Foreign Affairs

Russia - Q&A - (23 Dec. 2021)

Q: Yesterday, the Russian President's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, expressed hope that negotiations on security guarantees could begin in January. Is France aware of Russian proposals relating to that issue? In your opinion, can our countries reach a consensus under the Russian initiative? Could negotiations begin in January? A: We are aware of the Russian proposals and we are working closely with our allies and partners to analyze them. As we have said regularly, a rigorous dialogue is (...)

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Polish National Security Bur

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone today with Poland's National Security Bureau Chief Pawel Soloch and Head of the International Policy Bureau Jakub Kumoch. They exchanged views on Russia's military build-up near Ukraine's border and affirmed the importance of Allied unity in diplomatic and deterrence efforts. Mr. Sullivan reiterated U.S. support for the North...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Statement by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Christmas

On behalf of our family, we wish a merry Christmas to everyone in the United States and around the world who is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the promise of hope and renewal. During this season of joy, we are inspired by the countless Americans who are a reminder that the things we...

Updated: Sat Dec 25 2021

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Arkansas Disaster Declaration

Yesterday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Arkansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes from December 10 to December 11, 2021. The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in...

Updated: Fri Dec 24 2021

Statement by the Spokespersons of the Foreign ministries of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States

France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States welcome the statement of the Secretary-General's Special Adviser (SASG) on Libya, Stephanie Williams on 23 December and commend the work of the SASG to engage in broad consultations across Libya over the past ten days. We express our strong support for the ongoing efforts of the United Nations Support mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to further a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned process towards the holding of free, fair and inclusive (...)

Updated: Fri Dec 24 2021

Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on Russia

Via Teleconference 11:20 A.M. EST MODERATOR: Good morning, everyone, and thank you all for joining for today's press call on Russia. As a reminder of the ground rules, this call will be on background, attributable to a senior administration official. The contents of the call are embargoed until its conclusion. Not for attribution but for...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Bill Signed: H.R. 3537

On Thursday, December 23, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 3537, the "Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act," which requires the Department of Health and Human Services to create grant programs, a public-private partnership, and an action plan for the study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases, including investigational drugs, Thank...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Bill Signed: H.R. 6256

On Thursday, December 23, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 6256, which bans imports from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang) of the People's Republic of China and imposes sanctions on foreign individuals responsible for forced labor in the region, Thank you to Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Representatives McGovern and Chris Smith, and Senators...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Joint Communique by Spokespersons of the Foreign Ministries of France and Germany (Ukraine, 23 Dec. 2021)

We welcome that participants of the session of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) expressed their strong determination to fully adhere to the Measures to Strengthen the Ceasefire agreement of 22 July 2020, thus significantly contributing to the security situation along the contact line before Christmas. We urge the sides to respect the ceasefire and to continue discussions on further steps in the humanitarian field, e.g. the opening of crossing points and the exchange of detainees, along (...)

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

President Biden Names Twelfth Round of Judicial Nominees

The President is announcing two new judicial nominees, both of whom are extraordinarily qualified, experienced, and devoted to the rule of law and our Constitution. These choices also continue to fulfill the President's promise to ensure that the nation's courts reflect the diversity that is one of our greatest assets as a country - both...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, December 23, 2021

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 12:07 P.M. EST MS. PSAKI: Okay. Hi, everyone. Q Hi, Jen. How are you doing? MS. PSAKI: Well, I'm great. How are you guys? Q Good. Good. Very good. MS. PSAKI: Merry Christmas Eve eve for those who celebrate. Q Same to you. MS. PSAKI: Only the bold and...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

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

Via Teleconference 3:14 P.M. EST MR. ZIENTS: Good afternoon. And thank you for joining us. Today, Dr. Walensky will share the latest on the Omicron variant and discuss how people can stay safe over the holidays. And Dr. Fauci will provide an update on the latest science. First, I want to underscore the President's message...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on Meeting with European Commission on COVID-19 and Global Health Security

Senior administration officials met today with European Commission counterparts on progress and next steps towards achieving the U.S.-EU Agenda for Beating the Global Pandemic Vaccinating the World, Saving Lives Now, and Building Back Better Health Security. Led by Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer and President Ursula von der Leyen's Head of Cabinet Bjoern...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Head of Presidential Office

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Head of Presidential Administration Andriy Yermak of Ukraine. They discussed their shared concerns and common approach regarding Russia's military build-up near Ukraine's border. Mr. Sullivan welcomed yesterday's OSCE announcement regarding the "strong determination" of Ukrainian government forces and Russia-led forces in eastern Ukraine to fully adhere to...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the Supreme Court's Announcement of a Special Hearing

Especially as the US faces the highly transmissible Omicron variant, it is critical to protect workers with vaccination requirements and testing protocols that are urgently needed. At a critical moment for the nation's health, the OSHA vaccination or testing rule ensures that employers are protecting their employees and the CMS health care vaccination requirement ensures...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Statement on the Deployment of the Wagner Group in Mali (23 Dec. 2021)

We, the international partners committed to supporting Mali and its people in their efforts to achieve sustainable peace and stability and combat terrorism, firmly condemn the deployment of mercenary troops on Malian territory. This deployment can only further deteriorate the security situation in West Africa, lead to an aggravation of the Human Rights situation in Mali, threaten the Agreement for peace and reconciliation in Mali resulting from the Algiers process, and hamper the efforts of (...)

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Summit for Democracy Summary of Proceedings

Calling the defense of democracy "the defining challenge of our time," on December 9-10, 2021, President Biden convened world leaders in the first-ever Summit for Democracy, a gathering that spurred dialogue and initiated concrete action toward global democratic renewal. The Summit brought together more than 275 participants, representing governments, multilateral institutions, activists, journalists, parliamentarians, human...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Bulgaria - Visit by M. Clément Beaune (21 Dec. 2021)

M. Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is visiting Bulgaria today. The Minister of State will have a meeting with Mr Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria, Mr Kiril Petkov, Prime Minister, and Ms Teodora Genchovska, Minister of Foreign Affairs. With his interlocutors, Clément Beaune will discuss the priorities of the French presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on 1 January 2022. Among other (...)

Updated: Wed Dec 22 2021

Central African Republic - Q&A - (22 Dec. 2021)

Q: What can you tell us about the Security Council's imposition of sanctions yesterday on the Central African national Ali Darassa? A: Following a proposal by France and with the sponsorship of the United States, India and the United Kingdom, on December 21 the Security Council adopted individual sanctions against Ali Darassa pursuant to the terms of Resolution 2588 (2021). The founder and head of the UPC armed group, one of the Central African Republic's most active armed groups, this (...)

Updated: Wed Dec 22 2021

Egypt - Q&A - (21 Dec. 2021)

Q: Alaa Abdel Fattah, a central figure in the Egyptian uprising of 2011, has been sentenced to five years' imprisonment by a special court for "spreading false news". Two other activists were sentenced to four years in prison on the same charges. Do you believe this trial was fair and the rights of the defence were fully respected, two points on which you have said you remain "mindful"? A: We have noted with concern the heavy sentences handed down yesterday regarding the situations of Alaa (...)

Updated: Wed Dec 22 2021

Executive Order on Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Statutory Pay Systems. The rates of basic pay or salaries of the statutory pay systems (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5302(1)), as adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5303, are set...

Updated: Wed Dec 22 2021