Travel to Switzerland and Belgium, January 8-13, 2022

Summary

• Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman traveled to Switzerland and Belgium from January 8 to January 13. The trip followed extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners  in developing a united approach to Russia’s unprovoked military build-up along Ukraine’s borders and our joint efforts to encourage Russia to choose diplomacy and deescalate in the interests of Euro-Atlantic security and stability.

• In Geneva on January 10, the Deputy Secretary led the U.S. delegation’s participation in an extraordinary session of the U.S.-Russia bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue (SSD). She was joined by Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Chris Robinson. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia Laura K. Cooper and Lt. Gen. James J. Mingus represented the Department of Defense. They were accompanied by an interagency delegation from the State Department, National Security Council, Department of Defense, and Joint Staff. The bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue previously met for regular plenary sessions in July and September 2021, following President Biden and President Putin’s meeting in June 2021. The NATO-Ukraine Commission also took place on January 10, and the U.S. was represented by Ambassador Julie Smith.

• The Deputy Secretary then traveled to Brussels January 11 to 12 for consultations with NATO leadership, NATO Allies, and EU officials to continue our close coordination on European security in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine. On January 11, she met with representatives from the EU institutions and jointly prepared with Allies for the NATO-Russia Council meeting. On January 12, Deputy Secretary Sherman led the U.S. delegation to the NATO-Russia Council Meeting.

• The Deputy Secretary’s participation in the SSD, NATO, and EU consultations were part of the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tension caused by Russia’s military build-up and continued aggression against Ukraine. Our diplomatic engagements continued with the first OSCE Permanent Council meeting of 2022 on January 13, where Ambassador Michael Carpenter led U.S. participation. The OSCE is an important venue for multilateral dialogue on European security issues.