Informal Communication

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Russia’s recent presidential election occurred in an environment of intense repression of independent voices and the imprisonment, death, or exile of virtually all genuine political opposition.  The Kremlin has systematically marginalized groups advocating for democratic processes and rule of law, including election monitors.  Russian authorities also denied anti-war candidates’ registration for the presidential election on spurious technical pretenses and did

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Regions: Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Seoul, Republic of Korea

Shilla Hotel

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you, everyone.  Thank you, and good morning again.  Thank you.

So I again want to thank President Yoon and Foreign Minister Cho for bringing us together to discuss what is one of the most transformational forces that’s shaping our future, our world, our democracies – and that is artificial intelligence.

I think it’s hard to overstate the extent to which

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Regions: Chile, United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Energy, Global Health, Global Women's Issues, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Thomas Jefferson Room

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good morning, everyone.  It’s a pleasure to welcome Foreign Minister Fidan, my friend Hakan, here to the State Department, to Washington, and all of our colleagues.  The United States and Türkiye are very close and critical allies at a time when we have many challenges on our plate together.  But we are facing them together, and that makes all the difference.

Yesterday

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States of America, please accept my best wishes to the people of Bulgaria on the 146th anniversary of the Day of Liberation of Bulgaria.

The United States deeply values our more than 120 years of diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. Our partnership, based on shared democratic ideals, fosters peace and prosperity for both our nations and contributes to the unity and security of Europe and the transatlantic community.

We reco

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Topics: Energy

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Thomas Jefferson Room

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States, I extend my warmest congratulations to the people of Estonia as they celebrate their National Day.

Estonia’s unwavering commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law continues to inspire us all. As we mark this significant occasion, we commend Estonia for its leadership in fostering innovation, economic prosperity, and security on the regional and global stage. The enduring friendship between the United

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Tomorrow marks two years since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.  After ten years of conflict, sovereign, democratic Ukraine remains courageous in the face of formidable odds.  The United States will continue to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people in their defense of their homeland.  Putin’s war threatens not only Ukraine, but also the security of the United States, our NATO Allies, and the free and open international order we

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Munich, Germany

Bayerischer Hof

MODERATOR:  (In progress) for Germany.  Welcome.  (Applause.)

Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the U.S.  (Applause.)  Nice to have you.

And Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Republic of India.  Minister.  (Applause.)

I hope that based on the topic of the session that you will not all agree with each other and we can have some sparks.  We have about 43

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States of America, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the people of Lithuania as you celebrate your independence.

As President Biden said in his July 12 speech at Vilnius University, “Lithuania stands today as a stronghold of liberty and opportunity, a proud member of the European Union and NATO.”  This year, you will celebrate the 20^th anniversary of your membership in both organizations, marking your important par

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Bayerischer Hof Munich, Germany

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good evening, everyone, and it’s a great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to see the vice chancellor again.  It’s quite simple for the United States:  Germany is our indispensable ally and partner.  And on virtually every single challenge we’re facing, whether it’s regional, whether it’s global, we are together.  And because of that, we’re stronger.  So, I’m looking forward to cover

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Bayerischer Hof Munich, Germany

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good morning, everyone.  It’s so good to have our Bulgarian colleagues here with us today.  I’m very much looking forward to this meeting.  Bulgaria is an extraordinary partner for the United States, for Europe.  We see that playing out every single day in a whole variety of ways, but we are working together to rapidly increase our civil nuclear cooperation.  Of course, we’re also working

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Tel Aviv, Israel

David Kempinski Hotel

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good evening.  This is my fifth visit to the region and seventh visit to Israel since October 7th.  I’m back first and foremost to consult directly with our partners on the joint efforts to bring all of the remaining hostages home.  I’ve met with families of the hostages multiple times during prior visits, as well as in Washington, and I expect to see them again tomorrow.

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Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good afternoon, everyone.  First, let me say what a pleasure it is as always to have Secretary General Stoltenberg here in Washington at the State Department.  Let me first note the drone attack yesterday by Iranian-backed militia on U.S. forces in Jordan.  It killed three of our soldiers, wounded many others. First and foremost, I’m thinking of those who lost the

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Luanda, Angola

Luanda Science Center

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  It’s a particular pleasure to be here in Angola’s brand-new science museum, to get a chance to see the museum.  I can just see the generations of young Angolans who will come here to be inspired, to have their eyes opened, maybe choose careers in science, and to add to the incredible storehouse of human knowledge.  It’s a wonderful facility, but it’s also, I think, symbolic

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

PRESIDENT OUATTARA:  (Via interpreter) Ladies and gentlemen, this is an honor for me to welcome Mr. Blinken, Secretary of State – that is the minister of state, minister of foreign affairs from U.S.A. side – in this occasion of his visit.

So we had a pleasant meeting.  We have been good and happy to confirm exceptional partnership between U.S.A. and Côte d’Ivoire.  And I mentioned the fact that we do apprec

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Regions: Cabo Verde , Niger , Nigeria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Global Health

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Cabo Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva

Praia, Cabo Verde

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Davos, Switzerland

World Economic Forum

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Gemeinde Davos, Switzerland

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

Davos, Switzerland

World Economic Forum

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Davos, Switzerland

World Economic Forum

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you so much.  Secretary, please.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, I’m not sure who’s hosting.  So good to see you, all of our colleagues, and I just want to start by conveying President Biden’s strong, enduring support for Ukraine – this at a time when you continue to face an almost daily onslaught from Russia attacking infrastructure, attacking civilians.  And we s

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Crete, Greece

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good evening, everyone.  So we had, I think, a very productive day of meetings both in Türkiye and here in Greece with both our Turkish and Greek Allies and partners.  We talked about our NATO Alliance, the tremendous solidarity that we have and continue to have in supporting Ukraine against the Russian aggression.  We talked a little about steps to prepare for the NATO Summit that will take place in Washington e

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Topics: Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Crete, Greece

PRIME MINISTER MITSOTAKIS:  Well, Mr. Secretary, it’s a real – it’s a real pleasure to welcome you to our house in Souda Bay, and I can’t really think of a place that better symbolizes the depth of our strategic partnership than this place here on the Island of Crete, and I am very happy to welcome you at a time where I honestly feel that our bilateral relationship is probably at the best it has ever been.  These are difficult and c

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The United States is announcing the year’s final package of weapons and equipment for Ukraine.  Our assistance has been critical to supporting our Ukrainian partners as they defend their country and their freedom against Russia’s aggression.

This package provides up to $250 million of arms and equipment under previously directed drawdowns for Ukraine.  Capabilities provided in today’s package include air defense munitions, other air defense system compo

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen

Washington, D.C.

Treaty Room

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Treaty Room

Secretary Blinken:  Good morning, everyone.  To Defense Minister Häkkänen, to Foreign Minister Valtonen, so wonderful to have you here.  And welcome to all of you.  Welcome to the State Department.  Welcome as the United States and Finland take yet another step in what has truly been an historic year for our friendship.  We throw around the word “historic” sometimes; this really meets the mark.

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

QUESTION:  Joining me now is Secretary of State Antony Blinken.  Mr. Secretary, thanks for joining us.  So the U.S. stood alone at the UN Security Council on Friday to block the ceasefire, and the administration is sidestepping Congress to rush more weapons to Israel.  You said this week there is, quote, a “gap between … the intent to protect civilians, and the actual results that we’re seeing on the ground” in Gaza.  Can you de

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Dean Acheson Auditorium

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good afternoon, everyone.  It’s genuinely a pleasure to welcome Foreign Secretary Cameron here to the State Department, to Washington.  The infamous special relationship has never been more important than it is now, and I think that’s reflected in the conversations we’ve had.  Actually, we began on the phone almost immediately after your appointment, then we were in Brussels together jus

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Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm wishes to Finland on the celebration of its 106th anniversary of independence.

Finland stands as a cherished and enduring partner, buttressed by the shared pillars of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Our partnership is a testament to the strength derived from these fundamental principles.

This year holds particular significance for our relationship, as Finland acceded to the Washing

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Ritz-Carlton Hotel

MODERATOR:  So on behalf of the broad, diverse USGLC Coalition, business and NGO leaders, military, faith leaders, mayors and farmers from all 50 states, we are honored to pay tribute to Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken with the USGLC’s Global Leadership Award for truly making our world a better, safer place.  Please welcome Secretary Blinken to the stage.  (Applause.)

MS SCHRAYER:  Ple

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Skopje, North Macedonia

FOREIGN MINISTER OSMANI:  Secretary Blinken, dear Tony, dear friends, colleagues, it is such an honor to have the opportunity to have you and to host you at the end of the day.  Thank you for visiting North Macedonia and thank you for participating at the OSCE Ministerial Council, which is in the run-up of North Macedonia’s chairpersonship of the OSCE this year that happened to take place in extraordinary times. 

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Regions: Malta , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Hello, everyone.  It is always great to be with my friend, my colleague, Dmytro Kuleba, but especially good here at – to be here at NATO and sitting around the table together and making sure and making clear – as we heard from every single country around the NATO table – our enduring commitment to Ukraine, to making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself against Russian

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good afternoon, everyone.

In March of 2021, I came here to NATO to affirm President Biden’s commitment to rebuild, to revitalize, to re-energize our core alliances and partnerships.  Indeed, they’re our greatest strategic asset: an unmatched network of alliances and partnerships.

And I did this at NATO because some back then were questioning its relevance, its capa

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY GENERAL STOLTENBERG:  So Secretary Blinken, dear Tony, welcome back to NATO.  It’s always a great pleasure to have you here, not least because of your strong personal commitment to NATO and the transatlantic alliance.  And today and tomorrow, NATO foreign ministers will address many different pressing security issues, including the Middle East, and I welcome the extension of the pause

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good morning, it’s a pleasure to be with my friend and colleague, Foreign Minister Fidan.  We had very, very good consultations and conversations when I was in Ankara just a couple weeks ago.  I’m very much looking forward today to pursuing those.  We obviously have the crisis in Gaza that we are all working to contend with.  We have questions here at NATO as we track toward

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Regions: United Kingdom

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

NATO Headquarters

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good morning, everyone.  Espen, it’s great to be with you.  I am truly pleased for this opportunity to consult with one of our closest partners, closest Allies, a founding member of NATO, at a time of significant challenge but also incredible solidarity for our Alliance.  I know that we’ll be speaking together about our shared commitment to Ukraine as it continues to defend itse

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Regions: Norway , Ukraine , United Kingdom

Topics: The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States of America, I wish to congratulate the people of Latvia as you celebrate the 105th anniversary of your independence.

The strong, vital partnership between Latvia and the United States is rooted in a shared commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and mutual respect. Together we are committed to maintaining steadfast support for Ukraine and holding Russia accountable for its unprovoked war. As NATO Allies, La

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Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

San Francisco, California

Moscone Center

FOREIGN MINISTER KAMIKAWA:  (Via interpreter) I would like to mention three points.  First of all, the strengthening and maintenance of the economic order in the Indo-Pacific. 

I apologize.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Park Jin, and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko Before Their Meeting