Category: Jul2014

The President spoke today with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the situation in Ukraine, the ongoing P5+1 talks with Iran in Vienna, and U.S.-German bilateral relations. On Ukraine, the President and the Chancellor reiterated their agreement that Russia must take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine amid the ongoing violence there…

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the situation in eastern Ukraine. The leaders discussed Russia’s ongoing support for the separatists and apparent escalation of the conflict over the last few days. President Poroshenko informed the Vice President of Ukraine’s attempts to arrange for a trilateral Contact Group meeting with the separatists…

East Room 9:03 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening everyone and welcome to the White House.  Every year, our Iftar is a chance to join in fellowship with friends, old and new, and to celebrate the incredible diversity of our great nation.  And I want to recognize members of our diplomatic corps who are here…

The White House today released a new report from the Council of Economic Advisers and National Economic Council on the long-term economic benefits of transportation investment and why conditions in the infrastructure sector are ripe for innovation, with new technologies and approaches promising significant gains in productivity, efficiency, and resilience. The President has been clear…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Iowa 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 3-4, 2014. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Craig B. Allen, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Brunei Darussalam. Sharon Block, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the…

WASHINGTON – In the afternoon of July 21, 2014, President Barack Obama will award Ryan M. Pitts, a former active duty Army Staff Sergeant, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.  Staff Sergeant Pitts will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as a Forward Observer with 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company,…

Vice President Biden welcomed Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiyah at the White House today.  The Vice President and Minister of State discussed regional issues, including Syria, Iraq, Libya, and the Gaza crisis.  The Vice President congratulated Qatar on the signing of Letters of Offer and Acceptance for Apache Helicopters…

This evening, the President will continue a White House tradition of hosting an Iftar celebrating Ramadan in the State Dining Room.  This is the sixth Iftar hosted by the President.  The Iftar is the meal that breaks the day of fasting, when Muslim families and communities eat together after sunset. This year, the President will…

The President spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 14 to discuss shared bilateral, regional and global challenges and ways the two countries can work together to address them.  The two leaders reviewed the important progress achieved during the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue July 9-10 in Beijing and the President thanked President Xi…