Press Statement
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
March 17, 2022
The United States has now shared over 500 million safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses, free of cost, to more than 110 countries and economies around the world – for the sole purpose of saving lives.
Since the start of the pandemic, we have provided nearly $20 billion in health, humanitarian, economic, and development assistance to over 120 countries, including rapid response support for urgent health needs and technical assistance to expand vaccine access. We have also invested and supported the expansion of regional COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing in Africa and Asia. Today, we continue to work tirelessly with governments and international organizations, vaccine producers, NGOs, the private sector, and others to deliver vaccines, get shots in arms, increase testing and treatment, support and protect healthcare workers, and more. Our recently announced COVID-19 Global Action Plan provides a clear roadmap for this international coordination.
Our work is making a difference around the world.
In Paraguay, our donation of two million Pfizer vaccine doses were quickly administered. The government set up a mass vaccination site based on a U.S. model and administered 500,000 doses within a week. In Zambia, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) used American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the administration of nearly two million COVID-19 vaccines through more than 500 health facilities across Zambia’s 10 provinces as part of its work to combat HIV/AIDS.
In addition, a State Department grant helped Alfred Kankuzi in Malawi build his own app to respond to the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation across social media. Called COVID-19 NEBA, or “Hey Neighbor,” the app is offered in three languages – Chichewa, Tumbuka, and English – and increases access to fact-based information from trusted sources including U.S. Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and Malawi’s Ministry of Health. Alfred has helped over 648,000 fellow citizens access accurate COVID-19 information.
In Thailand, State Department exchange alumni used a small grant to support Chiang Dao residents in the Chiang Mai Province. Alumni joined community organizations to create visual and audio media in seven local languages on COVID-19 prevention best practices, collaborated with public health officials to conduct COVID-19 prevention workshops for village health volunteers, and provided effective communication tools and techniques to village leaders to help residents stay updated on COVID-19 – reaching more than 70,000 people.
This work is critical because this pandemic is not over. Many lives are still at risk globally as countries contend with Omicron and we face the possibility of new variants. The United States will continue to work with partners and communities at every level to save lives and better prepare for future pandemics.
United States Agency for International Development
Statement
Samantha Power, Administrator
March 17, 2022
Today, the United States has delivered half a billion COVID-19 vaccines, all donated free of charge, to more than 110 countries in every region of the world—more doses than any other nation. For every shot we have given in the United States, nearly one has been shipped abroad. Today marks an important milestone in reaching President Biden’s extraordinary pledge to donate more than 1.2 billion safe and effective shots worldwide, with no expectations in return.
Yet our work remains far from over. We have now lost at least 6 million lives globally to this deadly virus, and are witnessing new rises in cases and deaths in Europe and Asia. To move past the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, prevent new variants, and guard against future outbreaks within our nation’s borders, we must continue to do our part to vaccinate the world more equitably. U.S. vaccine donations have helped dramatically boost supply to low- and middle-income countries, but many countries need more help installing ultra-cold chain freezers to stop doses from spoiling, transporting vaccines to rural populations living miles from the nearest health facility, and countering widespread myths that hurt public trust in vaccines.
To address these needs, USAID is leading Global VAX, a whole-of-government effort to intensify financial, technical, and diplomatic support to help turn vaccines into vaccinations, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. As part of this initiative, begun in December 2021, USAID has helped launch thousands of vaccination sites, shared reliable vaccine information with millions of people, and installed hundreds of freezers to store vaccines. Since launching Global VAX in December 2021, vaccination rates in low income countries have risen from six to thirteen percent. These rates remain far below the global average, but such increases are promising—and we must do everything possible so that they continue to grow. Countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, and Zambia demonstrate the rapid progress that is possible when vaccine supply, the commitment of national governments, and global support converge. Only by expanding vaccine access can we begin to move beyond this phase of the pandemic—and build stronger health systems that can prevent the next one.
As we mark today’s milestone of delivering half a billion vaccines to the world, as well as the significant progress achieved in turning those vaccines into vaccinations, we are intensely focused on the work ahead and the resources this work will require. Without additional funding to support getting shots into arms, USAID will have to curtail our growing efforts to turn vaccines into vaccinations—just as countries are finally gaining access to the vaccine supplies needed to protect their citizens. Leaving large unvaccinated populations both at home and worldwide will increase the risk of new and potentially deadly variants emerging that could evade our current vaccines and treatments. The Administration would also be unable to extend Global VAX surge support to more than 20 additional under-vaccinated countries that will need intensive support this year to get shots in arms. This will devastate our ability to make sure those countries can effectively deploy safe and effective vaccines. USAID would also be unable to provide life-saving supplies, tests, therapeutics, oxygen, and humanitarian aid to countries still struggling to manage a continuing COVID-19 disease burden. We ask Congress to promptly provide the Administration with the urgent funding we need to continue this work of both vaccinating the world and protecting Americans at home.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
U.S. Representative to the United Nations
New York, New York
March 17, 2022
AS DELIVERED
QUESTION: Welcome to this special interview on AfricaNews. So the war in Ukraine is happening far from Africa, but its consequences are being felt on the continent. From skyrocketing fuel prices to difficulties importing food, countries in Africa feel caught up in a conflict they thought they had nothing to do with. To hear more about the ramifications of the Ukraine war for African countries, I’m joined by the U.S. Representative to the UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Ambassador Greenfield, thank you very much for your time. Are you concerned that soaring food prices in Africa could drive social unrest or other other upheaval?
AMBASSADOR LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Thank you, Ronald, and it’s really great to be here with you. We know that the impact of this war of aggression that the Russians initiated in Ukraine will have an impact on the world. Ukraine has been one of the major exporters of wheat to Africa for example. I think the figures I have is about $2.4 billion in 2021 of trade between Ukraine and Africa. But it is the war that has led to this, and this is why Africans need to be part of the solution to bringing this unconscionable war to an end. The impact is not just being felt in Africa. We’re seeing oil prices increase in the United States. We’re seeing food prices increase in the United States. It is because of Russia’s aggression that this is happening.
QUESTION: Ambassador Greenfield, this is a major international event. When things like this happen, African countries tend to be on the periphery. We heard last week the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, saying he had been approached to try and mediate a way out of this crisis. What role can African countries do to bring this war to an end, for peace to prevail in Ukraine?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: The voice of every leader, every country, calling on the the Russians to end this war, I think, is is important. No voice is too small. No president is unimportant in this effort. And this is why in New York, in the General Assembly, the African vote is so important. So that we can say to the Russians they have no allies in this war of aggression against Ukraine. That we all stand with the Ukrainian people with this attack on the integrity of their borders, this attack on their sovereignty and their independence, this humanitarian crisis that is being created by the Russian actions in Ukraine. So every country is being impacted by this, and every country ought to stand against this aggression.
QUESTION: Are you engaging African ambassadors? Are you in touch with the African Union?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: I am working with African ambassadors on a daily basis. As you know, there are three African elected members of the Security Council, the A3, Ghana, Kenya and Gabon. I engage with them on on these issues regularly. And I meet with and engage with other African permanent representatives to encourage them to speak out on this issue. The head of the AU was in Washington last week, Mr. Faki, and he met with Secretary Blinken and met with others in Washington. And certainly, a number of issues were on the agenda on how we can partner with Africa on a broad range of issues, but Ukraine was certainly one of those areas where we need African engagement, we need African partnership.
QUESTION: Ambassador Greenfield, the global economy is emerging from the pandemic. And now you have rising fuel prices that threaten to scuttle growth. I know that this isn’t primarily your topic, but what is your government going to bring down oil prices?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: We have done a number of things to mitigate the impact of this war and the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia – to mitigate the impact of that on other countries, including our own where we are also seeing oil prices and gas prices skyrocket. The idea is to look for other sources of oil to build up and promote other countries who are oil producers. There are a large number of countries who are oil producers on the continent of Africa. How can we use those resources in a in a more efficient way that will provide support across, not just in Africa, but across the world? Those are all issues that we’re trying to address as we address the impact of the war and helping countries come out of the COVID pandemic.
QUESTION: Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. representative to the United Nations, thank you very much for your time.
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Thank you very much, Ronald. And I was delighted to be here with you.
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U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs
United States Africa Command Stuttgart
Germany
March 17, 2022
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, wrapped up his annual posture statement to Congress with a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee March 17.
Townsend testified alongside U.S. Marine Corps General Frank McKenzie, Jr., commander, U.S. Central Command, and Sasha Baker, Deputy Under-Secretary of Defense for Policy. Townsend and McKenzie testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee March 15.
“For nearly three years, it’s been a great privilege – the privilege of my career – to represent the dedicated members of U.S. Africa Command,” Townsend said during his opening statement to the Senate committee. “Together with our interagency teammates, AFRICOM protects and advances U.S. strategic interests, prevents strategic distraction and preserves America’s options all in concert with our allies and partners.”
Townsend said that as U.S. Africa Command’s fifth commander, he has come to learn five truths about Africa.
“First, America cannot ignore Africa. Africa’s challenges, opportunities and security interests are inseparable from our own. Weak or poor governance, conflict and climate change stress the stability of many African nations which will in turn impact U.S. security and prosperity,” he said.
Second, Townsend said, America’s strategic competitors clearly see Africa’s potential, with Russia and China both seeking to convert hard and soft power investments into political influence, strategic access and military advantage.
“Third, deadly terrorism has metastasized to Africa,” he said, with al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda’s fastest growing and most kinetically active affiliate, in East Africa, and ISIS and Al Qaeda groups in West Africa and elsewhere among the world’s fastest growing, wealthiest, and deadliest terrorist groups. “(They) remain grave and growing threats that aspire to kill Americans both there and in our homeland.”
Fourth, despite a recent surge in democratic backsliding, Townsend said, “Our values, our democracy and our willingness to work together with African partners creates a huge demand for U.S. engagement and partnership.”
And finally, he said, employing only 0.3 percent of the DOD operating budget, U.S. Africa Command is an economy-of-force command that yields outsized returns for U.S. and African security interests.
Africa lies at a global crossroads and presents a complex environment ripe with opportunity while burdened with challenges.
“It holds tremendous geo-strategic significance while being shaped by the competing forces of prosperity and poverty, peace and conflict, plenty and famine, good governance and corruption and democratic backsliding,” Townsend said. “These tensions are evident throughout Africa—a continent whose socio-economic importance to the future cannot be ignored.”
African Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is a global leader averaging 4.9 percent per year since 2000, outpacing global GDP growth by 2 percent over the same period. This growth makes the continent a powerful part of the global economy—for both supply and demand. With some estimates projecting a quarter of the world’s population will live in Africa by 2050—a billion of whom will be under 18 and entering the labor force – this impact is likely to increase.
“How those acting on this continent—including Africans, allies, partners and competitors—mitigate or exacerbate the drivers of fragility, like climate change and violent extremism, will determine whether this human potential serves as a catalyst for growth or a contributor to global crises,” Townsend said.
Townsend said a more stable and prosperous Africa will enhance America’s security and U.S. Africa Command is committed to its work to improve security and stability as part of a whole-of-government approach on the continent, doing our part lessen the sources of extremist recruitment, to create stable political environments, to improve governance and to promote democracy and the rule of law.
“A sustained and coordinated U.S. government approach, bolstered by strategic vision and appropriate resourcing, can serve to strengthen relationships with partners in Africa, preserve U.S. interests, and further our objective for increased security, stability and prosperity,” he said.
For more information about the testimony, please visit https://www.africom.mil/about-the-command/2022-posture-statement-to-congress
Press Statement
Ned Price, Department Spokesperson
March 17, 2022
The United States today imposed sanctions on gold refiner Alain Goetz and his network for the illicit movement of gold in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Our actions underscore the U.S. commitment to disrupt the illegal minerals trade in the DRC, which threatens the peace, security, and stability in the Great Lakes region.
Alain Goetz and his companies trade gold sourced from regions controlled by armed groups engaged in conflict in the DRC. These armed groups and their commanders attacked civilians and are implicated in atrocities, including ethnic massacres, rape, and forced recruitment of children. Conflict gold provides the largest source of revenue to armed actors in eastern DRC, including armed groups that profit through illegal taxation, raiding of mines, and collaboration with smugglers. Goetz, whose network spans across Uganda, the UAE, and Belgium, was convicted in 2020 in Belgium for money laundering and fraud in connection with his gold trade.
The United States will continue to support the DRC government’s efforts to tackle corruption, end impunity, promote economic growth, and enhance peace and security. This action underscores our efforts to make sure that the U.S.-DRC Privileged Partnership for Peace, Prosperity, and Preservation of the Environment (PP4PPP) delivers for the Congolese and American people.
For more information on today’s action, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release .
Remarks to the Press
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Press Briefing Room
Washington, D.C.
March 17, 2022
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good afternoon, everyone.
Three weeks ago, Russia launched its unprovoked war on Ukraine.
With every day that passes, the numbers of civilians, including children, killed and wounded continues to climb.
Russia continues to attack civilian sites, including – this week alone – a hospital, three schools, a boarding school for visually impaired kids in the Luhansk region of Ukraine.
Yesterday Russian forces bombed a theater in Mariupol, where hundreds of people had been taking shelter.
The word “children” had been written in Russian in giant white letters on the pavement outside the building, so that you could know from the air that there were children inside.
Russian forces also opened fire on 10 civilians in who were waiting in line for bread.
These incidents join a long list of attacks on civilian – not military – locations across Ukraine, including apartment buildings, public squares, and, last week, a maternity hospital in Mariupol.
I doubt that any of us who saw those images will ever forget them.
We’ve seen Russia use similar tactics before in Grozny and Aleppo. They stepped up their bombardment with the goal of breaking the will of the people.
Yesterday President Biden said that, in his opinion, war crimes have been committed in Ukraine.
Personally, I agree.
Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime.
After all the destruction of the past three weeks, I find it difficult to conclude that the Russians are doing otherwise.
The consequences of Moscow’s war are being felt around the world – in rising food costs, concerns about fuel supplies, more broadly in worries about how this war will affect the global economy and the fight against COVID-19.
These are serious issues that the global community urgently needs to address. This war is making that much more difficult.
In this way, Russia’s actions are having an impact on every person on the planet, wherever they live.
We also feel the impact right here in this room.
There should be a seat reserved here today for Benjamin Hall from Fox News, who was injured badly when his vehicle came under attack near Kyiv.
Many of us, myself included, have gotten to know Ben very well as part of the traveling press corps.
He’s an incredibly talented reporter, always asking tough questions. He’s a lovely person, as well.
Our thoughts – my thoughts – are with him and his family, including his three little kids.
Two of Ben’s Fox News colleagues, Pierre Zokchefski and Sasha Koofshenova, were killed in the attack. And Brent Renaud, a reporter on assignment with Time Magazine, was killed in a separate attack a day earlier.
I know that everyone in this room, in particular, feels these losses deeply.
Being a war correspondent is vital work; they make sure that the world knows what’s really happening when armies move in and bombs start falling.
It also takes incredible courage; they go into war zones when others, understandably, are heading out as fast as possible.
So these are huge losses, of course, for families, for friends, but also for their colleagues, their profession, their readers and viewers who understand world events because of them.
Our experts are in the process of documenting and evaluating potential war crimes being committed in Ukraine.
Beth Van Schaack, whom the Senate finally confirmed this week as our Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice, will be leading that effort within the State Department.
We’ll make sure that our findings help international efforts to investigate war crimes and hold those responsible accountable.
I’d also mention that there are several other nominations before the Senate with a direct bearing on our ability to support Ukraine, including for Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration; Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation; and our Coordinator for Sanctions Policy.
So I urge the Senate to confirm these nominees quickly, so that they can get to work as soon as possible.
A few weeks ago, just days before Russia’s invasion began, I went to the United Nations Security Council to lay out what we believed was about to happen.
Again today, we have a strong sense of what Russia could do next.
We believe that Moscow may be setting the stage to use a chemical weapon, and then falsely blame Ukraine to justify escalating its attacks on the Ukrainian people.
Manufacturing events and creating false narratives of genocide to justify greater use of military force is a tactic that Russia has used before, including in Georgia.
We believe Russia will bring its mercenaries from private military groups and foreign countries to Ukraine.
President Putin acknowledged as much over the weekend when he authorized the recruitment of additional forces from the Middle East and elsewhere – another indication that his war effort is not going as he hoped it would.
They are also likely to systematically kidnap local officials and replace them with puppets.
Again, this has already begun.
The mayor of Melitopol was grabbed off the street several days ago, released yesterday in a prisoner exchange.
The mayor of another city in southern Ukraine was also kidnapped; he hasn’t yet been let go.
This is a terror tactic – grab local officials, depose local governments, put proxies in their place.
After devastating Ukrainian cities, Moscow may bring in officials from Russia to serve as local government officials, and surge what they describe as “economic support” in an attempt to make the people dependent on Moscow for survival.
Again, something that Russia did in Georgia.
President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is not going to plan.
The Ukrainian people haven’t welcomed the Russian military. They haven’t submitted.
On the contrary. They’re fighting with extraordinary courage to protect their homes, their families, their country.
Russia has been hit by unprecedented sanctions and cut off from the global economy.
Its own economy is in free fall.
Hundreds of corporations have closed operations.
In a matter of weeks, President Putin has destroyed 30 years of opening to the world and economic opportunity for the Russian people.
Dozens of members of the Kremlin’s corrupt power base have been sanctioned; several have lost their mega yachts and villas.
President Putin has derided those sanctions, using recent public diatribes to mock Russians living abroad as too dependent, as he said, on “foie gras and oysters.”
Meanwhile, he sits in his mansions, having accumulated billions taking wealth from the Russian people, while they stand in long lines to access cash and watch as stores close and the ruble plummets in value.
It’s no wonder that brave Russians continue to protest the war and be beaten and arrested for it.
And Russian journalists are resigning from their jobs at state media outlets, because they can’t stomach parroting the Kremlin’s lies any longer.
Still, President Putin is not relenting and in fact may be growing more desperate.
And so yesterday, President Biden authorized – announced, excuse me, not authorized – another $800 million in military aid to Ukraine.
That brings our support for Ukraine’s frontline defenders to more than $2 billion during this administration – one billion in the last week alone.
We’re grateful to have a determined and generous partner in Congress, which this week provided more than $13 billion in urgent support to Ukraine.
And we’ll continue to work with lawmakers to support Ukraine and hold the Kremlin to account.
As President Biden described, this new security assistance package includes 800 anti-aircraft systems, to stop attacking planes and helicopters before they destroy more of Ukraine; 9,000 anti-armor systems to destroy tanks and armored vehicles; 7,000 small arms, including machine guns and grenade launchers; and 20 million rounds of ammunition.
We’re also helping Ukraine acquire longer-range anti-aircraft systems and munitions, at President Zelenskyy’s request.
And I have been in almost daily contact with Foreign Minister Kuleba, coordinating to respond swiftly to Ukraine’s most urgent needs.
Our allies and partners continue to step up with their own significant shipments of security assistance.
I’ve authorized more than a dozen countries to provide U.S.-origin equipment, and dozens more around the world have provided security assistance of their own.
I’d also note that, in addition to assistance from the Department of Defense, we’re sending support from other agencies, including $10 million worth of armored vehicles from our own Diplomatic Security Service.
And yesterday I announced another $186 million in humanitarian assistance to help the more than 3 million refugees who have fled Ukraine in the past three weeks – the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II – as well as internally displaced people still in Ukraine.
This brings our total humanitarian aid since last month to $293 million.
And of the more than $13 billion for Ukraine that Congress is putting forward, more than 4 billion of that will go to humanitarian assistance.
Ukraine’s neighbors in Europe are generously welcoming, supporting refugees. The United States will do our part to help those governments and the humanitarian organizations on the ground meet this tremendous need.
All the steps that we and our allies and partners are taking are aimed at one goal: to end the war.
The support we’re providing Ukraine, as well as our financial and economic measures against Moscow, will strengthen Ukraine’s hand at the diplomatic table.
And we commend Ukraine for staying at that table and continuing to pursue diplomacy while the Kremlin’s brutal aggression continues.
We’ll support Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts however we can.
We continue to call on all nations, especially those with direct influence with Russia, to use whatever leverage they have to compel Moscow to end this war of choice.
We believe China in particular has a responsibility to use its influence with President Putin and to defend the international rules and principles that it professes to support.
Instead, it appears that China is moving in the opposite direction by refusing to condemn this aggression while seeking to portray itself as a neutral arbiter – and we’re concerned that they are considering directly assisting Russia with military equipment to use in Ukraine.
President Biden will be speaking to President Xi tomorrow and will make clear that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs.
Let me close by saying that President Zelenskyy’s message to Congress and to the American people yesterday was incredibly powerful.
He’s asked for more help, which we are providing and will continue to provide.
And he said that the people of Ukraine want the same things for themselves that we want for ourselves – democracy, independence, freedom.
No one who’s watched the events of the past three weeks could ever doubt the depth of Ukraine’s commitment to these ideals.
We’ll continue to stand with Ukraine as it fights for its future.
We’ll continue to increase the costs on Russia until it ends this war of choice.
And we’ll continue to provide life-saving aid to the Ukrainian people as they endure the brutal consequences of Russia’s aggression.
With that, happy to take some questions.
MR PRICE: Paul.
QUESTION: Sir, what do you think about the talks between Ukraine and Russia? Are they making any progress? President Zelenskyy seems to suggest there are things they are talking about.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So we’re in close contact, as I said, with Ukraine’s leaders, including in my case Foreign Minister Kuleba. We’re in close contact with other countries that have, in one way or another, been engaging on diplomacy.
And to date I have to say, on the one hand, we commend Ukraine for being at the table, despite being under bombardment every minute of that day. At the same time, I have not seen any meaningful efforts by Russia to bring this war that it’s perpetrating to a conclusion through diplomacy.
We support Ukraine’s efforts to try to de-escalate through diplomacy, to reach a ceasefire, and of course the withdrawal of Russian forces. We appreciate the efforts of other countries, including France, Germany, Israel, Turkey, and others. But again, from where I sit, diplomacy requires both sides engaging in good faith to de-escalate, and I don’t see signs right now that Putin is prepared to stop.
On the contrary, if you listen to, just for example, his most recent remarks yesterday, that suggests that he is moving in the opposite direction. But never mind the words. What we’re really focused on is actions, and the actions that we’re seeing Russia take every single day, virtually every minute of every day, are in total contrast to any serious diplomatic effort to end the war.
So we’re looking to see Russia take meaningful actions to de-escalate, to stop the violence that it’s perpetrating on Ukraine, and to engage in good-faith talks. We will support any effort that Ukraine makes to do that. We’re certainly doing everything we can to back them, but also to make sure that they have the strongest possible hand, if there are any real negotiations and if diplomacy does advance – hence the support that we’re giving to Ukraine as well as the pressure that we continue to put and even increase on Russia.
MR PRICE: Kylie.
QUESTION: Thank you, Secretary. There is – this department is confirming that an American has died in Ukraine today, so I’m wondering if you can share any more with us about the circumstances, about who that person is, and if there’ll be specific consequences for Russia because an American died.
And then second, earlier this week you said on CNN that one way or another Ukraine will be there and at some point Putin won’t. But we’re watching every day Ukrainians are getting killed; their cities are being demolished. So how can you be so confident to say something like that? And are you suggesting that Putin should be removed as the leader of Russia? Thank you.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Kylie, first, with regard to the American citizen, I can confirm that an American citizen was killed. I don’t have any more details for you than that, but I can confirm that.
Second, it is I think not only clear to me but clear to the world that an independent Ukraine will be there long after Vladimir Putin. And it’s also clear that this could horrifically go on for some time. But when all is said and done, an independent Ukraine will be there, and at some point Vladimir Putin will not. The real question is how much death and destruction is going to occur in the meantime. And we’re doing everything we can to bring this war, perpetrated by Russia, to the quickest possible end. That’s where the support for Ukraine comes in; that’s where the pressure on Russia comes in; that’s where the work, the coordination that we’re doing with countries around the world comes in.
But I think the world has seen this. The world has seen the absolute determination of the Ukrainian people to hold onto their country, to hold onto their future, to hold onto their freedom. And there is nothing that Vladimir Putin can do to subjugate that to his will. But as I said, this could go on for some time, and we’re going to continue to work to bring it to an end as quickly as we can.
QUESTION: And should Putin remain the leader of Russia?
MR PRICE: Kylie, we’re going to try and move around.
Conor.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, you described what you called Russia’s terror tactics. Is the State Department considering designating Russia a state sponsor – excuse me – of terrorism?
And then second, everything that you described, the words that the President has used in recent days – war criminal, murderous dictator, pure thug – do you think that there can ever be normal relations between the United States and Russia so long as Vladimir Putin is in power?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So our focus first and foremost is on doing everything we can to help bring this war to a quick end, to stop the suffering of the Ukrainian people that’s the result of Russia’s aggression on Ukraine. That’s our focus. As we’re doing that, and as I said earlier, we’re also looking very carefully at what is happening, what is being done, and in particular looking at the question of whether war crimes are being committed.
And, among other things, the intentional targeting of civilians would constitute a war crime. You heard President Biden speak to this yesterday. You heard what I said a few minutes ago. So we are documenting. We welcome the efforts of various groups, institutions, organizations that focus on this to bring all of the evidence together, to continue to document things, and then for there to be accountability one way or the other.
In terms of other designations based on actions that Russia’s taking, we are and we will look at everything.
MR PRICE: Yulia Yarmolenko.
QUESTION: On the second question? I’m sorry.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: I’m sorry, remind me.
QUESTION: As long as Putin is in power, can there be normal relations between Russia and the United States?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Again, our focus is on ending this war. I don’t want to speculate about the future, but there’s going to have to be, one way or another, accountability for this war of aggression.
MR PRICE: Yulia Yarmolenko, VOA Ukraine.
QUESTION: Thank you. So on possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, if Russia agrees to stop attacks and withdraw its forces from Ukraine, are there any security formats that will guarantee that Russia would not renew its aggression against Ukraine? If it’s not membership in NATO for Ukraine, then what?
And another question. President Biden said that U.S. will accept Ukrainian refugees with open arms, and so far there is no official visa or other program for Ukrainians who are fleeing war or who want to come to the United States or reunite with their families. Is Department of State working on some special expedited program for Ukrainian refugees? And if yes, when it might be launched?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. First, on the diplomacy, look, I’m not going to speculate on the substance of any negotiations, where that might go. As I said, we fully and strongly support whatever the Government of Ukraine – the democratically elected Government of Ukraine – does. We very much welcome sentiments that we’ve heard expressed for trying to bring this to a diplomatic end as quickly as possible.
I think in the first instance what Ukraine needs is de-escalation. It needs Russian forces out of Ukraine. It needs to have its basic freedom and independence returned, but I leave it to Ukrainian partners to work on advancing the diplomacy if that’s – if they believe that can be productive. We will look at whatever we can do to support that.
And if there are issues that wind up being negotiated that require in some fashion our participation, of course we will look at that and see where we can be helpful. We want to be able in the first instance to do what we’re doing, which is to support the Government of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, along with putting pressure on Russia. If diplomacy finally carries the day and there are things that we can do to support that diplomacy and to support any outcomes that restore Ukraine’s independence, we will, of course, look at that and I’m sure do that.
With regard to refugees, a couple of things. First, as I said, this is the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. The numbers are staggering. And, of course, what gets lost sometimes behind these numbers are the real lives that are at stake and that are being changed, maybe not forever, but are being changed in profound ways.
I saw some of that firsthand when I was on the border between Poland and Ukraine with a number of you just a couple of weeks ago, talking to people who had made the journey across the border, looking for safety in the face of this Russian onslaught. And in many cases – most cases, women and children – the men staying behind to fight.
And we see the impact, of course, in Ukraine. We see the impact on neighboring countries – Poland, Moldova, Romania, others – that are taking in very large numbers of refugees. The generosity I think is extraordinary. But the numbers are growing. The challenge is growing. I was on a call, a video conference, this morning with our G7 partners, and this is one of the things that we talked about – having a coordinated approach to dealing with and helping refugees coming over.
The United States is already and will remain the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Part of the package that is in the supplemental includes about $4 billion in humanitarian assistance, and that will go both directly to Ukraine. It will also go to neighboring countries and others – and Ukrainians outside of Ukraine – to support them.
Second, we are working closely with UNHCR to see how we can support this effort.
Finally, we’re looking at things that we can do ourselves and do directly – for example, looking at steps we may be able to take on family reunification and other things that we can do to be supportive and to really take part in this effort.
Last thing I’ll say is this: What – and of course, there is the refugee referral process, but that takes time. But if people apply for refugee status and seek to come to the United States, of course we will take referrals. But we’re looking at steps that we can take in the near term.
Last thing is this: I think what we’re seeing, at least initially, is that so many people coming out of Ukraine understandably want to stay close to home. They hope – we hope – that they’ll be able to return home as soon as possible. They also want to stay close to home because, as I said, in many cases it’s women and children who have left behind spouses, husbands, fathers, brothers, and they want to be reunited as quickly as possible, so they want to stay as close as possible. But as this and if this goes on, as the numbers increase, as the burden increases for European partners, we will certainly do everything we can to help. So I suspect we’ll have more to say on this in the coming – in the coming days. It’s something we’re very focused on right now.
MR PRICE: Time for one final, quick question from Andrea.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, you’ve outlined, recounted a litany of horrific attacks on civilians. You’ve said you agree with the President’s comment that they’re war crimes, as the UN ambassador said last week. I know there has to be an investigation, but where will the accountability be? What should happen to Vladimir Putin if he is found guilty, since he is the state? What should happen to this (inaudible)? Tell the world.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So, Andrea, a few things. First, we’re all seeing what – and you’re showing, powerfully, on television – these devastating images coming out of Ukraine, and we are seeing the destruction of so much of the country by Russian bombs, artillery. We’re seeing civilian sites being devastated; we’re seeing people being killed – hundreds, thousands of people, civilians. And yes, as I – again, as the President said yesterday, in his opinion, war crimes are being committed. I agree with that. After all the destruction that we’ve seen, it’s really hard to conclude otherwise.
But what we’re doing is this – and I’ll come to your question – we are in the first instance supporting the very important work that’s being done, the evidentiary process to bring the evidence together, to document what’s happened, to support and to work with human rights activists, with civil society, with independent media as well as with the appropriate organizations and institutions that look into this. So we need to go through this process of compiling the evidence, collecting the evidence, understanding the evidence. We’ll share that – and our allies and partners I’m sure will do the same with all of the investigations that are ongoing – to support accountability using every tool that we have available.
I’m not going to get ahead of, first of all, what the outcome will be or what the consequences will be, but I can say with conviction that there will be accountability for any war crimes that are determined to have occurred.
QUESTION: How can you say that after Aleppo and Grozny? He does it repeatedly. He’s a repeat offender as a war criminal.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Andrea, when we said before Russia’s aggression that there would be massive consequences for that aggression, including unprecedented sanctions on Russia, I know some people had their doubts. I think we’ve demonstrated that we’ve been good to our word. When we said that there would be sustained, powerful support for Ukraine in its efforts to defend itself, we’ve demonstrated that we’re good to our word. So when I tell you that there will be accountability and consequences for any war crimes that have been committed, I hope you’ll take me at my word, but actions always speak louder than words.
MR PRICE: Thank you very much, everyone.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Thanks.
For press releases and information regarding events in the Ukraine, please go to: https://www.state.gov/united-with-ukraine/
For all State Department press releases and statements, please go to: https://www.state.gov/press-releases/
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
U.S. Representative to the United Nations
New York, New York
March 17, 2022
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you to the briefers for your briefing today.
Just three weeks ago, Russia launched its unprovoked, unjustified, unconscionable full-scale invasion into Ukraine and assault on democracy. Now, over three million refugees have fled the country, creating a devastating humanitarian crisis felt around the world. These refugees are mostly women and children. They stuffed their lives into backpacks and left their homes and everything they knew behind. Today, many of them know that their apartment buildings and streets have been bombed to rubble. And the horrors continue for those who remain in Ukraine.
We just heard from the WHO DG that 43 hospitals have been attacked by Russia – 43 hospitals and health facilities. AP reporters on the ground showed the world a mass grave in Mariupol – a narrow trench filled with the bodies of children. Yesterday, Russian forces dropped a powerful bomb that hit a Mariupol theater where hundreds of civilians were hiding. The Russian word for “children” was written outside the theater, both front and back, in large white letters that could have been seen from the sky. Yet Russian forces bombed it anyway. Local officials have told families to leave their dead relatives lying outside on the streets – exposed to the world – because it is simply too dangerous with the bombs and shellings to hold funerals.
I just met with Ukrainian civil society leaders. They reported that people standing in a bread line, trying to get food to feed their families, were shot dead by Russian soldiers. They reported terror – the terror that Russia is inflicting across Ukraine on the Ukrainian people.
Russia will be held accountable for its atrocities. There is only one way – one way – to end this madness.
President Putin: Stop the killing. Withdraw your forces. Leave Ukraine once and for all.
Yesterday, I listened to President Zelenskyy’s speech to the United States Congress. And I was so moved by his words, his bravery, and his calls for help and for peace. Immediately afterward, President Biden announced another $800 million in security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself. That’s more than $1 billion in the past week alone. We’re not doing this by ourselves. Our allies and partners are fully committed to surging assistance to the Ukrainians. And we are grateful to all of our allies and partners who have opened their borders and their hearts and welcomed Ukrainian refugees.
We are also going to continue to provide humanitarian relief to support people within Ukraine and those who have been forced to flee – including the $186 million in additional assistance that Secretary Blinken announced on Tuesday. Here at the United Nations, we believe the best way to address the humanitarian crisis is through a resolution in the UN General Assembly. The resolution in the General Assembly will reflect the views of the overwhelming majority of UN Member States and Ukraine itself.
The International Court of Justice issued a profound and important order yesterday to the Russian Federation, and we call on Russia to comply immediately. Russia has clearly violated international law by violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Russia’s brutal tactics have killed civilians, medics, and some of the journalists who have been showing us all the truth of this war. Russia has attacked so much of what we hold sacred and everything – everything – the United Nations stands for. Russia’s actions must be condemned in no uncertain terms.
As President Biden said, Ukraine will never be a victory for Putin. No matter what advances he makes, no matter whom he kills or what cities he destroys, Ukraine will never be a victory for him. The United States stands with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and we will do everything – everything – in our power to end this tragic unnecessary war.
Thank you.
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United States Agency for International Development
Office of Press Relations
Readout
March 17, 2022
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Rebecca Chalif:
Today, Administrator Power spoke with United Nations World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley about the response to the humanitarian catastrophe caused by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war of choice in Ukraine. They also discussed strategies to mitigate the impact of the war on food prices globally and on food security in vulnerable countries in North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Middle East.
Administrator Power and Executive Director Beasley exchanged updates on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine, particularly in besieged cities. They expressed particular concern for the worsening conditions in besieged areas, including Mariupol, where civilians are trapped and food, water, and medicine are in short supply. Administrator Power and Executive Director Beasley discussed efforts to secure humanitarian safe passage to Mariupol and other cities experiencing relentless bombardment by Russian Federation forces.
The U.S. Department of State French Language Spokesperson Marissa Scott is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Please direct interview requests or questions to AFMediaHub@state.gov.
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