Foreign Affairs

Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on President Biden's Phone Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. President Biden urged Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine. He made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine. President Biden also expressed support for diplomacy, starting early next year with the...

Updated: Thu Dec 30 2021

A Proclamation on the Death of Harry Reid

From humble roots in Searchlight, Nevada, Harry Reid rose to become one of the great Senate Majority Leaders in American history. He was a man of action, and a man of his word - guided by faith, loyalty, and unshakeable resolve. Throughout his long career of public service, Harry Reid was instrumental in passing landmark legislation...

Updated: Wed Dec 29 2021

Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on President Biden's Upcoming Call with President Putin of the Russ

Via Teleconference 12:41 P.M. EST MODERATOR: Thank you. And good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us today for the National Security Council background call previewing President Biden's call with President Putin. As a reminder of the ground rules, this call will be on background, attributable to a "senior administration official," with the contents of the...

Updated: Wed Dec 29 2021

President Biden Announces Key Regional Appointments for USDA, HUD, and SBA

WASHINGTON - Today, President Joe Biden appointed the following individuals to serve in key regional leadership roles at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Small Business Administration (SBA): Dean Schamore, USDA State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, Kentucky Joe Aull, USDA State Executive Director,...

Updated: Wed Dec 29 2021

Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials

Via Teleconference 11:09 A.M. EST MR. ZIENTS: Good morning, everyone. And thanks for joining what is a phone briefing today. We expect to return to our regular format next week. Today, Dr. Walensky will provide an "Omicron in the U.S." update and discuss CDC's updated guidance for people who test positive for COVID. Dr. Fauci...

Updated: Wed Dec 29 2021

Russia - Memorial - Q&A- (29 Dec. 2021)

Q: What is France's reaction to this morning's announcement of the dissolution of the Memorial NGO's Human Rights Center? A: I refer you to yesterday's detailed statement by Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Updated: Wed Dec 29 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on President Biden's Upcoming Phone Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will hold a phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Thursday, December 30, 2021 to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia. The Biden Administration continues to engage in extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners, consulting and coordinating on a common approach...

Updated: Wed Dec 29 2021

A Proclamation on Revoking Proclamation 10315

On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution announced that the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), constitutes a variant of concern. The WHO further reported that the number of cases of this variant appeared to be increasing in almost...

Updated: Tue Dec 28 2021

Democratic Republic of the Congo - France strongly condemns the attack in the city of Beni in North Kivu province (December 2

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack carried out on December 25 in the city of Beni, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's North Kivu province, which killed several people and left many casualties. It offers its condolences to the victims' loved ones and to the Congolese authorities and extends its solidarity to those who were injured. The perpetrators of this attack must be identified and brought to (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 28 2021

Israel / Palestinian Territories - Q&A - (28 Dec 2021)

Q: On December 21, Nicolas de Rivière, France's permanent representative to the UN Security Council, issued a statement concerning the Israel-Palestine situation that attracted considerable attention. He emphasized international law, denounced the multiple announcements being made on settlements, and stressed the fact that France will not recognize any changes to the 1967 borders (a statement disseminated by your department). However on December 26, the Israeli government approved a plan to (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 28 2021

Russia - Liquidation of International Memorial Society - Statement issued by Jean-Yves Le Drian (28 Dec. 2021)

I was outraged and troubled to learn of the liquidation of the International Memorial Society by Russia's Supreme Court, while the other branch of this NGO, the Memorial Human Rights Center, is also facing court proceedings. In this 100th anniversary year of the birth of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, the organization's founder, this announcement is deeply disturbing for the future of historical research and the defense of human rights in Russia. As I emphasized at Charles (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 28 2021

Situation of Yuri Dmitriyev - Q&A - (28 Dec. 2021)

Q: Russian historian Yuri Dmitriyev, a specialist on Stalin-era repression who works with the NGO Memorial, was sentenced on Monday to 15 years in prison. What is France's reaction, at a time when Memorial itself is risking liquidation? A: I refer you to today's statement by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Updated: Tue Dec 28 2021

A Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into the United States

1. On January 19, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to the President a report on the Secretary's investigation into the effect of imports of aluminum articles on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862). The Secretary found and advised...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

A Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Steel into the United States

1. On January 11, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to the President a report on the Secretary's investigation into the effect of imports of steel mill articles (steel articles) on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862). The...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Bill Signed: H.R. 1664

On Monday, December 27, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 1664, which authorizes the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work to honor Medal of Honor Recipients. Thank you to Representatives Veasey and Blake Moore, and Senators Cornyn and Kaine for their leadership.

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Bill Signed: S. 1605

On Monday, December 27, 2021, the President signed into law: S. 1605, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022," which authorizes fiscal year 2022 appropriations principally for Department of Defense programs and military construction, Department of Energy national security programs, and intelligence programs; specifies a military basic pay increase and other authorities relating...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Burkina Faso - France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack in the vicinity of You (27 Dec. 2021)

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack carried out in Northern Burkina Faso, in the vicinity of You, on December 23, which left several dozen civilians dead. It extends its condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Burkina Faso. Together with all the partners in the Coalition for the Sahel, France stands with the authorities of Burkina Faso to combat (...)

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Mali - Q&A - (27 Dec. 2021)

Q: The Malian government denies that it is deploying any mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group in Mali. It says they are Russian trainers who are in the country as part of a partnership between Moscow and Bamako. What is France's response, as it was one of some 15 Western countries that on Thursday announced this deployment? A: I refer you to the language in the joint statement we issued with some 15 of Mali's international partners on December (...)

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Readout of President Biden's Call with the NGA on COVID-19 Response

Today President Biden joined White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients, Chief Medical Advisor to the President Dr. Anthony Fauci, and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky for their regular call with the bipartisan National Governors Association regarding the country's COVID-19 response. After his public remarks, President Biden joined Jeff Zients, Dr. Fauci, and Dr. Walensky to...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure

South Lawn 12:20 P.M. EST Q President Biden, why did your administration reject the holiday testing surge in October? Does the buck stop with you there - rejecting the surge? THE PRESIDENT: We didn't reject it. Q What did the governors tell you they're worried about? THE PRESIDENT: Well, they're not - they didn't tell...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021