Blinken answered questions at a session on the Department’s 2024 budget in the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.
“Black Sea Grain Corridor made a difference”
Making assessments on the global food crisis in the world, Blinken said that the USA continues to provide financial support to the World Food Program to be used for global food needs.
Describing Ukraine as “the breadbasket of the world”, Blinken stated that due to the Russia-Ukraine war, this country’s grain exports were interrupted and this situation exacerbated the global food crisis.
Blinken said, “I am pleased to return to the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement with the efforts of the United Nations and Turkey. But that too is a fragile thing. (Grain Corridor) It has made a difference, but it is fragile,” he said.
ICC’s arrest warrant for Putin
Recalling that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on charges of “committing war crimes” in Ukraine, Blinken said, “We need to look at the law. must, I can not say anything from the front. More importantly, as you know, we are not a party to the ICC. Therefore, I do not want to go into this hypothetical subject.”
Stating that Putin has no plans to come to the USA, Blinken said, “Everyone who is a party to the court must fulfill their obligations.” made its assessment.
The ICC announced that, within the scope of its investigation into crimes committed in Ukraine, an arrest warrant was issued for Russian President Putin and Russia’s Child Rights Commissioner, Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, on the grounds of “war crimes”.
“Adding Russia to the list of ‘state sponsors of terrorism’ may have unintended consequences”
When a senator asked whether Russia was working on adding it to the list of “states that support terrorism”, Blinken reminded that they have brought a wide variety of sanctions against Russia.
“We have very different sanctions for Russia’s war crimes and atrocities. I think that adding it to the list of states that support terrorism can bring potential undesirable consequences.” he said.
Noting that they took every reasonable step against Moscow, the US Minister said, “We need to talk about adding it to the list of states that support terrorism. There are better ways to achieve the same result.” commented.
The rapprochement of China and Russia
Recalling the Moscow visit of a senator, Chinese President Xi Jinping, “Do you describe the relationship between Russia and China as a marriage of interests or a strategic alliance?” Blinken replied, “It can be said to be a combination of the two. If you remember, there was already a partnership between them. They met just before the Russian (Ukraine) attack and talked about a ‘partnership without borders’.” he replied.
Stating that China provided diplomatic, political and material support to Russia to a certain extent, Blinken said that the Beijing administration’s supply of weapons to Russia would have serious consequences.
Israeli-Palestinian tension
The Israeli Assembly’s approval of the law that would reopen the 4 illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, which was evacuated in 2005, was also on the agenda during the session.
After the US, Jordan, Egypt, Palestinian and Israeli delegations agreed to reduce the tension between Israel and Palestine in Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt, the decision of the Israeli Assembly was described as a violation of the agreement by a senator.
When asked by the Senator what the US would do about it, Blinken said, “I don’t want to speculate on where this[the House resolution]will lead or what the US will do. I can say that both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority wanted us to be involved in working with them to ensure this calm process. “If one or both parties do not do what we all believe are necessary, it will be difficult or futile for us to do so (mediation),” he said.
Blinken reiterated that the parties must do their part.