Travel to Belgium, Poland, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and France, March 3-8, 2022

Summary

• Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken traveled to Belgium, Poland, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and France from March 3 to 8, 2022.  The trip continued extensive consultations and coordination with our NATO Allies and European partners about the Russian Federation’s continued premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified war against Ukraine.

• Secretary Blinken began his trip in Brussels, Belgium where he participated in a NATO Foreign Ministerial, met with EU counterparts, participated in a G7 Ministerial Meeting, and held additional meetings with partners to discuss the global response to Russia’s invasion, including Allies’ and partners’ continued coordination on imposing massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia.

• The Secretary then traveled to Poland on March 5, where he met with Polish leaders, including Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, to discuss further security assistance in the face of Russia’s continued aggression and unprovoked attack on Ukraine.  He also thanked Poland for generously welcoming hundreds of thousands of displaced persons from Ukraine and discussed how the United States can augment humanitarian assistance efforts for those fleeing Putin’s war.

• The Secretary then traveled to Chisinau, Moldova to meet with President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu.  During his stop, the Secretary discussed support for Moldova’s efforts to receive and assist refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as U.S. support for Moldova’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

• The Secretary then traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania on March 6 to meet with President Gitanas Nauseda, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, and Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. On March 7, the Secretary traveled to Riga, Latvia, to meet with President Egils Levits, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, and Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics. He traveled to Tallinn, Estonia, on March 8 to meet with President Alar Karis, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets. During all three stops, he discussed joint efforts to support Ukraine, strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defense, promote democracy and human rights, and pursue deeper economic and energy cooperation with our Baltic Allies.

• Prior to returning to Washington, Secretary Blinken stopped in Paris on March 8 to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.