On the Death of Pope Francis
04/21/2025
On the Death of Pope Francis
04/21/2025 07:51 AM EDT
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…On the Death of Pope Francis
hide
On the Death of Pope Francis
Press Statement
April 21, 2025
On Easter Monday, Jeanette and I are saddened to the news of Pope Francis’ passing. We unite in prayer with Catholics worldwide for the repose of the pontiff’s soul and for this period of transition for the Catholic Church. May He rest in peace.
Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Holy See Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State
Sanctioning a Liquified Petroleum Gas Shipping Network to Further Pressure Iran
04/22/2025.
Sanctioning a Liquified Petroleum Gas Shipping Network to Further Pressure Iran
04/22/2025 11:09 AM EDT
Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Sanctioning a Liquified Petroleum Gas Shipping Network to Further Pressure Iran
hide
Sanctioning a Liquified Petroleum Gas Shipping Network to Further Pressure Iran
Press Statement
April 22, 2025
Today, the United States is sanctioning Iranian national Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh and his liquified petroleum gas (LPG) shipping network for exporting hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil to foreign markets. This revenue funds Iran’s malign behavior, particularly the regime’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and its support for terrorist proxies.
Iranian companies continually adapt their networks to evade sanctions and sell to foreign customers. The United States is committed to sanctioning Iranian firms that fund the regime’s destabilizing conduct.
The Trump Administration will vigorously enforce all U.S. sanctions on Iran as part of its maximum pressure campaign. So long as Iran attempts to generate oil revenues to fund its subversive activities, the United States will hold accountable both Iran and all its partners in sanctions evasion.
Today’s action is being taken pursuant to President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign and E.O. 13902, which targets those operating in certain sectors of the Iranian economy. On October 11, 2024, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, determined that section 1(a)(i) of E.O. 13902 shall apply to the petroleum and petrochemical sectors of the Iranian economy, which allows Treasury to target a broader range of activities relating to Iran’s trade in petroleum and petrochemical products. For more information, today’s designation can be found on the Treasury’s Press Releases.
Tags
Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy Iran Office of Economic Policy Analysis and Public Diplomacy Office of the Spokesperson Sanctions and Designations The Secretary of State
Secretary Rubio’s Call with Holy See Cardinal Parolin
04/22/2025
Secretary Rubio’s Call with Holy See Cardinal Parolin
04/22/2025 07:11 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Holy See Cardinal Pietro Parolin today to express heartfelt condolences on behalf of the United States following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. Secretary Rubio conveyed deep sympathy to the Vatican and the global Catholic community. Secretary Rubio and Cardinal Parolin reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and the Holy See. Secretary Rubio offered solidarity during this time of mourning and transition for the Vatican and the Catholic Church.
Secretary Rubio’s Call with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski
04/23/2025
Secretary Rubio’s Call with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski
04/23/2025 02:55 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Rubio’s Call with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski
hide
Secretary Rubio’s Call with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski
Readout
April 23, 2025
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski. Secretary Rubio commended Poland’s defense investments as an example for other European nations that must step up and commit more resources for national security. They also discussed further cooperation on ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The Secretary expressed the United States’ hopes that the peace proposal presented to Ukrainian and Russian officials will be accepted and lead to a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State
Commemorating the National Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust
04/24/2025
Commemorating the National Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust
04/24/2025 11:32 AM EDT
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Commemorating the National Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust
hide
Commemorating the National Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust
Press Statement
April 24, 2025
This week, Jeanette and I join Jewish communities and people of all faiths across the United States in marking the National Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust. We remember the six million Jews and millions of others murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. We also honor the survivors who were subjected to unspeakable suffering.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, when U.S. and Allied troops liberated tens of thousands from Nazi concentration and death camps across Europe. We are eternally indebted to the generation who fought fascism and saved the world from Nazi tyranny.
Over the past eight decades, we have continued to learn about the horrors of the Holocaust and the vicious antisemitism and state terror that fueled it. We must ensure the history, and the facts, of the Holocaust are not denied or distorted. Humanity must not forget the catastrophe that took place during the Holocaust. The U.S. remains firm in its commitment to fight global antisemitism and safeguard Jewish communities worldwide.
Tags
Office of the Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State
Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Magyar
04/24/2025
Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Magyar
04/24/2025 07:19 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
HomeDeputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Magyar
hide
Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Magyar
April 24, 2025
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Deputy Secretary Landau met with Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar today and discussed ways to improve the strong U.S.-Hungary relationship. The Deputy Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister had a warm meeting and spent considerable time exploring opportunities to strengthen business opportunities in energy security. They also jointly expressed hope that the shared political understanding between the United States and Hungary would lead into new economic cooperation that would benefit both countries.
Tags
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Deputy Secretary of State Hungary Office of the Spokesperson
The Week at State: April 18 – April 24, 2025
04/25/2025
View as a webpage / Share
April 18 – April 24
"The American people deserve a State Department willing and able to advance their safety, security, and prosperity around the world." - Secretary Rubio
Here's what happened at State this week. ⤵️💬 We announced a reorganization plan to allow the State Department to meet the challenges of a new era.
✈️ Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Witkoff traveled to Paris to advance President Trump's goal of ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
🌏 We celebrated 48 years of working with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the 37th annual dialogue, promoting fair trade and security.
Building an America First State Department
On April 23, Secretary Rubio announced a plan to reorganize the State Department. The plan will cut down on bureaucracy, remove unnecessary offices, and "...ensure every bureau and office in the Department of State has clear responsibility and mission," Secretary Rubio shared on Substack.
In a podcast interview with Bari Weiss of The Free Press, Secretary Rubio explained how the plan to reorganize the State Department will make it more nimble, dynamic, and effective for the 21st century.
"America must be ready to confront the challenges of illegal immigration, unfair trade, and dangerous adversaries like China and Iran. We can't do that with a State Department in its current form. That's why under President Trump's leadership and at my direction, we're making the State Department Great Again," Secretary Rubio said on X.
Peace Talks in Paris
Secretary Rubio met with French President Emmanuel Macron (far left), French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot (far right), and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff at the Élysée Palace in Paris to discuss ending the Ukraine-Russian war. (State Dept/Freddie Everett)
Secretary Rubio concluded his trip to Paris on April 18, following two days facilitating peace talks to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In remarks to the press, Secretary Rubio emphasized that the United States has been helping Ukraine over the last three years, but the conflict is not America's war, and the United States wants it to end.
Dialogue With Southeast Asian Nations
Senior Bureau Official Sean O'Neill co-chaired the 37th annual U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue in Siem Reap, Cambodia, April 21–22, 2025. (State Dept/US Mission to ASEAN)
This week, the U.S. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held their 37th annual dialogue in Cambodia.
We celebrated 48 years of working with ASEAN and discussed ways to advance our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The U.S. is committed to achieving fair and reciprocal trade relationships with our partner countries in the region.
News You May Have MissedSecretary Rubio met with NATO Secretary-General Rutte, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, and National Security Advisor Waltz, where he shared how President Trump is working to prevent and end wars.
President Trump issued an executive order to unleash America’s offshore critical minerals and resources, ensuring the United States will lead the world in responsibly unlocking seabed mineral resources and securing critical mineral supply chains.
President Trump met with the prime minister of Norway.
Vice President Vance traveled to India to reinforce the importance of the U.S.-India partnership.
We strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Kashmir, India.
Secretary Rubio expressed condolences on the passing of Pope Francis.
We imposed new visa restrictions on over 250 Nicaraguan regime officials, targeting the officials of the Ortega-Murillo authoritarian dynasty.
We announced a reward of up to $5 million under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, an MS-13 leader in Honduras.
Looking AheadMay 4: Dachau Liberation 80th Anniversary
May 8: 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
Note to Our Readers
📩 We welcome feedback at EmailTeam@state.gov
Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe to The Week at State for weekly updates on important work, activities, and news straight from the State Department.
Useful linksTravel advisories and updates for U.S. Citizens
Did you know that you can invite a State Department official to speak at your school, business, or organization? Learn about what we do through the firsthand experience of one of our representatives.
Read More at State.gov
Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Declaration of Principles Signing Ceremony
04/25/2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Declaration of Principles Signing Ceremony
04/25/2025 05:44 PM EDT
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
Washington, D.C.
Colin L. Powell Treaty Room
HomeSecretary of State Marco Rubio at Declaration of Principles Signing Ceremony
hide
Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Declaration of Principles Signing Ceremony
Remarks
April 25, 2025
SECRETARY RUBIO: Thank you all for being here today. It’s – I’m honored to be here with my counterparts, the foreign ministers of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, for the – to witness the Declaration of Principles for peace in the eastern DRC. It’s a declaration that establishes a fundamental understanding of regional governance, security, economic frameworks, and to end the fighting and allow the region to reach its full potential.
The eastern part of the Democratic Republic has seen 30 years of conflict. Durable peace and long-lasting economic development is not going to be easy, but it is important. And having both of my counterparts here, the foreign ministers of these respective countries, demonstrates the beginning of a strong commitment to having the conversations that we need to have in order to reach a resolution.
I’m proud to work for a President who’s made peace, stable global peace, a priority of this administration, and today is evidence of that. He wants to see a peaceful resolution in many parts of the world, but he wants to see a peaceful resolution here, and we want to play a constructive, productive, and important and key role in ensuring that that can happen. And a durable peace in the Great Lakes region will open the door for greater U.S. and broader Western investment, which will bring about economic opportunities and prosperity. And it will also help advance President Trump’s prosperity agenda for the world. It’s, as they call it, a win-win for everyone involved – for the United States, for the Democratic Republic of Congo, and for Rwanda.
Our firms are good corporate citizens, American firms, and they’ll bring good governance and ensure responsible, reliable supply chains for things like critical minerals that benefit regional governments and our partners and allies as well. This economic development, combined with durable peace – and I would say durable peace comes before economic development; it’s impossible to do without the peace – it will also allow millions of displaced people to return to their homes, to safer communities with new economic opportunities that have escaped generations.
The African Union and regional economic communities in Africa have done incredible work, and we need to recognize that in bringing parties together and laying the foundation for these talks. Our government here is focused on energizing these efforts. So we’re going to be in close contact with our African Union partners to make sure we can bring this to fruition and to see that this better future reaches everyone.
I do want to especially thank our senior advisor, Mr. Boulos, and his counterparts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, for their vision and for their hard work. Today is a step to building a peaceful, prosperous Great Lakes region, and we look forward to working with everyone involved to achieve this goal. Thank you.
FOREIGN MINISTER WAGNER: Perfect, thank you. Mr. Secretary —
SECRETARY RUBIO: My apologies. I should have turned to you rather than – I apologize.
FOREIGN MINISTER WAGNER: No worries. (Laughter.)
SECRETARY RUBIO: I was looking —
FOREIGN MINISTER WAGNER: No worries. Thank you. Mr. Secretary of State, Honorable Senator Marco Rubio, His Excellency Mr. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Rwanda, excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: Today marks not an end but a beginning, a necessary step towards peace taken with resolve and purpose. This moment carries particular weight for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Goma, in Bukavu, and beyond, the reality of displacement, insecurity, and hardship continues. For us, the urgency of this initiative is not theoretical; it is human.
We sign this Declaration of Principles not as a symbolic gesture but as a political commitment: the reaffirmation of principles enshrined in international law and most recently echoed in the UN Security Council Resolution 2773, a resolution calling for the immediate, unconditional, and verifiable of withdraw of all foreign troops from sovereign territory of the DRC. We are clear in the Great Lakes region peace must come first, followed by the rebuilding of trust, and then – only when conditions are right – the careful reopening of a path to meaningful bilateral cooperation. Too many past efforts have failed because sequencing was ignored and accountability postponed. Peace and development cannot rely only on good intentions. They must be built on responsibility, clear commitments, measurable timelines, and consequences for noncompliance. This is the only way to restore credibility not just among states but with the people who are waiting for peace to become real.
The signature of today’s Declaration of Principles heralds renewed hope. It reflects a U.S. resolve to complement and support regional and international efforts. This initiative brings accountability and draws on hard lessons from past efforts that have failed to materialize. So the good news is there is hope for peace. The real news, peace must be earned, and it will require seriousness, transparency, and sincerity. We welcome the leadership of the United States of America, a country that has shown steadfast support, consistent principles, and resolve in multilateral forums, especially within the United Nation Security Council.
Mr. Secretary, Senator Rubio, I would like to express our deep gratitude. Dr. Boulos, also, your extensive consultations across the region have brought nuance, depth, and humanity to this process, and your presence today underscores that diplomacy must listen, understand the lived experiences of those most affected, and seek durable solutions. The Democratic Republic of the Congo recognizes and values this engagement of the United States. We are also encouraged by U.S.-backed initiatives that promote secure mineral value chains and inclusive economic growth. These efforts reaffirm that peace and prosperity are inseparable. Each step towards stability is a step towards dignity, jobs, and schools. This is the promise of responsible investment and a principle partnership with the DRC, a country not only emerging from conflict but also at the core of finding solutions to global challenges.
To our countrymen and women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the east, we know you are watching this moment with concern, with hope, and yes, with doubt. And you are right to do so. You have every reason to expect more than promises. You are entitled to actions that measure up to the suffering you have endured. We draw strength from your resilience, from your commitment to justice, and from our shared unwavering belief that our sovereignty and our territory are not negotiable. We are a nation that honors its responsibilities, and we understand that history, geography, and yes, maybe even fate has given us the neighbors we have. The borders we inherited as confirmed by the African Union are permanent and will never change. But beyond these lines lie histories, families, and communities that bind us together. This shared heritage calls for maturity, restraint, and the wisdom to recognize that peace is not weakness, it is strength.
Once again, we stand at a crossroads with peace within reach. And we, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are determined to move forward, building on the lessons from the past. We stand as a nation dedicated to achieving lasting peace. We welcome the support of a strong partner by our side. And I voice a solemn hope that all parties will seize this opportunity just as we, the DRC, have chosen to.
Thank you.
SECRETARY RUBIO: Thank you, Madam Minister.
Mr. Minister.
FOREIGN MINISTER NDUHUNGIREHE: Thank you. Good afternoon. On behalf of President Paul Kagame and the Government of Rwanda, I want to start by thanking President Donald Trump for enabling a real change in the conversation on how to resolve the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, leading to the signing of the Declaration of Principles today.
I thank Secretary Marco Rubio and the United States Government for hosting us, and I commend the positive role played by your Senior Advisor Massad Boulos and his team and other officials in the significant progress achieved thus far.
Today we are talking about the real issues, the root causes that must be addressed to achieve a lasting peace in our region. Those include, first and foremost, security as well as the return of refugees. In addition, and very importantly, we are discussing how to build new original economic value chains that link our countries, including with American private sector investment.
Our goal is a secure region – free of violent ethnic extremism – which is well-governed. Working together, our region can be an engine of prosperity for all of our peoples and indeed Africa as a whole. The Declaration of Principles opens the door to a definitive peace agreement, giving fresh impetus to ongoing efforts of the Africa-led process under the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, as well as the Doha track facilitated by the state of Qatar, where we have seen important breakthroughs in recent days.
Our common aim is to conclude a comprehensive peace agreement as soon as possible, but there are not shortcuts or quick fixes, and we have to do the hard work to get it done right once and for all. Rwanda is committed and we are ready to continue working together with all the partners involved to ensure the success of this initiative.
I thank you all.
SECRETARY RUBIO: Thank you. All right.
SENIOR ADVISOR BOULOS: Secretary Rubio is signing as a witness the Declaration of Principles between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda.
This declaration commits the parties to mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, addressing security concerns, promoting regional economic integration, facilitating the return of displaced persons, supporting MONUSCO, and drafting a peace agreement.
These are serious commitments from each side. The Secretary’s presence here today as a witness signifies the importance the United States places on resolving this conflict to ensure both countries and their people prosper. We’re looking forward to working with both sides to further our existing partnerships and foster win-win outcomes for all.
(The Declaration of Principles is signed.)
(Applause.)
SENIOR ADVISOR BOULOS: This concludes the ceremony. Thank you.
Tags
African Union Bureau of African Affairs Democratic Republic of the Congo Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy Office of the Spokesperson Rwanda The Secretary of State
