From 2a5622884e0c5573289494d011be61fdc52b2729 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "github-actions[bot]" Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2024 22:31:47 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Update at Thu Jul 18 22:31:47 UTC 2024 --- ...approves-montana-disaster-declaration-6.md | 38 ++ rss.xml | 70 +- ...ty-communications-advisor-john-kirby-17.md | 599 ++++++++++++++++++ 3 files changed, 672 insertions(+), 35 deletions(-) create mode 100644 presidential-actions/2024-07/2024-07-18-president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-montana-disaster-declaration-6.md create mode 100644 speeches-remarks/2024-07/2024-07-18-on-the-record-press-gaggle-by-white-house-national-security-communications-advisor-john-kirby-17.md diff --git a/presidential-actions/2024-07/2024-07-18-president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-montana-disaster-declaration-6.md b/presidential-actions/2024-07/2024-07-18-president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-montana-disaster-declaration-6.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..b14fd7672 --- /dev/null +++ b/presidential-actions/2024-07/2024-07-18-president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-montana-disaster-declaration-6.md @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ +--- +date: '2024-07-18' +modified_time: 2024-07-18 17:19:54-04:00 +published_time: 2024-07-18 17:19:53-04:00 +source_url: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/07/18/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-montana-disaster-declaration-6/ +tags: presidential-actions +title: "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Montana Disaster\_Declaration" +--- + +Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster +exists in the State of Montana and ordered Federal assistance to +supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas +affected by a severe winter storm and flooding from May 6 to May 9, +2024. + +Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local +governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a +cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of +facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and flooding in the +counties of Blaine, Chouteau, Fergus, Hill, Judith Basin, Petroleum, +Pondera, Teton, Toole, and Wheatland and the Rocky Boy’s Indian +Reservation and the Fort Belknap Indian Community. + +Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard +mitigation measures statewide. + +Mr. Edwin J. Martin 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 +state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments. + +FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) +646-3272 OR +[FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV](mailto:FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV). + +\### diff --git a/rss.xml b/rss.xml index 9a76978fe..889995713 100644 --- a/rss.xml +++ b/rss.xml @@ -8,11 +8,45 @@ The White House Briefing Room - Thu, 18 Jul 2024 13:40:04 -0400 + Thu, 18 Jul 2024 17:38:33 -0400 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/ + + + On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/07/18/on-the-record-press-gaggle-by-white-house-national-security-communications-advisor-john-kirby-17/ + + + Thu, 18 Jul 2024 17:38:33 -0400 + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/07/18/on-the-record-press-gaggle-by-white-house-national-security-communications-advisor-john-kirby-17/ + + + speeches-remarks + + + + + President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Montana Disaster Declaration + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/07/18/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-montana-disaster-declaration-6/ + + + Thu, 18 Jul 2024 17:19:53 -0400 + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/07/18/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-montana-disaster-declaration-6/ + + + presidential-actions + + Letter from Dr. Kevin O’Connor @@ -489,39 +523,5 @@ press-briefings </category> </item> - <item> - <title> - President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Kansas Disaster Declaration - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/07/15/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-kansas-disaster-declaration-5/ - - - Mon, 15 Jul 2024 13:04:34 -0400 - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/07/15/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-kansas-disaster-declaration-5/ - - - presidential-actions - - - - - Remarks by President Biden in Address to the Nation - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/07/14/remarks-by-president-biden-in-address-to-the-nation/ - - - Sun, 14 Jul 2024 22:26:47 -0400 - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/07/14/remarks-by-president-biden-in-address-to-the-nation/ - - - speeches-remarks - - diff --git a/speeches-remarks/2024-07/2024-07-18-on-the-record-press-gaggle-by-white-house-national-security-communications-advisor-john-kirby-17.md b/speeches-remarks/2024-07/2024-07-18-on-the-record-press-gaggle-by-white-house-national-security-communications-advisor-john-kirby-17.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..408a4446b --- /dev/null +++ b/speeches-remarks/2024-07/2024-07-18-on-the-record-press-gaggle-by-white-house-national-security-communications-advisor-john-kirby-17.md @@ -0,0 +1,599 @@ +--- +date: '2024-07-18' +modified_time: 2024-07-18 17:38:34-04:00 +published_time: 2024-07-18 17:38:33-04:00 +source_url: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/07/18/on-the-record-press-gaggle-by-white-house-national-security-communications-advisor-john-kirby-17/ +tags: speeches-remarks +title: "On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White\_House National Security Communications\ + \ Advisor John\_Kirby" +--- + +Via Teleconference + +10:34 A.M. EDT + +MODERATOR:  Hey.  Good morning, everyone.  Thanks so much for joining +today’s News of the Day Gaggle with White House National Security Comms +Advisor John Kirby.  I’ll turn it over to him for a topper, and then +we’ll take some of your questions. + +MR. KIRBY:  Good morning, everybody.  So, just right off the top, since +I know many of you are closely tracking the events out of Nairobi, we +hope you can understand that this is an evolving situation and we’re +working to obtain and to help you get as much information as quickly as +possible.  + +We’ve all seen the reporting, and I just want to stress again that the +United States is deeply concerned about and we condemn the reported +violence in all its forms.  We offer our deepest condolences, of course, +to the families who have been impacted by this violence.  And we +continue to urge restraint so that no further Kenyans are put in harm’s +way while exercising their right to peaceful public assembly.  That +right is protected by the Kenyan constitution, and we believe it must be +respected.  + +The United States has been in touch with the Kenyan government to urge +appropriate use of force by the police, to respect human rights, and +quite frankly, to respect due process for those that have been +detained.  And we will continue to push for calm to prevail.  + +And now, yesterday — switching to Haiti — the Multinational Security +Support Mission, that will grow eventually to 2,500 multinational +personnel, arrived in Haiti.  As you know, this effort is being led by +Kenya and with strong support from the United States.  The mission +includes personnel, financial support from over a dozen countries that +will support the Haitian National Police as they increase their +anti-gang operations, build their capacity to maintain public safety, +and to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches everybody in need. + +The United States is this particular mission’s largest financial +contributor and the largest donor to Haiti in general, providing more +than $300 million and up to $60 million in equipment.  And we’re going +to continue our diplomatic outreach to encourage others to join that +effort as well.  + +We’ve also worked with Kenya and other partners to integrate critically +important accountability and oversight measures into the mission.  + +Now, I want to be clear right at the top here: This mission is not going +to solve all of Haiti’s problems, but it is a good, positive first step +and to provide the best chance for Haiti to get on a path toward +democratic governance and rule of law.  It is about making the Haitian +National Police better — better resourced, better led, better trained, +better capable.  That’s what this is about, and we’re going into it with +that in mind.  + +Shifting topics, if I could: Today, we also welcomed the announcement +that Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will serve as the next Secretary +General of NATO.  President Biden and Prime Minister Rutte have worked +very closely together over the past decade when Joe Biden was Vice +President and, of course, now that he’s Commander-in-Chief.  And they +work together on a variety of issues, including our shared strong +support for Ukraine, on safeguarding advanced technologies, and +strengthening the transatlantic alliance.  President Biden strongly +believes that Mark Rutte will make an excellent Secretary General.  And +he’s grateful for his willingness to serve in that capacity.  + +We’d also like to thank, of course, Jens Stoltenberg for a decade of +service to the Alliance during the most consequential period of European +security since World War Two.  Under his leadership, the NATO Alliance +has become larger and stronger, and Allied unity is at an all-time high, +which has been an important priority for President Biden.  + +And that takes us right — I mean, his leadership has really guided us +right toward next month’s 75th anniversary summit for NATO, here in +Washington, D.C., which will be followed by the leadership transition, +of course, in the fall when President — I’m sorry, when Secretary +General Stoltenberg steps down and the new Secretary General, Mark +Rutte, steps into the job.  + +Finally, as you all know, Evan Gershkovich appeared in court today for +the start of what we view as nothing more than a sham trial.  I’ll state +it again: Evan has never been employed by the United States government.  +Evan is not a spy.  Journalism is not a crime.  And Evan should never +have been detained in the first place.  + +Russia has failed to justify Evan’s continued detention.  He, like +fellow American Paul Whelan, is simply being used as a bargaining chip.  +Embassy Moscow was granted brief access to the courtroom before the +proceedings began today.  They were not permitted to speak with Evan.  +So, obviously, we’re going to follow this closely.  And of course, our +embassy in Moscow will continue to seek to attend any and all future +hearings.  + +Now, look, I think this goes without saying too, but all of us — all of +us admire Evan’s resilience.  I’ve seen a reporting that his friends say +he continues to be in good spirits, which is just incredible given what +he’s going through.  While he shouldn’t be going through these +proceedings at all, it’s always reassuring to see his smile and to hear +reports of his morale.  + +We want both Evan and Paul to know that we all care deeply about their +wellbeing and that this administration will continue to do everything it +can to bring them home, and that includes, right now, the effort to try +to find a way to get these guys released back to their families, where +they belong, is ongoing.  It’s alive, and we’re keeping at it.  + +And with that, I can start taking some questions.  + +MODERATOR:  Thanks.  First up, we’ll go to Aamer Madhani. + +Q    Hey there, John.  Is Israel’s launch — is an Israeli launch, +cross-border offensive, Lebanon (inaudible) Hezbollah — if that were to +happen, will the U.S. back Israel militarily? + +And then secondly, on the Assange case, was the White House involved in +helping forge the agreement that led to Assange’s release?  And has the +President discussed the matter with the prime minister or any other +Australian government officials ahead of the announcement?  Thank you. + +MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, the White House was not involved in any way whatsoever +in Julian Assange’s case, and the decisions pursuant to that, to his +sentencing and his repatriation back to Israel.  That was a DOJ matter, +and they’re the only ones that can speak to it.  + +I don’t have any conversations to read out to you from the President +with respect to this.  The White House was not involved in any way.  + +On your first question — look, first and foremost, we don’t want to see +a second front opened up, period.  And that’s why we’ve been working so +hard on diplomacy and trying to find a way diplomatically to prevent +that from happening.  We don’t believe that it’s going to be in +anybody’s interest, quite frankly, least of all the Israeli people.  So +we’re working diplomatically to prevent that outcome from happening.  +That’s where our focus is on.  + +But as we have said repeatedly, and as we will continue to say: We stand +with Israel.  We’re going to continue to make sure Israel has what it +needs to defend itself.  And as the President has proven in the past, if +there’s a way we can prevent further attacks on Israel, we’ll do that.  +And certainly, we’re going to continue to help Israel defend itself; +that’s not going to change.  + +But as for a hypothetical, specifically with respect to the northern +border line, the Blue Line there with Lebanon, again, we want to see no +second front opened, and we want to see if we can’t resolve the tensions +out there through diplomatic processes.  + +MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Jeff Mason. + +Q    Thank you very much.  John, Jake Sullivan has a meeting today with +Mr. Gallant of Israel.  Could you give us a sense of what you expect the +two of them to discuss and also what time that is and whether or not we +should expect a readout? + +MR. KIRBY:  Hey, Jeff.  You broke up a little bit, but I think I got the +gist of the question.  This was about Jake’s meeting with Defense +Minister Gallant.  + +Q    Yes. + +MR. KIRBY:  He’s meeting with him as we speak, Jeff.  That meeting +started a little bit after nine o’clock.  And as far as I know, sitting +here, it’s still ongoing.  And we absolutely will have a readout of it.  + +Broadly speaking, I don’t think you should expect any major surprises +coming out of this discussion.  I mean, Jake is looking forward to +sitting down with Defense Minister Gallant to talk about what’s going on +in Gaza; to talk about — to get a sense of Israeli operations, not only +what they look like now, but what they’re going to look like in the +future; to talk about how we’re going to continue to defend Israel and +make sure that they have what they need.  + +And obviously, they will talk about the — what Aamer just asked me about +— the tensions up near Lebanon and that border, and what the path +forward could look like for a diplomatic solution to this, to prevent a +second front from opening up.  + +I have every expectation that they will talk about the broader concerns +of Iran in the region and their destabilizing behavior and the manner in +which they, Iran, continue to resource, to fund, to support, to train +groups that are now attacking Israel but also are supporting such +attacks.  + +So I think the full range of topics will be discussed.  I think, also, I +would have every expectation that the humanitarian situation will be +front and center for Jake, for sure.  He’ll want to talk to the Israelis +about what more we can do to get more trucks in and not only get them +in, but get them to the people that most need that aid and assistance.  + +As you know, though Kerem Shalom is open and trucks are queued up +outside, not a lot of them are getting in, and it’s not because of the +Israelis; it’s largely because just criminal gangs now are looting these +trucks.  And the World Food Program and the U.N. drivers are obviously +concerned about getting attacked.  And so, we’re going have to continue +to work with the Israelis to try to address that problem as well.  + +So, again, I think a broad, big agenda, lots to talk about, but we’ll +have a readout when it’s over. + +MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Kellie Meyer.  You should be able to +unmute yourself. + +Q    Hi, John.  Thanks for doing this.  A couple quick questions just on +the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs warning of a threat to U.S. troops in +the region — as we’ve been discussing, the tensions between Hezbollah +and Israel.  Any more precautions that are being taken that you can +speak to right now? + +MR. KIRBY:  One of the things I’m very careful to do is not talk about +the specifics on force protection and what we do to ensure force +protection.  I would refer you to the Chairman to speak to that more.  I +don’t know how much more he’d get into that.  + +We’re certainly mindful of the risk to our troops and our facilities +throughout the region.  And that risk has certainly not mitigated in +recent months, obviously, with what’s going on.  So it’s something we’re +watching very closely.  We continue to monitor it.  We also modify force +protection procedures and protocols as the threat changes, and it does +change.  But I think I need to leave it there.  + +MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Aurelia. + +Q    Hi.  Thanks so much for taking my question.  A follow-up on Kenya.  +Not that long ago, President Ruto was at the White House, and President +Biden said Kenya and the United States share democratic values.  Would +you say that this is maybe — this is still the case after the response +to the protests?  And more generally, does the administration condemn +the use of force against the protesters?  Otherwise, how would you +qualify what Kenyan police did in Nairobi? + +MR. KIRBY:  I’ll tell you, you know, as a democracy, the Kenyan +constitution does allow for the use of defense forces to augment police, +particularly like in protecting critical infrastructure.  At the same +time, that same constitution includes freedom of assembly and the right +to protest peacefully, and calls for the government of Kenya to respect +the rights of all its citizens.  + +So, again, we remain deeply concerned about the violence that we’ve +seen, and we absolutely condemn the violence.  We don’t want to see +anybody hurt.  And that includes violence that’s perpetrated on +innocent, peaceful protesters.  + +So we’re going to be in touch.  We have been in touch.  We’re going to +stay in touch with our Kenyan colleagues as appropriate. + +MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Alex Ward. + +Q    John, I know — thanks for doing this.  I know, you know, the +administration has responded a thousand times to the stuff about, you +know, the weapons delays or — reported weapons delays, et cetera.  But +there’s been reporting today that, basically, it seems like there’s been +a — because the U.S. has sent so many weapons ahead of time, there’s +just been sort of a lower amount headed now, and wondering if you think +that might be the issue.  + +And then, sort of number two here, relatedly is: Is Netanyahu someone +the administration really feels they can work with now?  Obviously, he +is the prime minister, and he is — but he is the interlocutor, but is he +someone you guys feel you can have good-faith conversations with about +this conflict now?  Thanks. + +MR. KIRBY:  Alex, on your first question, I just want to make a couple +of points, because I’m not going to — I can’t speak to the State +Department process here.  They run this process by which foreign +military sales and provisions of weapons and assistance, you know, get +to Israel.  So I’ll let them speak to sequencing and timing.  You know, +we don’t have perfect visibility on that here to speak to that reporting +and that process.  + +I would just tell you, number one: Aid and assistance, military +assistance, continues to flow to Israel; that we are in constant touch +with our Israeli counterparts about what they need and doing everything +we can to get them what they need.  I mean, my goodness, you have the +defense minister here today.  Actually, you know, this week he’s been +here having meetings; met with Blinken, met with Austin, and now he’s +meeting with Jake today.  I mean, nobody can say that we’re not attune +to and staying in touch with the Israelis about what they need.  + +Number two, as you and I speak here, Alex, there remains only one +shipment of high-density, low-precision munitions that has been paused.  +Everything else continues to flow.  Again, on the timeline, you know, +I’d have to — and the sequencing — I’d have to refer you to State.  But +Israel continues to get arms and ammunition.  It continues to flow.  We +want to make sure that they have what they need.  And that will — that +commitment will not waver.  + +On your second question, at the risk of sounding repetitive, I would +just tell you that these are two leaders who have known each other a +long, long time — decades.  And they come from different political +traditions.  They have differing views on a number of issues that are +germane not only to the region, but certainly specific to Israel.  And +they are absolutely competent and capable of being honest with one +another.  He is the elected prime minister of the State of Israel, and +he, therefore, is the leader that we will work with and we have worked +with him.  + +I’m not saying that it’s all been smooth in every single instance, +including in recent days, but we are not going to get into — we’re not +going to respond to every one of the Prime Minister’s political +statements and his public pronouncements.  What we’re focused on is +making sure, again, that they have what they need.  And we believe we’re +fully capable of doing that with Prime Minister Netanyahu and with this +government.  + +And that’s what we’re focused on.  It’s head down — it’s making sure +that Israel can defend itself, but just as critically, as I said +earlier, that we continue to get humanitarian assistance in to the +people who are in need and that we get this ceasefire deal in place.  + +It’s one of the things that — we haven’t talked about it this morning, +but we’re still working with the Prime Minister and his team to try to +get the ceasefire deal in place so that we can potentially end this +conflict.  And that’s what we’re focused on.  And that means we’re going +to stay focused on that effort with the Prime Minister and his team +because he’s the government in place.  + +MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Brad Dress. + +Q    Yeah, thank you.  Just one question.  So, despite U.S. efforts, the +Houthis are continuing to attack merchant ships.  And now they appear to +be getting more successful.  Why are efforts not working?  And do you +think the U.S. needs a new strategy to deter that?  Thank you. + +MR. KIRBY:  I think a couple of things are germane here.  There’s a +religious fervor that the Houthi leadership have instilled into this +effort.  As I went to the podium a while ago — a week or so ago — and +laid out for everybody, this isn’t about standing up for the people of +Gaza.  It’s not about — it’s not some popular movement to assist people +in the region, because the ships that they’re hitting, sometimes, in one +case in particular, was meant to go to a Yemeni port to bring in grain +to hungry people in Yemen.  They have instilled this sort of religious +fervor to this and made it some sort of cause célèbre here.  And when +you do that, it becomes even more difficult to, as you put it, deter and +dissuade.  We’re mindful of that.  + +So what we’re focused on is taking away their capability to conduct the +attacks.  And that is why we continue to hit targets inside +Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen where we think an attack is imminent +and about to occur.  We’re going to continue to do that.  That’s why we +still have a coalition of 20-some-odd nations operating in the Red Sea +and beyond to try to defend against these attacks.  + +And while, yes, they have had a couple of successful strikes in most +recent days — and I know one vessel in particular sank as a result of +the attack — by and large, most of their attacks are not successful.  +You don’t see press releases about it; you don’t necessarily see video +of it.  But they miss a whole hell of a lot more than they hit, and +that’s because we’re out there working hard to make sure that that’s the +outcome, at the same time making sure that we’re doing everything we can +to try to degrade their capabilities.  + +But they’re still getting supplied; they’re still getting resourced by +Iran.  And as I said earlier, I have no doubt that that will be a topic +of discussion when Jake and Defense Minister Gallant speak today, about +what we can do together to try to take away some of those capabilities.  +And that’s what we’re focused on.  + +MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Nadia Charters. + +Q    Thank you, Eduardo.  Hi, John.  A couple of questions.  Canada has +called its citizens to leave Lebanon.  What is the U.S. assessment +regarding a similar call?  I know you have not done something similar to +that.  Do you believe that the situation is safe for U.S. citizens to +stay in Lebanon? + +And second, any update — I know you mentioned the negotiation with +Hamas.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Hamas is insisting that +they will accept the deal if phase three clearly calls for the end of +the war.  And this is the sticking point with the Israelis.  Israelis +said we’re happy to go along, but phase three does not mean end of the +war.  Can you just give us your perspective on that?  Thank you. + +MR. KIRBY:  On your first question, I’m going to refer you to the State +Department.  Obviously, we want all Americans in Lebanon who are still +there, either on business or other travel, to be as careful as possible +to make sure that they have registered with the State Department system +so that the State Department can stay in regular touch with them and +that they do everything they can to be — to watch out for their own +safety.  + +But as for any announcements or pronouncements, that’s really a State +Department call, and I’d have to refer you to them.  + +Clearly, nothing is more important to President Biden than the safety +and security of Americans wherever they are.  And that includes +overseas, and that certainly includes a place like Lebanon. + +What we’re trying to do is prevent a second front from opening up.  +We’re trying to prevent an escalation of this conflict that certainly +would put the people of Israel and of Lebanon at greater physical risk +than the risk that is already being incurred by them, particularly those +that live near the Blue Line.  We want to prevent that outcome, which is +why we have been working so hard diplomatically and intensely, thus so, +to prevent a second front from opening up and an expansion of this +conflict.  + +But we will, as appropriate, of course, stay in touch with all Americans +in Lebanon.  Those that sign up to be informed, we’ll make sure that +they have the latest and greatest information.  + +But as for any particular pronouncements, that would be a State +Department call.  + +On your second question, the President laid this out really, really well +at the end of May.  He laid out the entire, sort of, phasing of this +process.  And it is advancing that phasing and that process that we’re +focused on, where you want to get to phase one.  Phase one gives you six +weeks of a ceasefire; it gives you more humanitarian assistance, up to +600 trucks a day; and obviously, critically, it gets a first rendering +of hostages — women, children, the elderly, sick — out quickly, back to +their families.  + +And then as the President laid out, Nadia, while phase one is ongoing, +the two sides then begin to negotiate phase two.  So, I understand.  +I’ve seen public pronouncements and comments of people, you know, on +either side, where they want to sort of leapfrog over the process.  But +the process as we’ve laid out, the process that Israel itself proposed +and has endorsed calls for phase two negotiations to begin when phase +one is agreed to and underway, that’s the process that we still believe +is the right one and the appropriate one.  And that’s the one that we’re +going to continue to talk to both sides about.  + +And we still believe that discussions about it are valuable and +warranted.  And we’re going to do everything we can to see if we can’t +get phase one implemented and started so that the rest of the process +can take place.  + +Then last thing I’ll say is, as the President said in his speech on the +31st of May, that you get to phase two — if you can get phase two +negotiated and complete, well, that potentially — you know, that gives +you a potential cessation to the hostilities itself. + +MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Marek. + +Q    Thank you, Eduardo.  Hi, John.  One question.  According to +Reuters, two close advisors to Donald Trump have presented him with a +plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, in essence by forcing Ukraine to +the negotiating table and the ceasefire based on so-called prevailing +battle lines.  From what we know about the plan right now, which side +would this plan benefit if it’s implemented?  And does it make sense, +this framework?  Does it make sense to you? + +MR. KIRBY:  Look, I think you all know — I think I missed the beginning +of your question.  But is this a proposal put forth by folks on the +Trump team?  Is that what you were saying? + +Q    Yes.  General Kellogg and — they say that they have positive +feedback from former president. + +MR. KIRBY:  Yeah.  Yeah, yeah.  Okay.  I thought that’s what you said.  + +Look, I would just — I would just say a couple of things here.  First of +all, in our view, I’m not going to comment about the 2024 election.  I’m +not going to get, you know, into a public debate here with respect to +what former President Trump’s advisors may or may not be talking to him +about it.  + +So, with that as a caveat, the President’s commitment to supporting +Ukraine has been manifestly steady and strident and consistent.  We +built a global coalition now — more than 50 countries that are +supporting Ukraine as they defend themselves.  He just signed at the G7 +in Italy, a week or so ago, a historic bilateral security agreement with +Ukraine.  And he understands — he understands that the stronger +Ukraine’s position is on the battlefield, the stronger they will be at +the negotiating table when that time comes, Marek.  And you know who +gets to decide when that time comes?  President Zelenskyy.  And nobody +else.  + +And what we’ve said is: Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.  And +we’re standing strong to make sure that President Zelenskyy has +everything he needs so that if and when he’s ready to go to the table, +he can do it from a position of strength and that he knows he’s got our +backing and the backing of those some 50-some-odd countries.  + +Unlike some folks, President Biden believes that any decisions about +negotiations, quite frankly, have got to be up to President Zelenskyy +and Ukraine.  We’re not going to force Ukraine to surrender any of its +territory, because we understand that if Putin is allowed to conquer +Ukraine and subjugate its people, any of its people, the consequences +would be severe.  He and dictators all around the world would just be +emboldened, and we think the world would be a much more dangerous +place.  + +I think that pretty much sums up our views. + +MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Laura Kelly. + +Q    Hi.  Thank you for taking my question.  Just going back to the +distribution of aid in Gaza, what is the White House position on where +responsibility for distribution rests?  There’s this blame game going on +between Israel and the international aid organizations with security +inside Gaza for distribution being seen — I think is one of the major +impediments.  So who’s responsible for security at this point?  What +does the White House want to see happen? + +MR. KIRBY:  We want to see the ceasefire deal in place.  We want to get +that ceasefire deal in place —  + +Q    But, like, while you’re working on the ceasefire deal. + +MR. KIRBY:  No, but — let me finish. + +We want to see the ceasefire deal in place.  Because if you get that +ceasefire deal in place, you get six weeks of calm; you get six weeks of +calm, you can maybe get up to several hundred trucks a day.  And the +goal of phase one is 600 trucks a day.  So you ask me what we want to +see.  We want to see this deal put in place, which is why we — + +Q    So the challenge of getting — the challenge of not distributing +humanitarian aid is pressure on Hamas to go to the ceasefire deal? + +MR. KIRBY:  No.  Look, there’s a lot of reasons why aid and assistance +is being held up.  One of the principal reasons right now is criminal +gangs that are operating particularly at Kerem Shalom.  That’s not the +Israelis’ fault.  And as far as we know, these gangs have no connection +to Hamas specifically.  + +So we’re going to continue to work with the U.N.  We’ve been talking to +the U.N. about seeing if we can’t help get them personal protective gear +and equipment, communications, radio communication, so that their truck +drivers can feel a little bit more safe, which you can’t very well blame +these guys for being a little bit nervous about driving a truck into +Gaza when their convoys and their trucks could be attacked by these +criminal gangs and thugs.  And we — so we’re going to obviously work +with them and the IDF to see what can be done about that.  + +But, yes, look, security of these convoys is a live issue.  And I’m not +trying to pull — take Hamas off the hook here, because Hamas has, in +fact, allowed some of this activity to go on and don’t have the best +interests of the people of Gaza forefront in their minds.  In fact, +we’ve all seen Sinwar’s comments about how civilian casualties and +civilian suffering actually works — he believes works to his advantage.  +So, Hamas is absolutely partly responsible here for this as well.  + +But there’s — you know, it’s a combat zone.  And combat operations and +combat areas certainly make the delivery of humanitarian assistance a +lot more challenging.  So we’re going to continue to talk to the U.N., +we’re going to talk to the IDF about what we can do to make it safer and +to make it more palatable for these drivers to take this aid in.  But +the way to get to that, the real answer to this is to get to phase one +of this ceasefire deal.  You get hostages home to their families.  You +get six weeks of a sustainable calm that will allow the comfort level +for aid organizations to increase to a degree where they can move freely +about Gaza.  If you have a six-week ceasefire in place, then nobody is +shooting at anybody, and it should be a lot easier to move humanitarian +assistance. + +MODERATOR:  Thanks.  Next up, we’ll go to Paris Wong. + +Q    Hello.  Thank you, John.  I’m going to focus to Indo-Pacific +region.  So, in an interview on Tuesday, Philippines ambassador to the +U.S. said if there’s a conflict between Taiwan and China that would +affect the Philippines, that it would most likely agree to the U.S. +using its military bases in the defense of Taiwan.  So does the Biden +administration welcome Philippines’ willingness to work with the U.S. on +Taiwan safety? And also, does this mean the United States has +successfully mobilized from North Asia to Southeast Asia, from Japan to +Philippines, to form a security network in the Indo-Pacific?  Thank you. + +MR. KIRBY:  I think you know I’m not going to get into hypotheticals or +speculate about the conflict across the Taiwan Strait.  Nothing has +changed about our One China policy.  We don’t want to see the status quo +changed or altered unilaterally.  We certainly don’t want to see it +changed or altered by force.  + +And everything the President has been doing — in our conversations with +the PRC, in our work with allies like South Korea, Japan, and the +Philippines — has been designed to prevent that outcome from happening.  +And that’s what we’re focused on.  + +The Philippines is a treaty ally.  We take our alliance commitments +seriously with the Philippines, as we have demonstrated certainly in +recent weeks and months.  And it was terrific to have President Marcos +here to participate in the first-ever trilat between the United States, +Japan, and the Philippines when we were hosting Prime Minister Kishida +for the state visit as well. + +So, an awful lot of work has been done by President Biden and this team +in terms of shoring up our alliances and partnerships in the +Indo-Pacific.  And the reason you do that is to make it clear that we +don’t want to see a conflict, that we do have the capabilities in place +to defend ourselves and defend our allies, and that there should be no +reason for any of these tensions to erupt into conflict whatsoever. + +MODERATOR:  Thanks, everyone.  That’s all the time we have for today.  +If you have any follow-up questions, feel free to reach out to our +team.  Thanks again. + +11:09 A.M. EDT