U.S. Embassy in Austria

Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba today in Brussels on the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Kuleba discussed recent battlefield developments, including the opening of shipping routes in the Black Sea. They also discussed the December 6-7 Defense Industrial Base Conference in Washington, D.C., where U.S. and Ukrainian companies will promote the co-production of military supplies to aid Ukraine’s fight for freedom and security, and create new opportunities for U.S. businesses. The Secretary congratulated the Ukrainian government on its recent steps on anti-corruption reforms, undertaken as part of those needed for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration. The Secretary once again underscored the United States’ enduring support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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 aggression, to continue to take back territory seized from it by Russia, as well as to build a strong country that strands strongly on its own feet militarily, economically, democratically.  All of that was very, very clear around the NATO table over the last two days, including with the foreign minister today. And the relationship, the partnership between NATO and Ukraine is also vitally important.  We reaffirmed the commitments made at Vilnius that Ukraine will become a member of NATO when Allies agree the conditions are met, but we also focused intensely on the practical work that is being done and will continue to be done as we head to the Washington Summit next year on continuing to strengthen Ukraine’s capacity. Last thing I’ll say is this:  Our friends every single day are showing incredible resilience, incredible courage when faced with the ongoing onslaught from Russia.  I think it’s also important to step back and recognize that even as we know how challenging the day in, day out is and how determined we are to make sure that Ukraine has everything that it needs, it’s already shown extraordinary success.  We see that, for example, now in the Black Sea, where Ukraine has pushed back the Russian fleet and is able to export its food and other products to the world, which so needs them.  We see that in all the territory taken back over the last year from Russia.  And we see that in the work that Ukraine is doing every single day also to build a strong economy with more private sector investment coming in, and to build a strong democracy. This aggression has been a strategic debacle for Russia, which is weaker militarily, it’s weaker economically, it’s weaker diplomatically.  Ukraine is more united than it’s ever been.  Ukraine is well on the path to NATO as well as to the European Union with the accession process beginning.  And of course we’ve seen important steps in Europe, including moving away from dependence on Russian energy – remarkable steps in just – in less than – now than two years. So it’s important to have the big picture in mind even as we’re acutely aware of the challenges that Ukraine faces day in, day out.  But our awareness is matched by a determination to stand with Ukraine, to support Ukraine, to work with Ukraine, and that was reaffirmed here today at NATO. Dmytro. FOREIGN MINISTER KULEBA:  Thank you, Tony.  Likewise, always great to speak on the phone, but always much better to meet in person, indeed in Ukraine, Brussels, United States, or any other place on the planet. On my way to the meeting room today, journalists asked me about war fatigue and about my concerns about – regarding the continuation of the support to Ukraine.  And when I was walking out of the meeting, I can clearly – I wish I could tell journalists what I heard in the room, but since our meetings are confidential, we will keep it with ourselves.  But if I am to sum up this meeting that we had today, there was a clear no to fatigue and a clear yes to continued and increased support to Ukraine.  And it’s striking to see this spirit and of unity in the room on these two issues. So anyone who is waiting in the world and who is heading up these narratives about fatigue and decreasing support – and we know who does – anyone who is counting that this narrative will prevail and will become the mainstream narrative, that person is failing.  And today’s meeting clearly demonstrated that. I am pleased to have heard how the – how our call to step up the production of weapons and ammunition resonates among NATO Allies.  I have no doubts that after this meeting, there will be specific moves and actions to put our political will into real action in the area of defense industries.  So thank you for your very strong statement at this meeting.  We will keep working for – to prepare well for the Washington Summit next year. And I would like to conclude by conveying through you our unwavering gratitude to the people of the United States of America for supporting Ukraine, for continuing standing by Ukraine, and for their clear understanding that what happens to Ukraine in Ukraine has a direct impact on the security and prosperity of the United States.  And this is why we have to win – not only for the sake of my country and not only for the sake of your country, but also for the entire world to be run by rules and not by dictators.  So thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you.  Thanks, everyone.  Come on in.

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 aggression, to continue to take back territory seized from it by Russia, as well as to build a strong country that strands strongly on its own feet militarily, economically, democratically.  All of that was very, very clear around the NATO table over the last two days, including with the foreign minister today. And the relationship, the partnership between NATO and Ukraine is also vitally important.  We reaffirmed the commitments made at Vilnius that Ukraine will become a member of NATO when Allies agree the conditions are met, but we also focused intensely on the practical work that is being done and will continue to be done as we head to the Washington Summit next year on continuing to strengthen Ukraine’s capacity. Last thing I’ll say is this:  Our friends every single day are showing incredible resilience, incredible courage when faced with the ongoing onslaught from Russia.  I think it’s also important to step back and recognize that even as we know how challenging the day in, day out is and how determined we are to make sure that Ukraine has everything that it needs, it’s already shown extraordinary success.  We see that, for example, now in the Black Sea, where Ukraine has pushed back the Russian fleet and is able to export its food and other products to the world, which so needs them.  We see that in all the territory taken back over the last year from Russia.  And we see that in the work that Ukraine is doing every single day also to build a strong economy with more private sector investment coming in, and to build a strong democracy. This aggression has been a strategic debacle for Russia, which is weaker militarily, it’s weaker economically, it’s weaker diplomatically.  Ukraine is more united than it’s ever been.  Ukraine is well on the path to NATO as well as to the European Union with the accession process beginning.  And of course we’ve seen important steps in Europe, including moving away from dependence on Russian energy – remarkable steps in just – in less than – now than two years. So it’s important to have the big picture in mind even as we’re acutely aware of the challenges that Ukraine faces day in, day out.  But our awareness is matched by a determination to stand with Ukraine, to support Ukraine, to work with Ukraine, and that was reaffirmed here today at NATO. Dmytro. FOREIGN MINISTER KULEBA:  Thank you, Tony.  Likewise, always great to speak on the phone, but always much better to meet in person, indeed in Ukraine, Brussels, United States, or any other place on the planet. On my way to the meeting room today, journalists asked me about war fatigue and about my concerns about – regarding the continuation of the support to Ukraine.  And when I was walking out of the meeting, I can clearly – I wish I could tell journalists what I heard in the room, but since our meetings are confidential, we will keep it with ourselves.  But if I am to sum up this meeting that we had today, there was a clear no to fatigue and a clear yes to continued and increased support to Ukraine.  And it’s striking to see this spirit and of unity in the room on these two issues. So anyone who is waiting in the world and who is heading up these narratives about fatigue and decreasing support – and we know who does – anyone who is counting that this narrative will prevail and will become the mainstream narrative, that person is failing.  And today’s meeting clearly demonstrated that. I am pleased to have heard how the – how our call to step up the production of weapons and ammunition resonates among NATO Allies.  I have no doubts that after this meeting, there will be specific moves and actions to put our political will into real action in the area of defense industries.  So thank you for your very strong statement at this meeting.  We will keep working for – to prepare well for the Washington Summit next year. And I would like to conclude by conveying through you our unwavering gratitude to the people of the United States of America for supporting Ukraine, for continuing standing by Ukraine, and for their clear understanding that what happens to Ukraine in Ukraine has a direct impact on the security and prosperity of the United States.  And this is why we have to win – not only for the sake of my country and not only for the sake of your country, but also for the entire world to be run by rules and not by dictators.  So thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you.  Thanks, everyone.  Come on in.

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 capacity, its unity. As we meet here today in Brussels, those who bet against NATO have clearly been proven wrong. NATO today is bigger, it’s stronger, it’s more united, it’s more capable than ever. In Vilnius, NATO’s leaders agreed to the most ambitious plans since end of the Cold War to adapt and to strengthen our Alliance.  And we’re now delivering on those plans. Nineteen NATO Allies either are meeting their Wales commitment or have credible plans to do so by 2024 – in other words, devoting 2 percent of their budgets to defense spending.  That’s two-thirds of our Alliance. Allies are increasing contributions of forces and other capabilities. We are working together to boost our joint industrial defense capacity.  We’ve added our 31st ally, Finland, and the 32nd, Sweden, will soon be among us. NATO will continue to adapt to meet 21st century challenges, threats – whether it’s Russian aggression, coercion from China, challenges in cyberspace, terrorism – the entire gamut of things that we have to be concerned about as an Alliance. And in fact it’s this capacity to evolve that has made NATO the world’s indispensable Alliance for 75 years, and the actions we’ve taken at Vilnius and that we’re taking here over the last couple of days are setting NATO up to remain that indispensable Alliance for the next 75 years. The meetings here this week focused on critical steps that we can take to advance NATO’s revitalization in time for the historic Washington Summit, the 75th anniversary summit that’ll take place next year. First, we focused on NATO’s enduring support and commitment to Ukraine.  And I have to tell you, listening to all of our colleagues around the table, every single one expressed strong, enduring support for Ukraine. Some are questioning whether the United States and other NATO Allies should continue to stand with Ukraine as we enter the second winter of Putin’s brutality.  But the answer here today at NATO is clear and it’s unwavering:  We must and we will continue to support Ukraine. Ensuring that Russia’s war of aggression remains a strategic failure is as vital today as when the Kremlin launched that war almost two years ago. Now, our adversaries are not standing on the sidelines.  Most of the drones that we’ve seen used in the biggest-ever drone attack on Kyiv just last weekend, those were made and supplied by Iran.  North Korea is providing significant arms shipments to Russia.  Stakes for all of us are clear.  And again, I heard this from everyone around the table.  And we must send an unequivocal message:  No country will be allowed redraw borders by force.  That’s an interest of every single Ally around the table; it’s an interest of many countries beyond this Alliance with whom we’ve been working since February of 2022. And it’s also why we’re accelerating efforts to enable Ukraine to stand strongly on its own feet – militarily, economically, democratically. Even as we’re supporting Ukraine’s fight today, we are helping them build a military that is capable of deterring and defending against aggression far into the future.  The supplemental budget request that the President made is a demonstration of our own commitment to that goal, and we’re looking to Congress to approve it in the coming weeks. Another critical point that is really worth underscoring, and it’s reinforced by everything that I’ve seen over the last two days here:  When it comes to Ukraine, the United States is not standing alone.  We’ve provided about $77 billion in assistance to Ukraine; our European Allies over the same period of time have provided more than $110 billion.  So we often talk about burden sharing and the imperative of burden sharing.  When it comes to Ukraine, that’s clearly what we’ve seen and what we continue to see. Ukraine knows that its future as a free, vibrant democracy and its path to NATO and the European Union depend on its ongoing reform efforts, and Kyiv has committed to seeing those reforms through.  We also heard that today from its foreign minister. So these were some of the issues that the Alliance discussed with Foreign Minister Kuleba, and this was the first foreign ministers meeting we’ve had of the new NATO-Ukraine Council, with Ukraine sitting at its place at the NATO table. We also discussed NATO’s ongoing role in promoting peace and security in the Western Balkans. Now, when I started out in this line of work 30 years ago, front and center in our concern and the concerns of countries around the world and certainly in the trans-Atlantic area: the Balkans – Bosnia, and then Kosovo.  The one thing we don’t need is a return to the future when it comes to conflict in the Balkans. NATO has a critical role to plan in helping states in the region make progress on their paths to EU membership and to broader European stability.  NATO has long provided the backbone of security in the Western Balkans; it’s going to continue to do so. The Alliance has responded decisively to actors who are seeking to destabilize northern Kosovo, as we saw earlier this year, deploying additional troops to KFOR.  We’re deepening our collaboration with the EU-led force in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.  So this was another critical part of our conversation over the last two days. Tonight, I’m heading to Skopje for the OSCE Ministerial Council.  Despite Russia’s flagrant violations of every single core principle of the Helsinki Final Act, its relentless efforts to obstruct the OSCE’s work, the 50 other participating states have shown determination to make sure that the organization continues to fulfill its purpose to advance European security.  And that’s what we’ll keep doing in Skopje. From Skopje, we head to Israel, the West Bank, and then on to the UAE, where, in addition to participating in the COP, I’ll have an opportunity to meet with Arab partners to discuss the conflict in Gaza. We head back to region as the humanitarian pause that we helped to negotiate with Qatar and with Egypt has allowed scores of hostages to be released and to be reunited with their families.  We’re surging humanitarian assistance into Gaza to make sure that its people have what they need to get by. Looking at the next couple of days, we’ll be focused on making – doing what we can to extend the pause so that we continue to get more hostages out and more humanitarian assistance in. We’ll discuss with Israel how it can achieve its objective of ensuring that the terrorist attacks of October 7th never happen again, while sustaining and increasing humanitarian assistance – and minimizing further suffering and casualties among Palestinian civilians.  We’ll keep our efforts going to prevent the conflict from spreading.  And of course, we’ll remain focused on enabling the safe departure of American citizens and other foreign nationals from Gaza. Finally, we will work to build on the principles that I set out in Tokyo a few weeks ago for the day after in Gaza, and define the steps that we and our partners in the region can take now to lay the foundation for a just and lasting peace. With that, happy to take some questions. MR MILLER:  First question goes to Tracy Wilkinson with the L.A. Times. QUESTION:  Hi.  Thank you, Mr. Secretary. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thanks. QUESTION:  You spoke of the strength and unity of NATO, and you also said that there are those who question whether NATO and the United States should continue to support Ukraine at the level that it does.  Could you elaborate on that?  What were the anxiety levels among some of your Allies here about U.S. commitment, given the voices we’re hearing in parts of the United States who talk about abandoning the Ukraine cause and especially changes – political changes that may come next year? And then second, if I could ask you about the Israel-Gaza war.  To what extent did that overshadow talks here, or impact talks here, or have a role in the talks here? Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Tracy, thank you.  First, the second part of the question first.  Yes, we certainly had conversations about Gaza, but it in no way took away from the intense focus that we’ve had over the last couple of days on Ukraine as well as on the Western Balkans and preparing for the NATO Summit in Washington next spring. With regard to Ukraine, let me say this again because it was very, very starkly clear listening to all of our colleagues around the table.  Virtually to a country, we heard – I heard – a strong, enduring commitment on the part of Alliance members to Ukraine, to making sure that it had what it needs to defend itself, to retake territory seized from it by Russia, but also to build itself up so that it can stand strongly on its own feet militarily, economically, and democratically.  I heard no sense of fatigue or falling back – on the contrary, a determination to continue to press forward. And there’s a good reason for that.  I think every Ally recognizes that this is a matter not only of doing the right thing, it’s a matter of self-interest, including for the United States.  There is a clear self-interest among Allies to stand for the basic principles at the heart of the UN Charter that are being violated egregiously by Russia, because these principles matter to our own peace and security.  As we’ve said repeatedly, if we allow a country like Russia to act with impunity to redraw the borders of another by force, to try to determine and dictate the future of another country, if that happens with impunity then it’s open season and any would-be aggressor anywhere is likely to draw lessons from that.  That’s why it’s been so important to us, but also to every country around the table, to strand strongly with and for Ukraine.  And I heard nothing to suggest the contrary. And when it comes to the United States, what I continue to see, what I continue to hear is strong bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress for Ukraine, and I think you heard Speaker Johnson address this just the other day, which is very encouraging.  So we have work to do to move the supplemental budget request that the President made forward.  We’re determined to do that.  And again, we’re determined to do that because it’s so clearly in our interest.  And Congress time and again when we’ve gone to them has stood up and delivered, and we expect that to happen going forward – again, not because it’s – not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the necessary thing to do to advance the interests of the United States. MR MILLER:  Joe Barnes with The Telegraph. QUESTION:  Thank you.  Yeah, Joe Barnes from The Daily Telegraph.  There’s a growing perception that Ukraine’s Western allies will move away from helping Ukraine sustain another major counteroffensive in a switch of strategy that essentially helps Ukraine hold its lines.  How do you ensure that the next strategy taken by Western allies doesn’t prematurely push President Zelenskyy and Ukraine into premature peace negotiations? And secondly, if I may, could I get your thoughts on former Secretary General Rasmussen’s plan that would see Ukraine be allowed to join NATO, but without Russian-occupied territories being covered by Article 5? Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good.  Thanks.  So what you describe is not at all what I’m hearing, seeing, or what we’re doing.  The NATO countries individually – and we have now more than 50 countries that are many of them, of course, NATO members, others not, who have been almost from day one fully part of the effort to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs not only to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression, but to help enable it to retake territory that Russia seized from it.  And that commitment continues and there’s no move away from that.  We’re determined to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, including to take back territory that Russia has taken from it. At the same time, there’s also – and I think this is critically important – a commitment on the part of many countries to help Ukraine build a future force that can ensure deterrence and ensure defense against aggression going forward.  And that’s critically important, coupled with the efforts that we’re making in other areas – for example, to generate private sector investment in Ukraine so that its economy can continue to grow, to build, and it has resources of its own – as well as making sure that it’s advancing on reforms to strengthen its democracy, which will be tremendously facilitated by the fact that the European Union is engaging Ukraine in – on the accession process, and of course reforms are necessary for that. All of that is doing two things.  It’s making sure that Ukraine has what it needs in this moment to continue to deal with Russian aggression, to continue to work to take back its territory, but also sets Ukraine up strongly for the future so that it can stand strongly on its own feet – again, not only militarily but economically and democratically.  That’s the single best response that we can make. And it also has this effect:  The main impediment to resolving this aggression, to resolving this conflict, which no one wants more than the Ukrainian people – the main, in fact the only impediment is Vladmir Putin, and the extent to which he believes that he can somehow outlast Ukraine, outlast its people, outlast its supporters may be feeding the refusal of Russia to engage in any meaningful way in diplomacy or negotiations. So the work of this Alliance, the work of the individual countries that are part of this Alliance as well as many other countries around the world to support Ukraine, to help it defend itself, as well as to set it up for the future – that’s the single most effective way to disabuse Putin of this very wrongheaded notion. MR MILLER:  Michael Crowley. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Oh, and on — MR MILLER:  Oh, sorry. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  On – I’m sorry, on Rasmussen, I haven’t focused on that.  I think the Alliance in Vilnius was very clear that Ukraine will become a member of NATO when all Allies agree and when conditions are met.  That’s the policy.  It was clearly stated in Vilnius, clearly reaffirmed today. MR MILLER:  Michael Crowley with The New York Times. QUESTION:  Thank you, Mr. Secretary.  Two questions on Gaza.  The first is, given the large number of hostages who remain in enormous humanitarian need in Gaza, do you believe that the current pause in fighting should be substantially extended despite concerns in Israel that it may be allowing Hamas to regroup?  And is it possible that Israel’s offensive would not resume at all? And secondly, you have stressed the importance of pursuing a two-state solution for long-term peace.  Many people doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu shares that vision.  What is your opinion, and what are the implications if he does not? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thanks, Michael.  With regard to the pause, look, we’d like to see the pause extended because what it has enabled first and foremost is hostages being released, coming home, being reunited with their families.  It’s also enabled us to surge humanitarian assistance into the people of Gaza who so desperately need it.  So its continuation, by definition, means that more hostages would be coming home, more assistance would be getting in. So clearly that’s something we want, and I believe it’s also something that Israel wants.  They’re also intensely focused on bringing their people home.  So we’re working on that.  As you know, we’re working on that every single day, and I expect to take that up tomorrow when I’m in Israel meeting with the government.  And again, we have other colleagues in the government who are intensely working on that. With regard to two states, look, I think we’ve been very clear from well before October 7th – in fact, from the first day of this administration – that we believe that that is the only path to enduring peace; to enduring security; to the preservation of Israel as a strong, secure, democratic, and Jewish state; and Palestinians having their legitimate aspirations for a state and self-determination met.  And I think the events of October 7th only further confirm that commitment. But all of this is a process that everyone will need to focus on.  Right now, everyone’s focused on the day of, what’s happening in Gaza right now.  But we also need to be focused at the same time – and we are in conversations with many other countries – on what I’ve called both the day after and the day after the day after.  By the day after, I mean what happens in Gaza once the campaign is over.  There are important questions about its governance, its security, its reconstruction.  A few – a couple of weeks ago in Tokyo I laid out some basic principles that we see as being necessary.  But also, the day after the day after, which is how do we get on a clear path to meeting the legitimate political aspirations of the Palestinian people, which really, in our judgment, is the only way to durable peace, durable security for everyone, starting with Israel and Israelis. But these are conversations that we’ll pursue in the days ahead, in the weeks ahead, in the months ahead.  There’s a long history here.  But I think we – what this has done, what October 7th has done, among other things, is I think to refocus many countries in the region and well beyond on how do we help Israel ensure that this never happens again.  And we believe that one component of that is putting in place the conditions for genuinely lasting, durable peace and stability.  And for us, the best path there goes to the two states. MR MILLER:  And the final question goes to Alexander Baker with De Telegraaf. QUESTION:  Thank you, Mr. Secretary.  How does the U.S. view the ambition of the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to be the new secretary general of NATO?  And is the outcome of the Dutch election an obstacle? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, first, we have one secretary general at a time, and as it happens, we have an extraordinary secretary general right now in Secretary General Stoltenberg.  I said it yesterday, repeated it at the council:  His leadership over the last few years, at one of the most challenging times in the history of our Alliance, has been nothing short of exceptional.  And again, colleagues around the table said the same thing.  But he still has a lot of work to do as we head to the Washington Summit, which is still many months away.  We’re focused intensely on that work and on working with the secretary general to make sure that we have a successful summit and the Alliance continues to deliver on the commitments that its leaders have made, particularly at the Vilnius Summit. With regard to the future and the next secretary general, I’m not going to comment on internal deliberations within the Alliance.  We will work that out; we’ll work on it together.  And I would expect that by the Washington Summit we’ll be in a position to talk about it more clearly and more directly.  Thanks. MR MILLER:  Thank you all.

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 capacity, its unity. As we meet here today in Brussels, those who bet against NATO have clearly been proven wrong. NATO today is bigger, it’s stronger, it’s more united, it’s more capable than ever. In Vilnius, NATO’s leaders agreed to the most ambitious plans since end of the Cold War to adapt and to strengthen our Alliance.  And we’re now delivering on those plans. Nineteen NATO Allies either are meeting their Wales commitment or have credible plans to do so by 2024 – in other words, devoting 2 percent of their budgets to defense spending.  That’s two-thirds of our Alliance. Allies are increasing contributions of forces and other capabilities. We are working together to boost our joint industrial defense capacity.  We’ve added our 31st ally, Finland, and the 32nd, Sweden, will soon be among us. NATO will continue to adapt to meet 21st century challenges, threats – whether it’s Russian aggression, coercion from China, challenges in cyberspace, terrorism – the entire gamut of things that we have to be concerned about as an Alliance. And in fact it’s this capacity to evolve that has made NATO the world’s indispensable Alliance for 75 years, and the actions we’ve taken at Vilnius and that we’re taking here over the last couple of days are setting NATO up to remain that indispensable Alliance for the next 75 years. The meetings here this week focused on critical steps that we can take to advance NATO’s revitalization in time for the historic Washington Summit, the 75th anniversary summit that’ll take place next year. First, we focused on NATO’s enduring support and commitment to Ukraine.  And I have to tell you, listening to all of our colleagues around the table, every single one expressed strong, enduring support for Ukraine. Some are questioning whether the United States and other NATO Allies should continue to stand with Ukraine as we enter the second winter of Putin’s brutality.  But the answer here today at NATO is clear and it’s unwavering:  We must and we will continue to support Ukraine. Ensuring that Russia’s war of aggression remains a strategic failure is as vital today as when the Kremlin launched that war almost two years ago. Now, our adversaries are not standing on the sidelines.  Most of the drones that we’ve seen used in the biggest-ever drone attack on Kyiv just last weekend, those were made and supplied by Iran.  North Korea is providing significant arms shipments to Russia.  Stakes for all of us are clear.  And again, I heard this from everyone around the table.  And we must send an unequivocal message:  No country will be allowed redraw borders by force.  That’s an interest of every single Ally around the table; it’s an interest of many countries beyond this Alliance with whom we’ve been working since February of 2022. And it’s also why we’re accelerating efforts to enable Ukraine to stand strongly on its own feet – militarily, economically, democratically. Even as we’re supporting Ukraine’s fight today, we are helping them build a military that is capable of deterring and defending against aggression far into the future.  The supplemental budget request that the President made is a demonstration of our own commitment to that goal, and we’re looking to Congress to approve it in the coming weeks. Another critical point that is really worth underscoring, and it’s reinforced by everything that I’ve seen over the last two days here:  When it comes to Ukraine, the United States is not standing alone.  We’ve provided about $77 billion in assistance to Ukraine; our European Allies over the same period of time have provided more than $110 billion.  So we often talk about burden sharing and the imperative of burden sharing.  When it comes to Ukraine, that’s clearly what we’ve seen and what we continue to see. Ukraine knows that its future as a free, vibrant democracy and its path to NATO and the European Union depend on its ongoing reform efforts, and Kyiv has committed to seeing those reforms through.  We also heard that today from its foreign minister. So these were some of the issues that the Alliance discussed with Foreign Minister Kuleba, and this was the first foreign ministers meeting we’ve had of the new NATO-Ukraine Council, with Ukraine sitting at its place at the NATO table. We also discussed NATO’s ongoing role in promoting peace and security in the Western Balkans. Now, when I started out in this line of work 30 years ago, front and center in our concern and the concerns of countries around the world and certainly in the trans-Atlantic area: the Balkans – Bosnia, and then Kosovo.  The one thing we don’t need is a return to the future when it comes to conflict in the Balkans. NATO has a critical role to plan in helping states in the region make progress on their paths to EU membership and to broader European stability.  NATO has long provided the backbone of security in the Western Balkans; it’s going to continue to do so. The Alliance has responded decisively to actors who are seeking to destabilize northern Kosovo, as we saw earlier this year, deploying additional troops to KFOR.  We’re deepening our collaboration with the EU-led force in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.  So this was another critical part of our conversation over the last two days. Tonight, I’m heading to Skopje for the OSCE Ministerial Council.  Despite Russia’s flagrant violations of every single core principle of the Helsinki Final Act, its relentless efforts to obstruct the OSCE’s work, the 50 other participating states have shown determination to make sure that the organization continues to fulfill its purpose to advance European security.  And that’s what we’ll keep doing in Skopje. From Skopje, we head to Israel, the West Bank, and then on to the UAE, where, in addition to participating in the COP, I’ll have an opportunity to meet with Arab partners to discuss the conflict in Gaza. We head back to region as the humanitarian pause that we helped to negotiate with Qatar and with Egypt has allowed scores of hostages to be released and to be reunited with their families.  We’re surging humanitarian assistance into Gaza to make sure that its people have what they need to get by. Looking at the next couple of days, we’ll be focused on making – doing what we can to extend the pause so that we continue to get more hostages out and more humanitarian assistance in. We’ll discuss with Israel how it can achieve its objective of ensuring that the terrorist attacks of October 7th never happen again, while sustaining and increasing humanitarian assistance – and minimizing further suffering and casualties among Palestinian civilians.  We’ll keep our efforts going to prevent the conflict from spreading.  And of course, we’ll remain focused on enabling the safe departure of American citizens and other foreign nationals from Gaza. Finally, we will work to build on the principles that I set out in Tokyo a few weeks ago for the day after in Gaza, and define the steps that we and our partners in the region can take now to lay the foundation for a just and lasting peace. With that, happy to take some questions. MR MILLER:  First question goes to Tracy Wilkinson with the L.A. Times. QUESTION:  Hi.  Thank you, Mr. Secretary. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thanks. QUESTION:  You spoke of the strength and unity of NATO, and you also said that there are those who question whether NATO and the United States should continue to support Ukraine at the level that it does.  Could you elaborate on that?  What were the anxiety levels among some of your Allies here about U.S. commitment, given the voices we’re hearing in parts of the United States who talk about abandoning the Ukraine cause and especially changes – political changes that may come next year? And then second, if I could ask you about the Israel-Gaza war.  To what extent did that overshadow talks here, or impact talks here, or have a role in the talks here? Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Tracy, thank you.  First, the second part of the question first.  Yes, we certainly had conversations about Gaza, but it in no way took away from the intense focus that we’ve had over the last couple of days on Ukraine as well as on the Western Balkans and preparing for the NATO Summit in Washington next spring. With regard to Ukraine, let me say this again because it was very, very starkly clear listening to all of our colleagues around the table.  Virtually to a country, we heard – I heard – a strong, enduring commitment on the part of Alliance members to Ukraine, to making sure that it had what it needs to defend itself, to retake territory seized from it by Russia, but also to build itself up so that it can stand strongly on its own feet militarily, economically, and democratically.  I heard no sense of fatigue or falling back – on the contrary, a determination to continue to press forward. And there’s a good reason for that.  I think every Ally recognizes that this is a matter not only of doing the right thing, it’s a matter of self-interest, including for the United States.  There is a clear self-interest among Allies to stand for the basic principles at the heart of the UN Charter that are being violated egregiously by Russia, because these principles matter to our own peace and security.  As we’ve said repeatedly, if we allow a country like Russia to act with impunity to redraw the borders of another by force, to try to determine and dictate the future of another country, if that happens with impunity then it’s open season and any would-be aggressor anywhere is likely to draw lessons from that.  That’s why it’s been so important to us, but also to every country around the table, to strand strongly with and for Ukraine.  And I heard nothing to suggest the contrary. And when it comes to the United States, what I continue to see, what I continue to hear is strong bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress for Ukraine, and I think you heard Speaker Johnson address this just the other day, which is very encouraging.  So we have work to do to move the supplemental budget request that the President made forward.  We’re determined to do that.  And again, we’re determined to do that because it’s so clearly in our interest.  And Congress time and again when we’ve gone to them has stood up and delivered, and we expect that to happen going forward – again, not because it’s – not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the necessary thing to do to advance the interests of the United States. MR MILLER:  Joe Barnes with The Telegraph. QUESTION:  Thank you.  Yeah, Joe Barnes from The Daily Telegraph.  There’s a growing perception that Ukraine’s Western allies will move away from helping Ukraine sustain another major counteroffensive in a switch of strategy that essentially helps Ukraine hold its lines.  How do you ensure that the next strategy taken by Western allies doesn’t prematurely push President Zelenskyy and Ukraine into premature peace negotiations? And secondly, if I may, could I get your thoughts on former Secretary General Rasmussen’s plan that would see Ukraine be allowed to join NATO, but without Russian-occupied territories being covered by Article 5? Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good.  Thanks.  So what you describe is not at all what I’m hearing, seeing, or what we’re doing.  The NATO countries individually – and we have now more than 50 countries that are many of them, of course, NATO members, others not, who have been almost from day one fully part of the effort to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs not only to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression, but to help enable it to retake territory that Russia seized from it.  And that commitment continues and there’s no move away from that.  We’re determined to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, including to take back territory that Russia has taken from it. At the same time, there’s also – and I think this is critically important – a commitment on the part of many countries to help Ukraine build a future force that can ensure deterrence and ensure defense against aggression going forward.  And that’s critically important, coupled with the efforts that we’re making in other areas – for example, to generate private sector investment in Ukraine so that its economy can continue to grow, to build, and it has resources of its own – as well as making sure that it’s advancing on reforms to strengthen its democracy, which will be tremendously facilitated by the fact that the European Union is engaging Ukraine in – on the accession process, and of course reforms are necessary for that. All of that is doing two things.  It’s making sure that Ukraine has what it needs in this moment to continue to deal with Russian aggression, to continue to work to take back its territory, but also sets Ukraine up strongly for the future so that it can stand strongly on its own feet – again, not only militarily but economically and democratically.  That’s the single best response that we can make. And it also has this effect:  The main impediment to resolving this aggression, to resolving this conflict, which no one wants more than the Ukrainian people – the main, in fact the only impediment is Vladmir Putin, and the extent to which he believes that he can somehow outlast Ukraine, outlast its people, outlast its supporters may be feeding the refusal of Russia to engage in any meaningful way in diplomacy or negotiations. So the work of this Alliance, the work of the individual countries that are part of this Alliance as well as many other countries around the world to support Ukraine, to help it defend itself, as well as to set it up for the future – that’s the single most effective way to disabuse Putin of this very wrongheaded notion. MR MILLER:  Michael Crowley. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Oh, and on — MR MILLER:  Oh, sorry. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  On – I’m sorry, on Rasmussen, I haven’t focused on that.  I think the Alliance in Vilnius was very clear that Ukraine will become a member of NATO when all Allies agree and when conditions are met.  That’s the policy.  It was clearly stated in Vilnius, clearly reaffirmed today. MR MILLER:  Michael Crowley with The New York Times. QUESTION:  Thank you, Mr. Secretary.  Two questions on Gaza.  The first is, given the large number of hostages who remain in enormous humanitarian need in Gaza, do you believe that the current pause in fighting should be substantially extended despite concerns in Israel that it may be allowing Hamas to regroup?  And is it possible that Israel’s offensive would not resume at all? And secondly, you have stressed the importance of pursuing a two-state solution for long-term peace.  Many people doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu shares that vision.  What is your opinion, and what are the implications if he does not? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thanks, Michael.  With regard to the pause, look, we’d like to see the pause extended because what it has enabled first and foremost is hostages being released, coming home, being reunited with their families.  It’s also enabled us to surge humanitarian assistance into the people of Gaza who so desperately need it.  So its continuation, by definition, means that more hostages would be coming home, more assistance would be getting in. So clearly that’s something we want, and I believe it’s also something that Israel wants.  They’re also intensely focused on bringing their people home.  So we’re working on that.  As you know, we’re working on that every single day, and I expect to take that up tomorrow when I’m in Israel meeting with the government.  And again, we have other colleagues in the government who are intensely working on that. With regard to two states, look, I think we’ve been very clear from well before October 7th – in fact, from the first day of this administration – that we believe that that is the only path to enduring peace; to enduring security; to the preservation of Israel as a strong, secure, democratic, and Jewish state; and Palestinians having their legitimate aspirations for a state and self-determination met.  And I think the events of October 7th only further confirm that commitment. But all of this is a process that everyone will need to focus on.  Right now, everyone’s focused on the day of, what’s happening in Gaza right now.  But we also need to be focused at the same time – and we are in conversations with many other countries – on what I’ve called both the day after and the day after the day after.  By the day after, I mean what happens in Gaza once the campaign is over.  There are important questions about its governance, its security, its reconstruction.  A few – a couple of weeks ago in Tokyo I laid out some basic principles that we see as being necessary.  But also, the day after the day after, which is how do we get on a clear path to meeting the legitimate political aspirations of the Palestinian people, which really, in our judgment, is the only way to durable peace, durable security for everyone, starting with Israel and Israelis. But these are conversations that we’ll pursue in the days ahead, in the weeks ahead, in the months ahead.  There’s a long history here.  But I think we – what this has done, what October 7th has done, among other things, is I think to refocus many countries in the region and well beyond on how do we help Israel ensure that this never happens again.  And we believe that one component of that is putting in place the conditions for genuinely lasting, durable peace and stability.  And for us, the best path there goes to the two states. MR MILLER:  And the final question goes to Alexander Baker with De Telegraaf. QUESTION:  Thank you, Mr. Secretary.  How does the U.S. view the ambition of the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to be the new secretary general of NATO?  And is the outcome of the Dutch election an obstacle? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, first, we have one secretary general at a time, and as it happens, we have an extraordinary secretary general right now in Secretary General Stoltenberg.  I said it yesterday, repeated it at the council:  His leadership over the last few years, at one of the most challenging times in the history of our Alliance, has been nothing short of exceptional.  And again, colleagues around the table said the same thing.  But he still has a lot of work to do as we head to the Washington Summit, which is still many months away.  We’re focused intensely on that work and on working with the secretary general to make sure that we have a successful summit and the Alliance continues to deliver on the commitments that its leaders have made, particularly at the Vilnius Summit. With regard to the future and the next secretary general, I’m not going to comment on internal deliberations within the Alliance.  We will work that out; we’ll work on it together.  And I would expect that by the Washington Summit we’ll be in a position to talk about it more clearly and more directly.  Thanks. MR MILLER:  Thank you all.

Office of the Spokesperson The bilateral cooperation between the United States and North Macedonia is strong and focuses on strengthening democratic institutions, rule of law reform, and economic development that supports regional integration and energy security.  The United States supports North Macedonia’s aspirations for full integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.  The United States is committed to helping North Macedonia embrace inclusive democracy and citizen-responsive governance; fight corruption and discrimination; strengthen rule of law; strengthen and diversify its economy; promote media freedom; and build greater democratic institutions in a full, inclusive, multi-ethnic society.  The United States values our security partnership with North Macedonia as a steadfast NATO Ally.  North Macedonia’s NATO membership bolsters security, stability, and prosperity across the entire Western Balkans region. Bilateral Economic Relations  North Macedonia has been a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) since 2003, recently joined the WTO’s Agreement on Government Procurement in September 2023, and has negotiated free trade agreements with many of its neighbors.  In 2022, total trade between North Macedonia and the United States was $270 million.  U.S. electrical machinery and equipment have been particularly attractive to importers in North Macedonia.  Principal exports to the United States are tobacco, apparel, iron, and steel. U.S. Assistance to North Macedonia  U.S. Government assistance to North Macedonia focuses on reinforcing democratic and economic reforms needed to bolster progress towards EU accession.  U.S. assistance works to strengthen rule of law and good governance through systemic reforms across sectors, anti-corruption efforts, and greater transparency; promote economic reform and opportunities, stimulating energy and cyber resilience, and developing a diversified workforce; and foster domestic capacity and engagement in regional initiatives and multilateral platforms to advance stability, integration, multiethnic cohesion, and security. To date since 1993, the United States has invested more than $1.3 billion in assistance to North Macedonia. North Macedonia’s Membership in International Organizations  North Macedonia and the United States work together closely in many international organizations, including the United Nations, OSCE, Adriatic Charter, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and NATO.  North Macedonia demonstrated tremendous leadership on the global stage as Chair-in-Office of the OSCE, leading Europe in the face of Russian obstructionism.  North Macedonia is also the 2023 chair of the A5, which aims to strengthen democratic institutions, promote peace and stability, and more deeply integrate the countries of the region into the Euro-Atlantic community. North Macedonia is an official candidate country for the European Union, following the European Council’s decision to open EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia in 2020.  The United States is ready to support North Macedonia with the governance, rule of law, and anti-corruption reforms that will reinforce its European perspective and advance the long-standing goal of a Europe whole, free, and at peace.   The historic Prespa Agreement of 2019 resolved a dispute between Greece and North Macedonia that prevented North Macedonia’s path to NATO and EU accession.  North Macedonia’s NATO Accession Protocol was ratified in 2020. Further information can be found here, or by contacting EUR-Press@state.gov.

HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Russo Travels to Belgium, Brunei, Thailand, and Laos hide if(window.jQuery) { jQuery( document ).ready(function() { if (jQuery(“.bc_middle”).hasClass(“collapse”)) { jQuery(“.bc_ellipse”).click(function(){ jQuery(“.bc_hide”).toggleClass(“visible”); jQuery(“.bc_middle”).toggle(); jQuery(“.bc_ellipse”).toggle(); jQuery(“.bc_content”).toggleClass(“noflex”); jQuery(“.block_breadcrumbs_content”).toggleClass(“noflex”); }); jQuery(“.bc_hide”).click(function(){ jQuery(“.bc_hide”).toggleClass(“visible”); jQuery(“.bc_middle”).toggle(); jQuery(“.bc_ellipse”).toggle(); jQuery(“.bc_content”).toggleClass(“noflex”); jQuery(“.block_breadcrumbs_content”).toggleClass(“noflex”); }); } else { jQuery(“.bc_ellipse”).hide(); } }); } Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Russo Travels to Belgium, Brunei, Thailand, and Laos Media Note November 29, 2023 Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs William Russo will travel to Belgium, Brunei, Thailand, and Laos from November 29 to December 8, 2023.  His trip will prioritize working with U.S. embassies on policy and messaging priorities and engaging with partners in the information space.  Assistant Secretary Russo will meet with government officials, local and international media outlets, students, journalists, non-governmental organizations, and U.S. embassy staff.  In Belgium, Assistant Secretary Russo will be the Head of Delegation for the United States to the 2023 NATO Senior Communicators Conference.  This conference will focus on the challenge of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference and discuss Alliance communications efforts and messaging related to the NATO Washington Summit to be held in July 2024.  While there, he will meet with several counterparts among our NATO Allies, in addition to engaging with tri-mission staff.   In Brunei, Assistant Secretary Russo will meet with Bruneian officials, including the Minster of Primary Resources and Tourism.  He will also speak with alumni of U.S. exchange programs and Bruneian journalists as we prepare to commemorate the 40th anniversary of U.S.-Brunei diplomatic relations in 2024.  In Thailand, Assistant Secretary Russo will meet with Thai government officials, visit the Asia Pacific Media Hub, and meet with embassy staff.  He will also speak with journalists and media partners to discuss modern communications and the media environment.    In Laos, Assistant Secretary Russo will meet with Lao PDR officials and visit the embassy.  He will also engage with journalists and media contacts to discuss the Lao PDR government’s plans and media preparations and support for the 2024 ASEAN Chair Year, as well as modern strategic communications and countering disinformation.  Follow along on Twitter/X at @GPA_AS for more updates from the trip.  Tags Belgium Brunei Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bureau of Global Public Affairs Disinformation Embassies and Consulates Laos Office of the Spokesperson Official International Travel Thailand

Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today in Brussels ahead of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting. Secretary Blinken and Secretary General Stoltenberg discussed priorities for the Alliance, including preparations for the Washington Summit and NATO’s 75th Anniversary in 2024, continued support to Ukraine, and security in the Western Balkans. The Secretary and the Secretary General also conferred on NATO’s investment and readiness commitments to further strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defense.

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 of hostilities in Gaza.  This has allowed for a much needed relief for the people of Gaza and also the release of more hostages.  And let me thank you, Secretary Blinken, Tony, for your personal efforts to ensure that this will happen and that an agreement was reached. Ukraine will be on the agenda.  We see continued Russian attacks.  Intensive fighting continues along the front line, and that just makes it even more important that NATO Allies continue to support Ukraine.  And I praise the United States for your leadership, for the critical military equipment that the United States is delivering to Ukraine, but let me highlight that this is actually a joint effort by the United States, Canada, and European allies.  And the European allies and Canada provided almost 50 percent of the military support, so this is actually something we do together as allies on both sides of the Atlantic. We will address China, the Western Balkans, and also how to work to ensure stability in our southern neighborhood.  Many important issues.  Always great to have you here, and I look forward to our meeting. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Yes, thank you very, very much.  It’s always very good to be back in Belgium, in Brussels, here at NATO, which it’s almost become like a second home over the last three years.  But I think it’s evidence of the fact that what we are doing with the NATO Alliance is more important than it’s ever been, and you’ve seen over the last three years NATO stepping up in very important ways to deal with the challenges that we face and that we’re facing together. We will be strongly reaffirming our support for Ukraine as it continues to face Russia’s war of aggression.  We will be looking to the summit next year in Washington to celebrate the 75th anniversary of NATO – but not just celebrate that anniversary, continue to carry the Alliance forward, including with the commitments that its members are making to our collective defense.  We have a lot of work that we’ll be doing, as you said, as well on the Western Balkans, with our partners for NATO from around the world, including the Asia-Pacific.  And of course, we will be talking about the crisis in Gaza and the broader Middle East. Like you, Jens, I am very pleased to see hostages returning home, coming back to be with their loved ones.  And we’re determined to continue that for as long as possible to bring as many people home as we possibly can, and that continues. So we have a lot – a lot on the agenda.  But I have to say this:  Everything that we’ve been able to do with the NATO Alliance over the last few years – strengthening the Alliance, making it fit for purpose for the challenges that we’re going to be facing in the years ahead, dealing with the Russian aggression against Ukraine, so many other things – none of that, none of that, would have happened without the leadership of Jens Stoltenberg.  We are grateful to you, grateful for that extraordinary leadership at a moment where it counted more than ever.  So it’s good to be here, good to work with you as well.  Thank you. SECRETARY GENERAL STOLTENBERG:  Thank you.