Informal Communication

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

Via Translation

QUESTION:  Hello, Antony Blinken.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Hello.

QUESTION:  Ivory Coast shares borders with countries that are completely overwhelmed by insecurity, such as Mali and Burkina Faso.  What type of assistance does the United States propose to help Ivory Coast repel these threats?

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Specifically,

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Burkina Faso , China, France , Mali , Niger , Russia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

QUESTION:  Well, we’re now joined by the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the Black Sea Grain Initiative and food security.  He’s joining us from Washington, D.C.

Secretary Blinken, thanks so much for making time for Focus on Africa.  And I’ll get straight into it.  Russia says it will only return to the Black Sea grain deal if reconnected to the SWIFT payment system.  And all this is happening w

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Regions: Niger , Russia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Global Health

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Via Translation

QUESTION: Hello, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Hello.

QUESTION: Thank you for answering RFI’s questions.  You recently accused Russia of blackmail regarding the Black Sea Grain Initiative.  Indeed, Moscow demanded several conditions for their participation in the agreement.  Is the United States willing to negotiate?

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: France , Niger , Russia , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Energy