Foreign Affairs

Ukraine - France mobilizes to deliver emergency medical aid to victims of the conflict (01 Mar. 2022)

In view of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine created by the Russian invasion of that country and in response to a request by the Ukrainian authorities, France has decided to put together a ?100 million financial package to assist victims of the conflict. In addition to financial support for NGOs and multilateral organizations, our assistance is in the form of emergency humanitarian aid. Four trucks carrying an initial shipment of 33 tons of emergency aid arrived in Poland from (...)

Updated: Wed Mar 02 2022

Ukraine - Joint Declaration by the ministers for Foreign Affairs of France, Germany and Poland - (?ód?, 01 Mar. 2022)

On the occasion of the meeting of the "Weimar Triangle" in ?ód?, we, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Germany, France and Poland condemn in the strongest possible words the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by armed forces of the Russian Federation in a flagrant breach of UN Charter. We also condemn the involvement of Belarus in this aggression against Ukraine and call on Minsk to abide by its international obligations. Russia's aggression against Ukraine is the most serious threat to (...)

Updated: Wed Mar 02 2022

Ukraine - Q&R - (01 Mar. 2022)

Q: Ukraine has invited foreigners to join its efforts to fight against Russia. Are there legal constraints preventing French nationals from fighting abroad? A: Ukraine is a war zone classified as "red" by the Ministry's travel advisory, which is regularly updated and may be consulted at: (Travellers' advices). Any travel to Ukraine is therefore strongly discouraged.

Updated: Wed Mar 02 2022

Ukraine - The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs activates the Local Government External Action Fund to pool initiatives

As announced by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs activated the Local Government External Action Fund (FACECO) to pool initiatives and harness the exceptional outpouring of solidarity with the Ukrainian people at the regional level. This mechanism allows all local governments, regardless of their size, to make financial contributions, should they wish to do so. Combined within a fund managed by specialized teams from the (...)

Updated: Wed Mar 02 2022

Excerpts from President Biden's State of the Union Address as Prepared for Delivery

Throughout our history we've learned this lesson - when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising. That's why the NATO Alliance was created to secure peace and stability in Europe after World War 2. The...

Updated: Tue Mar 01 2022

Fact Sheet: President Biden's Historic Actions to Make Our Communities Safer by Reducing Gun Crime

In his 2022 State of the Union Address, President Biden will highlight how his Administration is executing on his comprehensive strategy to make our communities safer and reduce gun crime. The President's comprehensive strategy advances two foundational policies - investing in crime prevention and helping cities and towns hire additional community police officers to walk...

Updated: Tue Mar 01 2022

Letter to Certain Congressional Committees on the Annual Report on the Legal and Policy Frameworks Guiding the United States'

Dear Mr. Chairman: (Dear Madam Chair:) In accordance with section 1264 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91), as amended, 50 U.S.C. 1549(a), I am transmitting the annual report on the legal and policy frameworks guiding the United States' use of military force and related national security operations. I...

Updated: Tue Mar 01 2022

Memorandum on the Finding that a Drawdown and Sale of Petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is Required by U.S. Obli

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY SUBJECT: Finding that a Drawdown and Sale of Petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is Required by U.S. Obligations Under the International Energy Program Implemented by the International Energy Agency On February 21, 2022, the Russian government initiated a further invasion of Ukraine. On February 23, 2022, Russia launched missile strikes,...

Updated: Tue Mar 01 2022

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, February 28, 2022

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 3:31 P.M. EST MS. PSAKI: Hi, everyone. Okay. Happy Monday. State of the Union eve, shall we say? Okay. I just wanted to get - start off and give you - highlight some of the ongoing assistance - obviously, we made a number of announcements over the...

Updated: Tue Mar 01 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 to discuss the United States' continued backing for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression. President Biden underscored the United States' sustained help for Ukraine, including ongoing deliveries of security assistance, economic support, and humanitarian aid. The leaders discussed how the...

Updated: Tue Mar 01 2022

Readout of Vice President Harris's Calls with European Leaders

Vice President Kamala Harris today had five separate calls with European leaders from NATO's eastern flank to discuss our collective response to Russia's unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The Vice President spoke individually with: Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of Estonia; Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins of Latvia; Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte of Lithuania; Prime Minister...

Updated: Tue Mar 01 2022

Remarks by President Biden at a Celebration to Mark Black History Month

East Room 2:43 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Well, Cateo, I tell you what, you didn't there - we have a little ongoing thing in - in the administration. As you've mentioned, there are a fair number of African Americans in high places in my administration, but - and I'm always hearing about...

Updated: Tue Mar 01 2022

The White House Announces Guest List for the First Lady's Box for the 2022 State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. - First Lady Jill Biden will welcome selected guests from across the United States to join her in the viewing box for President Biden's State of the Union Address this evening, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Each of these individuals, with their resilience, innovation, service, and courage, were chosen by the White House because they represent policies or themes to be addressed by the President in his speech. The Second...

Updated: Tue Mar 01 2022

Belarus: France does not recognize the results of the supposed referendum ballot (28 Feb. 2022)

France, like its European partners, did not recognize the results of the fraudulent presidential election of 9 August 2020 in Belarus. France does not recognize, either, the results of the supposed referendum ballot held from 22 to 27 February in that country. The vote - held under conditions of violent repression and intimidation that Europe has not experienced for decades and at a time when Belarus has made its territory available for Russia's invasion of Ukraine - provided none of the (...)

Updated: Mon Feb 28 2022

FACT SHEET: The Biden-Harris Administration Advances Equity and Opportunity for Black People and Communities Across the Coun

From the first day in office and every day since, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken an historic approach to advancing racial equity, including directing every agency across the whole of the federal government to address the lasting impacts of systemic racism on Black communities. For generations, entrenched disparities in our society and economy, at times...

Updated: Mon Feb 28 2022

Iran - Q&A - (28 Feb. 2022)

Q: Iran repeated this morning that the United States and the E3 have not yet taken the important political decisions that are necessary to concluding the nuclear negotiations. Do you think this week offers the last chance to reach an agreement? A: As we have said a number of times, concluding the negotiations this week is indeed of critical importance.

Updated: Mon Feb 28 2022

Press Release: Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: William Brodsky, of Illinois, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2023, vice Anthony Frank D'Agostino, term expired. Kathryn Huff, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Nuclear Energy), vice Rita Baranwal. Ketanji Brown Jackson, of...

Updated: Mon Feb 28 2022

Readout of President Biden's Call with Allies and Partners

President Joseph R. Biden hosted a secure conference call today with Allies and partners about our unified response to Russia's unjustified and unprovoked war on Ukraine. The leaders recognized the bravery of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression and discussed their continued support to Ukraine, including security, economic, and humanitarian assistance. They also discussed...

Updated: Mon Feb 28 2022

Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Celebration to Mark Black History Month

East Room 2:29 P.M. EST THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Dr. Biden. Thank you. Please have a seat, everybody. Well, good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon. It is so good to meet so many folks and to see so many folks. It's nice to be together, under one roof together, isn't it? And, of course, it is...

Updated: Mon Feb 28 2022

Statement by Vice President Kamala Harris on the Passing of Richard Blum

Dick Blum believed we could build a world that respected the rights and essential dignity of all people. As a businessman, a Regent of the University of California, a philanthropist, and an advocate for human rights, Dick dedicated his life to furthering that vision. Our nation and our world are better for his work. Over the...

Updated: Mon Feb 28 2022