PRESIDENT DUDA:  (As interpreted.)  Excellency, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much that in my capacity as President of the Republic of Poland, I can welcome the President of the United States, Mr. Barack Obama, to Warsaw, to NATO Summit.  It is my great pleasure because I hope that this summit will have …

By President Barack Obama This may be the most important moment for our transatlantic alliance since the end of the cold war. Terrorist attacks inspired or directed by Isis have slaughtered innocents in Nato countries, from Orlando to Paris to Brussels to Istanbul. Conflicts from Africa to Syria to Afghanistan have sent waves of migrants …

The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision.  The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom’s membership in NATO remains a vital cornerstone of U.S. foreign, security, and economic policy.  So too is our relationship with the European Union, which has …

Since our founding, America has advanced on an unending path toward becoming a more perfect Union. This journey, led by forward-thinking individuals who have set their sights on reaching for a brighter tomorrow, has never been easy or smooth. The fight for dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is reflected …

On May 18, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Marie L. Yovanovitch to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Pending confirmation by the United States Senate, Ambassador Yovanovitch looks forward to building on the work of her predecessors in Kyiv to further strengthen the already close ties between the United States and Ukraine. …

On May 17, Americans and people around the world mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia by reaffirming the dignity and inherent worth of all people, regardless of who they love or their gender identity. Our nation is committed to the principle that all people should be treated fairly and with respect. Advancing this goal has …

Today, on Yom HaShoah, we solemnly remember the six million Jews and the millions of others murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. On this day, we honor the memory of the millions of individuals – the mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, friends and neighbors – who lost their lives during a time of …

Michelle and I extend our best wishes to members of the Orthodox Christian community here in America and around the world as they observe Holy Friday and the Feast of the Resurrection. For Orthodox Christians, this is a time to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, to rejoice in the victory of the Resurrection and to be …

President Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President François Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi met today for talks at Schloss Herrenhausen in Hannover, Germany.  The conversation covered the most urgent issues on the trans-Atlantic agenda.  The leaders agreed that the implications of irregular migration to Europe posed a …

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Guten tag!  It is wonderful to see all of you, and I want to begin by thanking Chancellor Merkel for being here.  (Applause.)  On behalf of the American people, I want to thank Angela for being a champion of our alliance.  And on behalf of all …

THE PRESIDENT:  It’s a great pleasure to welcome back once again my good friend, the Secretary General of NATO, Secretary General Stoltenberg.  We are marking the 67th anniversary of the NATO alliance, and NATO continues to be the lynchpin, the cornerstone of our collective defense and U.S. security policy. We had an excellent meeting that …

President Obama spoke today by phone with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel to offer his condolences on behalf of the American people following today’s horrific terrorist attacks in Brussels.  The President reaffirmed the steadfast support of the United States for Belgium, and offered any assistance necessary in investigating these attacks and bringing those responsible to …

President Obama spoke today by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to discuss progress on the implementation of the nationwide Cessation of Hostilities between the Syrian regime and its allies on the one hand and the armed opposition on the other.  They discussed President Putin’s announcement today of a partial withdrawal of Russian forces …

Today, on International Women’s Day, we recommit ourselves to achieving a world in which every woman and girl enjoys the full range of rights and freedoms that is her birthright. Women and girls make extraordinary contributions every day across all fields of human endeavor, including in business, education, sports, art, science, agriculture, parenting, and governance.  …

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond …

On March 6, 2014, by Executive Order 13660, I declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of persons that undermine democratic processes …

Throughout history, women have driven humanity forward on the path to a more equal and just society, contributing in innumerable ways to our character and progress as a people. In the face of discrimination and undue hardship, they have never given up on the promise of America: that with hard work and determination, nothing is …

President Obama spoke today by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia at the Kremlin’s request to discuss efforts to establish a nation-wide cessation of hostilities between the Syrian regime and its allies on the one hand and the armed opposition on the other.  President Obama welcomed that an understanding was reached between the United …

President Obama spoke by phone yesterday with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to discuss the decisions and agreements made at the February 11 meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and to stress the importance of rapidly implementing humanitarian access to besieged areas of Syria and initiating a nationwide cessation of hostilities. In particular, …

Since the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine almost two years ago, the United States has taken decisive and sustained steps to assure our allies and bolster NATO’s collective defense capabilities in light of a changing European security environment.  Under the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI), we have increased the U.S. military presence in Europe; conducted …

President Obama spoke today by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. President Obama emphasized the importance of working towards a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine through full implementation of the Minsk agreements by all parties. The President underscored that the key next step is for the sides to reach agreement on the …

Michelle and I wish a blessed Christmas to Orthodox Christians in the United States and around the world.  During this holy season, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and pray for peace on Earth.  This day gives us a special opportunity to commemorate the contributions of American Orthodox leaders to our progress.  It also …

Tonight, Jews in America, Israel, and around the world come together to light the first candle of the Festival of Lights. At its heart, Hanukkah is about the struggle for justice in the face of overwhelming obstacles. It’s a chance to reflect on the triumph of liberty over tyranny, the rejection of persecution, and on …

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State: (1) The authority under section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA) to direct the drawdown …

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen:  Seventy years after the founding of the United Nations, it is worth reflecting on what, together, the members of this body have helped to achieve. Out of the ashes of the Second World War, having witnessed the unthinkable power of the atomic age, …

THE PRESIDENT:  Today, after two years of negotiations, the United States, together with our international partners, has achieved something that decades of animosity has not — a comprehensive, long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This deal demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring about real and meaningful change — …

President Obama dropped by a meeting today between Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk of Ukraine.  President Obama and Vice President Biden both expressed unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and underscored the U.S. commitment to maintaining sanctions on Russia until it fully implements its obligations under the Minsk agreements.  The …

On July 11, we join people of all faiths and nationalities in commemorating the Srebrenica genocide.  We mourn the loss of its more than 8,000 victims, and we honor the memory of those only now being laid to rest, and all those still missing. Twenty years ago, Srebrenica was overrun.  In the genocide that followed, …

President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation called President Obama today.  They discussed the necessity of countering ISIL and developments in the Middle East, as well as the situation in Ukraine.  President Obama reiterated the need for Russia to fulfill its commitments under the Minsk agreements, including the removal of all Russian troops and equipment …

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, it is wonderful to be back with my good friend and partner, David Cameron.  I want to congratulate him, as I did over the phone, on his resounding election victory.  And I look forward to working with him on a whole host of issues in the coming year. This is going to …

President Obama spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the upcoming discussions about Ukraine at the G-7 Summit.  The President and President Poroshenko expressed their deep concern about the recent assault by combined Russian-separatist forces across the current line of contact near Donetsk, Ukraine, and once more called …

From the moment our Nation first came together to declare the fundamental truth that all men are created equal, courageous and dedicated patriots have fought to refine our founding promise and broaden democracy’s reach.  Over the course of more than two centuries of striving and sacrifice, our country has expanded civil rights and enshrined equal …

Seventy years ago today, the Allied Forces declared victory in Europe over tyranny during World War II.  After more than five years of brutal fighting that took the lives of some 40 million people across the continent—including six million Jews and millions of others murdered by the Nazi regime—the forces of freedom triumphed over oppression …

Today, with heavy hearts, we remember the six million Jews and the millions of other victims of Nazi brutality who were murdered during the Holocaust. Yom HaShoah is a day to reaffirm our responsibilities to ourselves and future generations. It is incumbent upon us to make real those timeless words, “Never forget. Never again.” Yet, …

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, it is a great pleasure to welcome Donald Tusk to the White House in his new role.  I had outstanding experiences working with him during the time that he was Prime Minister of Poland, one of our closest allies, and was consistently impressed with his outstanding work and his strong support for …

President Obama today spoke about Ukraine with his counterparts from France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom as well as European Council President Tusk.  They reaffirmed their support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine as expressed in the Implementation Plan agreed to on February 12 and the Minsk agreements signed in …

On March 6, 2014, by Executive Order 13660, I declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of persons that undermine democratic processes …

The United States condemns the brutal murder of Boris Nemtsov, and we call upon the Russian government to conduct a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his murder and ensure that those responsible for this vicious killing are brought to justice.  Nemtsov was a tireless advocate for his country, seeking for his …

President Obama today called President Vladimir Putin of Russia to address the escalating violence in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s ongoing support for the separatists there. President Obama reiterated America’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. President Obama underscored the rising human toll of the fighting and underscored the importance of President Putin …

President Obama spoke today with President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine regarding the situation in eastern Ukraine and the current talks on a cease-fire and peace deal.  The President expressed his condolences for the continuing loss of life of Ukrainian citizens and his strong support for the current peace negotiations.  Both the President and President Poroshenko …

Two issues in particular that dominated our workday this morning — Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the international fight against ISIL. With regard to Russia and the separatists it supports in Ukraine, it’s clear that they’ve violated just about every commitment they made in the Minsk agreement.  Instead of withdrawing from eastern Ukraine, Russian forces …

The President spoke today with Chancellor Merkel of Germany regarding developments in Ukraine. The two leaders expressed concern about the significant increase in violence in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s materiel support for the separatists and its failure to fulfill its commitment under the Minsk Agreement, and they agreed on the need to hold Russia accountable …

On the tenth International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the American people pay tribute to the six million Jews and millions of others murdered by the Nazi regime. We also honor those who survived the Shoah, while recognizing the scars and burdens that many have carried ever since. …

The President spoke today with Chancellor Merkel of Germany regarding developments in Ukraine.  The two leaders discussed their support for a robust package of international financing for Ukraine as it implements an ambitious series of reforms and noted the recent United States and European Union announcements of new financial assistance for Ukraine.  They also expressed …

Michelle and I wish all Orthodox Christians in the United States and in the diverse Orthodox communities throughout the world a blessed and joyous Christmas. During this season of peace and fellowship, we have been saddened to see that, around the world, some Orthodox communities face difficult times and an uncertain future.  We underscore the …