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Today, we, the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), have reached a consensus on how to deliver approximately $50 billion in Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loans to Ukraine.

These loans will be serviced and repaid by future flows of extraordinary revenues stemming from the immobilization of Russian Sovereign Assets, in line with G7 respective legal systems and international law. The loan proceeds will be disbursed through multiple channels to support Ukraine’s budgetary, military and reconstruction assistance, as consistent with all applicable law and G7 members’ respective legal systems. Our aim is to begin disbursing the funds by the end of the year.

We express our utmost appreciation for the timely implementation of this historic G7 Leaders’ decision by the Finance Ministers, who have agreed on a technical solution ensuring consistency, coordination, fair distribution of lending, and solidarity among all G7 partners. We are particularly grateful to the European Union and its Member States for their constructive engagement towards this remarkable result.

Today’s announcement confirms that the G7 fulfills the commitment they made in June at the Apulia G7 Leaders’ Summit. Russian illegal and unprovoked aggression has caused untold harm to the people of Ukraine and to global peace and security. We will not tire in our resolve to give Ukraine the support it needs to prevail. Russia must end its illegal war of aggression and pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine in line with international law.

The G7 remains steadfast in its solidarity to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and its recovery and reconstruction. With the large amount of financing from the ERA loans to meet its pressing need, we have once again made clear our unwavering commitment to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. Time is not on President Putin’s side.

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The post G7 Leaders’ Statement on Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans appeared first on The White House.

Today, we, the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), have reached a consensus on how to deliver approximately $50 billion in Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loans to Ukraine.

These loans will be serviced and repaid by future flows of extraordinary revenues stemming from the immobilization of Russian Sovereign Assets, in line with G7 respective legal systems and international law. The loan proceeds will be disbursed through multiple channels to support Ukraine’s budgetary, military and reconstruction assistance, as consistent with all applicable law and G7 members’ respective legal systems. Our aim is to begin disbursing the funds by the end of the year.

We express our utmost appreciation for the timely implementation of this historic G7 Leaders’ decision by the Finance Ministers, who have agreed on a technical solution ensuring consistency, coordination, fair distribution of lending, and solidarity among all G7 partners. We are particularly grateful to the European Union and its Member States for their constructive engagement towards this remarkable result.

Today’s announcement confirms that the G7 fulfills the commitment they made in June at the Apulia G7 Leaders’ Summit. Russian illegal and unprovoked aggression has caused untold harm to the people of Ukraine and to global peace and security. We will not tire in our resolve to give Ukraine the support it needs to prevail. Russia must end its illegal war of aggression and pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine in line with international law.

The G7 remains steadfast in its solidarity to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and its recovery and reconstruction. With the large amount of financing from the ERA loans to meet its pressing need, we have once again made clear our unwavering commitment to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. Time is not on President Putin’s side.

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The post G7 Leaders’ Statement on Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans appeared first on The White House.

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists for the Havasupai Tribe and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribal Nation’s efforts in the areas affected by flooding from August 22 to August 23, 2024.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals for the Havasupai Tribe.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to the Havasupai Tribe and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding.

Lastly, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Havasupai Tribe.

Mr. Benigno Bern Ruiz of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribal Nation and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

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The post President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Disaster Declaration for the Havasupai Tribe appeared first on The White House.

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists for the Havasupai Tribe and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribal Nation’s efforts in the areas affected by flooding from August 22 to August 23, 2024.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals for the Havasupai Tribe.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to the Havasupai Tribe and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding.

Lastly, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Havasupai Tribe.

Mr. Benigno Bern Ruiz of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribal Nation and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

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The post President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Disaster Declaration for the Havasupai Tribe appeared first on The White House.

Via Teleconference

12:42 P.M. EDT

MODERATOR:  Hey, everyone.  Thanks for joining us on a Friday afternoon.  Kirby has a few words here at the top, and then we’ll take some questions. 

MR. KIRBY:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Sorry we’re a little bit late.  Had some technical difficulties here. 

But I just wanted to start by letting you know that, today, our National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts: the Republic of Korea’s National Security Advisor, Shin Won-sik, and the Japanese National Security Advisor, Akiba Takeo. 

They met here in Washington, D.C.  It’s the second trilateral national security advisors meeting since the leaders of all three countries met at Camp David back in August of ’23, and it’s the fifth one of this administration.

The three national security advisors reaffirmed their commitment to address common regional and global challenges and to promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. 

In particular, the national security advisors expressed grave concern over troop deployments by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Russia, potentially for use on the battlefield against Ukraine.  This deployment is the latest in a series of concerning indicators of deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including arms and ballistic missile transfers that are in direct violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. 

The national security advisors call on Russia and the DPRK to cease these actions that only serve to expand the security implications of Russia’s brutal and illegal war beyond Europe and into the Indo-Pacific. 

They also — all three national security advisors strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the waters of the Indo-Pacific, and they underscored their commitment to the global maritime order based on international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

National Security Advisor Sullivan, National Security Advisor Shin, and National Security Advisor Akiba resolved to institutionalize efforts to build a new era of trilateral partnership that will be a force for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond for years to come.  They committed to work toward holding another trilateral leaders’ summit at the earliest opportunity.

And with that, we can take some questions.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  And again, as Kirby said at the top, we’re having some tech glitches, so just bear with us while we get through questions. 

Our first question will go to Barak with Axios.

Q    Hi, John.  Thank you for doing this.  CENTCOM announced, I think an hour ago, about another squadron of F-16s that arrived in its area of responsibility in what, at least to me, seems to be as a signal of the preparation for an Israeli attack on Iran.  Anything you can tell us about that?

MR. KIRBY:  I really can’t offer you more detail than CENTCOM did, Barak.  As you know, and I think they expressed, our commitment to Israel’s security remains ironclad, and that means, as appropriate, making force posture changes that we think need to be made to help Israel defend itself.  And I don’t think I can really go beyond that.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Ron Kampeas.  You should be able to unmute yourself.

Q    Yeah, can you hear me now?

MODERATOR:  Yep.

Q    Great.  Thank you for taking this call.  So, two questions, and I realize they’re a little bit out of date.  But when Yahya Sinwar was killed, of course Netanyahu gave a speech in Hebrew and in English.  I didn’t hear the English, but in Hebrew he said, “Those who said that we should not have gone into Rafah, those who said — were calling for a ceasefire, now they know they are wrong.”  And that seems to me directly — directed particularly at you guys, at the White House.  And I wondered if you had any reaction to that. 

And the second question is: There’s talk of holding Sinwar’s body in exchange for hostages.  I just wondered if you had any comment on that.

MR. KIRBY:  No comment on your second one.

And on your first one: Look, again, I don’t think it’s useful for us to, you know, get into publicly parsing everything that the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister’s office is saying.  They can speak for themselves, as they do.

I would just tell you that the Prime Minister knows very well how strongly Joe Biden supports Israel and how stridently he’s been working to make sure that they have what they need to defend themselves, including the support that went to the Israeli Defense Forces while they were operating in Rafah. 

And just to put a fine point on it, we did not tell the Israelis that they could not operate in Rafah.  So, if that’s the public narrative out there, or that’s the impression that people have, I can assure you that that’s not the case.  We did express concerns, of course, about densely populated areas and the damage that that could have and the impact on civilians, but there was no mandate by the United States that they couldn’t operate in Rafah.  And even as they did operate in Rafah, they continued to get support from the United States. 

Q    Thank you.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Akayla with Bloomberg.

Q    Hey, John.  I’m wondering if you could say what options the U.S. has to respond to North Korea sending troops to Russia.  Is there anything that you guys would have the power to do?

MR. KIRBY:  We’re in discussions with allies and partners right now, Akayla, on this development.  We are still trying to learn more about what the North Koreans and the Russians are actually up to.

And so we are, again, actively consulting allies and partners.  And I wouldn’t want to get ahead of those conversations and preview what options are being considered and talked about. 

But as I said the other day, you know, you’ll hear more from us in coming days about where we are on this and what we and our allies and partners think is the appropriate next steps.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Sara with CBS.

Q    Hey, Kirby.  Thanks for doing this.  Can you confirm reports that Elon Musk and Putin have held phone calls with each other?  Is that something the U.S. government has been tracking? If so, how many calls have they had?  And does the U.S. know what they’ve discussed?

And just in general, is the U.S. government concerned that a private citizen with a security clearance is having conversations with Putin?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I’ve seen the reporting out of the Wall Street Journal.  I’m not in a position to corroborate the veracity of those reports, and we would refer you to Mr. Musk to speak to his private communications.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to David Klepper.

Q    Yes, hello.  Thank you for doing this today.  There have been reports that Russia is providing targeting data to the Houthis via Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to target ships in the Red Sea.  And I’m wondering if you can confirm those reports and tell us a little bit about what the U.S. is doing in response.

MR. KIRBY:  No, I cannot confirm those reports.  What we’re doing is operating in the Red Sea with a coalition of some 20 other nations to continue to knock down the missiles and drones that the Houthis continue to fire at commercial shipping there.  And our presence remains robust there.  Our capabilities remain significant.  And as Secretary Austin himself said earlier this week, we are and we’ll continue to do everything we can to degrade Houthi capability in that regard.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Joe Barnes.

Q    Thank you.  Joe Barnes from The Daily Telegraph newspaper.  Two questions, if I may, John.

Did Jake Sullivan’s South Korean counterpart tell him anything new today in their meeting?  If so, could you share any details about the North Korean deployments inside Russia? 

And then secondly, where are discussions with the UK and Ukraine about using U.S. enablers to fire British Storm Shadow missiles at targets inside Russia, please?  Thank you very much.

MR. KIRBY:  On your first question, I certainly won’t get into intelligence assessments and discussions at a classified level that may have taken place between the national security advisors. 

I think you know very well the South Koreans have been watching this development as closely as we have been, and they have expressed, as we have expressed, deep concerns about the potential here for North Korean troops to be used in the fight against Ukraine.  Again, no surprise, I don’t think to anybody, that when I talk about discussing this with our allies and partners, the South Koreans are right at the top of the list of the allies and partners that we’re having discussions with. 

So it absolutely came up in the meeting today with the three national security advisors, no question.  But as for the exact details of what was shared between us, I will leave inside the room.

On your second question: Again, I can’t — I won’t certainly pretend to be qualified to speak for the UK in any way, shape, or form.  All I can do is tell you, from the United States’ perspective, there’s been no change to our policy about the use of long-range strike to hit targets deep inside Russia. 

We are in constant communication, not only with the UK and the Germans, as the President was in Germany on Friday of last week and had a chance to meet with other leaders of the Quad, including Prime Minister Starmer, but also our counterparts in France and Germany as well. 

We continue to talk about what Ukraine needs on the battlefield, and we continue to talk directly with the Ukrainians about what their needs are.  But I’m not in a position today to speak to any changes in the President’s policy with respect to long-range strike.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Jake Epstein.

Q    Hey, thanks for having this.  President Zelenskyy said today that the first North Korean soldiers are expected to deploy by Russia to combat zones as early as Sunday.  I’m wondering if the White House can confirm this or has any additional information on the potential deployment. 

And as a second question, I’m wondering if there’s any information you can provide about the aftermath of last week’s strikes on the underground Houthi targets, the ones that involved the U.S. bombers.  Thanks. 

MR. KIRBY:  On your second question, what more do you want?

Q    I mean, can we get, like, a battle damage assessment?  Is there sort of an indication of, you know, what the strikes were able to degrade, how many weapons they were able to take out? 

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I’d refer you to the Pentagon on that.  They do battle damage assessments.  That’s their job.  So, I’ll let them speak to that. 

The only thing I would say on that one is that, as I hope was demonstrated, not only do we have unmatched capability to target the Houthis, but that, as Secretary Austin said, we’re going to continue to do what we have to do to degrade their capability to go after commercial shipping.  And this was — those strikes were an example of how serious we’re taking that task.  But as for the battle damage assessment, I would refer you to the Pentagon.

On your first question, I’ll say this: We’re monitoring this very, very closely, and we’re continuing to consult with the intelligence community to see what more we can glean. 

I will go so far today as to say that it is possible that there are now more than 3,000 troops from North Korea that have been dispatched to Russia for outfitting and for training.  The other day, I said it was about 3,000.  We believe that it’s possible, and we’re looking into reports, that the number could be north of that. 

I can’t give you a specific estimate at this time, but as we said the other day, it was entirely possible that that number could change, and we are closely examining the reports about that, in fact, happening.

On where they’re going to go and what they’re going to be deployed to do, if they’re going to be deployed, I don’t have firm intelligence assessments that I can speak to today about that.  We’re still, again, watching closely to see what’s afoot.

That said, we believe that it is certainly possible, and I’d just go so far as to say perhaps even likely, that at least some of these North Korean troops could be deployed to the Kursk area.  But in what capacity, for what purpose, that still remains unclear. 

So, this is going to be — and, I mean, I hope it’s coming across this way — this is going to be an evolving situation.  We will share with you what we can, and we’ll give you an honest assessment of our confidence in that as we go along.  But that’s kind of where we are here on Friday afternoon.

Q    Great, thanks. 

MODERATOR:  Awesome.  Thanks, everyone.  And thanks for joining.  As always, if anything comes up, reach out to the press distro, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.  Thank you. 

12:57 P.M. EDT

The post On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby appeared first on The White House.

Via Teleconference

12:42 P.M. EDT

MODERATOR:  Hey, everyone.  Thanks for joining us on a Friday afternoon.  Kirby has a few words here at the top, and then we’ll take some questions. 

MR. KIRBY:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Sorry we’re a little bit late.  Had some technical difficulties here. 

But I just wanted to start by letting you know that, today, our National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts: the Republic of Korea’s National Security Advisor, Shin Won-sik, and the Japanese National Security Advisor, Akiba Takeo. 

They met here in Washington, D.C.  It’s the second trilateral national security advisors meeting since the leaders of all three countries met at Camp David back in August of ’23, and it’s the fifth one of this administration.

The three national security advisors reaffirmed their commitment to address common regional and global challenges and to promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. 

In particular, the national security advisors expressed grave concern over troop deployments by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Russia, potentially for use on the battlefield against Ukraine.  This deployment is the latest in a series of concerning indicators of deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including arms and ballistic missile transfers that are in direct violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. 

The national security advisors call on Russia and the DPRK to cease these actions that only serve to expand the security implications of Russia’s brutal and illegal war beyond Europe and into the Indo-Pacific. 

They also — all three national security advisors strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the waters of the Indo-Pacific, and they underscored their commitment to the global maritime order based on international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

National Security Advisor Sullivan, National Security Advisor Shin, and National Security Advisor Akiba resolved to institutionalize efforts to build a new era of trilateral partnership that will be a force for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond for years to come.  They committed to work toward holding another trilateral leaders’ summit at the earliest opportunity.

And with that, we can take some questions.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  And again, as Kirby said at the top, we’re having some tech glitches, so just bear with us while we get through questions. 

Our first question will go to Barak with Axios.

Q    Hi, John.  Thank you for doing this.  CENTCOM announced, I think an hour ago, about another squadron of F-16s that arrived in its area of responsibility in what, at least to me, seems to be as a signal of the preparation for an Israeli attack on Iran.  Anything you can tell us about that?

MR. KIRBY:  I really can’t offer you more detail than CENTCOM did, Barak.  As you know, and I think they expressed, our commitment to Israel’s security remains ironclad, and that means, as appropriate, making force posture changes that we think need to be made to help Israel defend itself.  And I don’t think I can really go beyond that.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Ron Kampeas.  You should be able to unmute yourself.

Q    Yeah, can you hear me now?

MODERATOR:  Yep.

Q    Great.  Thank you for taking this call.  So, two questions, and I realize they’re a little bit out of date.  But when Yahya Sinwar was killed, of course Netanyahu gave a speech in Hebrew and in English.  I didn’t hear the English, but in Hebrew he said, “Those who said that we should not have gone into Rafah, those who said — were calling for a ceasefire, now they know they are wrong.”  And that seems to me directly — directed particularly at you guys, at the White House.  And I wondered if you had any reaction to that. 

And the second question is: There’s talk of holding Sinwar’s body in exchange for hostages.  I just wondered if you had any comment on that.

MR. KIRBY:  No comment on your second one.

And on your first one: Look, again, I don’t think it’s useful for us to, you know, get into publicly parsing everything that the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister’s office is saying.  They can speak for themselves, as they do.

I would just tell you that the Prime Minister knows very well how strongly Joe Biden supports Israel and how stridently he’s been working to make sure that they have what they need to defend themselves, including the support that went to the Israeli Defense Forces while they were operating in Rafah. 

And just to put a fine point on it, we did not tell the Israelis that they could not operate in Rafah.  So, if that’s the public narrative out there, or that’s the impression that people have, I can assure you that that’s not the case.  We did express concerns, of course, about densely populated areas and the damage that that could have and the impact on civilians, but there was no mandate by the United States that they couldn’t operate in Rafah.  And even as they did operate in Rafah, they continued to get support from the United States. 

Q    Thank you.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Akayla with Bloomberg.

Q    Hey, John.  I’m wondering if you could say what options the U.S. has to respond to North Korea sending troops to Russia.  Is there anything that you guys would have the power to do?

MR. KIRBY:  We’re in discussions with allies and partners right now, Akayla, on this development.  We are still trying to learn more about what the North Koreans and the Russians are actually up to.

And so we are, again, actively consulting allies and partners.  And I wouldn’t want to get ahead of those conversations and preview what options are being considered and talked about. 

But as I said the other day, you know, you’ll hear more from us in coming days about where we are on this and what we and our allies and partners think is the appropriate next steps.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Sara with CBS.

Q    Hey, Kirby.  Thanks for doing this.  Can you confirm reports that Elon Musk and Putin have held phone calls with each other?  Is that something the U.S. government has been tracking? If so, how many calls have they had?  And does the U.S. know what they’ve discussed?

And just in general, is the U.S. government concerned that a private citizen with a security clearance is having conversations with Putin?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I’ve seen the reporting out of the Wall Street Journal.  I’m not in a position to corroborate the veracity of those reports, and we would refer you to Mr. Musk to speak to his private communications.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to David Klepper.

Q    Yes, hello.  Thank you for doing this today.  There have been reports that Russia is providing targeting data to the Houthis via Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to target ships in the Red Sea.  And I’m wondering if you can confirm those reports and tell us a little bit about what the U.S. is doing in response.

MR. KIRBY:  No, I cannot confirm those reports.  What we’re doing is operating in the Red Sea with a coalition of some 20 other nations to continue to knock down the missiles and drones that the Houthis continue to fire at commercial shipping there.  And our presence remains robust there.  Our capabilities remain significant.  And as Secretary Austin himself said earlier this week, we are and we’ll continue to do everything we can to degrade Houthi capability in that regard.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Joe Barnes.

Q    Thank you.  Joe Barnes from The Daily Telegraph newspaper.  Two questions, if I may, John.

Did Jake Sullivan’s South Korean counterpart tell him anything new today in their meeting?  If so, could you share any details about the North Korean deployments inside Russia? 

And then secondly, where are discussions with the UK and Ukraine about using U.S. enablers to fire British Storm Shadow missiles at targets inside Russia, please?  Thank you very much.

MR. KIRBY:  On your first question, I certainly won’t get into intelligence assessments and discussions at a classified level that may have taken place between the national security advisors. 

I think you know very well the South Koreans have been watching this development as closely as we have been, and they have expressed, as we have expressed, deep concerns about the potential here for North Korean troops to be used in the fight against Ukraine.  Again, no surprise, I don’t think to anybody, that when I talk about discussing this with our allies and partners, the South Koreans are right at the top of the list of the allies and partners that we’re having discussions with. 

So it absolutely came up in the meeting today with the three national security advisors, no question.  But as for the exact details of what was shared between us, I will leave inside the room.

On your second question: Again, I can’t — I won’t certainly pretend to be qualified to speak for the UK in any way, shape, or form.  All I can do is tell you, from the United States’ perspective, there’s been no change to our policy about the use of long-range strike to hit targets deep inside Russia. 

We are in constant communication, not only with the UK and the Germans, as the President was in Germany on Friday of last week and had a chance to meet with other leaders of the Quad, including Prime Minister Starmer, but also our counterparts in France and Germany as well. 

We continue to talk about what Ukraine needs on the battlefield, and we continue to talk directly with the Ukrainians about what their needs are.  But I’m not in a position today to speak to any changes in the President’s policy with respect to long-range strike.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Jake Epstein.

Q    Hey, thanks for having this.  President Zelenskyy said today that the first North Korean soldiers are expected to deploy by Russia to combat zones as early as Sunday.  I’m wondering if the White House can confirm this or has any additional information on the potential deployment. 

And as a second question, I’m wondering if there’s any information you can provide about the aftermath of last week’s strikes on the underground Houthi targets, the ones that involved the U.S. bombers.  Thanks. 

MR. KIRBY:  On your second question, what more do you want?

Q    I mean, can we get, like, a battle damage assessment?  Is there sort of an indication of, you know, what the strikes were able to degrade, how many weapons they were able to take out? 

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I’d refer you to the Pentagon on that.  They do battle damage assessments.  That’s their job.  So, I’ll let them speak to that. 

The only thing I would say on that one is that, as I hope was demonstrated, not only do we have unmatched capability to target the Houthis, but that, as Secretary Austin said, we’re going to continue to do what we have to do to degrade their capability to go after commercial shipping.  And this was — those strikes were an example of how serious we’re taking that task.  But as for the battle damage assessment, I would refer you to the Pentagon.

On your first question, I’ll say this: We’re monitoring this very, very closely, and we’re continuing to consult with the intelligence community to see what more we can glean. 

I will go so far today as to say that it is possible that there are now more than 3,000 troops from North Korea that have been dispatched to Russia for outfitting and for training.  The other day, I said it was about 3,000.  We believe that it’s possible, and we’re looking into reports, that the number could be north of that. 

I can’t give you a specific estimate at this time, but as we said the other day, it was entirely possible that that number could change, and we are closely examining the reports about that, in fact, happening.

On where they’re going to go and what they’re going to be deployed to do, if they’re going to be deployed, I don’t have firm intelligence assessments that I can speak to today about that.  We’re still, again, watching closely to see what’s afoot.

That said, we believe that it is certainly possible, and I’d just go so far as to say perhaps even likely, that at least some of these North Korean troops could be deployed to the Kursk area.  But in what capacity, for what purpose, that still remains unclear. 

So, this is going to be — and, I mean, I hope it’s coming across this way — this is going to be an evolving situation.  We will share with you what we can, and we’ll give you an honest assessment of our confidence in that as we go along.  But that’s kind of where we are here on Friday afternoon.

Q    Great, thanks. 

MODERATOR:  Awesome.  Thanks, everyone.  And thanks for joining.  As always, if anything comes up, reach out to the press distro, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.  Thank you. 

12:57 P.M. EDT

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Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Sudan declared in Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997, is to continue in effect beyond November 3, 2024.

The crisis that led to the declaration of a national emergency in Executive Order 13067; the expansion of the scope of that emergency in Executive Order 13400 of April 26, 2006; the taking of additional steps with respect to that emergency in Executive Order 13412 of October 13, 2006, Executive Order 13761 of January 13, 2017, and Executive Order 13804 of July 11, 2017; and the further expansion of the scope of that emergency in Executive Order 14098 of May 4, 2023, has not been resolved.  The policies and actions of the Government of Sudan, and the situation in Sudan and Darfur, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067, as expanded by Executive Orders 13400 and 14098, with respect to Sudan.

                               Sincerely,

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Sudan declared in Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997, is to continue in effect beyond November 3, 2024.

The crisis that led to the declaration of a national emergency in Executive Order 13067; the expansion of the scope of that emergency in Executive Order 13400 of April 26, 2006; the taking of additional steps with respect to that emergency in Executive Order 13412 of October 13, 2006, Executive Order 13761 of January 13, 2017, and Executive Order 13804 of July 11, 2017; and the further expansion of the scope of that emergency in Executive Order 14098 of May 4, 2023, has not been resolved.  The policies and actions of the Government of Sudan, and the situation in Sudan and Darfur, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067, as expanded by Executive Orders 13400 and 14098, with respect to Sudan.

                               Sincerely,

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Letter to Congressional Leadership on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Sudan appeared first on The White House.

On November 3, 1997, by Executive Order 13067, the President declared a national emergency with respect to Sudan pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and took related steps to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by the actions and policies of the Government of Sudan.  On April 26, 2006, by Executive Order 13400, the President determined that the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region posed an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067, and ordered the blocking of property of certain persons connected to the Darfur region.  On October 13, 2006, by Executive Order 13412, the President took additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067 and expanded in Executive Order 13400.  In Executive Order 13412, the President also took steps to implement the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-344).

     On January 13, 2017, by Executive Order 13761, the President found that positive efforts by the Government of Sudan between July 2016 and January 2017 improved certain conditions that Executive Orders 13067 and 13412 were intended to address.  Given these developments, and in order to encourage the Government of Sudan to sustain and enhance these efforts, section 1 of Executive Order 13761 provided that sections 1 and 2 of Executive Order 13067 and the entirety of Executive Order 13412 would be revoked as of July 12, 2017, provided that the criteria in section 12(b) of Executive Order 13761 had been met.

     On July 11, 2017, by Executive Order 13804, the President amended Executive Order 13761, extending until October 12, 2017, the effective date in section 1 of Executive Order 13761.  On October 12, 2017, pursuant to Executive Order 13761, as amended by Executive Order 13804, sections 1 and 2 of Executive Order 13067 and the entirety of Executive Order 13412 were revoked. 

     On May 4, 2023, by Executive Order 14098, I further expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067, finding that the situation in Sudan, including the military’s seizure of power in October 2021 and the outbreak of inter-service fighting in April 2023, constituted an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. 

     The crisis that led to the declaration of a national emergency in Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997; the expansion of the scope of that emergency in Executive Order 13400 of April 26, 2006; the taking of additional steps with respect to that emergency in Executive Order 13412 of October 13, 2006, Executive Order 13761 of January 13, 2017, and Executive Order 13804 of July 11, 2017; and the further expansion of the scope of that emergency in Executive Order 14098 of May 4, 2023, has not been resolved.  The policies and actions of the Government of Sudan, and the situation in Sudan and Darfur, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067, as expanded by Executive Orders 13400 and 14098, must continue in effect beyond November 3, 2024. 

     This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    October 25, 2024.

The post Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Sudan appeared first on The White House.

On November 3, 1997, by Executive Order 13067, the President declared a national emergency with respect to Sudan pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and took related steps to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by the actions and policies of the Government of Sudan.  On April 26, 2006, by Executive Order 13400, the President determined that the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region posed an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067, and ordered the blocking of property of certain persons connected to the Darfur region.  On October 13, 2006, by Executive Order 13412, the President took additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067 and expanded in Executive Order 13400.  In Executive Order 13412, the President also took steps to implement the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-344).

     On January 13, 2017, by Executive Order 13761, the President found that positive efforts by the Government of Sudan between July 2016 and January 2017 improved certain conditions that Executive Orders 13067 and 13412 were intended to address.  Given these developments, and in order to encourage the Government of Sudan to sustain and enhance these efforts, section 1 of Executive Order 13761 provided that sections 1 and 2 of Executive Order 13067 and the entirety of Executive Order 13412 would be revoked as of July 12, 2017, provided that the criteria in section 12(b) of Executive Order 13761 had been met.

     On July 11, 2017, by Executive Order 13804, the President amended Executive Order 13761, extending until October 12, 2017, the effective date in section 1 of Executive Order 13761.  On October 12, 2017, pursuant to Executive Order 13761, as amended by Executive Order 13804, sections 1 and 2 of Executive Order 13067 and the entirety of Executive Order 13412 were revoked. 

     On May 4, 2023, by Executive Order 14098, I further expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067, finding that the situation in Sudan, including the military’s seizure of power in October 2021 and the outbreak of inter-service fighting in April 2023, constituted an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. 

     The crisis that led to the declaration of a national emergency in Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997; the expansion of the scope of that emergency in Executive Order 13400 of April 26, 2006; the taking of additional steps with respect to that emergency in Executive Order 13412 of October 13, 2006, Executive Order 13761 of January 13, 2017, and Executive Order 13804 of July 11, 2017; and the further expansion of the scope of that emergency in Executive Order 14098 of May 4, 2023, has not been resolved.  The policies and actions of the Government of Sudan, and the situation in Sudan and Darfur, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067, as expanded by Executive Orders 13400 and 14098, must continue in effect beyond November 3, 2024. 

     This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    October 25, 2024.

The post Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Sudan appeared first on The White House.

On National First Responders Day, we recognize and celebrate all the brave first responders across our country who risk their lives to keep the rest of us safe.

     Our first responders represent the best of who we are as a people.  They are the police officers and sheriff’s deputies who answer our calls, ready to help, no matter the situation.  They are the firefighters running toward the flames to protect our communities.  They are emergency medical technicians, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, 988 crisis responders, and all the medical professionals providing emergency care, who sacrifice so much to be there for us when a crisis hits.  Our first responders are everyday heroes, and we are so grateful for their service.  In the wake of Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, we witnessed the courage and bravery of our first responders firsthand and just how much they sacrifice to keep the rest of us safe, including the brave search and rescue teams who have saved thousands of lives in the aftermath of the storms.

     My Administration is committed to supporting our first responders and ensuring they have access to the resources they need to thrive.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, I signed the American Rescue Plan to keep first responders on the job, which provided billions of dollars to help cities, States, and Tribal Nations retain and hire more law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency health providers and pay their bonuses and overtime.  I also signed the Protecting America’s First Responders Act, which expanded death, disability, and education benefits for first responders killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty and their families.  My Administration is also making sure that firefighters are getting the health care they need by launching the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer — our Nation’s largest effort to reduce the risk of cancer among firefighters — providing access to job-related disability benefits for firefighters diagnosed with certain kinds of cancer or lung disease, and protecting firefighters from toxic PFAS chemicals in their gear and equipment.

     My Administration is working to make our communities safer and more resilient while keeping our first responders safe.  I signed the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years while also strengthening background checks for gun purchasers and cracking down on illegal gun sales and ghost guns.  And my Investing in America agenda included funding to make our communities more resilient to natural disasters.

     This month, Vice President Harris and I visited North Carolina and Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.  Lives were lost.  Entire neighborhoods had been turned into debris.  Portions of entire cities were underwater.  But our first responders stepped up in this time of need, picking up the pieces and acting as a source of strength for everyone else.  Today, may we honor the critical role first responders play in our lives — showing up in our darkest times to provide hope, light, and care.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 28, 2024, as National First Responders Day.  I call upon all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to honor our brave first responders and to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on National First Responders Day, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

On National First Responders Day, we recognize and celebrate all the brave first responders across our country who risk their lives to keep the rest of us safe.

     Our first responders represent the best of who we are as a people.  They are the police officers and sheriff’s deputies who answer our calls, ready to help, no matter the situation.  They are the firefighters running toward the flames to protect our communities.  They are emergency medical technicians, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, 988 crisis responders, and all the medical professionals providing emergency care, who sacrifice so much to be there for us when a crisis hits.  Our first responders are everyday heroes, and we are so grateful for their service.  In the wake of Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, we witnessed the courage and bravery of our first responders firsthand and just how much they sacrifice to keep the rest of us safe, including the brave search and rescue teams who have saved thousands of lives in the aftermath of the storms.

     My Administration is committed to supporting our first responders and ensuring they have access to the resources they need to thrive.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, I signed the American Rescue Plan to keep first responders on the job, which provided billions of dollars to help cities, States, and Tribal Nations retain and hire more law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency health providers and pay their bonuses and overtime.  I also signed the Protecting America’s First Responders Act, which expanded death, disability, and education benefits for first responders killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty and their families.  My Administration is also making sure that firefighters are getting the health care they need by launching the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer — our Nation’s largest effort to reduce the risk of cancer among firefighters — providing access to job-related disability benefits for firefighters diagnosed with certain kinds of cancer or lung disease, and protecting firefighters from toxic PFAS chemicals in their gear and equipment.

     My Administration is working to make our communities safer and more resilient while keeping our first responders safe.  I signed the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years while also strengthening background checks for gun purchasers and cracking down on illegal gun sales and ghost guns.  And my Investing in America agenda included funding to make our communities more resilient to natural disasters.

     This month, Vice President Harris and I visited North Carolina and Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.  Lives were lost.  Entire neighborhoods had been turned into debris.  Portions of entire cities were underwater.  But our first responders stepped up in this time of need, picking up the pieces and acting as a source of strength for everyone else.  Today, may we honor the critical role first responders play in our lives — showing up in our darkest times to provide hope, light, and care.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 28, 2024, as National First Responders Day.  I call upon all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to honor our brave first responders and to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Japanese National Security Advisor Akiba Takeo on October 25, 2024, in Washington, D.C., to discuss bilateral cooperation and global and regional security issues.

National Security Advisor Sullivan looks forward to working with Prime Minister Ishiba’s administration to continue strengthening the U.S.-Japan global partnership that was celebrated during former Prime Minister Kishida’s Official Visit to Washington, D.C., last April. Both National Security Advisors discussed progress on implementing key initiatives announced during that visit, including efforts to enhance bilateral defense cooperation and economic security cooperation.

The National Security Advisors also discussed global and regional security challenges, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.  They expressed grave concern over troop deployments by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Russia, potentially for use on the battlefield against Ukraine. They reaffirmed the central importance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in maintaining deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region and in upholding a free and open, rules-based order.

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Japanese National Security Advisor Akiba Takeo on October 25, 2024, in Washington, D.C., to discuss bilateral cooperation and global and regional security issues.

National Security Advisor Sullivan looks forward to working with Prime Minister Ishiba’s administration to continue strengthening the U.S.-Japan global partnership that was celebrated during former Prime Minister Kishida’s Official Visit to Washington, D.C., last April. Both National Security Advisors discussed progress on implementing key initiatives announced during that visit, including efforts to enhance bilateral defense cooperation and economic security cooperation.

The National Security Advisors also discussed global and regional security challenges, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.  They expressed grave concern over troop deployments by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Russia, potentially for use on the battlefield against Ukraine. They reaffirmed the central importance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in maintaining deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region and in upholding a free and open, rules-based order.

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Director of National Security Shin Wonsik of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on October 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C., to discuss bilateral cooperation and global and regional security issues, particularly regarding the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and its deployment of troops to Russia.

The two officials condemned in the strongest possible terms the DPRK’s ongoing support to Russia’s brutal and illegal war against Ukraine, including the deployment of troops to Russia as well as the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia and Russia’s use of these missiles against Ukraine. The DPRK’s support is directly increasing the suffering of the Ukrainian people, violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, undermines the global non-proliferation regime, and has significant security implications for Europe, the Korean Peninsula, and the Indo-Pacific region. The two officials committed to continuing close cooperation in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

The two officials discussed recent concerning actions taken by the DPRK, including changes to its constitution to define the ROK as a hostile state and the bombing of roads and railways connecting the South and North. The two officials reaffirmed that the United States and the ROK will maintain a strong combined defense posture in the face of the DPRK’s activities in border areas. National Security Advisor Sullivan reiterated the U.S. ironclad commitment to the ROK.

National Security Advisor Sullivan noted the precedent-setting cooperation between the United States that has been spearheaded by the leadership of President Biden and President Yoon. In particular, they noted the adoption of the U.S.-ROK Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula in July. The U.S.-ROK Alliance has expanded into a truly global partnership. From cooperation on the world’s most challenging security threats to setting the foundation for a clean energy future, the two officials agreed that the Alliance is poised to stand the test of time.

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Director of National Security Shin Wonsik of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on October 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C., to discuss bilateral cooperation and global and regional security issues, particularly regarding the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and its deployment of troops to Russia.

The two officials condemned in the strongest possible terms the DPRK’s ongoing support to Russia’s brutal and illegal war against Ukraine, including the deployment of troops to Russia as well as the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia and Russia’s use of these missiles against Ukraine. The DPRK’s support is directly increasing the suffering of the Ukrainian people, violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, undermines the global non-proliferation regime, and has significant security implications for Europe, the Korean Peninsula, and the Indo-Pacific region. The two officials committed to continuing close cooperation in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

The two officials discussed recent concerning actions taken by the DPRK, including changes to its constitution to define the ROK as a hostile state and the bombing of roads and railways connecting the South and North. The two officials reaffirmed that the United States and the ROK will maintain a strong combined defense posture in the face of the DPRK’s activities in border areas. National Security Advisor Sullivan reiterated the U.S. ironclad commitment to the ROK.

National Security Advisor Sullivan noted the precedent-setting cooperation between the United States that has been spearheaded by the leadership of President Biden and President Yoon. In particular, they noted the adoption of the U.S.-ROK Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula in July. The U.S.-ROK Alliance has expanded into a truly global partnership. From cooperation on the world’s most challenging security threats to setting the foundation for a clean energy future, the two officials agreed that the Alliance is poised to stand the test of time.

###

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On Friday, October 25, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Republic of Korea National Security Advisor Shin Wonsik, and Japanese National Security Advisor Akiba Takeo met in Washington, D.C., for the second trilateral National Security Advisors meeting since their leaders met at Camp David in August 2023 and the fifth of the Biden Administration.  The three National Security Advisors reaffirmed their commitment to address common regional and global challenges and promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
 
In particular, National Security Advisors Sullivan, Shin, and Akiba expressed grave concern over troop deployments by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Russia, potentially for use on the battlefield against Ukraine. This deployment is the latest in a series of concerning indicators of deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including arms and ballistic missile transfers in direct violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. The National Security Advisors call on Russia and the DPRK to cease these actions that only serve to expand the security implications of Russia’s brutal and illegal war beyond Europe and into the Indo-Pacific. The National Security Advisors reiterated the firm commitment of the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan to help Ukraine defend itself, and they committed to coordinate support for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, recovery and reconstruction, and efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions.

Furthermore, the National Security Advisors reviewed progress on a wide range of trilateral initiatives announced in the Spirit of Camp David statement.  They welcomed several notable achievements over the past year, including the operationalization of a trilateral missile warning data sharing mechanism, the establishment of a cutting-edge trilateral quantum workforce training program, and the launch of the first multi-domain trilateral exercise—FREEDOM EDGE—and a multiyear exercise plan. They also highlighted numerous high-level trilateral dialogues this year, including the first trilateral commerce and industry ministerial meeting, the first trilateral defense ministers meeting in Tokyo, and two trilateral foreign minister and two vice foreign minister meetings.

The three National Security Advisors discussed next steps on trilateral cooperation, including efforts to strengthen technology cooperation and economic security such as critical minerals supply chains and promoting trusted telecommunications networks across the Indo-Pacific region, improve maritime security coordination, expand cyber security cooperation and advance closer trilateral ties between the U.S., Korean, and Japanese business communities.

The National Security Advisors condemned the DPRK’s illicit arms transfers, malicious cyber activities, and dispatch of workers abroad to fund its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, and committed to continue trilateral efforts focused on combatting them. They welcomed the recent launch of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) by their respective Vice Foreign Ministers and likeminded partners in Seoul last week, which will reinstate a comprehensive and effective monitoring and reporting mechanism for UN sanctions on the DPRK. They acknowledged their support for President Yoon’s vision of a free, peaceful, and prosperous Korean Peninsula and reiterated their support for a unified Peninsula that is free and at peace.

The National Security Advisors strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the waters of the Indo-Pacific and underscored their commitment to the global maritime order based on international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. The National Security Advisors also agreed to increase coordination of efforts to combat pervasive threats in the cyber domain. They expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and called on all parties to de-escalate tensions and work toward a sustainable ceasefire. National Security Advisor Sullivan, National Security Advisor Shin, and National Security Advisor Akiba resolved to institutionalize efforts to build a new era of trilateral partnership that will be a force for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond for years to come. They committed to work toward holding another Trilateral Leaders’ Summit at the earliest opportunity.  

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On Friday, October 25, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Republic of Korea National Security Advisor Shin Wonsik, and Japanese National Security Advisor Akiba Takeo met in Washington, D.C., for the second trilateral National Security Advisors meeting since their leaders met at Camp David in August 2023 and the fifth of the Biden Administration.  The three National Security Advisors reaffirmed their commitment to address common regional and global challenges and promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
 
In particular, National Security Advisors Sullivan, Shin, and Akiba expressed grave concern over troop deployments by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Russia, potentially for use on the battlefield against Ukraine. This deployment is the latest in a series of concerning indicators of deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including arms and ballistic missile transfers in direct violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. The National Security Advisors call on Russia and the DPRK to cease these actions that only serve to expand the security implications of Russia’s brutal and illegal war beyond Europe and into the Indo-Pacific. The National Security Advisors reiterated the firm commitment of the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan to help Ukraine defend itself, and they committed to coordinate support for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, recovery and reconstruction, and efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions.

Furthermore, the National Security Advisors reviewed progress on a wide range of trilateral initiatives announced in the Spirit of Camp David statement.  They welcomed several notable achievements over the past year, including the operationalization of a trilateral missile warning data sharing mechanism, the establishment of a cutting-edge trilateral quantum workforce training program, and the launch of the first multi-domain trilateral exercise—FREEDOM EDGE—and a multiyear exercise plan. They also highlighted numerous high-level trilateral dialogues this year, including the first trilateral commerce and industry ministerial meeting, the first trilateral defense ministers meeting in Tokyo, and two trilateral foreign minister and two vice foreign minister meetings.

The three National Security Advisors discussed next steps on trilateral cooperation, including efforts to strengthen technology cooperation and economic security such as critical minerals supply chains and promoting trusted telecommunications networks across the Indo-Pacific region, improve maritime security coordination, expand cyber security cooperation and advance closer trilateral ties between the U.S., Korean, and Japanese business communities.

The National Security Advisors condemned the DPRK’s illicit arms transfers, malicious cyber activities, and dispatch of workers abroad to fund its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, and committed to continue trilateral efforts focused on combatting them. They welcomed the recent launch of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) by their respective Vice Foreign Ministers and likeminded partners in Seoul last week, which will reinstate a comprehensive and effective monitoring and reporting mechanism for UN sanctions on the DPRK. They acknowledged their support for President Yoon’s vision of a free, peaceful, and prosperous Korean Peninsula and reiterated their support for a unified Peninsula that is free and at peace.

The National Security Advisors strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the waters of the Indo-Pacific and underscored their commitment to the global maritime order based on international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. The National Security Advisors also agreed to increase coordination of efforts to combat pervasive threats in the cyber domain. They expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and called on all parties to de-escalate tensions and work toward a sustainable ceasefire. National Security Advisor Sullivan, National Security Advisor Shin, and National Security Advisor Akiba resolved to institutionalize efforts to build a new era of trilateral partnership that will be a force for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond for years to come. They committed to work toward holding another Trilateral Leaders’ Summit at the earliest opportunity.  

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One year ago, an act of senseless violence carried out with a weapon of war took the lives of 18 loved ones and injured 13 others in Lewiston, Maine. Doug and I join all Mainers in remembering those who lost their lives on that fall night, standing with their families, and thinking of the survivors of this horrific mass shooting.
 
In the 12 months since this tragedy took place at a local restaurant and a bowling alley, the Lewiston community has shown incredible unity, resilience, and strength. They have responded by reminding the nation of the unacceptable fact that far too many families have experienced the tremendous pain and trauma caused by the epidemic of gun violence. This is exactly why I have worked to take action to address this issue with the urgency it demands and keep our loved ones safe.
 
With the help of gun violence survivors, families of those who have lost loved ones, young leaders, and local advocates, our administration fought to enact the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — the first major gun safety law in nearly 30 years. We expanded background checks, closed the gun show loophole, made the largest investment in youth mental health in history, supported the implementation of red flag laws across the country, and invested in community violence intervention. Additionally, we launched the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, an office that I am proud to oversee. Following the tragic shooting in Lewiston, this office coordinated the first-ever federal interagency response – listening to survivors’ needs and ensuring victim services are tailored to meet them.
 
While we have made critical progress, there is still work to do to keep our kids and communities safe. I continue to call on Congress to pass universal background checks, red flag and safe storage laws, a ban on bump stocks, and a renewal of the assault weapons ban. In the meantime, I will continue our work to save lives and ensure that every person in our nation can live free from violence, fear, and hate.

# # #

The post Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris One Year After the Lewiston Shootings appeared first on The White House.

One year ago, an act of senseless violence carried out with a weapon of war took the lives of 18 loved ones and injured 13 others in Lewiston, Maine. Doug and I join all Mainers in remembering those who lost their lives on that fall night, standing with their families, and thinking of the survivors of this horrific mass shooting.
 
In the 12 months since this tragedy took place at a local restaurant and a bowling alley, the Lewiston community has shown incredible unity, resilience, and strength. They have responded by reminding the nation of the unacceptable fact that far too many families have experienced the tremendous pain and trauma caused by the epidemic of gun violence. This is exactly why I have worked to take action to address this issue with the urgency it demands and keep our loved ones safe.
 
With the help of gun violence survivors, families of those who have lost loved ones, young leaders, and local advocates, our administration fought to enact the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — the first major gun safety law in nearly 30 years. We expanded background checks, closed the gun show loophole, made the largest investment in youth mental health in history, supported the implementation of red flag laws across the country, and invested in community violence intervention. Additionally, we launched the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, an office that I am proud to oversee. Following the tragic shooting in Lewiston, this office coordinated the first-ever federal interagency response – listening to survivors’ needs and ensuring victim services are tailored to meet them.
 
While we have made critical progress, there is still work to do to keep our kids and communities safe. I continue to call on Congress to pass universal background checks, red flag and safe storage laws, a ban on bump stocks, and a renewal of the assault weapons ban. In the meantime, I will continue our work to save lives and ensure that every person in our nation can live free from violence, fear, and hate.

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