Category: Aug2014

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Romanian President Traian Basescu to discuss bilateral relations, the NATO Summit in Wales, and the situation in Ukraine. Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Romania, and discussed the valuable contributions that Romania is making to international security. Vice President…

We are working to gather more information regarding reports that Ukraine’s security forces disabled vehicles in a Russian military convoy inside Ukraine.  We are not currently in a position to confirm these reports. Even as we work to gather information, we reiterate our concern about repeated Russian and Russian-supported incursions into Ukraine.  Russia has no…

Edgartown, Massachusetts 12:49 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody. This sound system is really powerful.  Today, I’d like to update the American people on two issues that I’ve been monitoring closely these last several days. First of all, we continue to make progress in carrying out our targeted military operations in Iraq.  Last week,…

President Obama spoke by phone today with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and separately with President Ernest Bai Koroma regarding the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. In his conversations with both leaders, the President underscored the commitment of the United States to work with Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other international partners to contain the outbreak and expressed…

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, August 20th, Vice President Biden will travel to East Hartford, Connecticut for an event on workforce development and skills. Additional details about the Vice President’s trip are forthcoming.

Today, Iraqis took another major step forward in uniting their country.  We commend Prime Minister Maliki for his decision to support Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi in his efforts to form a new government in line with the Iraqi constitution.  We have heard from a wide range of leaders across the Iraqi political spectrum who have…

We were deeply saddened to learn of the plane crash that appears to have taken the life of Brazilian Presidential candidate Eduardo Campos as well as his travel companions. We extend our profound condolences to the family and other loved ones of the deceased and to the people of Brazil. The thoughts and prayers of…

President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed today by phone the ongoing negotiations in Cairo to achieve a sustainable ceasefire agreement.  The President reaffirmed the United States’ support for Egypt’s mediation efforts and underscored the importance of achieving a sustainable outcome that ensures Israel’s security and addresses Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko regarding the situation in eastern Ukraine. President Poroshenko informed the Vice President about discussions underway between Ukraine and Russia regarding the modalities for delivery of Ukrainian, Russian, and international humanitarian assistance to the people of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. The Vice President underscored that…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of June 5-10, 2014. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain…