Joint Readout of the Consultations between Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and European External Action Service Secretary General Stefano Sannino

The following is a joint readout released by the Deputy Secretary of State and EEAS Secretary General Sannino.

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Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Secretary General Stefano Sannino met bilaterally to discuss a range of global security issues and shared priorities.

They commended the enduring strength of the transatlantic partnership and U.S.-EU close coordination and cooperation.  They reaffirmed the joint commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense from Russia’s war of aggression and its reconstruction.  Russia must immediately and unconditionally end its unprovoked war of aggression, withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine in its internationally recognized borders, and pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine.  Together with international partners, the United States and the EU will continue to provide military, budget, humanitarian, and reconstruction support to Ukraine and its people for as long as necessary.  The United States and EU underlined that they stand behind Ukraine’s legitimate exercise of its inherent right for self-defense.  Both sides expressed strong concerns regarding the increasing military support to Russia’s war of aggression provided by China, the DPRK, and Iran and underlined their determination to appropriately react to such actions.

Deputy Secretary Campbell and Secretary General Sannino also discussed the situations in the Middle East, Sudan, Haiti, and Venezuela.  They reiterated their support for Israel’s security and the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and release of all hostages; respect for international law; facilitation of humanitarian access to and within Gaza Strip; and a viable pathway towards peace that leads to a two-state solution.  They also discussed the threats to broader regional peace, underlining inter alia the need to support the stability of Lebanon and on the Blue line, and of defending freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.  The United States and the European Union remain deeply concerned about the unfolding crisis in Sudan and its catastrophic humanitarian impact.

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