MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you very much.  Next question – it’s on a related topic:  “Many of the nations participating are facing threats like terrorists group operating inside their borders.  How can air power be leveraged in the fight against threats like terrorism, illegal trafficking, and insurgency?”  LIEUTENANT GENERAL NYONI:  Well, about 10 participating countries are facing threats against terrorism, and in this particular context, I think going forward maybe we could look at some of those threats.  But currently, like General Hecker said, we are concentrating on the current problem that we are facing, which is the droughts and possibly floods in this region.  Thank you.    MODERATOR:  Okay.  Thank you very much.  That’s very clear.  So we have a question from Senegal, Mr. Malick Kane of AFRIG Magazine:  “What strategic importance does Dakar have, the westernmost point on the continent, when it comes to U.S. Air Force operations?”    GENERAL HECKER:  Well, obviously, it’s very strategically important to us, but there’s several areas amongst all the African nations that have strategic importance.  But that is definitely one that we have, and we continue to work with the nations to be able to take these strategic points and use them in a good way that benefits all of Africa.   MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you very much.  So you’ve spoken about operationalizing the Air Chiefs Symposium.  What does that mean exactly, and what needs to happen for it to be considered operational?  When do you think that would happen?  Just expanding a little bit on this concept of operationalizing.  LIEUTENANT GENERAL NYONI:  From my angle, operationalizing is to make sure, first, that all the basic parameters are met where every member understands the purpose for which this organization is in existence.  And so, once everybody understands it, that means that we can operate more effectively and more efficiently, and that is the stage that we are almost concluding now.  And I think going forward in the next few months or so, we’ll be able to actualize this and be able to practice and see how the standard operation procedures that have been put in place, which every member-state understands, are in action.    And so, for us to be an effective institution, all the members should be able to understand how we can be able to contribute and what assets we can contribute and put together to be able to answer to the problems that we are trying to sort out.  GENERAL HECKER:  I one hundred percent agree with General Nyoni.  What we’re doing here is the beginning of this exercise.  It’s called a table-top exercise.  What we’ll do in – around the May timeframe of 2026 is a command-post exercise.  And then the culmination of all that will be a live-flight lifeline exercise that will occur in Kenya in November of 2026.  So what we’re doing on paper now is setting the groundwork for a live-flight exercise with all members of the Association of African Air Forces participating in this live-flight exercise in November of 2026 in Kenya.  MODERATOR:  Thank you very much.  So we also have a question from Mr. Eric Schmitt of The New York Times.  The question is:  “The U.S. has recently conducted airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia.  Please assess the significance of those strikes, and the threat that ISIS-Somalia and its leadership pose.”  GENERAL HECKER:  Yeah, well, they’re significant, because they were high-value targets that threatened African nations and threatened the United States.  So we will continue to go after terrorist organizations that threaten our African partners as well as the United States.  But again, that’s not the emphasis of this particular conference.  MODERATOR:  Thank you very much.  So in a related vein, there’s another question:  “Why is it that this symposium is focusing on a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief scenario?  How did you come to that decision to make that the focus, and what kind of – what does that mean for the way the symposium will play out?”  LIEUTENANT GENERAL NYONI:  We are focusing on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as these are some of the worst enemies of the continent’s development.  By alleviating the suffering of the people, we will be promoting human dignity and as well as unity in the continent.  MODERATOR:  Okay.  Thank you very much.  So another question is I understand that in the symposium you’re going to be – well, first of all, it’s called the Air Chiefs Symposium, but you’re going to be creating an enlisted handbook.  So what’s that all about, and what would be in the handbook?  GENERAL HECKER:  Well, starting in 2021 the African Air Chiefs Symposium started to include our senior enlisted leaders.  And I think it was noted by all member nations that the backbone of any air force is going to be its noncommissioned officers.  So that was a great change that was made in 2021.  Since that time, they’ve been putting together an NCO handbook, which is basically an agreement amongst all the nations at a very strategic level, a broad level, of how our NCOs should be trained.  And we put that to a vote here just recently, and I’m glad to say that it was passed.  And that is something that now will be a part of all of the African nations that are part of this conference.  MODERATOR:  All right, thank you very much.  So we have one follow-up question, if you don’t mind, from Pearl Matibe.  I’m just going to go ahead and read it:  “What is the United States contributing in terms of resources as co-host, and what did the hosts need in terms of resources?”  GENERAL HECKER:  We helped provide some of the travel arrangements that are gone, but the host pays for quite a bit of it too, so it’s kind of shared between both the host and some of the U.S.  So it’s a shared operation, and it’s very fruitful, but we – at the last AACS we had a vote and it was decided that Africa would actually pick up more of the costs, and they voted on that themselves.  So that was a good conclusion, I think, for all of us.  MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you very much.  And I think we have time really just for one last question, and then we’ll have to go to concluding remarks.  So from Kemi Osukoya of Africa Bazaar magazine, Kemi asks:  “Could you” – and this might be, we might be getting a little ahead of the results of the symposium, so I apologize. Just let us know if this is something that you haven’t gained out yet.  But Kemi is asking:  “Could you talk about how you would provide humanitarian assistance if something was to happen?”  And again, this might be predicting a little bit the results of the symposium – don’t want to do that.  But what can you tell us about this?  LIEUTENANT GENERAL NYONI:  Could you say the question again?    MODERATOR:  How would humanitarian assistance be provided if there was a need for it, if there was a natural disaster or what have you?  LIEUTENANT GENERAL NYONI:  Okay, I think it would be easily provided by the member-states contributing whatever they are able to contribute – that is in form of foodstuffs, logistics, supplies, and also the aerial vehicles that would be participating in this same support.  Remember, we are an air force – we are air forces that have come together, and with our friends from the U.S. and all the other member-states, it becomes easier for logistics to come on board and makes it easy for the one who is in trouble to be assisted.  The more the numbers, the better for us.  And so in short, it is easier if one – if more people are available to provide support as opposed to less people.  GENERAL HECKER:  And this is exactly what we saw on day one when we did the table-top exercise.  We intentionally did not give any U.S. support, and we let the 29 nations, member nations in Africa, offer up different capabilities.  And you can imagine – one country is great at something; another country is great at something else.  But the influx of having 29 nations together talking, Zambia saying, “Here’s what I need,” the others saying, “Here’s what I can give you,” and somebody else saying, “Well, I can fly it for you” definitely helped out.  MODERATOR:  All right, thank you very much, gentlemen.  You’ve been very generous with your time.  I think we are going to have to wrap this up, so I wanted to ask if you have any final and concluding remarks.  LIEUTENANT GENERAL NYONI:  Thank you very much.  From Zambia’s point of view, I want to say that it’s been very exciting to host the member-states, the 29 countries, plus the invited guests – total 38 – and all willing and eager to support the cause of the organization.  We – going forward, we hope that the resolutions that we’ve agreed upon as African nations, member-states, will go a long way into alleviating some of the challenges that come.  Remember, some of these things come unannounced and they can affect anybody at any time.  And so it is very gratifying that we are hosting this symposium at a time that we have seen the effects of drought as Zambia, and we know exactly what it means to seek support from other willing nations.  Thank you.    GENERAL HECKER:  Well, I couldn’t agree with General Nyoni any more.  It’s been a great conference.  We’re about halfway through right now, and it’s been expertly managed.  As everyone out there can attest to, when you host 38 nations, a lot of things can go wrong, but they haven’t, and that’s because of our terrific hosts.  The Zambian people, Zambian Air Force, the Zambian Government have all been behind this and put on a first-class exercise, and we’re really looking forward to the next two days.  MODERATOR:  All right, thank you.  That’s a very inspiring way to wrap up.  I’m delighted to hear that it’s going so well and that there’s so much progress being made.    So for the journalists, that does conclude today’s briefing.  I want to thank USAFE and AFAFRICA Commander, General James B. Hecker, and Zambia Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni, for joining us today.  Thank you to all the journalists who participated.  A recording and transcript of today’s briefing will be distributed to participating journalists as soon as we produce them.  If you have any questions about today’s briefing, please contact us at the Africa Regional Media Hub, and the email address is AFMediaHub@state.gov.  I would also like to invite everyone to follow us on X at our handle, @AfricaMediaHub.  Thank you and have a great day, everybody.  Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski 02/21/2025 Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski 02/21/2025 05:49 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski hide Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski Readout February 21, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski in Washington.  Secretary Rubio underlined President Trump’s determination to bring a durable end to the conflict in Ukraine.  Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Sikorski reaffirmed the importance of U.S.-Polish relations and discussed ways to further strengthen our partnership, especially in defense and energy.  Secretary Rubio expressed strong appreciation for the example that Poland is setting through their defense spending, and the leadership they continue to bring to the Alliance. Tags Bilateral Relations and Engagement Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson Poland The Secretary of State The Week at State: February 14 – February 20, 2025 02/21/2025 February 14 – February 20 Free speech, bold diplomacy, and peace through strength – Secretary Rubio made clear that American leadership is back in his interviews with Face the Nation and Catherine Herridge Reports. Here's what happened at State this past week. ⤵️ Secretary Rubio met with G7 leaders in Germany before continuing to travel to the Middle East. We celebrated the release of American Sagui Dekel Chen by Hamas after nearly 500 days of captivity. The U.S. and Russia agreed to address bilateral issues and appoint teams to end the conflict in Ukraine. Advancing American Interests Through International Partnership Secretary Marco Rubio meets with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 17, 2025. (State Dept./Freddie Everett) From February 13 to February 19, Secretary Rubio traveled to Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to promote U.S. interests in advancing regional cooperation, stability, and peace. 📍 In Germany, Secretary Rubio engaged with international partners at the Munich Security Conference and G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting to strengthen global security, hold China accountable for its destabilizing actions, and address shared economic challenges. 📍 Returning to Israel for the first time as Secretary of State, Secretary Rubio honored victims of the Holocaust at the Survivors' Declaration Signing Ceremony, emphasized unwavering solidarity with Israel, and spoke with Margaret Brennan of CBS's Face the Nation on progress in advancing the Trump Administration's America First foreign policy. 📍  In Saudi Arabia, the Secretary reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza, emphasized the strength of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, and took part in talks with Russia. 📍 At the final stop in Abu Dhabi, discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan focused on challenges in Gaza, advancing regional stability, and expanding cooperation in technology and AI development. Showing Appreciation at Home and Abroad Secretary Marco Rubio holds a meet and greet with employees and families of U.S. Embassy Riyadh and the U.S. Mission to Yemen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 17, 2025. (State Dept./Freddie Everett) "This is an extraordinary honor and a privilege to oversee the greatest, the most effective, the most talented, the most experienced diplomatic corps in the history of the world" – Secretary Rubio in remarks to employees (January 21, 2025) Secretary Rubio thanked the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem team for their efforts to help free hostages and facilitate the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The United States remains committed to working with allies to ensure the safe return of all captives and to hold those responsible accountable. In Saudi Arabia, the Secretary met with the staff of U.S. Embassy Riyadh and the U.S. Mission to Yemen, sharing gratitude for their work in maintaining security and economic partnerships abroad and guarding U.S. interests in the Red Sea. Peace Is Not a Noun – It's an Action Secretary Marco Rubio, with from left, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban, the Russian president's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend a meeting together at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 18, 2025. (State Dept./Freddie Everett) Supported by Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on February 18, Secretary Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met, as a follow up to President Trump's conversation with Russian President Putin earlier this month. The United States and Russia have agreed to: Establish a consultation mechanism to address irritants. Appoint high-level teams to end the conflict in Ukraine sustainably. Lay groundwork for future cooperation and economic opportunities post-conflict. "We are using our global strength to unite countries. The United States wants peace. We want the killing to stop," the Secretary said on X. News You May Have Missed Vice President Vance delivered remarks at the Munich Security Conference, focused on Trump Administration foreign policy priorities. President Trump met with Indian Prime Minister Modi on February 14. Secretary Rubio reflected on his first 30 days in office in an interview with Catherine Herridge.  Secretary Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff briefed press following initial discussions on Ukraine in Riyadh. Secretary Rubio detailed current priorities in CBS Face the Nation appearance, addressing the values that define foreign policy under the Trump Administration: free speech, national defense, and peace through strength. We celebrated the release of American Sagui Dekel Chen by Hamas after nearly 500 days of captivity. Secretary Rubio expressed gratitude for his safe return and emphasized the need to secure the release of all hostages, including New Jersey native Edan Alexander. The Africa Regional Media Hub offered a special briefing on the U.S. commitment to partnerships with African nations and operationalizing the Association of African Air Forces’ African Air Chiefs Symposium. Looking Ahead March 1: Ramadan Note to Our Readers We welcome your feedback on this newsletter. Send us your thoughts to EmailTeam@state.gov. 📩 Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe to The Week at State for the latest in U.S. foreign policy updates from the State Department. Useful links Travel 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.  Secretary Rubio’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha 02/22/2025 Secretary Rubio’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha 02/22/2025 10:45 AM 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 on Friday to reaffirm President Trump’s commitment to ending the conflict in Ukraine, including through effective action in the United Nations Security Council.  This call is the latest in multiple high-level engagements between U.S. and Ukrainian leaders to achieve a durable peace. Estonia National Day 02/24/2025 Estonia National Day 02/24/2025 12:01 AM EST Marco Rubio, Secretary of State On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations to the people of Estonia on the 107th anniversary of your independence. Estonia’s commitment to regional and global security remains critical to our shared interests. Through our cooperation within NATO, the United States and Estonia are working to strengthen our collective defense and deter threats to our shared security. Our nations recognize the importance of countering our adversaries’ destabilizing tactics and propaganda as a means of protecting our mutual interests. I commend Estonia’s recent desynchronization from the Russian and Belarusian grid and connection to the European power grid, a significant step that further reduces Russian influence and enhances Estonia’s and NATO’s resilience. Estonia has significantly increased its contribution to burden sharing in NATO, and I understand you hope to soon increase that commitment further. I am grateful also that your country is an excellent host for rotational U.S. forces. May the anniversary of your nation’s independence serve as a reaffirmation of the shared values that unite Americans and Estonians. The United States wishes Estonia and all its people a very happy Independence Day. Sanctions on Iran’s Oil Trade to Reimpose Maximum Pressure 02/24/2025 Sanctions on Iran’s Oil Trade to Reimpose Maximum Pressure 02/24/2025 10:58 AM EST Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Sanctions on Iran’s Oil Trade to Reimpose Maximum Pressure hide Sanctions on Iran’s Oil Trade to Reimpose Maximum Pressure Press Statement February 24, 2025 The U.S. Department of State is today designating 16 entities and vessels for their involvement in Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical industry. The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) are concurrently sanctioning a combined total of 22 persons and identifying 13 vessels as blocked property, across multiple jurisdictions, for their involvement in Iran’s oil industry. This network of illicit shipping facilitators obfuscates and deceives its role in loading and transporting Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia. It has shipped tens of millions of barrels of crude oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Today’s action represents an initial step to realize President Trump’s campaign of maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. It disrupts efforts by Iran to amass oil revenues to fund terrorists’ activities. We will continue to disrupt such illicit funding streams for Iran’s malign activities.  As long as Iran devotes its energy revenues to financing attacks on our allies, supporting terrorism around the world, or pursuing other destabilizing actions, we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold the regime accountable. Today’s actions are being taken pursuant to Executive Orders 13902 and 13846, which target Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors, and mark the second round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales since President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, ordering a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran. For more information on today’s action, see Treasury’s press release. Tags Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Iran Office of the Spokesperson Sanctions and Designations Sanctioning Entities That Have Traded in Iran’s Petroleum 02/24/2025 Sanctioning Entities That Have Traded in Iran’s Petroleum 02/24/2025 05:06 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Sanctioning Entities That Have Traded in Iran’s Petroleum hide Sanctioning Entities That Have Traded in Iran’s Petroleum Fact Sheet February 24, 2025 The Iranian regime continues to destabilize global security with its nuclear threat, ballistic missile program, and support for terrorist groups.  Iran’s oil exports are enabled by a network of illicit shipping facilitators in multiple jurisdictions who, through obfuscation and deception, load and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia. Today, the United States is taking action under President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran to stem the flow of revenue the regime uses to fund these destabilizing activities.  The Department of State is imposing sanctions on eight entities engaged in Iranian petroleum and petrochemical trade and is identifying eight vessels as their blocked property.  All of these targets are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, which authorizes and reimposes certain sanctions with respect to Iran. The Department is designating the following entity pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the transport of petroleum from Iran: BSM MARINE LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP (BSM MARINE LLP) is an India-based company that serves as the commercial manager of the YATEEKA. YATEEKA (IMO: 9191553) is being identified as property in which BSM MARINE LLP has an interest. Pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846, the following entities are being designated for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the sale or transport of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran: KANGAN PETRO REFINERY COMPANY is an Iran-based company involved in the sale of Iranian petroleum. COSMOS LINES INC is an India-based company involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum. Pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846, the following entity is being designated for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the transport of petroleum products from Iran: ALKONOST MARITIME DMCC (ALKONOST) is a United Arab Emirates-based company serving as the commercial and ISM manager of the vessel MENG XIN.  ALKONOST is also commercial and ISM manager of the vessel PHOENIX I. MENG XIN (IMO: 9271406) and PHOENIX I (IMO: 9236248) are being identified as property in which ALKONOST has an interest. Pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846, the following entity is being designated for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the transport of petroleum from Iran: AUSTINSHIP MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED is an Indian-based company serving as the commercial and ISM manager of the vessel AMAK. AMAK (IMO: 9244635) is being identified as property in which AUSTINSHIP MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED has an interest. Pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846, the following entity is being designated for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the transport of petroleum from Iran: OCEANEND SHIPPING LTD is a Seychelles-based company serving as the registered owner and commercial manager of the vessel ASTERIX. ASTERIX (IMO: 9181194) is being identified as property in which OCEANEND SHIPPING LTD has an interest. Pursuant to section 3(a)(iii) of E.O. 13846, the following entity is being designated for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the transport of petrochemical products from Iran: IMS LTD is a Malaysia-based company. CHAMTANG (IMO: 9212400), VIOLET 1 (IMO: 9154000), and PETERPAUL (IMO: 9163269) are being identified as property in which IMS LTD has an interest. Pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846, the following entity is being designated for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase of petroleum products from Iran: OCTANE ENERGY GROUP FZCO is a United Arab Emirates-based company engaged in the wholesale distribution of petroleum and petroleum products. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today’s sanctions-related actions, and in accordance with E.O. 13846, all property and interests in property of the designated 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 entities and individuals 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 the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. 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 Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (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. Tags Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Iran Office of the Spokesperson Sanctions and Designations Expansion of Visa Restrictions Policy for Individuals Exploiting Cuban Labor 02/25/2025 Expansion of Visa Restrictions Policy for Individuals Exploiting Cuban Labor 02/25/2025 11:56 AM EST Marco Rubio, Secretary of State HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Expansion of Visa Restrictions Policy for Individuals Exploiting Cuban Labor hide Expansion of Visa Restrictions Policy for Individuals Exploiting Cuban Labor Press Statement February 25, 2025 Today, we announce the expansion of an existing Cuba-related visa restriction policy that targets forced labor linked to the Cuban labor export program. This expanded policy applies to current or former Cuban government officials, and other individuals, including foreign government officials, who are believed to be responsible for, or involved in, the Cuban labor export program, particularly Cuba’s overseas medical missions. This policy also applies to the immediate family of such persons. The Department has already taken steps to impose visa restrictions on several individuals, including Venezuelans, under this expanded policy. Cuba continues to profit from the forced labor of its workers and the regime’s abusive and coercive labor practices are well documented. Cuba’s labor export programs, which include the medical missions, enrich the Cuban regime, and in the case of Cuba’s overseas medical missions, deprive ordinary Cubans of the medical care they desperately need in their home country. The United States is committed to countering forced labor practices around the globe. To do so, we must promote accountability not just for Cuban officials responsible for these policies, but also those complicit in the exploitation and forced labor of Cuban workers. This visa restriction policy is taken pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Tags Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Cuba Division for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions Office of the Spokesperson Sanctions and Designations The Secretary of State Workers and Laborers Secretary of State Marco Rubio With Brian Kilmeade of Fox News 02/26/2025 Secretary of State Marco Rubio With Brian Kilmeade of Fox News 02/26/2025 12:22 PM EST Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Washington, D.C. Harry S. Truman Building QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, first off, congratulations. Ninety-nine votes. I guess everyone is behind you. How does it feel 30-plus days in? SECRETARY RUBIO: Busy. We’ve been busy. We’re doing a lot of work. We’re doing the work of diplomacy in the State Department, a lot of – this – President Trump is not a patient man. He works – moves very quickly. He’s been given a mandate, and he hit the ground running from day one going through that, then going through some of the reforms that we’re going through on foreign aid and things of that nature. So it’s a lot of work, but it’s been fun. It’s been exhilarating. QUESTION: One thing you said you wanted to do is address the Ukraine-Russia war quickly. We got some news today. First off, it looks like the mineral deal has been done. Can you confirm that? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I can’t confirm it, obviously. Our Secretary of the Treasury Bessent is working on that. He’s done a great job of putting that together. So my last indication was that it was very close to the finish line. We were on the – not even the one-yard line. We were like at the half-yard line, almost like when the Eagles pushed the quarterback across. QUESTION: Right. SECRETARY RUBIO: The tush push thing. So it’s close and it’s good. Look, it’s a good deal. It’s an important deal. We still want to end this war. I mean, that’s important thing. The President has made very clear – he campaigned on it – if there’s a chance to end this war, he wants to pursue it. He views it as a dumb war, a costly war, a – it’s a meat grinder and it has to stop. And we’re going to do everything we can, if it’s possible, to try to bring it to an end, and to an end – to a peace that’s sustainable. QUESTION: President Zelenskyy and the President clashed last week. There’s no doubt about it. Maybe President Zelenskyy said some things he shouldn’t about the President not being informed, and then came back and didn’t do the mineral deal. Even though the Secretary of Treasury was hoping to leave with it. So this week is going to be different. It looks like that President Zelenskyy is going to be here in Washington this week. What can you tell us about it? SECRETARY RUBIO: This is a good deal for Ukraine. I mean, the United States working with them to – after the conflict to be able to utilize their natural resources not just to pay back the American taxpayer but to develop the Ukrainian economy. I think it’s a great deal for them and it’s the right deal for us, as the President — QUESTION: Will there be security guarantees in it? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, the security guarantee is that the United States is now a partner with the Ukrainians in something important. That’s going to be making money for us to get paid back for our taxpayers and also Ukraine to build. But what Ukraine needs – people keep using the term “security guarantees.” What Ukraine needs really is a deterrent. They need to make it costly for anyone to come after them again in the future. And that can be discussed, and it doesn’t have to just be America. I mean, the Europeans can be involved in that. But really none of that can be discussed until the war ends. We have to have the war end. And as long as people are being killed – this is a meat grinder. And it’s a challenging thing because the Russians have more meat to grind, right? They’re throwing people out there in waves, and it’s a very, very bloody war, it’s a very costly war, and it’s time for it to come to an end. The President is right. President Trump is right about this. QUESTION: How much friction is between President Zelenskyy and President Trump? SECRETARY RUBIO: I don’t – people – it’s – there’s a lot of stuff in the media about it, but in the end of the day, the President’s objective is clear. He wants the war to stop. He wants the war to end. And to do that, you have to have both sides agree to it, right? Now, we talked to Zelenskyy. I think what the President was irritated by, and rightfully so, was this argument that somehow we haven’t talked to Ukraine. After President Trump spoke to Putin, which he hadn’t spoken to in four years, he picked up the phone. I was there for both calls. He immediately called Zelenskyy, right away, and then Zelenskyy met with our Treasury Secretary. And then he met with me and the Vice President, and then he met with Kellogg. And then – so he has had engagements, constant engagements. I’ve talked to the foreign minister of Ukraine twice in the last six days. So to say that we’re not engaged with them is just not accurate. It was not accurate. QUESTION: But you sat down in Saudi Arabia and you looked at Lavrov, who’s got decades of experience in his position. You had been there just for a month, even though you’ve got foreign policy experience. What makes you believe that the Russians sincerely want to have this war to end? SECRETARY RUBIO: I don’t know. I don’t know the answer to that. QUESTION: What do you think? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I think we’re going to test it. We told them, do you guys want to end the war or do you want to continue? If you want to end the war, we can talk about what it would take to end it from their perspective. If you want to continue on the war, just tell us now. And they agreed to a follow-up where we’re going to send teams of diplomats to meet with theirs to sort of talk about what it would take the end the war. If what they insist on is unrealistic, then we know they’re not real about it. But we have to test that proposition. We need to know and the President wants to know early in his presidency are the Russians interested in ending this war or are they not. Donald Trump is a dealmaker. President Trump has made deals his entire life. He’s not going to get suckered into a bad deal. He’s going to get tricked into an endless negotiation. But he does want to be a peacemaker, not just a dealmaker but a peacemaker, and President Trump is testing whether the Russians are serious or not. So the answer to your question is we don’t know, but we’re going to find out. QUESTION: But we know this: It’s easier to have a ceasefire than it has to end the conflict. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, in the end — QUESTION: Because you remember in the ‘90s we promised if they give up their nuclear weapons we’d watch their back. That didn’t work out. And in 2014 a ceasefire, that didn’t work out. They have an invasion in 2022. Macron just came down and said I sat for seven hours with Vladimir Putin, and when I left he totally flipped on everything we discussed and he invaded Ukraine anyway. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah. QUESTION: How does that make you feel confident that he would ever agree to anything that you could – that would be sustainable? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, first of all, with all due respect to President Macron, he’s not President Trump. President Trump is a different person, very different. Also represents the United States, which I think is the only country in the world and President Trump is the only leader in the world that could actually get Putin to agree to a peace. If it’s possible, the only one who can do it is President Trump. So I think there’s a big difference there. Again, this is not about having confidence in the Russians. This is actions. Either they’re serious about stopping the war – and we’ll know that when we engage them. Pretty quickly we’ll know. If they’re making maximalist demands that they know can’t be met, then we know they’re not serious about it. But we have to test that, right? It’s the only way you’re going to find out if this is possible or not. And we were very clear with the Russians. There was no negotiation. We didn’t sit down over a map and start drawing lines. What we said is if you’re interested – we can’t do anything with you, we can’t cooperate with you economically, we can’t engage with you on a bunch of other things — QUESTION: But they want that. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, maybe. We’ll find out, right? I mean, I’m sure they want it, but they can’t have it. That can’t happen until the war ends. And that was our point: If you want to have closer cooperation with the United States on a bunch of other issues around the world, both geopolitical and economic, that war has to end. And so we need to test to see how serious they are about it, and that’s what we’re doing, and that’s what’s the President has asked us to do, and that’s what we’re going to try to do here. QUESTION: Senator Rubio called Vladimir Putin a thug. Do you still feel the same way? SECRETARY RUBIO: But at the end of the day, what we feel about Vladimir Putin is irrelevant to achieving a peace here. What we’re trying to do now is get people – we have to be grownups here. We’re trying to get people to a negotiating table. You don’t get people to a negotiating table like Vladimir Putin by calling him names, by being antagonistic. This is a costly war. It’s cost billions of dollars for the United States, billions of dollars for Europe, three million Ukrainians no longer living in the country. So this is not a – this is not a PR thing. This is not a political campaign. This is real-world every day. If this war goes on for another year like some people say it should, that’s thousands of dead people. So this is real stuff. We have to be serious and mature about it. And in the work of diplomacy, you don’t get someone to the table, right – I can’t attract someone to sit down at a table and tell us what they’re interested in doing about ending a war if we’re insulting them, no matter how we may feel about them. I’m sure they have said very mean things about me, but we want to get this thing done. We want peace. QUESTION: Do you think it was necessary to take out of the UN resolution talk that Russia did invade Ukraine and start this war? SECRETARY RUBIO: So what is the UN? The UN’s usefulness is to promote peace, to end wars. And so I go back to the same point I made: To put a resolution out there, okay, that condemns Russia, no matter how people may feel about it, is to basically invite them not to sit at the table, to argue nothing’s changed; why are we going to negotiate with you? We’re trying to get them to a negotiating table so we can test whether they’re serious or not about peace, and I think anything that is unnecessarily antagonistic is going to keep them from negotiating. QUESTION: Right. SECRETARY RUBIO: We’re going to find out soon enough. But what everyone needs to remember here, the goal here is not to help Russia or any – the goal here is to end a war that is costing the lives of thousands of people, destroying a country. Every day that goes by the cost of rebuilding Ukraine gets higher and higher and higher. Who’s going to pay that? QUESTION: But is it worth noting that Ukraine has outstripped everybody’s expectations? SECRETARY RUBIO: There’s no doubt. QUESTION: Killed over 800,000 – there’s been casualties of over 800,000 of the Russians. They have to bring in North Koreans. They killed just about all of them. SECRETARY RUBIO: There’s no dispute. There’s no dispute the Ukrainians have been very brave. They’re fighting for their country. They’ve exceeded everyone’s expectations, especially the Biden administration. They’ve done incredible stuff. But at the end, what we’re trying to point to here is that this war has to come to an end now. QUESTION: True. SECRETARY RUBIO: We’re three years into the thing and it needs to stop. And we can do that and also recognize their bravery. QUESTION: And also they’ve just – the Ukrainian parliament just voted to keep President Zelenskyy president throughout the war. So the talk of him being a dictator probably isn’t accurate, right? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, ultimately, the bottom line here is that they’ve got their system of government. They’ll have to handle that internally. What we’re focused on here is ending the war. That’s it. That’s all. The thing that matters is can we end the war, is it possible. If this war doesn’t end — QUESTION: Right. SECRETARY RUBIO: — then this administration is going to – we’re going to go back to Congress and ask for more money for Ukraine? It was hard enough to pass that the last time, and even the Europeans are telling us they’re going to have trouble with it. So we need to bring this thing to an end. QUESTION: Right. But how it ends would really dictate if it starts again, right? SECRETARY RUBIO: Absolutely, right. It’s got to be a sustainable end to the war. QUESTION: Germany had a big election. President Trump congratulated the new presumed leader, although it’s going to take months for them to form a government. His name is Friedrich Merz and he said this: “I would never have thought I would be saying this on TV, but after Donald Trump’s remark last week it is clear that the government does not care much about the fate of Europe. My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that step by step we can really achieve independence from the U.S.” He says in its current form – NATO in its current form is in jeopardy and it’s time for the European nations may have to establish an independent European defense capability. Your reaction? SECRETARY RUBIO: My reaction is NATO is not in jeopardy. The only thing that puts NATO in jeopardy is the fact that we have NATO Allies who barely have militaries or whose militaries are not very capable because they’ve spent 40 years not spending any money on it. We’ve been NATO. And all President Trump has argued is what every president, every American president, has argued for the last 30 years, and that is these are rich countries, okay? These are rich countries, especially in Western Europe. They have plenty of money. They should be investing that in their national security, and they’re not. You have countries spending 1.5 percent, 1 percent of their economy, and we just can’t keep subsidizing that. It’s not fair and it’s not sustainable. That’s what puts NATO in jeopardy is that we don’t have Allies in some cases. Now, others have done it. Poland, Czechia – there’s a bunch of countries that have done it, but some have not. And these are rich countries – Germany, France. We know this. So that has to be fixed. I would also say that you talk about the comments of the new German leader. He was in the middle of a campaign. People say things. I think there was a little bit of hysteria last week about — QUESTION: This was after he won. SECRETARY RUBIO: Okay. Well, there’s a lot of hysteria going on. QUESTION: But is he misreading? SECRETARY RUBIO: Misreading? QUESTION: As far as you’re concerned, he thinks that the U.S. wants out of Europe, do your own thing. Is he misreading Donald Trump on the — SECRETARY RUBIO: No, we’re not saying do your own thing. We’re saying do more. It’s their continent, right? Why should we not be – why is it unreasonable for the United States to ask rich European countries to invest more money in their own national security? What can’t continue to happen is the United States basically is their security blanket so they only spend 2 percent on defense and then build up this massive social safety net. Well, of course they can. Of course they have universal everything because we’ve basically been their security. That’s not sustainable. That’s not a partnership. That’s a dependency and that’s not good for Europe either. QUESTION: What a start you’ve had. Thirty-plus days. you’ve been to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. In the beginning, you’ve got six nations there, Central and South America. There’s a message. And it seems to have been our border matters, let’s establish some relationship because we’ve got to get control of our southern border and you’ve got to control yours. What did you walk away with? What was your message? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, we walked away from the following. All those countries you mentioned in Central America are all migratory routes. That is the route that people take to get to the southern border, right? They start in the Darién Gap in Panama. They work their way sometimes through Costa Rica, oftentimes through Guatemala and El Salvador, and they work their way up towards the United States. So our border in many cases, when it comes to mass migration, begins there. So we want countries to cooperate in stopping it. In addition, a number of these countries – I add Honduras now to the list. A number of these countries have now agreed not just to take back repatriation flights of their own nationals but to take third-country, meaning people from other countries who basically enter the United States illegally. We can send them to those countries and they have a choice. They can go back to their home country or they can go to these countries. These are powerful tools, and that’s why you’re now seeing historically low numbers under President Trump, historically low numbers at the border. QUESTION: Do you think that’s because of your visits? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I think it has a lot to do with President Trump. It has to do with the fact that people that were coming here realized that this isn’t Joe Biden. Under President Trump you’re not just going to be able to come in, claim asylum, and stay forever. And so we are literally in some of these countries – I had a call yesterday. One of these countries, they now have people doing U-turns, right? They were on their way here. They realized, okay, they’re not playing around anymore, President Trump is serious, and they’ve done a U-turn. They’re trying to go back to their country. QUESTION: Right. SECRETARY RUBIO: We’re seeing that happen. And that is as a result of President Trump’s very clear leadership on migration. QUESTION: You have an expertise in Central and South America. One area in which you focused on was Venezuela, and you said there’s got to be a regime change. There still isn’t. The election was a sham. By Ric Grenell going down there and pulling out hostages – which is great – and having them take in their citizens is excellent. Love the result. But are you legitimatizing an illegitimate leader? SECRETARY RUBIO: No. QUESTION: A thug down there. SECRETARY RUBIO: No, no. Venezuela has – that regime, which is what controls that territory of Venezuela, has an obligation under the law, under international law, under recognized covenants of every law, to accept their foreign nationals who are unlawfully and illegally in another country. Okay? If an American is – illegally immigrates to Venezuela or Panama or Costa Rica, we have an obligation to take them back if they deport them to us. QUESTION: Right. SECRETARY RUBIO: The same is true. And so Ric went down there to basically tell them you need to take these people back and you’re going to come get them. And they have. They’ve had – they flew to Honduras last week and picked up a bunch of these gang members, Tren de Aragua gang members, and we need you to release these Americans. QUESTION: And they did. SECRETARY RUBIO: He went down asking – we thought maybe five. He came back with six. So that’s it. That’s what the trip was about and that’s what it needs to be, because Venezuela – remember, Venezuela stopped taking migration flights, deportations, because they wanted to blackmail Joe Biden. Donald Trump is not going to be blackmailed. President Trump will not be blackmailed by them. And so that’s what that trip was about. QUESTION: But Maduro should go, in your mind, still? SECRETARY RUBIO: I continue to believe that he is a horrible dictator who is instilling all kinds of instability. QUESTION: Are you demanding he leave? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, we’re going to work on that policy because I’m going to tell you something. He is allowing Iran to operate out of Venezuela. He is allowing the Chinese to operate out of Venezuela. He’s threatening his neighbors in the region. He has flooded us with gang members – flooded with these Tren de Aragua gang members that are in this country doing terrible things. Why would we want someone like that to be there? We’re not going to discuss publicly what our work is going to be in that regard, but he remains the same threat today that he was two years ago, three years ago, four years ago. That’s going to have to be dealt with. QUESTION: Have we allowed over decades China to make their way into Central and South America, and is Panama an example of that? SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes. QUESTION: We’ve just not put enough attention in our own backyard. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well — QUESTION: Is that what you heard when you went there? SECRETARY RUBIO: It is. I mean, a couple of things. Their corruption, right? The previous president, two presidents ago, those people are all wrapped up in a web of corruption. In fact, he’s standing trial in Panama now for that. So they bought their way like they’ve done in many parts. And you wake up one day and realize they control both of the ports of entry to the Panama Canal, they control the cranes, they have a huge presence there. And I am very happy that after our visit – I think the same day I was there – Panama became the first country in Latin America, in the Western Hemisphere, to get out of the Belt and Road Initiative. And I think there’ll be more news coming up soon with regards to Panama – all positive for America. Our admiral who runs SOUTHCOM was down there last week, signed a cyber security agreement with them, because the cyber vulnerability of the canal is also very serious. You guys had a very good special on Fox Nation about the Panama Canal and the threats posed there. So I think that this is something you’re going to see a lot more news on in the next few months. QUESTION: We go down there and we make demands, but they also look at us, I hear – and you tell me – and say, “Where have you been?” There was a gap. We need aid and you have not really paid much attention. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, well — QUESTION: Do you plan on addressing their – is there a comprehensive policy to get China out and be more attentive? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, the good news about both Costa Rica and Panama is they don’t need aid. They really don’t need it. I mean, they want to partner with training, like they want us to help train their police forces and things of that nature, but these are not recipient countries for the most part. They’re very pro-American. You’ve got the president of Panama – we’ve got a problem with the canal situation but he’s a pro-American president. The president of Costa Rica is a pro-American president. President Bukele in El Salvador, a pro-American president. We had a good meeting with the president of Guatemala. The president of the Dominican Republic, a pro-American president. So what I would say is what we haven’t done is we haven’t paid attention to pro-American allies in the region. We’ve almost ignored them and in some cases we’ve even punished them. We’ve had administrations like the Biden administration that criticized Bukele and called him a dictator and all kinds of things like that when he’s actually pro-American. QUESTION: And the biggest joke is Brazil, where this Lula is a criminal, a convicted criminal. He’s leading that country. Bolsonaro, who is pro-West and pro-U.S. — SECRETARY RUBIO: Right. QUESTION: — seems to be looking at a looming arrest, and that has allowed China to get a foothold there. But I want to talk about what else you did and what the President did. He’s declared MS-13 and TDA terrorists – and these cartels terrorist networks. SECRETARY RUBIO: Correct. They are. QUESTION: Does that allow us to go after them like we do al-Qaida and ISIS? SECRETARY RUBIO: That allows us – obviously we have to cooperate with the countries that we’re working. We’ve been working very closely with Mexico. We want them to do more. I know Pete’s been talking to them. We’re going to have meetings with them later this week as well. We’d like to work with Mexico to go after these cartels because they’re a threat to the Mexican Government, not just to us. And some of that work is already happening. In the case of Tren de Aragua, this is a vicious – one of the most vicious criminal gangs in the world. QUESTION: Right. SECRETARY RUBIO: Okay? These guys from the military – we had them in Guantanamo. We sent them to Guantanamo, Guantanamo to Honduras. The Venezuelan regime picked them up from there. These guys in Guantanamo, the military police are saying these are some of the toughest people; they’re tougher than the al-Qaida guys in the prisons. QUESTION: Where you have KSM and all these other guys? SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, they’re saying these guys are even tougher than those guys, they’re even worse than those guys. They’re a very dangerous gang. We’ve seen it in our streets. QUESTION: So you need permission from their government to take them out. I don’t think we were asking Yemen, Sudan, Syria if we have to take out ISIS and al-Qaida in their country. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I think the – no, no. QUESTION: We just hit them, right? SECRETARY RUBIO: The United States has a right to defend its national interest at every point. If our national security is being threatened, it doesn’t matter where it’s coming from, we have a right — QUESTION: We’re doing it. SECRETARY RUBIO: — to act. QUESTION: But we never did that before. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, but what we want is we want to work with the Mexicans. We want to work with them to go after them because they’re on the ground. QUESTION: What have they told you, Mr. Secretary? SECRETARY RUBIO: Look, we’re going to find out. I mean, so far there’s good signs, there are some good things we’ve never seen before. We’ve seen the numbers at the border come down. We want them to do more. But they’ve deployed, what, 14,000 of their national guard to their border. We’ve provided them information about certain cartel leaders and they’ve gone after them. But we’ve got to keep this going. This isn’t like a one-week or one-month thing. We’ve got to – we’ve got to make sure this is enduring. QUESTION: Everyone who’s decided that it matters to them and who cares about drugs coming across our border, fentanyl coming across our border, knows the precursors are in China. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes. QUESTION: They could stop in a second. They go to Mexico to the cartels and they come across our border, and Mexico blames us for wanting it to begin with. That, to me, is a nonstarter. I don’t know about you. So how do we stop this? China could stop it tomorrow. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, they could. And a couple of things. The Chinese would tell you if you were with them here today, they’d say: Well, we don’t have a drug problem; what do we care about precursors? They’re not drugs, right? But they could stop it if they wanted to. You have to wonder in some cases, is this a deliberate thing, like are they flooding us with fentanyl? QUESTION: Like their own version of the “open door.” SECRETARY RUBIO: In reverse, right. And are they doing this on purpose? You have to wonder. I mean, I’m just saying. QUESTION: But do you really wonder or do you know? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, we can’t prove that they’re doing it on purpose, but boy, it looks like it. It really does. I mean, they know these guys are operating and they don’t – and I think they’re holding it over our head too, right? They’re saying, well, we’ll help you with this if you don’t put tariffs or you don’t do something else. But we can do more. So as an example, when I was in Guatemala – we’ve trained their police department. It was one of the waivers I issued on foreign aid, and we’ve trained their police department to spot the precursors. Because one of the ways they do it is they bring it through Guatemala and then up to the United States and into the labs of Mexico that are making these pills. And the Guatemalans themselves, we’ve trained them and equipped them to be able, with our DEA, to be able to identify the precursors and pull them out. I’d much rather disrupt it there than when they’re in a lab already in Mexico; it’s almost too late. So these are good things that we want to continue to do. But look, at the end we’re being flooded. It’s coming through there, and it’s also coming through the border with Canada. QUESTION: You’ve called China the most dangerous near-peer adversary the U.S. has faced. SECRETARY RUBIO: Ever. QUESTION: So we need concrete steps to face off with them. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes. QUESTION: Who clearly are building up their military to face off with us. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes. QUESTION: As sophisticated as possible. What is your plan? And they have told us by 2027 they’re taking Taiwan. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, there’s — QUESTION: Daily incursions – what could you do about it? How committed are you and the President of the United States to defending Taiwan? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, a couple of points. The first is there’s three things we have to do when it comes to – look, China is going to be a rich and powerful country. No matter what we do, that’s what – we’re going to have to deal with that. But we have to deal with the reality. What we cannot have is a world where China is so powerful, we depend on them. And that’s right now where we’re headed, unfortunately. That’s going to change. That’s going to change under President Trump. Number one is we have to have our own domestic capability. If you don’t want to depend on China, you’d better be able to make it for yourself, and we’ve allowed way too many industries to fall into the hands of the Chinese, everything from rare earth minerals to pharmaceuticals. We have to have a domestic capacity, and it’s one of the ideas behind the tariffs that the President is pursuing writ large. It’s why people say, well, only put tariffs on China. Well, that’s not enough, because China has factories in other countries all over the world and they flood us with those products. So we have to have our own domestic capacity. Number two is we have to have – we have to be present. In the Indo-Pacific they’re trying to drive us out. We have a strong relationship. We are a Pacific nation. We are. And so we have relationships in the Pacific, and we’re not going to abandon those – Japan, South Korea. You mentioned Taiwan. We have a longstanding position on Taiwan that we’re not going to abandon, and that is: We are against any forced, compelled, coercive change in the status of Taiwan. That’s been our position since the late 1970s, and that continues to be our position, and that’s not going to change. And then the third is – and it’s outside the purview of this department at State – but we have to have military capabilities that allow us to respond to the threat that China is posing, and we need to be concerned. We have our aircraft manufacturing, our ship manufacturers; they are not keeping pace. China can build 10 ships before we can build one. That’s a very serious vulnerability that cannot continue. And obviously, I know Pete has a plan for that, and the President has a plan for that, and they’re working on it. QUESTION: And if there is – if you get woken up at 2 o’clock in the morning to – this morning, and we have reason to believe that China is taking Taiwan right now, what does America do? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, America has existing commitments that it has made to prevent that from happening and to react to it, and that would be executed on. And that’s – those are the standing – and the Chinese are aware of this as well. But again, let’s hope that doesn’t happen, and the best way to prevent that from happening is to have the capability – a strong leader in the White House, which we have, President Trump – and the capability, military capability, to respond. If the Chinese know we have the ability to respond, then they may do that. If they know we don’t have the capability to respond or we have a weak leader, then they may test it. And we just don’t want to get to that point. It would be a terrible thing for the world, and it would be a bad thing for China too, by the way. QUESTION: And I know we’ve got to go, but your last – will you say that to your counterpart in China? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, we have and they know that’s our position. They’re mad that — QUESTION: You’ve only had the job for 30 days. SECRETARY RUBIO: I know, but I’ve spoken to their foreign minister one time, and I think we’ve made clear. What I said is China is going to – we have to have relations with China. We’re not saying we don’t. We have to. They’re a nuclear power. They’re the second largest economy in the world, the second most populous country in the world. So we have to deal with them. But that – maybe most populous. Maybe. I don’t know. Them and India are pretty close. But we have to have a relationship with them. However, it has to be a balanced relationship. It cannot be one where they become dominant, because then we are going to have a conflict, and we don’t want that. It would be bad for the world. It would be bad for the world. And I think the best way to avoid that is a strong America, which is what we’re getting under President Trump. February 27 Meeting in Istanbul 02/27/2025 February 27 Meeting in Istanbul 02/27/2025 09:34 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…February 27 Meeting in Istanbul hide February 27 Meeting in Istanbul Media Note February 27, 2025 Following the agreement between Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov to initiate talks on issues affecting the operations of our respective diplomatic missions, delegations from both countries met on February 27 in Istanbul, Turkey. The U.S. delegation was led by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central Europe, and the Russian delegation was led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs North Atlantic Department Director Ambassador Aleksandr Darchiyev. The United States raised concerns regarding access to banking and contracted services as well as the need to ensure stable and sustainable staffing levels at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Through constructive discussions, both sides identified concrete initial steps to stabilize bilateral mission operations in these areas. Deputy Assistant Secretary Coulter and Ambassador Darchiyev agreed to hold a follow-up meeting on these issues in the near term, with the date, location, and representation to be determined. Tags Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson Turkey Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Lammy 02/28/2025 Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Lammy 02/28/2025 06:40 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on February 27, following President Trump’s meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.  They discussed the need to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.  Both emphasized the importance of European burden-sharing in defense and security efforts and positively noted the UK government’s recent decision to boost defense spending.  They also explored ways to improve U.S.-UK trade relations and discussed the need to secure peace in the Middle East and parts of Africa. Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis 02/28/2025 Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis 02/28/2025 07:07 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis today and reaffirmed the strategic importance of the U.S.-Greece partnership.  Greece is a valued NATO Ally and critical to regional stability.  They discussed the importance of confronting illegal migration.  The United States applauds Greece’s strong commitment to defense spending and the Secretary welcomed Greece’s presence on the UN Security Council for its 2025-2026 term.    The Secretary and Foreign Minister Gerapetritis also discussed Greece’s leadership in regional energy projects and prospects for future cooperation. The Week at State: February 21 – February 28, 2025 02/28/2025 February 21 – February 28 "A lot of work, but it's been fun. It's been exhilarating," Secretary Rubio said about his first month as Secretary of State in an interview with Brian Kilmeade. Here's what happened at State this past week. ⤵️ Secretary Rubio outlined his first 30 days as Secretary of State on Fox & Friends, and discussed U.S. leadership on Breitbart News.  At the three-year mark of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the United States emphasized the need to bring peace to Europe in a historic resolution proposal, passed by the United Nations Security Council. We acted to make America more prosperous through fair trade relationships, and championed human rights with targeted pressure on Cuba and Iran. Demonstrating Diplomacy in Action, Placing America First in Our Foreign Policy "Under POTUS' peace through strength vision, we have the chance to remake our foreign policy and put America First," Secretary Rubio emphasized in an interview with Fox & Friends this week.  Discussing his fast-paced, first month in office, Secretary Rubio highlighted key steps taken to strengthen international relationships and address global issues.  The Secretary provided an update on Ukraine, underscored the importance of European allies investing more in their own national security, and reflected on his recent travel in the Western Hemisphere and efforts to curb illegal immigration. Leading in the Path to Peace Spokesperson Tammy Bruce spoke with Sean Hannity to talk through the United States' UN resolution calling for peace in Ukraine, proposed on February 21.  Reflective of the Trump Administration's steadfast commitment to a lasting peace, the resolution was another significant win for U.S. diplomacy as it passed a vote in the UN Security Council – a historic action that set conditions for a path to peace. Later in the week, President Trump and Secretary Rubio met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and firmly placed America First.  Promoting American Prosperity and Holding Bad Actors to Account "The United States has resources, we're going to take action, and our interests will be upheld. Bad actors will no longer be coddled, encouraged, or ignored," Spokesperson Bruce said in an appearance on Fox News. Taking steps to protect U.S. innovation and economic growth, the Trump Administration developed a new fast track for investments that will also restrict Chinese investment in strategic industries, as announced by Spokesperson Bruce on February 22.  Coordinated with the Department of Treasury, a reimposed campaign of maximum pressure will disrupt illicit funding streams to the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the U.S. uses all the tools available to hold the Iranian regime accountable for financing attacks on our allies and supporting terrorism around the world. The United States also expanded restrictions on individuals exploiting Cuban labor. News You May Have Missed President Trump convened his first Cabinet meeting to address key domestic and foreign policy priorities, reinforcing the administration's commitment to strong leadership at home and abroad. President Trump and Cabinet members welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House. President Trump met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom and received an invitation from King Charles III for a State Visit. Ambassador Dorothy Shea addressed the United Nations Security Council, offering a full explanation of the U.S.-drafted UN Security Council Resolution on Ukraine. The United States condemned Thailand's forced return of at least 40 Uyghurs to China, where Uyghurs have faced persecution, forced labor, and torture. Secretary Rubio had calls with leaders from Iraq, Kenya, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Secretary Rubio met with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski to discuss the importance of and further ways to strengthen the U.S.-Polish partnership. Secretary Rubio met with Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud to jointly promote peace and stability in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and across the region. Secretary Rubio met with UK Foreign Secretary Lammy, following President Trump's meeting with UK Prime Minister Starmer. Secretary Rubio met with Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis and reaffirmed the strategic importance of the U.S.-Greece partnership. Looking Ahead March 12-14: G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting Note to Our Readers We welcome your feedback on this newsletter. Send us your thoughts to EmailTeam@state.gov. 📩 Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe to The Week at State for the latest in U.S. foreign policy updates from the State Department. Useful links Travel 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 Stay connected with the State Department: