Press Release
☷Secretary Antony J Blinken and French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné at a Joint Press Availability United States Department of State
U.S. Department of State ( By Press Release office)
Apr 04,2024
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Hey everyone , good afternoon! I ' m really excited to have Antony here in Paris . France and the US have always been united in our alliance through NATO , and this year we ' re celebrating its 75th anniversary . We ' ve always stood together for freedom throughout history . We know what we owe each other , and this year , on the 80th anniversary of D - Day , we ' ll have a chance to celebrate our friendship even more . We ' re also united in supporting Ukraine against Russia ' s aggression . Russia has been oppressing its own people and trying to subjugate Ukraine , but they ' ve been bravely fighting back for two years . Tomorrow at the NATO ministerial meeting , we ' ll show our strong support for Kyiv and send a clear message . We ' ve already taken steps to support Ukraine , including co - chairing the coalition on artillery with the United States . It ' s important to expose Russia ' s lies and manipulation of public opinion . They ' re funding interference and spreading false media . We also want to avoid any escalation in the region , particularly in Lebanon . France has made proposals that our Lebanese partners have responded positively to . I ' ll be talking to all interested parties to prevent any escalation . Lastly , we talked about the territorial integrity of Armenia , which is being challenged by Azerbaijan . We ' re very concerned about the escalating rhetoric from Azerbaijan . Hey Antony , we talked about the Middle East , and I wanted to express our strong condemnation of the Israeli strike that killed seven humanitarian workers from the NGO World Central Kitchen . The humanitarian situation there is terrible and getting worse every day , and there ' s no excuse for such a tragedy . We need to implement all the decisions made by the Security Council , including Resolution 2728 . This resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages , protection of civilians , and delivery of massive humanitarian aid . We also discussed the war in Sudan , which is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world . On April 15th , we ' ll be organizing a humanitarian conference in Paris , co - chaired by France , Germany , and the European Union . We need to mobilize and address this major crisis that ' s being overlooked by the media and political leaders . I know I can count on you and the United States to ensure the success of this conference for the people in need . It ' s accusing Ukraine and Europe of crimes that others , like Daesh , have committed . It ' s a way for Russia to hide the fact that they ' re ignoring Islamic terrorism on their own territory . But we in Europe are determined to fight against this propaganda . France is even proposing sanctions against those who support Russian companies involved in misinformation and destabilization . It ' s a French proposal that the 27 member states are supporting and implementing . I also had the opportunity to present the French initiatives of the Security Council to the secretary - general . We ' re working towards a two - state solution for Israel and Palestine , based on fair and lasting peace and security for both sides . The discussions were productive , and I ' ll continue to work and advocate for this with all the stakeholders in the region and the permanent members of the Security Council . France has been an outstanding leader in this effort , providing military and economic assistance to Ukraine and rallying other countries to do the same . They ' ve also played a crucial role in enforcing sanctions and export controls to limit Putin ' s war machine . We ' re working tirelessly to prevent the transfer of weapons and materials to Russia , including from Iran , North Korea , and China – something we discussed today . We ' re seeing more and more fake news coming from Baku , blaming Armenia for any escalation , even though Armenia is the one trying to avoid it in this part of the world . There are clear similarities between the propaganda coming out of Baku and what Russia is doing in Ukraine . We need to pay close attention to this leading up to COP29 in Baku . Dear Secretary of State , this is just a brief introduction . I look forward to discussing these matters further in Brussels and in the coming weeks . There is still so much we need to do to uphold the founding values of our countries around the world . Thank you , Antony , for these discussions . I ' ll let you take the floor now . Thank you again for the quality of our conversations . On Ukraine , we talked about the importance of continuing to support Ukraine so it can defend itself against Russian aggression . Today , we need to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself and also help it build a strong military and attract private sector investment for its economy . We also need to support its democratic development and its path towards EU accession . This will make sure Ukraine can stand on its own feet , both militarily and economically , and it ' s the best response to Putin ' s aggression . SECRETARY BLINKEN: ( Via interpreter ) I ' m really happy to be in Paris once again . Stéphane , thank you for the warm welcome and for this important and constructive conversation . If it ' s okay , I ' ll continue in English for my colleagues . This is not just a threat to Ukraine; it ' s a threat to European security as a whole . France and all European countries are determined to prevent Russia from strengthening its military . We need to focus on strengthening our defense industry and building a stronger allied defense base . Passing President Biden ' s budget request is crucial for this . We also discussed the Middle East crisis and the need for a ceasefire in Gaza . We ' re working closely with France on Lebanon and finding a diplomatic solution . Our thoughts are with the victims of the recent attack on World Central Kitchen members . They are heroes who risk their lives to provide food to those in need . There ' s a lot to look forward to in the coming months , despite the challenges we face . I ' m excited to return to France . Thank you . I also want to express our gratitude to President Macron for his leadership on important issues like cyberspace . It ' s fitting that we ' re celebrating the anniversaries of liberation and NATO , which remind us why we formed a defensive alliance after World War II . We wanted to prevent another war and support each other in the transatlantic space . SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you , John . Let me answer the second question first . From the very beginning , our view and policy regarding Ukraine has been to do everything we can to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression . However , we have not supported or enabled strikes by Ukraine outside its territory . Sorry about this . ( Laughter ) We ' re really disorganized over here . ( Laughter ) Mr . Secretary , as the leader of the U . S . department that approved most of the Israeli bombs dropped in this conflict , does events like the bombing of the World Central Kitchen convoy make you think twice about continuing to flood Israel with U . S . weapons? And a second question for both of you , Secretary Blinken and Minister Séjourné . There has been an increase in Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries . The West is pretty much in agreement that these strikes are justified . Do you think attacking these facilities is the right strategic approach for Ukraine? So , many of the cases that are being reported on now have undergone congressional review and were notified years ago . It ' s also important to note that there are many open cases and requests from Israel , as well as other countries , that have not been fully fulfilled or completed . Some of these requests were made and notified to Congress years ago , well before the conflict in Gaza began . The production of complex weapons and materials takes time , sometimes even years , to fulfill . Regarding arms transfers , it ' s important to understand the context . We have a long - standing commitment to Israel ' s security and helping them defend themselves . This has been a policy that has remained consistent across different political administrations . We have agreements with Israel that span over 10 years , providing about $3 billion in military assistance annually . These transfers of arms are done in accordance with statutory and policy requirements , including notifications to Congress . QUESTION: Isn ' t that more of a problem , though? Because they were approved in a non - war context , but Congress never had a chance to—SECRETARY BLINKEN: Let me get to that , because all this context is really important . We make sure we go above and beyond the law in briefing Congress . We go to the oversight committees and make sure they know about ongoing transfers above the statutory threshold , even ones they approved a long time ago and even when there ' s no requirement for additional notice or approval . Now , we ' ve been focused on preventing another October 7th from happening . But our security relationship with Israel isn ' t just about Gaza , Hamas , or October 7th . It ' s also about the threats from Hizballah , Iran , and other actors in the region who want to destroy Israel . The weapons and systems Israel acquires are for self - defense , deterrence , and replenishing their supplies . That ' s the system that ' s been in place for a long time and continues . As for the conflict in Gaza , from the beginning , we ' ve emphasized to Israel the importance of protecting civilians and following international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict . We regularly review and discuss this with Israel , including in our recent video meeting with the Israeli delegation . FOREIGN MINISTER SÉJOURNÉ: ( Via interpreter ) Thanks . I ' ll be clear and direct about Ukraine ' s strikes on Russian refineries . We have almost no comment on this . The Ukrainian people are acting in self - defense , and we see Russia as the aggressor . There ' s not much else to say in this situation . I think you understand me . MODERATOR: ( Via interpreter ) A question from the French press . QUESTION: ( Via interpreter ) Hi . Delphine Touitou from AFP . I have a question about the Israeli strike on the consulate – a question for both of you . So , regarding the Israeli strike on Iran ' s consulate in Damascus , do you fear an escalation in the region? And as a follow - up , did Israel cross any red lines in Gaza or elsewhere in its behavior recently? FOREIGN MINISTER SÉJOURNÉ: ( Via interpreter ) Let me start . SECRETARY BLINKEN: ( Via interpreter ) I can say the same thing . We ' re on the same page . We ' re working closely together to avoid an escalation in Lebanon , Iraq , Syria , the Red Sea , Yemen , and so on . As for the strikes in Syria , we ' re still trying to figure out what exactly happened . We ' re in the process of gathering all the facts . But every day , we ' re working together with France to prevent any conflict between the parties involved . We ' re sure that neither Israel , nor Hizballah , nor Lebanon , nor Iran wants a conflict . QUESTION: Thank you . Hi . Simon Lewis from Reuters . Firstly , I want to talk about the World Central Kitchen workers who were killed by an Israeli strike . I actually knew one of them , "Zomi" Frankcom , and I can say that she was full of life , kind , and selfless in the work that she did . I saw a picture of her Australian passport covered in blood this morning , and it really struck me . Secretary Blinken , you ' ve been emphasizing the need for more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza for several months . You ' ve talked about the near - famine conditions there . This is why the World Central Kitchen workers were there . You ' ve called for an investigation , but this isn ' t the first time that aid convoys have been targeted . The Israelis have been restricting aid going into Gaza and its distribution for a while now . So I wanted to ask: Will you take more action if this continues for months? MODERATOR: ( Via interpreter ) One more question from the American press . Secretary Blinken , when it comes to humanitarian assistance , since my first trip to Israel in October , I , along with President Biden and others , have been urging Israel to provide as much humanitarian aid as possible to those in need . Israel has taken some important steps in the past few months , such as opening crossings and guaranteeing fuel and food deliveries . However , these efforts are not enough to meet the needs of the people in Gaza who are suffering due to the actions of Hamas . In our recent conversations with the Israeli government , we have stressed the importance of increasing and sustaining assistance , not only in getting it into Gaza but also ensuring it reaches everyone who needs it , especially in the most challenged areas . We are closely monitoring the situation and working with other countries , like France , to ensure that necessary steps are taken to deliver the assistance needed . This also involves improving coordination on the ground . We will wait for the investigation into the incident with World Central Kitchen to provide more information . Can you do more than just bring up these issues with the Israelis? And if their investigation comes back with certain findings , will the United States , as Israel ' s main supporter , take any action? Also , France has proposed a new UN Security Council resolution on Gaza that goes further than the one the US abstained on last month . It calls for decisive and irreversible measures towards a two - state solution . Secretary Blinken , you ' ve called for a pathway to a two - state solution . Will you support this resolution? And to the foreign minister , do you have assurance of US support for this resolution? The US has used its veto several times since October to block resolutions on Gaza . Would you ask Secretary Blinken not to use the veto in this case? Thank you . Coordination has always been a problem , along with other challenges like destroyed roads and lack of trucks in Gaza . But I ' m not going to speculate or jump ahead of things . The focus is on getting a ceasefire and providing humanitarian aid . France and the US are working closely on this issue at the Security Council , and we both agree on the need for a Palestinian state with security for Israel . Negotiations for a ceasefire and hostages are ongoing . France is also working on an initiative at the Security Council , along with the US , to find a solution to the crisis and establish a two - state solution . Discussions have also taken place with Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts on how to end the crisis . So , we ' re going to keep talking to everyone on the Security Council and in the region to try and find a consensus on how to resolve this crisis . It looks like we ' ll need a new resolution for that . We ' re confident that we can find another way out of this , and that ' s what France is working towards . As for Ukraine joining NATO , both France and the United States are on the same page and support the reforms Ukraine is making to join NATO . We ' ll discuss this further at the upcoming NATO summit . And regarding concerns about Iran sending weapons to Russia , we ' re working together to address this issue and penalize any support from countries like Iran , North Korea , and China . Thanks for joining the press conference . Tags for European and Eurasian Affairs , Defense , Democracy , Economic Affairs , France , Indo - Pacific , Israel , Middle East , North Atlantic Treaty Organization , Office of the Spokesperson , Russia , Secretary Trip , Secretary of State , Security , and Ukraine .
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