On Thursday, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel held a press briefing.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 I have one very brief thing at the top and then I'm happy to dive right into questions.
00:07 So let's start with an update to the humanitarian response in Gaza and our efforts to move aid
00:15 via the humanitarian maritime corridor.
00:18 The temporary pier is now in place and affixed and we expect assistance to flow through this
00:25 route in the coming days.
00:27 The temporary pier, part of the humanitarian maritime corridor, is additive to the other
00:33 routes and will assist humanitarian organizations providing life-saving assistance.
00:39 Aid is arriving in Cyprus.
00:42 It will be screened for loading onto ships for delivery to Gaza where humanitarian organizations,
00:48 including trusted USAID and U.S. government partners, will determine how to ensure they
00:54 reach those in need in accordance to humanitarian principles.
00:59 Although this is a new mechanism of assistance for Gaza, more of course must be done.
01:06 Humanitarian conditions on the ground continue to deteriorate and vital border crossings
01:12 have closed at a time when moving more aid is critical.
01:16 We are working tirelessly to surge assistance through all available means to address the
01:22 impacts of this crisis.
01:24 That's why the U.S. established a humanitarian maritime corridor to augment, not replace,
01:31 ongoing efforts to scale the delivery of humanitarian aid by land.
01:36 So let me be clear.
01:37 We continue to press for all border crossings to be open for overland deliveries of aid,
01:43 but more must be done to address the scale of need.
01:47 We have and will continue to press Israel and other partners in the region to allow
01:53 for – to ensure the safety of humanitarian actors and activities, open additional land
01:59 crossings, and remove impediments to the delivery of humanitarian aid, and do more to make sure
02:05 that aid can get to the places that it needs to go.
02:08 So with that, Sean, do you want to kick us off?
02:10 QUESTION: Sure.
02:11 Let me start with a peer.
02:12 MR RATHKE: Sure.
02:13 QUESTION: The UN – your counterpart at the UN was saying today that they're still
02:20 looking operationally in terms of how to deliver aid, that there are concerns about safety,
02:24 about the logistics – I'm paraphrasing – of doing UN workers there in Gaza.
02:25 I think it comes off the peer.
02:26 Do you think these can be sorted out?
02:27 I mean, I know that the peer was anchored today, but are you confident that delivery
02:28 can actually happen and that those issues will be sorted out?
02:34 MR RATHKE: Absolutely.
02:35 So we intend to work with the totality of the UN family to make sure that aid can get
02:43 where it needs to go.
02:44 Specifically, Sean, after the commodities are ashore, the UN, through the logistics
02:49 cluster, will receive the aid for humanitarian organizations, including ones that I just
02:55 said that are trusted partners of the U.S.
02:58 Government, to distribute aid inside Gaza.
03:01 QUESTION: But do you think they do have those safety assurances that they're ready to
03:05 go as far as the U.S. is concerned?
03:06 MR RATHKE: We're continuing to have those conversations.
03:09 From our point of view, we believe that this is ready to go and for aid to start flowing
03:15 as soon as possible.
03:16 QUESTION: And on a similar note, Rafah, of course, is closed.
03:20 I know you spoke about opening the Rafah crossing and you spoke about opening further crossings.
03:24 Prime Minister Netanyahu, I think it was yesterday, had some choice words for Egypt, saying that
03:29 Egypt needs to act to open it.
03:32 Egypt also has responded quite forcefully, saying that basically, Trump donors don't
03:37 really want to go essentially through an Israeli checkpoint to get in.
03:41 How confident are you that these issues can be resolved?
03:43 Is the U.S. trying to do anything to solve this?
03:45 MR RATHKE: Well, we're certainly confident that they can be resolved, because they have
03:48 been resolved at various instances over the course of this conflict.
03:53 The U.S. supports Israel's right to defend itself and support taking every feasible measure
03:59 to protect civilians.
04:02 We are – continue to be concerned that travel and the flow of fuel of aid into Gaza via
04:09 Rafah has come to a complete halt.
04:12 But we are continuing to work with the Government of Egypt, with the Government of Israel, to
04:16 do everything we can to make sure that this gets open as soon as possible.
04:20 You've heard me talk a little bit about this before, that there are, of course, legitimate
04:24 security and operational concerns that are legitimate, and we're continuing to work through
04:29 those processes.
04:30 And do you – I mean, basically, do you think – do you agree that Egypt should just open
04:34 it up, or do you think it's more complicated than that?
04:36 Or is there more to it?
04:37 Obviously, Sean, it is more complicated than just a simple – they should just open it
04:43 up.
04:44 But this is something that we're continuing to work directly with our partners in Egypt
04:47 and our partners in Israel.
04:48 There are obviously legitimate issues that need to be ironed out.
04:53 The important thing is – and this is something we know that our partners in Israel and our
04:56 partners in Egypt understand – Rafah is an important conduit for aid, for fuel, and
05:01 for every day that it is closed, that is aid and fuel not getting in through that conduit.
05:10 Just one more, and I'll pass on.
05:11 But I'm just wondering if you have any reaction to the Arab League emergency meeting, their
05:16 two main takeaways, one, they want a regional summit or a peace conference on what's going
05:21 on now, and also, speaking of UN-backed peacekeepers in the Palestinian territories.
05:26 So let me say a couple things on that, Sean.
05:31 First, in terms of any summit, I don't have anything to offer there beyond saying this
05:37 is something that we have engaged in regularly with our partners in the Arab world.
05:42 You all are abreast of the engagements that the Secretary has, both in person as well
05:46 as the engagements he has over the phone.
05:49 We'll continue to talk directly with our partners in the Arab world.
05:54 And as it relates to any security or peacekeeping force, we have first and foremost been focused
06:03 on bringing a conclusion to this conflict.
06:07 We have been having conversations with partners in the region about a post-conflict Gaza.
06:11 Early on in this conflict, we've begun those conversations.
06:15 Many partners, both in and out of the Arab world, share our concerns and share a willingness
06:20 to play a constructive role when conditions allow.
06:24 But there is a convergence among many of them that we need to see this conflict end, we
06:30 need to see a ceasefire, we need to see hostages released, we need to see more humanitarian
06:36 aid getting in, and we need to see the space for the diplomacy to happen to get us on a
06:43 path for a Palestinian state and see some progress for the Palestinian people.
06:48 So we're going to work through that process first.
06:50 On this, if you don't mind, can you give us a more clear answer if you support the deployment
06:58 of UN forces in Gaza until the implementation of the two-state solution that the Arab summit
07:07 called for today?
07:08 So we've seen the statement that's coming out of the Arab summit.
07:11 I just don't have a conclusive assessment to offer yet.
07:14 Michel.
07:15 In general, do you support such deployment?
07:19 So look, this is something that we know that Israel is focused on in working to defeat
07:30 Hamas.
07:31 Candidly, the addition of additional security forces could potentially put that mission
07:39 into compromise.
07:40 But again, I don't want to get ahead of the process here, and we're just now seeing what
07:44 the statement that's come out of this summit.
07:47 Daphne, go ahead.
07:49 Thank you.
07:50 Martin Griffiths warned today that famine was an immediate risk in Gaza with food stocks
07:54 running out, said the humanitarian operation was completely stuck, the relief operation
07:58 was unplannable, and said that the consequences of an operation in Rafa that everyone warned
08:03 about are coming true.
08:05 Do you agree with that assessment?
08:07 So we are deeply concerned about the reports indicating worsening conditions and imminent
08:11 famine in Gaza.
08:13 Israel needs to do more to urgently provide sustained and unimpeded access for humanitarian
08:20 assistance to enter both northern and southern Gaza, including facilitating efforts to get
08:26 the right type of assistance to the most vulnerable.
08:31 We have been very clear about our position on a major military operation in Rafa, while
08:36 we of course support Israel's rights to defend itself, we believe a major military operation
08:41 in Rafa would be a mistake.
08:43 We have not seen that happen yet, but we're very concerned about an expanded operation
08:49 in Rafa and what it could do to contributing towards the worsening humanitarian crisis.
08:55 So we are going to continue to engage with our partners in Israel on this, discuss with
08:59 them alternatives and other avenues, and we'll continue to have that conversation.
09:03 And do you have an updated number on aid trucks getting into Gaza?
09:07 So 228 trucks crossed into Gaza on May 15, including 136 trucks from Jordan and Israel
09:15 through Kerem Shalom and 92 trucks through Erez West.
09:19 Additionally, the World Food Program collected 56 trucks worth of wheat flour at Erez West
09:27 on May 15.
09:29 And then do you have any update on the group of American citizens who are doctors and medical
09:33 professionals that had been stuck in Gaza since the closing of Rafa?
09:36 So we are continuing to be aware of the reports of U.S. citizen doctors currently unable to
09:41 leave Gaza.
09:42 We of course continue to be concerned about their safety and well-being, as we are the
09:46 safety and well-being of all U.S. citizens in Gaza.
09:49 As you've heard me say, this is a very complex situation.
09:54 This is not a border crossing, specifically the Rafa one.
09:57 It is not one that the United States controls, but we are actively engaged with the relevant
10:02 authorities to advocate for their safe departure from Gaza.
10:06 We're continuing to have those conversations.
10:07 We're in direct touch with these doctors and the group that they are a part of, as well
10:12 as their families.
10:13 I just want to repose this question, given your exchange just now with Daphne.
10:19 It was a few days after the World Central Kitchen strike on April 1st.
10:22 The President and the Secretary have said that a change in U.S. policy would come if
10:28 Israel didn't improve the humanitarian aid front.
10:31 So it's a month and a half later.
10:33 Are there any consequences being thought about, considered by the administration, specifically
10:39 in response to the humanitarian aid problem?
10:41 Well, Olivia, I think it's important to remember, and you were here when Ambassador Satterfield
10:47 came to this briefing.
10:48 Actually, I'm not sure you were here.
10:49 I was not here.
10:50 You were not here.
10:51 You were in Capri having a blast with the rest of the bullpen.
10:55 When Ambassador Satterfield was here, he spoke about the progress that we have seen, did
11:00 see in that time period when it came to sustained humanitarian assistance.
11:05 There of course has been a bit of an aggression, given in large part due to some of the kinetic
11:10 activity that we've seen around Kerem Shalom, kinetic activity that we've seen around the
11:16 Rafah border crossing.
11:18 That is understandable.
11:19 But simultaneously, we continue to press and engage directly with the Egyptians, with the
11:24 Israelis, that we need to do everything we can to turn these border crossings on so that
11:29 more sustained humanitarian aid can get into Gaza.
11:32 And should we not see sustained progress, the president and the secretary were quite
11:37 clear, and that statement continues to ring true.
11:42 Okay.
11:43 I mean, just underscoring the fact that it was a month and a half ago, I understand there
11:47 were some progress, but-
11:48 There was progress.
11:49 There was progress.
11:50 And again, largely because of kinetic activity from Hamas, in fact, we have seen some of
11:56 these border crossings unfortunately close, and we are working around the clock with our
12:00 partners in Israel, with our partners in Egypt, as it relates to the Rafah one especially,
12:05 to do everything we can to turn those back on.
12:07 There's no timeline or deadline that you're working with?
12:10 There was not a timeline or a deadline when we spoke about this at the beginning of April.
12:15 This is a frank and direct conversation that we'll continue to have with our partners in
12:21 Israel, and we want to continue to see immediate and sustained flow.
12:26 I obviously was able to provide some metrics here.
12:30 We are seeing some positive steps in the right direction.
12:33 The cooperation from a number of recent regional partners as it relates to the maritime corridor
12:39 will of course be a positive step in the right direction.
12:43 We want to continue to see more, and we intend to raise that if we don't.
12:47 Tangential but related, because the president and secretary also stressed the importance
12:51 of establishing a better deconfliction mechanism.
12:54 Where do Israel's efforts on that stand, as you understand them?
12:57 I spoke a little bit about this the other day.
13:00 This is something we continue to need to see from our partners in Israel.
13:05 It is critical that a style is established to improve deconfliction, one that is reflective
13:13 of enabling open and transparent communication channels between the IDF and other humanitarian
13:19 partners.
13:20 That is something that we're going to continue to press them on.
13:23 Just to be crystal clear, a deconfliction cell within the IDF does not currently exist.
13:27 There are pictures of Jack Lew getting a tour of some of the-
13:30 There has been progress in some of those spaces, but we still need to see more.
13:35 I'm happy to see if we have a breakdown of what exists currently and what doesn't.
13:40 In fact, the IDF might be better suited to speak to efforts that they have in place versus
13:45 not.
13:46 I have one more with your press corps indulgence.
13:48 Just because the secretary said yesterday that it was imperative that Israel come up
13:51 with a clear and credible plan for post-war Gaza.
13:54 Obviously, you've seen comments from the prime minister.
13:58 In response to those, do you have any indication that the current Israeli government, apart
14:03 from the defense minister, is interested in crafting such a plan?
14:09 Whether there is an interest in crafting a plan or not, I will let it to our partners
14:15 in Israel to speak to.
14:17 What we know and what we feel ardently in the United States is that short of a plan
14:25 that is reflective of a political process, that is reflective of a Gaza that is no longer
14:31 under the control of Hamas and reunited under the Palestinian Authority, that is reflective
14:36 of a Gaza that can no longer be used as a springboard for terrorism on the Israeli people,
14:43 that we're going to continue to be caught in this endless cycle of violence.
14:47 That is exactly why Secretary Blinken has continued to engage in direct diplomacy with
14:53 partners in Israel, with partners in other parts of the world, to get us onto that process,
14:58 to do everything possible to get us a ceasefire, so conditions can be created for further diplomacy
15:03 to happen, to get us on a path to a two-state solution.
15:08 Outside of that, we will continue to find ourselves in this endless cycle of violence.
15:13 Of course, we need military pressure to defeat Hamas, but there also needs to be a political
15:18 process that is reflective of the broader concerns here.
15:24 Janne, go ahead.
15:26 Thank you, President, on China and Russia, regarding the summit meeting between China
15:33 and Russia.
15:34 Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin said in a statement from the summit
15:41 that they oppose pressure on North Korea by the U.S. and its allies.
15:48 How will expectation about influence change as China and Russia defend North Korea?
15:57 We've long felt that Russia and the PRC have a role to play in helping rein in and engage
16:04 the DPRK when it comes to their provocative and reckless and malign and destabilizing
16:11 behavior.
16:12 We believe that Russia and the PRC have the capabilities and the channels and the relationships
16:19 with the DPRK to do that directly through their own bilateral relationship, but also
16:24 through multilateral for like the Security Council as well.
16:27 If Putin visits North Korea after his visit to China, the solidarity between North Korea
16:36 and China and Russia will be further strengthened.
16:41 How do you assess this?
16:43 So I don't think it's about the solidarity between the DPRK and Russia being further
16:48 strengthened or not.
16:50 We know that the DPRK has and continues to provide material support to the Russian Federation
16:57 for their aggression in Ukraine.
17:00 And so we continue to condemn that kind of action and we'll continue to take appropriate
17:05 action to hold actors accountable.
17:07 Can I just ask a little bit more broadly about that?
17:10 Sure.
17:11 About Putin and Xi?
17:12 Yeah, absolutely.
17:13 What do you think of it?
17:14 I mean, was there anything new?
17:15 I mean, obviously they met right before the war.
17:16 But do you see anything new about that, particularly when it comes to Ukraine?
17:22 President Xi made some talk about 301 escalation, et cetera.
17:26 Do you see anything new there?
17:27 How do you see this?
17:28 Well, let me say a couple of things, Sean.
17:31 First is that the People's Republic of China cannot have its cake and eat it too.
17:36 You can't have it both ways.
17:37 You can't want to have good, further, stronger, deepened relationships with Europe and other
17:44 countries while simultaneously continuing to fuel the biggest threat to European security
17:50 in a long time.
17:51 And the importance of this is not just a U.S. position.
17:54 It is one that is shared by our partners in the G7, our partners at NATO, our partners
17:59 in the EU.
18:01 Fueling Russia's defense industrial base, as the People's Republic of China has, not
18:06 only threatens Ukrainian security, it threatens European security.
18:10 And Beijing can't achieve better relations with Europe while also continuing to support
18:18 something like this.
18:19 I will also say that in just coming down, I saw something as it relates to what looked
18:26 like a joint statement or some language coming out of this meeting that talked about, as
18:31 you mentioned, concerns about de-escalation, sorry, concerns about escalation, wanting
18:36 some kind of peace process or political solution to the conflict in Ukraine.
18:41 From our point of view, the solution is simple.
18:44 The Russian Federation can just leave Ukraine.
18:47 It can leave the territories that it's in in Ukraine.
18:49 It can leave Crimea, and we'll have our peaceful solution.
18:54 But time and time and time again, President Putin and the Russian Federation has indicated
18:59 that they are not interested in doing that.
19:02 Go ahead, Anne.
19:03 If I could go back to the aid workers, the medical workers in Gaza.
19:08 You had mentioned that we don't control the Rafah border crossing.
19:11 That's what's complicated it.
19:12 But Israel does control Kerem Shalom.
19:15 Why can these workers not leave Kerem Shalom and Israel allow other aid workers in to replace
19:19 them?
19:20 Is the complication on Israel's side, or is it?
19:23 It's a complicated situation writ large.
19:28 There are veering factors that go into where foreign nationals can depart from Gaza or
19:35 not.
19:36 Kerem Shalom is also not a border crossing that the United States controls.
19:42 But we're engaging and advocating directly with our partners in Israel, with our partners
19:46 in Egypt for their safe departure.
19:49 And that continues to be around the clock effort.
19:52 And I'm not going to speak to it in more specificity, one for privacy reasons, but also given security
19:58 sensitivities as well.
19:59 If I could follow up to what Olivia was asking as well.
20:01 As three weeks ago, we had Ambassador Satterfield here saying, we need to start doing more than
20:06 just counting trucks.
20:07 We're still counting trucks.
20:10 What is the consequence for not allowing medical aid workers in, which I would equate with
20:13 humanitarian aid?
20:15 It absolutely is.
20:16 We have been clear that humanitarian aid workers need to have access to Gaza to do the important
20:23 work that they're doing, whether it be medical or otherwise, or whether it be direct humanitarian
20:28 workers who are directly involved in the flow of humanitarian aid.
20:32 That continues to be the case here.
20:34 It's also important to remember that we are talking about American citizens.
20:37 We're also talking about this in the context of a consular issue.
20:41 And so while it is great that they are humanitarian aid workers doing important work, they are
20:47 American citizens also.
20:49 They're American citizens first.
20:51 And so we're talking about a consular issue and doing everything we can to make sure that
20:54 we can get them to safety.
20:57 That being said, we continue to believe that those working in this field of humanitarian
21:01 aid and humanitarian issues need to have unimpeded access to do this important work.
21:06 Rabia, go ahead.
21:08 Thank you.
21:09 I want to respond to these humanitarian aid questions in Gaza.
21:12 So in the NSM report, you say that Israel is not deliberately restricting aid.
21:19 But you also say today that you continue to press Israel to allow entry of more humanitarian
21:26 aid into Gaza.
21:28 So if Israel is not restricting aid, then what prevents Israel from allowing more aid
21:34 into Gaza to do land crossings, considering that these land crossings are under Israeli
21:42 control?
21:43 So Rabia, there are, of course, legitimate logistical concerns and legitimate security
21:48 challenges that sometimes need to be worked through.
21:52 Let's remember that one of the reasons that aid was throttled from Kerem Shalom last week
21:59 was because of kinetic activity from Hamas.
22:01 Hamas attacking Kerem Shalom and the surrounding region.
22:05 So there are some of these legitimate security concerns that we need to work through.
22:11 Israel has every right to its security and to ensure that the aid that is flowing within
22:18 Gaza is flowing in a secure way, in a way that does not compromise their security further.
22:28 We're continuing to work with them through these processes.
22:30 But that being said, we have been explicit that more needs to be done to augment humanitarian
22:37 aid efforts, especially through these land crossings.
22:40 So Israel is not doing enough, but you still think that they are not deliberately restricting
22:45 aid?
22:46 So I think I was pretty clear when I think you asked this question just the other day,
22:51 which is that more absolutely can be done to enhance the flow of humanitarian aid into
22:58 Gaza.
22:59 We have not seen any restriction or stoppage of humanitarian aid by Israel.
23:06 Aid is flowing into Gaza.
23:07 I just gave your colleagues some metrics about aid that was flowing yesterday, and we'll
23:13 continue to provide updates as frequently as we can.
23:16 Said, go ahead.
23:17 Thank you, Vidant.
23:18 Sorry for being late.
23:19 No, you're good.
23:20 Very quickly on the aid.
23:21 I don't know, maybe you touched upon it.
23:25 Are you aware that the Israelis or Israeli sectors have destroyed or stopped five trucks
23:34 from going in?
23:35 I've seen some of those reports, Said.
23:37 I don't, I can't offer-
23:39 The Jordanians, I mean.
23:41 I've seen some of those reports, Said.
23:43 I can't offer a technical assessment of where those trucks are in their path or their flow
23:49 to their ultimate endpoint, or whether that aid was able to be rerouted or not.
23:54 What I can say, though, is that humanitarian aid must not and cannot be restricted, stopped,
24:02 or interfered with.
24:03 Our partners in Israel need to do more to hold actors like this accountable when action
24:11 is taken that is inconsistent with what we know is important, which is getting more humanitarian
24:18 aid into Gaza.
24:20 What is your position on the Rafah crossing at the present time?
24:26 The Rafah crossing-
24:27 You just spent a lot of time talking about Rafah.
24:29 I know you were tardy.
24:30 But I will encapsulate it briefly for you, which is that we are working around the clock
24:37 with our partners in Egypt and Israel to do everything we can to get the Rafah crossing
24:41 open.
24:43 Due to it being closed, unfortunately, there has been a stoppage of aid and fuel flowing
24:49 into Gaza.
24:50 The Rafah, there are some legitimate operational and security concerns and challenges that
24:55 we're continuing to work through.
24:57 But we recognize how dire and how important it is that this crossing open as swiftly as
25:02 possible.
25:03 And lastly, yesterday marked the 76th anniversary of the Palestinian Nectar.
25:08 And, of course, the Palestinians commemorated it in the shadow of the ongoing war in Gaza.
25:15 So incredible.
25:17 Not only that the issue was not resolved over a period of 76 years, but there's a second
25:23 Nectar ongoing.
25:24 I mean, there's the movement of people, 600,000 here and 600,000 there and so on.
25:29 And I remember what the Secretary of State said just before the [inaudible] that the
25:34 time has come for the Palestinian to live and live in dignity much like the Israelis
25:40 and so on.
25:41 So has the time come to really end this Nectar and allow the Palestinians the measure of
25:47 dignity that the Secretary talked about in their own land?
25:51 We're working around the clock to make it so.
25:54 We are committed to reaching an immediate ceasefire here that secures the release of
26:00 hostages and allows the surge of humanitarian aid.
26:03 In addition to that, we believe that such a ceasefire could create the diplomatic conditions
26:09 for further serious progress to be made, talking about Israel's further integration in the
26:14 Middle East, talking about putting the region on a pathway to a two-state solution so that
26:22 Israelis and Palestinians can live those equal measures of justice, dignity, and peace.
26:27 We have not taken our eyes off the ball here, which is ultimately a two-state solution,
26:33 so we can get to that ultimate goal.
26:36 So you feel that the time has come to end this Palestinian Nectar?
26:40 Saeed, what I can say is that we have long been and continue to be committed to a two-state
26:46 solution, and we're working around the clock on that.
26:48 I'm not-
26:49 [crosstalk]
26:50 ... ongoing catastrophe has now come to an end.
26:52 Saeed, I do not dispute the suffering of the Palestinian people and that their current
27:00 experiences that the Palestinian people are facing, not just in Gaza, but living under
27:06 occupation in the West Bank.
27:08 I'm not trying to dispute that at all.
27:09 What I am saying is that we are continuing to work around the clock to get us a conclusion
27:15 of the current hostilities and get us on a path to further diplomacy, get us to a two-state
27:20 solution.
27:21 That's what the Secretary is deeply committed to, as is President Biden.
27:24 I'm sorry, but the current hostilities are rooted in a catastrophe that has been going
27:29 on for 66 years.
27:30 [crosstalk]
27:31 ... the current hostilities are rooted in Hamas unleashing a terrorist attack on Israel
27:39 on October 7th, rooted in their vision of ensuring that Israel is eliminated from the
27:45 face of the planet.
27:46 Not rooted in what happened in 1948.
27:48 Hamas has been very clear about what their intentions are.
27:51 I'm not talking about Hamas.
27:52 I'm not talking about that this issue has gone on for 66 years.
27:57 I just want you to acknowledge that.
27:58 The issue has been going on for 66 years, and not just--it did not begin on October
28:03 7th.
28:04 I think they've exhausted this topic, Said.
28:05 Go ahead.
28:06 Yeah, you.
28:07 Yeah.
28:08 Daniele Competaglio for the Italian television La Sette.
28:11 So if you can talk a little bit more about the meeting between Xi Jinping and Mr. Putin,
28:20 regarding also the sanctions that the U.S. today or yesterday, the president announced.
28:27 I don't think they were sanctions.
28:31 Pardon me?
28:32 They were not sanctions.
28:33 I mean, for import and export to the U.S.
28:36 Yeah, and tariffs.
28:37 Right.
28:38 Yeah.
28:39 Yeah.
28:40 If you can talk a little bit more about that, and then I have another question.
28:41 Sure.
28:42 So where would you like me to start specifically?
28:45 From the first part.
28:46 Let's start from the meeting.
28:48 As it relates to the meeting between President Xi and President Putin, I think I exhausted
28:55 that topic with Sean, but I will just say again that in our view, the People's Republic
29:00 of China can't have it both ways.
29:03 You can't purport to claim to want to deepen and strengthen your relationships with Europe
29:07 while continuing to fuel one of the biggest threats to European security in many, many
29:14 decades.
29:16 As it relates to the announcement of tariffs earlier this week, you're seeing the president
29:21 take action to protect American workers and businesses from what we believe to be China's
29:26 unfair trade practices.
29:29 American workers and businesses can out-compete anybody as long as the competition is fair.
29:34 But for too long, the PRC has been playing by a different set of rules, using unfair
29:41 and anti-competitive economic practices.
29:45 So what this is, is working with our allies to join forces in out-competing China by building
29:53 alliances abroad and producing jobs here at home.
29:56 And if I can do a follow-up question about what you just said.
30:00 I don't know if you're aware, for instance, Italy has signed some sort of agreement with
30:06 the Chinese, and the President Xi Jinping was in Europe last week.
30:10 Who signed an agreement?
30:13 Sorry.
30:14 In Italy.
30:15 In Italy, a Chinese electric car will start being imported, I believe next year.
30:22 So how does the US try to manage?
30:28 I mean, the Chinese, they're trying to have business with Europe, because they have to,
30:35 and then also they're trying to put their nose in Ukraine.
30:39 So it looks like they're trying to--.
30:40 So look, let me just say this, and the US, United States is not of course party to this,
30:46 but we welcome investment in trade that promotes sustainable and responsible development and
30:51 growth.
30:52 But we continue to urge in all cases the need to emphasize transparency, sustainable financing,
31:00 sustainable practices, and preservation of national and data security to ensure mutual
31:05 benefit for the United States, Italy, and other partners.
31:09 And that is something we have not always seen as it relates to investments and trade practices
31:15 by the People's Republic of China in countries around the world.
31:18 Thank you.
31:19 Go ahead.
31:20 Thanks.
31:21 Just back on the Putin-Xi meeting.
31:22 The Secretary went to China recently and expressed concerns over its growing cooperation with
31:26 Russia, and yet this meeting is happening now, and they pledged a new era of partnership.
31:31 Are you concerned that the trip was an unsuccessful attempt to stem this relationship, and is
31:36 there anything more you can do to put the brakes on it?
31:38 No, absolutely not.
31:39 The trip was not unsuccessful.
31:42 You have to remember that our engagements with the People's Republic of China is multifaceted.
31:48 And one of the key components of the Secretary's visit was to build on some of the key deliverables
31:54 that came out of President Biden and President Xi's Woodside Summit.
31:58 We're talking about enhancing cooperation on fentanyl, additional military to military
32:04 communication, collaboration in other areas.
32:08 And we think, not we think, we know that focusing on those issues continues to allow us to manage
32:14 this relationship responsibly, manage competition responsibly, which is what the world expects
32:20 of international powers.
32:22 That being said, thoroughly, we also believe that the People's Republic of China's essential
32:30 reconstitution of Russia's defense industrial base is deeply problematic, and we will monitor
32:37 this space closely and take appropriate actions independently through other multilateral fora
32:44 should we need.
32:45 And we continue to say directly, and we have, the Secretary has been direct on this with
32:51 his counterparts, that the PRC cannot have it both ways.
32:55 Sorry, what sort of actions?
32:57 I'm saying we stand ready to take additional actions should necessary as it relates to
33:02 the PRC and any entities for their further support of Russia and its aggression in Ukraine.
33:09 What sort of actions?
33:11 So I think, I'm not going to preview actions from up here, Daphne.
33:13 I think you've been covering the department long enough to know that, but the United States
33:19 has a number of tools at its disposal to hold folks accountable.
33:24 Alex, go ahead.
33:26 On Ukraine, going back to Secretary Steele, he's back.
33:29 I was wondering if you could give us some sort of his firsthand assessment and his level
33:34 of concern on the situation in Kharkiv, just how serious it has become during the past
33:40 couple of hours.
33:41 So we've, we spoke a little bit about this earlier this week, Alex.
33:46 Obviously, the situation is incredibly dire.
33:50 We know that this is a challenging time, but we are sure that military aid is also going
33:55 to make a real difference on the battlefield.
33:57 The Secretary yesterday announced $2 billion in additional assistance in foreign military
34:05 financing to establish not just the Ukraine defense enterprise program, and further enhance
34:10 Ukraine's capability to defend against Russia and its continued assault as well.
34:14 If you're on Russia, if I may, in the case of Gordon Black, there are reports on Russian
34:19 media that he pleaded guilty.
34:20 I don't want to dignify everything they said, but they said that he was accused of stealing
34:25 from his girlfriend, but he admitted that.
34:28 Is there any development on your end, any consular access?
34:32 There continues to be a limit to what I can say, Alex, given privacy considerations.
34:36 This is a circumstance in which the department is continuing to seek consular access.
34:41 We have not been able to obtain it yet, but when any American citizen is detained abroad,
34:47 we ensure to do everything possible.
34:50 We take their security and safety incredibly seriously.
34:53 And most importantly, we continue to press for consular access.
34:58 As I've said, we are continuing to seek consular access.
35:02 I'll also comment about this.
35:06 Mark says seven months since her wrongful detention.
35:10 Any update on her case?
35:12 I don't have any updates for you specifically, Alex, but we have no higher priority than
35:18 the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas.
35:20 We continue to remain deeply concerned about Al-Sue's case, and we condemn in the strongest
35:25 possible terms the Kremlin's continued attempts to intimidate and repress journalists and
35:30 civil society voices.
35:31 You know, the president of the United States is on the record twice calling Putin to release
35:36 her.
35:37 How do you expect someone like Putin to take him seriously if his own State Department
35:42 is slow walking the process?
35:44 I would dispute that premise, Alex.
35:46 We are certainly not slow walking the process.
35:48 There is a deliberative process at play here in terms of any formal wrongful detention
35:54 designation.
35:55 But we would echo the president in that she should be released.
35:58 Olivia, go ahead.
35:59 Just one thing.
36:00 A follow-up on Ukraine.
36:01 In Kiev, the secretary was asked about conditions that this administration has imposed on American
36:06 weapons being sent to Ukraine, namely that they not be used to strike in Russian territory.
36:11 The secretary said that the U.S. had not enabled or encouraged such attacks, but then added
36:16 that it was up to the Ukrainians to decide how to conduct this war.
36:19 And to some, that sounded like it might have been a loosening of this policy.
36:22 So I just wanted you to clarify whether there has been any change in how the U.S. is thinking
36:27 about the weapons that it's sending to the Ukrainians.
36:29 Could they be used to strike beyond Ukraine?
36:31 So certainly not a policy change.
36:34 Our policy has not changed.
36:35 And the secretary was clear about this.
36:37 We do not encourage or enable strikes on Russian territory.
36:41 But repeatedly we've also said that Ukraine ultimately makes its own decisions about its
36:45 military strikes and its operations.
36:47 That continues to be the case.
36:48 Would they face consequences if they used American weapons to strike?
36:51 You know how I feel about hypotheticals, Olivia.
36:53 So I'm just going to leave it at that.
36:55 Go ahead.
36:56 You had your hand up in the back.
36:57 Thank you, Vedant.
36:58 Mark Stone from Sky News.
37:01 If I could just take a step back on Gaza.
37:03 Sure.
37:04 How have we got to a place where families, children are now being displaced multiple
37:10 times?
37:11 The borders are hardly open.
37:12 Heavy bombing and fighting has returned to the north of Gaza and to central Gaza.
37:17 How have we got here?
37:18 Well, we got here in large part because of Hamas's continued belligerence and their continued
37:28 choice to use civilians as human shields.
37:31 And their choice to—
37:32 How long can you only blame Hamas for this?
37:36 Because that seems to be what you do an awful lot.
37:38 Hamas should take a huge amount of blame, of course.
37:41 What about the other side?
37:42 Well, we have been very clear, and I have been clear from this podium, as has the secretary
37:47 and has Matt, when Israel or any partner or any ally has done something that we have felt
37:54 not meant the mark or when we have seen actions that are inconsistent with our values or seen
38:00 actions that are inconsistent with our goal for the region, we have not hesitated to speak
38:06 to them.
38:07 So I kind of reject your premise there.
38:10 And as it relates to blaming Hamas, let's not forget that, again, Hamas is a terrorist
38:15 organization.
38:16 They have stated it is their intent to destroy Israel, to erase Israel off the face of the
38:25 planet.
38:26 They've also said that they would like to conduct an October 7th over and over again
38:30 if they could.
38:31 And when we talk about ending this conflict, it is Hamas that has continued to move the
38:36 goalposts.
38:37 It is Hamas that has continued to not take the deals that have been on the table that
38:42 would have allowed for this conflict to reach a ceasefire, that would have allowed for hostages
38:48 to be released.
38:49 So if I can follow up, the premise of your answer seems to be, your first answer seems
38:54 to be that the Americans have been talking, have been influencing.
38:59 What are American words worth these days?
39:01 What is American influence worth?
39:02 I think American influence is worth quite a bit.
39:05 And it is because of American engagement and American leadership and American diplomacy,
39:10 specifically by this secretary and by this president, that we have seen things unfold
39:15 in a certain way.
39:17 We have seen humanitarian aid be unlocked.
39:20 We have seen things like this new maritime corridor be accomplished.
39:24 I am certainly not trying to say that it is enough, but it is a step in the right direction.
39:29 Let's not forget that at the beginning of this conflict, there was close to little humanitarian
39:33 aid flowing into Gaza at all.
39:35 And it is because of Secretary Blinken and President Biden that we are trending in a
39:39 different direction.
39:40 Are we not?
39:41 It's going backwards.
39:42 The fighting has returned.
39:43 The borders have shut.
39:44 People are being displaced repeatedly.
39:46 Things are plainly going backwards, not forwards.
39:50 We have been clear that there needs to be some progress made as it relates to some backward
39:56 steps in the past couple of weeks.
39:57 But there has been a sustained period in which we saw an increase of humanitarian aid.
40:01 And we're going to continue to work that directly.
40:03 Nick, go ahead.
40:04 On Cuba, the state removed Cuba from the list of countries not fully cooperating against
40:10 terrorism.
40:11 Can you explain a little of that rationale?
40:13 And also, is this a prelude to Cuba no longer being considered a state sponsor?
40:18 Let me start with that second part first.
40:21 So the designation of a state sponsor of terrorism is a totally separate process from an NFCC
40:29 certification.
40:31 There have been countries certified as NFCCs without being designated as state sponsors
40:36 of terrorism and vice versa.
40:39 U.S. law establishes specific statutory criteria for rescinding any state sponsor of terrorism
40:45 designation.
40:46 And any review of Cuba's status on this would need to be based on the law and the criteria
40:51 established by Congress.
40:53 So to take a step back on this NFCC process, the Department determined that the circumstances
41:01 for Cuba's certifications as a not fully cooperating country have changed from 2022 to 2023.
41:09 First, Cuba's refusal to engage with Colombia on extradition requests for National Liberation
41:15 Army members supported Cuba's NFCC certification for 2022.
41:21 In August of 2022, pursuant to an order from Colombian President Petro, Colombia's attorney
41:26 general announced that arrest warrant would be suspended against 17 ELN commanders, including
41:33 those whose extradition Colombia had previously requested from Cuba.
41:38 Moreover, the U.S. and Cuba resumed law enforcement cooperation in 2023, including on counterterrorism.
41:43 Therefore, we've determined that Cuba's continued certification as a not fully cooperating country
41:49 was no longer appropriate.
41:51 I will also say, since you've given me the opportunity, Nick, sales of defense articles
41:57 to Cuba will continue to be restricted under Section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act,
42:02 given Cuba's status as a state sponsor of terrorism.
42:05 Moreover, Cuba remains subject to an incredibly comprehensive embargo still.
42:11 Can I just follow up on that?
42:13 Sure.
42:14 I mean, Pompeo, when he added Cuba back to the list, he explicitly raised the ELN issue
42:20 as a reason that it was being added to the state sponsor of terrorism.
42:24 I realize there's a different process for that, but the Cubans have said that this is
42:27 a political decision to keep them as a state sponsor.
42:29 I mean, is it?
42:30 I mean, is it a why?
42:31 How can they still be considered a state sponsor of terrorism if they are cooperating on counterterrorism,
42:36 as this report says?
42:37 So you can still, you can be a cooperator on counterterrorism, but we still believe
42:42 that there are actions that they are undertaking that are of the support of terrorist activities.
42:47 I'm not going to get into those specifically from up here.
42:50 But again, Sean, should any statutory criteria change on rescinding the SST designation,
42:58 we would work on that based on the law and the criteria established by Congress.
43:03 I'm just saying, sir, I think specifically you need them to do to remove that.
43:07 I just wouldn't speak to the deliberative process on that from up here.
43:11 Go ahead.
43:12 Thank you.
43:13 Thank you, Matt.
43:14 Thank you, Vedan.
43:15 Thank you.
43:16 After the meeting with the visiting assistant secretary, Duna Lu, Bangladesh's ruling prime
43:26 minister advisor, told the reporters that White House and the State Departments are
43:31 very much willing to remove the sanction as he was imposed sanction on the Arab Redaction
43:36 Battalion for the extreme violation of human rights and extrajudicial killing.
43:41 So he said that the State Department and White House working to remove the sanction.
43:46 Those claims are false.
43:48 The US is not withdrawing sanctions against the RAB.
43:50 Those claims are false.
43:52 Sanctions are intended to change behavior and promote accountability.
43:55 One more he said.
43:56 I'm going to work.
43:57 I have a hard out, so I'm going to try to get to one more.
44:00 Go ahead.
44:02 So first, can you confirm that the administration has notified Congress of a $1 billion arms
44:07 package for Israel?
44:08 I just wouldn't speak to arms transfers that have not been formally notified to Congress.
44:14 I wouldn't speak to those from up here.
44:16 And when will aid begin going through the pier?
44:20 You missed my topper, Jackson.
44:21 I apologize for being late.
44:22 So what I had said at the beginning was we hope that aid will begin flowing very soon.
44:29 It will be prescreened in Cyprus and then on its way to Gaza.
44:35 And finally, what's your reaction to South Africa telling the ICJ that Israel's, quote,
44:40 genocide has continued at pace and has reached a new and horrific stage?
44:44 We have been pretty clear about the fact that we do not believe that what is happening in
44:51 Gaza is genocide, and we continue to believe that those claims are unwarranted and false.
44:58 Go ahead.
44:59 Thanks, Vedan.
45:00 Two questions on Turkey.
45:01 Today a Turkish court convicted former leading officials from the pro-Kurdish HDP party,
45:08 including the jailed Kurdish leader Selahattin Demirtas, to more than 40 years in prison
45:15 for instigating the 2014 protest triggered by an Islamic State attack on the Syrian Kurdish
45:22 town of Kobani.
45:23 I was wondering if the State Department has any comments on this verdict.
45:26 So we're continuing to monitor that situation, Gita, but let me check with the team and see
45:30 if we have anything more specific for you.
45:32 Okay.
45:33 Just to follow up, Michel.
45:34 Demirtas and the HDP, he's got a little dynamic duo here, was included in the State Department's
45:42 2023 annual human rights country report in section 3, freedom to participate in the political
45:51 process.
45:52 Do you think the verdict today is a violation of human rights?
45:56 So let me just say we will raise and discuss human rights with all of our partners bilaterally,
46:02 and that of course continues to include Turkey.
46:05 But again, on this specific situation, I'm going to check with the team before I offer
46:09 anything more specific.
46:10 Michel.
46:11 Yeah, thank you.
46:12 I have two questions.
46:13 The Saudi conference has met today with the Syrian president in Bahrain.
46:18 Are you okay with your allies normalizing their relations with the Assad regime or with
46:24 President Assad?
46:25 We have been, our position's clear on this.
46:28 We will not normalize relations with the Assad regime until there is meaningful progress
46:33 towards a political solution consistent with a UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
46:39 We engage consistently with Arab League members, encouraging them to press and push the Assad
46:45 regime to make meaningful change.
46:48 We are of course skeptical for obvious reasons of the Assad regime's willingness to take
46:53 steps of what is necessary to resolve the serious crisis and take steps that are in
46:58 the interest of the Syrian people.
47:00 But we are aligned with our Arab partners on the ultimate objective here.
47:04 And second, The Guardian has reported that the U.S. gave a green light to Saudi Arabia
47:10 to revive a peace deal with the Houthis despite their ongoing attacks on commercial ships.
47:19 Can you confirm that?
47:20 That is completely inaccurate and reflective of Houthi propaganda.
47:25 We've been clear and consistent that U.S. supports peace in Yemen, but a peace agreement
47:30 can only proceed after the Houthis stop their reckless attacks on international shipping
47:35 in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways.
47:38 All of our partners are united around the need for Houthi attacks to cease before an
47:42 agreement can be signed.
47:44 Go ahead in the blue.
47:45 Thank you so much, Igor Nemochin, the U.S. Agency.
47:48 So regarding Ukraine and Russia, the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, during
47:53 his last visit to Kiev, stated that the United States is set to use the power given by Congress
47:59 to size frozen Russian assets to Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.
48:03 May I kindly ask you to clarify when the U.S. is up to start using assets, in what particular
48:09 way, and what is the current status of discussions with other G7 members?
48:14 So I'm certainly not going to assign a timeline to that.
48:16 What I can say is that we're continuing to consult closely with not just Congress, but
48:20 other G7 and European partners, ensuring that we're looking at processes that are consistent
48:26 with their legal system as well as consistent with ours.
48:28 And I'm just going to leave it at that for now.
48:30 DR, and then we probably got to wrap today.
48:33 Thank you, and two questions on Assistant Secretary of State's visit to Baghdad and
48:37 Arabia.
48:38 He was in Baghdad yesterday and met with the Iraqi prime minister and discussed the Iraqi
48:42 energy independence from Iraq.
48:44 So are you satisfied with the Iraqi government's steps in this regard?
48:48 And do you believe Iraq could achieve this energy independence from Iraq?
48:52 So Assistant Secretary Pyatt's visit reflects the important strides that we believe Iraq
48:57 has made to secure its energy independence.
49:00 And these efforts are important for Iraq and for Iraq to end Iranian natural gas imports
49:06 and to meet its climate commitments.
49:08 Assistant Secretary Pyatt is also encouraging federal government to better integrate the
49:13 IKR's gas resources into its overall energy independence plans.
49:18 We believe that Iraq is making progress, and over the past decade Iraq has doubled its
49:23 electricity generation.
49:25 In March, Iraq activated its electricity interconnection with Jordan.
49:29 Gas capture projects are coming online this year.
49:32 That will also significantly reduce Iraq's need to import Iranian gas.
49:36 And it's been a year that you're working and encouraging Iraq to resume the IKR oil exports
49:41 to ITB.
49:42 And what you announced in your statement is that it will offset decreases in Russian oil
49:47 export to Europe.
49:48 So why this hasn't happened?
49:50 Why you couldn't convince the Iraqi government to resume that oil export?
49:53 As it's matter to the energy supply, as it's matter to American companies, as it's matter
49:57 to the economy.
49:58 We continue to engage directly with officials in Baghdad, officials in Ankara, officials
50:02 in Erbil, as well as with U.S. companies that are affected by the stoppage on reopening
50:08 the ITB pipeline, developing multiple routes for Iraqi energy to flow into global markets.
50:14 It's a common interest of ours.
50:15 All right, thanks, everybody.
50:16 Thanks, everybody.
50:17 Thanks for the press briefing that you forgot me.
50:19 This is a shameful attitude.
50:21 The frontier goes federal, pays federal and state taxes.