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September 6-12

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Here's what happened at State this past week. ⤵️

• ✈️ Secretary Blinken traveled to the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Poland.
• 🇻🇪 The U.S. denounced Nicolás Maduro’s post-election repression in Venezuela.
• 🇪🇺 Deputy Secretary Campbell met with European allies to discuss trade, China, and the Indo-Pacific.

Secretary Blinken Visits the United Kingdom, Poland, and Ukraine

Secretary Blinken traveled to the United Kingdom to open the U.S.-UK Strategic Dialogue and reaffirm our special relationship. The Secretary also met with senior government officials in London to discuss several critical issues, including the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, and our collective efforts to support Ukraine.

On Wednesday, the Secretary traveled to Ukraine with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy where they met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and senior government officials. There, they discussed continued support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s aggression and how the country can thrive militarily, economically, and democratically. 

In Ukraine, Secretary Blinken announced more than $700 million in new funding that will:

• Help repair Ukraine’s energy and electric grid.
• Provide humanitarian support for millions of people in Ukraine and those displaced throughout the region.
• Remove land mines and unexploded ordnance that Russia left behind in Ukraine. 

“We want Ukraine to win,” Secretary Blinken said at a news conference in Kyiv. “And we’re fully committed to keep marshaling the support that it needs for its brave defenders to do just that.” 

On Thursday, the Secretary went to Poland to meet with top Polish government officials and discuss:

• Deepening our defense and energy cooperation.
• Our support for Ukraine as NATO Allies.

U.S. Condemns Maduro’s Attempts to Stay in Power

The U.S. called on Nicolás Maduro to stop the repression and immediately release all those unjustly detained in Venezuela following the election of Edmundo González Urrutia to the presidency.

“Venezuelans voted for change. Maduro’s post-election repression has killed or jailed thousands, and winning candidate Edmundo González Urrutia remains the best hope for democracy,” Secretary Blinken said on X/Twitter. “We must not let Maduro and his representatives cling to power by force. The will of the people must be respected.”

Deputy Secretary Discusses Trade, China with European Allies

Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell traveled to Belgium, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, and Iceland for meetings with European partners. 

He led the U.S. delegation in the seventh U.S.-EU Dialogue on China and the sixth round of the U.S.-EU High-Level Consultations on the Indo-Pacific.

“U.S. and EU partners remain deeply concerned about China’s exports of dual use items to Russia, which Moscow is using to wage its illegal war against Ukraine,” the Deputy Secretary said on X/Twitter.

Secretary Blinken Meets Students in the Dominican Republic

During a trip to the Dominican Republic last week, Secretary Blinken met with students at El Dominco's English Immersion Program, where they are learning English with the help of the Department’s language resources.

“English can be a social and economic ladder for many Dominicans, and we are dedicated to helping them achieve their aspirations,” the Secretary said on X/Twitter.

News You May Have Missed

• Marking the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks. As Secretary Blinken said on X/Twitter, “we honor the memories of the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the September 11 terrorist attacks. Their bravery and courage remind us of the resilience, sacrifice, and enduring strength that defines our nation and drives our ongoing fight against terrorism.”
• Special Advisor Sara Minkara joined the presidential delegation at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony in Paris.
• The application period for paid Summer 2025 State Department internships opens in October.
• The NFL completed its first regular season game in South America when São Paulo hosted a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles. 
• The U.S. congratulates Algeria on the conclusion of its presidential elections and values the U.S.-Algerian partnership.
• The Department honored 19 colleges and universities as Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders for their engagement with the program during the 2023-2024 academic year.

🔎 Looking Ahead

• September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month begins
• September 15: International Day of Democracy
• September 20: World Cleanup Day
• September 20-21: UN Summit of the Future Action Days
• September 22-23: UN Summit of the Future
• September 23: International Day of Sign Languages
• September 24: UNGA79 General Debate begins
• September 27: World Tourism Day

👉 Note to Our Readers

We welcome your feedback on this newsletter. Send us your thoughts to EmailTeam@state.gov. 📩

Useful links

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