>> doing it one year later all of us shut in and walking behind masks and that long covid winter which was horrific and then to see the events play out january 6 at the capital, the contested election, there was a lot of bad blood overall. it made my desire to go out on the fifth day of spring to walk and see it unfold and look up closer very slowly and meeting people along the way to understand where we were at the country at the moment.

[inaudible conversations] >> good afternoon, everybody.

i have two very brief things and then i am happy to dive into your questions. yesterday our ambassador to france launch the united states expo 2027 principles in paris part of the process to bring international expo also known as the world's fair back to the us the theme this year is helping one —- healthy people and healthy planet. offered the opportunity for a global conversation on health and climate change while showcasing innovation culture and other important things around the world. might innovation technology and cultural exchanges and the platform for the world to come together on universal challenges in this will serve as a gateway to the heartland of america and projected to bring 13 million visits and

$4 million of economic activity and 50000 jobs to the united states and that is in the welcoming spirit of the diversity and enthusiasm of 2027 welfare coming to the united states on a much more serious note, especially in this room and you are concerned about the reports coming out of russia today. as an eye and is the entire department. i want to say clearly and unequivocally that we can down the kremlin's continued attempt to intimidate, repress ten punish journalist and civil society voices. due to privacy considerations, eliminate what i can share but here are some updates i can offer. us embassy in moscow has requested official notification of arrest in russia is required to provide the under our bilateral convention. whenever us citizens are arrested abroad we request

consular access as soon as possible that due to russia's administrative procedures and security requirements it will likely be several days before that happens. third, we are in close contact with "the wall street journal" on this issue and i would like to make it clear it is not safe for us citizens to be in the russian federation. any us residing or traveling in russia should department immediately. as stated in the latest travel advisory. those require assistance should contact the us embassy in moscow for assistance. unfortunately we have seen how the russian government escalating oppression affects journalist as well as civil society activist and the broader russian community. since 2022 dozens of outlets and 100 media professionals have been labeled as undesirable organization or foreign agents who are doing their jobs.

they are routinely jailed or fined for reporting basic facts for not sharing in your opinion that the first from the narrative. our priority is always us citizens the two independent russian journalist to continue to speak out or are jailed or in exile. we stand in solidarity. >> can you give us any more detail about when you knew, how you knew about this arrest? and what you are doing about it other than reaching out to the russian foreign ministry. >> we are still in the early stages so that's what we're doing. we are trying to ascertain as much information as we can. certainly not at a place to

speak to specifics given privacy considerations but again we are immensely concerned over russia's announcement detaining and us citizen journalist. in context with "the wall street journal", we have not yet heard back from the russian of foreign ministry affairs. we reach out to the appropriate channels as soon as we were made aware of this reporting. >> so your understanding there is no privacy act for this person? >> that is correct. >> would you recommend people who are traveling in russia do not heed your advice to leave immediately sign on if they want you guys to speak about their case? >> i'm not here to offer legal advice.

i'm here to say two things. when any american in any part of the world is detained that we move quickly to seek access as we have in this case of the travel advisory warning for russia continues to be level four and has been for quite some time and that continues to be the case and our message to any american citizens currently inside the russian federation. >> do you expect to name evan is wrongly detained in houston will that investigation be made and when he filed this notice with the ministry of foreign affairs in moscow is there any sort of timeline to prevent this notification quick. >> the department regularly reviews the detention of us nationals i will not get ahead

of that process. and we're seeing the same public reporting you are seeing relating to these charges and don't think that there is any truth to them i will let the process play out and with the notifications i cannot speak to this with the privacy consideration but the minute we were aware the department has been deeply engaged so has the embassy in moscow. >> as of the accredited journalists it's not safe for those with industry working for international organizations? >> those residing in russia

other travel advisory is level for a nation even if they need assistance doing so they can get in touch in moscow. >> they did say they should use this as a reason to take action. can you comment one way or the other? >> the russians are saying the united states should not use this as a pretext to take any measures or how russian media is treated? >> quite clearly we take the importance of the freedom of the press and freedom of expression quite seriously and more broadly our focus is to not take any action unrelated to simply understanding as much information as we can and most importantly gaining

consular access to me and visit with the individual to ensure their well-being. >> is the state department engaging about "the wall street journal" reporter? of that type of concession to get "the wall street journal" reporter back? >> i will not speculate preview any actions. again our number one priority continues to be seeking consular access to meet with the individual and ascertain their well-being and get as much information as we can to answer the first part of your question i just delivered a topper on this.

>> is this any reason for a test for tap for the russian spy? >> hypotheticals are not helpful to the process. >> anything else on this before we moved to a different topic quick. >> anything about russia's lack of response so far that gives you any indication they are either treating the similarly to those detained in russia? >> i don't want to get into hypotheticals but i will reiterate that our priority and focus is pursuing consular access as swiftly as we can that is our priority and this entire department continues to be engaged on.

>> as the statement international core of justice announced is everything you can say about the iranians? >> broadly i went say this decision is a major blow to iran's attempts to avoid responsibility in particular to the us peacekeepers killed and 83 bombing of the marine corps american beirut. we recognize the important role and contributions to the rule of law and the us commence the ruling related to the bulk of iran's case we are disappointed that us laws permitting the assets of other armenian agencies with us victims of iran that is more

inconsistent with the treaty but believing today's decision is a major blow to iran. >> do you have details of when this took place and with these credentials? >> as i spoke to a number of colleagues, there is a limit to the details in the sequencing i will do with privacy considerations but right now we are working around the clock to seek consular assets —- access and for all appropriate channels and our intent is to get as much information as we can to see consular access to perform a wellness on this individual and ascertain their well-being.

>> what is the response to your russian counterparts saying he has been engaging? looks like the 40 been doing something illegal. >> what i would say to this, first and foremost, it is not helpful for anybody to get into hypotheticals right now. but there's also no reason anyone should believe these charges are not accurate but currently our priority is gaining consular access to this individual and that's what we would do in any circumstance when and american national is detained abroad in any part of the world and that continues to be a line of effort we are working towards. >> and then from 1986 what

does this tell you? >> what i will say bodley is what i closed with, we have seen the russian government escalating repression against journalist and civil society voices and the broader russian community for quite some time. and since they began their brutal assault on ukraine dozens of outlooks more than 100 media professionals have been labeled as undesirable organizations are foreign agents just doing their job. >> are you concerned about the impact. >> it is important that we not make comparisons among these cases and then through the

established channel and continuing to be an absolute priority and continuing to engage the russian government and those that last visited at the and of january and speaking today. >> . >> that with those on the ground. >> i will just not speculate or get into hypotheticals. but inside the russian federation it is a level four and if you are an american citizen in russia you should need assistance doing so the embassy in moscow is at the ready to help anything else

before we move away? >> . >> in the state department and then to assist you notice on —- of citizens abroad and then we have called on the russian government to release on humanitarian grounds and we take our commitment seriously to ensure they receive appropriate consular access. >> that relationship to pylon between the united states do you agree with that characterization of the relationship?

for the unofficial relationship with taiwan and the approach remaining consistent across decades and administrations. we are guided by the one china policy which itself is guided by the taiwan relations act. >> and with china not to respond. >> the message continues to be there is no reason that is consistent with long-standing policy. and there is nothing that changes the status quo. and then that should be discussed and dealt with in a peaceful manner.

>> and the president and her team speak to her scheduling but it's my understanding there are no plans currently. >> do you have anything to say about his return there from his departure from the united states? [inaudible] >> first and foremost he is a private citizen i would refer you to his representatives for any further information but i

have seen the same reports you are alluding to and refer you to brazilian authority to speak and further details about the investigations that are ongoing from january 8. >> so what is the criteria and by a words to turkey and hungary and other countries if we look at national monitors significantly less democratic? >> what i would say to that is but we are in line with our last year with the addition of

to get the specific list for you. we invited 121 foreign partners on two days summit reflective with the cohost costa rica and republic of korea and human dignity is uphold and they demonstrate universal desire for accountable trends period and governance as well. >> you added eight countries since the last summit.

particularly the time you stress the importance of nato being as strong as ever with a strong cooperation to expand nato where they not on the list of countries added? at the same list. >> to the contrary both hungary and turkey are moving forward to have finland enjoying nato and we are eager to welcome both finland and sweden and we are very clear and our messaging with our hungarian and turkish partners that they should both enjoying nato as soon as possible because not only strengthen the security of the alliance but of europe. and also strengthen the security of the united states as well. >> one more. the criteria to be invited for the center of democracy?

>> that is one of the pieces spent the countries that are invited not rated as a democracy on the index quick. >> i think i've answered your question the invitation and the cohost are reflective of a regionally diverse set of countries that all share universal desire for retrospective governance as well. >> there are many cases so with those statements with that issue of bilateral? >> we are certainly sorry but it is a sovereign state and one that can make decisions for itself it certainly does

not change our willingness to work with pakistan and they work together to get a broader range of issues surrounding democracy and human rights that there is an important security partnership. >> and with those. [inaudible] >> and how specifics to offer but there is a deep security partnership with pakistan including counterterrorism efforts. i saw the same reports and offering condolences to those who were impacted.

>> if i could come is there reason to believe this is in retaliation or that for a future prisoner swap? >> as i said to one of your colleagues jumping hypotheticals is not helpful to anyone including this individual and our priority continues to be getting as much information as we can and seeking consular access to make sure we can check in on the well-being. >> when you expect that to happen? >> as i said at the beginning of the briefing, the unfortunate part of this is that russia's administrative security requirements could potentially be several days before that happens. but we are pursuing this around-the-clock of the entire

department working a number of lines and efforts to ensure that we can do this. >> 121 countries were invited do you have any reflection on the statement of the declaration of 73 countries expressing reservations so that those communities of democracy when they launch that undersecretary albright signed up for that declaration so the point is to gather together the world democracies and the fact perhaps you want to tell me that more countries will sign up? am interested to see when we

will see that but now we only have 73 with some reservations, how does that speak to that administration's goal? >> i will say a couple of things. first the programming is not over yet. but we launch the senate from democracy to put new and high-level focus on the need to strengthen democratic institutions and protect human rights and accelerate the fight against corruption and in those 15 months since we held the first summit for democracy the world has witnessed a lot of change in the events we already know that founded in the rule of

law it remains the best tool to unleash a full human potential so we will remain deeply engaged in it is something the secretary discusses frequently in the bilateral engagement. >> so with the question about the number of countries that signed up are there any countries that didn't sign up specifically indonesia and malaysia and brazil you have good relationships with? >> . >> to those bilateral channels i will not get ahead of the process. >> let me just point out i was there when the community of democracies was founded in the french sign on to it.

you are welcome. i have two wildly divergent has there been any contact between people in the building and the israelis with the kerfuffle? >> of course as you know this is what we raise directly with our israeli partners and that effort will continue. >> second it's been a couple of days since the house foreign affairs committee deliver the subpoena is there any update to that? >> first many of you saw the secretary during the hearings on march 23rd make clear his

commitment to the house foreign affairs committee to provide the information it needs while upholding and the form that was established that employees can share their critical advice with department leadership and then to have the willingness to have a briefing of the concerns raised in challenges identified including the dissent channel the committee chose to issue a subpoena we give the committee it needs what it needs to function and provided thousands of pages of documents that the committee's request important thing to remember the department's concern is much broader than this cable or any single cable but to protect all communications, past and

future to ensure it is a privileged and confidential vehicle for embassy staff to share their candid feedback and advice. we can satisfactorily provide the committee to have the oversight function while protecting this important institution. >> since issuing a subpoena has there been any communication and back-and-forth quick. >> but as you know this is an ongoing process. we have been quite clear directly from the secretary's mouth the willingness to provide a briefing on these important matters. >> so those information being kidnapped in haiti? >> broadly, our embassies play up friday in the security

overseas i can confirm the kidnapping of two us citizens in haiti we are in regular contact with us government interagency partners but i don't have any other specific updates at this time. >> you know who kidnapped? >> i don't have any additional information i can offer at this time. >> one is a follow-up from yesterday. i will start with that. the other day there was a human vote from china and russia and brazil only faded —- voted in favor. >> our team got back to i believe. but i would reiterate that there is an ongoing investigation to the countries

impacted and we will continue to support those investigations and certainly would not take steps relating to additional investigations. >> so china and brazil conduct trade in their currencies? is us concerned about trying to push by the chinese communist party is there a plan with other us partners? >> they will make their own sovereign decisions including the prc and what i would say is the important partner of ours as it relates to the western hemisphere and across the world there is an important climate nexus and trade cooperation and our

approach is continuing to provide input on the table what a partnership with the united states word look like. >> . >> and then to see already one after another cases and earlier in march and working under attack so that is

critical? >> and we remain deeply concerned about the digital security act and freedom of expression for members of the press is the essential element and it is important in the election year no members should be physically attacked or arrested for doing their job. >> and then with that position one case after another. >> and with expressing concern with a situation and around

the world and is reflected by the nobel peace prize but i don't have any other specifics right now. >> so the question as suspicions are confirmed first of all when they will take charge with the washington embassy and then from the us government and the indian embassy.

let me say a couple of things first we were quite happy to see our ambassador be confirmed i don't have any specific dates or a timeline to show that to present credentials as soon as it can. second, tear next question the security of the diplomatic missions and the diplomats that were in them then we are in close touch with our indian partners. we made sure with the appropriate local entities with the missions and consulates were located. >> and those questions were

raised about pakistan wanting to talk with india so to continue to gather and in all manners. >> i will at the indian external affairs ministry and additional commentary on —- commentary that the us values that support relationships with the indian partners and pakistan as well and it's not a zero-sum proposition. >> [inaudible]

>> broadly what i would say is we have remained increasingly concerned of russia's relationship with a number of them aligned actors and the take away would be from today's actions we will not relent and targeting those the brutal war against ukraine and continue to take action that deny that the prk any other input that pyongyang can develop weapons of mass distraction. i continue to identify from equipment or any other state that is prepared to support

more in the ukraine. >> any indication if they will give the green light? >> we have made great on —- quite clear they are strong and capable partners to share their values with the alliance and for voting of the ratification of finland and we also encourage turkey to ratify sweden's protocol as well. >> and that that it serves the body and what is your take on this? >> we are clear and consistent

since the us itself signed and affirmed our own protocols for both sweden and finland we encourage turkey and hungary to ratify sweden and finland as swiftly as possible we are confident nato will formally accept both of these countries soon. finland and sweden are for filling made under the trilateral them under the madrid summit. >> i just want to get your response senator mccarthy on —- to say that shows when they pay the on —- ransom what is the idea the previous

prisoners could detain? >> it's pretty shocking to see someone already attempt to politicize this. so what i will say is reiterate what they are focused on and ascertaining as much information as we can seeking consular access to this individual of how they are doing and have a sense but probably this is a tactic the russian federation has long used in the best tool that is prevention and currently that is discouraging them going from russia in the first place which i have said we have a travel threat advisory in place and it's clear is not a safe place for american citizens but it is shocking and concerning there already attempts to politicize