Foreign Affairs

Ukraine - the Normandy format - Q&A (11 Feb. 2022)

Q: Yesterday, the minister stated that if the Normandy format negotiations were to continue, that would be a positive sign. Russia and Ukraine said that no progress was achieved during the Berlin discussions and that there was no talk of dates for another meeting. What is your assessment of this meeting? Regarding the Normandy format, will technical discussions continue and, if so, with what frequency? A: The Normandy format advisors (Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine) who met in Berlin (...)

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on the President's Call with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Via Teleconference 12:53 P.M. EST MODERATOR: Thanks, everyone, for joining us today. Today's call will be on background, attributed to a "senior administration official." And contents will be embargoed until the conclusion of the call. Today's speaker will be [senior administration official], who will have some comments at the top and then take a few questions. Over...

Updated: Sun Feb 13 2022

Readout of President Biden's Call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. President Biden reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. President Biden made clear that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. The...

Updated: Sun Feb 13 2022

Statement by White House Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall

We are working closely with our Canadian counterparts to end the blockade of key bridges and crossings between the United States and Canada and to restore vital commerce between our two nations. Following the President's video teleconference with Prime Minister Trudeau on Friday, I spoke with Canadian National Security and Intelligence Advisor Jody Thomas again...

Updated: Sun Feb 13 2022

Readout of President Biden's Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia about Russia's escalating military buildup on the borders of Ukraine. President Biden was clear that, if Russia undertakes a further invasion of Ukraine, the United States together with our Allies and partners will respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs on...

Updated: Sat Feb 12 2022

FACT SHEET: Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States

Read the full strategy here "We envision an Indo-Pacific that is open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure-and we are ready to work together with each of you to achieve it."President Joe Biden East Asia SummitOctober 27, 2021 The Biden-Harris Administration has made historic strides to restore American leadership in the Indo-Pacific and adapt its role...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on Protecting Certain Property of Da Afghanistan Bank for the

Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Madam President:) Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order declaring a national emergency with respect to the widespread humanitarian crisis in...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

One Ocean Summit - Jean-Yves Le Drian takes part in the One Ocean Summit (10-11 Feb. 2022)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian will be taking part in the One Ocean Summit in Brest today and tomorrow. The February 9- 11th event, which was organized at the initiative of President Macron under the auspices of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, serves to rally the international community around the ocean. Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign (...)

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

President Biden Announces 2 Diplomatic Nominees

WASHINGTON - Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to serve as key diplomats in his administration: Philip S. Goldberg, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea Carrin F. Patman, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Iceland Philip S. Goldberg, Nominee for...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

Readout of President Biden's Call With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada

Today President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada to discuss the ongoing blockade of key bridges and crossings between the United States and Canada, including Detroit/Windsor, Sweetwater/Coutts, and Pembina/Emerson. The two leaders agreed that the actions of the individuals who are obstructing travel and commerce between our two countries are having significant...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

Readout of President Biden's Video Call with Transatlantic Leaders

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. held a secure video call with transatlantic leaders today. The leaders expressed their concern about Russia's continued build-up of military forces around Ukraine and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They expressed their desire for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, and discussed recent engagements with Russia...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

Readout of the President and Vice President's Meeting with Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats

This afternoon, as part of their continued engagement with lawmakers in both parties about the Supreme Court nomination process, the President and Vice President hosted the Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Oval Office. As two former members of the committee, the President and Vice President emphasized that there are a wealth...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

Russia - Q&A - (10 Feb. 2022)

Q: Ukraine: President Zelensky is troubled by the increased presence of Russian soldiers in Belarus along the Ukrainian-Belarusian border. On his trip to Moscow and Kiev, President Macron said that the Russian troops were being withdrawn from Belarus. What is France's stance? Is Moscow complying with its assurances? A: I invite you to refer to the minister's remarks on France Inter this (...)

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

Statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Kar

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today with Karin Wallensteen, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister of Sweden. They discussed their shared concerns about Russia's continued build-up of military forces around Ukraine, reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reviewed transatlantic efforts to coordinate diplomacy and deterrence efforts. In addition,...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Video Call with Bjoern Seibert, Head o

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held a secure video call with Bjoern Seibert, Head of Cabinet of the President of the European Commission on February 10. They discussed their concerns about Russia's continued build-up of military forces around Ukraine, as well as preparations to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia should it...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

Tanzania - The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs is establishing a solidarity program to support the Tanzanian people i

In response to the Tanzanian authorities' request for assistance with the Covid-19 pandemic, France is taking action and establishing a solidarity program for the Tanzanian people. This program, which is co-coordinated by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs' Crisis and Support Center and the French Embassy in Tanzania, will use airfreight and ocean freight to deliver medical supplies, namely: oxygen generators and concentrators, Osiris 3-type transport ventilators, electric syringe (...)

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

United Nations - Appointment of Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz as Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Forc

France would like to congratulate Major General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz of Spain on his appointment as Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). France wishes him much success and assures him of the country's full support in the execution of his mission. France would like to take this opportunity to commend his predecessor, Major General Stefano Del Col of Italy, on his accomplishments. France reaffirms its commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and (...)

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

European Union - Jean-Yves le Drian participates in the Joint Ministerial Conference of Foreign Ministers and Health Minister

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian and Minister for Solidarity and Health Olivier Véran traveled to Lyon today to take part in the Joint Conference of Foreign Ministers and Health Ministers of the European Union. This joint ministerial conference is being held in an unprecedented format initiated under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and marks a new step toward building a Europe of Health. The conference will give the ministers the chance (...)

Updated: Thu Feb 10 2022

Jurisdiction of French courts over crimes against humanity (9 Feb. 2022)

France is fully mobilized in the fight against impunity for the perpetrators of international crimes committed in Syria and throughout the world. The Government has presented a bill to authorize the approval of the international judicial cooperation agreement between the French Government and the United Nations Organization, represented by the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) for Syria. It has just been passed by the National Assembly and must now be examined by (...)

Updated: Thu Feb 10 2022

Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Reuben E. Brigety, II, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of South Africa. MaryKay Loss Carlson, of Arkansas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the...

Updated: Thu Feb 10 2022