Chris

“We musn't underestimate American blundering.”

[Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes @StateDRL]

Spent the day with reps from 40+ countries in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children to #BringKidsBack. Under President Trump’s leadership, the State Department has committed $25M to identify, return, and reintegrate Ukrainian children.

[Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes @StateDRL]

Today is Dr. Gulshan Abbas’s 8th birthday in detention on unfounded charges.  The CCP must stop its acts of transnational repression and attempts to silence U.S. citizens through coercion and intimidation and release Dr. Abbas so she can reunite with her family.

[john coale @johnpcoale]

Today, in my role as President Trump’s Special Envoy for Belarus, my team and I helped secure the release of three Poles and two Moldovans. This historic outcome was made possible thanks to @POTUS Trump’s leadership, @ChrisWelbySmith and his team @StateDept, and close coordination with several trusted partners. We thank Poland, Moldova, and Romania for their invaluable support in this effort, as well as President Lukashenka’s willingness to pursue constructive engagement with the United States. Under President Trump, America shows up for its allies and delivers diplomatic victories no one else can.

[Olena Zelenska / Олена Зеленська @ZelenskaUA]

Чудова зустріч із в. о. заступника державного секретаря США Джеремі Льюїном і помічником державного секретаря з питань демократії, прав людини та праці Райлі Барнсом.

Важлива новина: адміністрація США запускає програму обсягом 25 млн дол., створену за рішенням Конгресу, для підтримки повернення, реабілітації та реінтеграції українських дітей, яких викрала Росія.

Вдячна адміністрації та Конгресу за те, що зробили це пріоритетом.

За кожною цифрою стоїть дитина, родина, життя, яке чекає на відновлення. Кожна українська дитина має повернутися додому.

[Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes @StateDRL]

Met @ZelenskaUA to discuss the impacts of the war in Ukraine. We will implement President Trump’s call to intensify efforts to return 🇺🇦 children. Working with Congress, we are launching a new $25 million program to support return & rehabilitation of 🇺🇦 children.

[U.S. Embassy Kyiv @USEmbassyKyiv]

Today marks four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, triggering four years of destruction and human suffering. On this anniversary, we recognize the people of Ukraine for their bravery and sacrifice, and we extend special gratitude to members of our local Ukrainian staff for their direct support and partnership on the path to peace. President Trump remains committed to achieving a negotiated settlement and lasting peace that ensures Ukraine's independent and prosperous future, with the United States as a strong and committed partner.

[Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes @StateDRL]

Honored to serve in this role.

[Ruslan Stefanchuk @r_stefanchuk]

During a meeting in Washington with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Riley Barnes, we discussed a key issue for Ukraine — the return of Ukrainian children abducted by russia.

The Assistant Secretary of State briefed me on the efforts and measures being undertaken by the U.S. side to secure the release of Ukraine’s youngest citizens.

I thanked him for these efforts, emphasising that for Ukraine, this is a humanitarian and moral priority.

[Olena Zelenska / Олена Зеленська @ZelenskaUA]

Another 7 Ukrainian children were returned home in December from forced deportation to Russia. We are grateful to @BringKidsBackUA, our American colleagues, and everyone involved for the tremendous work behind this effort. Bringing the children back is only the first step. Together with our partners, we are working to provide them with a decent life: social housing, supported living for youth with disabilities, homes for foster families, and psychological rehabilitation. Each and every child should have a home and care. After all, their return is part of a just peace for Ukraine.

[Greta Van Susteren @greta]

After a very long but successful three days ⁦@johnpcoale⁩

[Treasury Department @USTreasury]

Treasury is imposing further sanctions as a result of Russia’s lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine. Today’s actions increase pressure on Russia’s energy sector and degrade the Kremlin’s ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy. The United States will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the war, and a permanent peace depends entirely on Russia’s willingness to negotiate in good faith.

[UN News @UN_News_Centre]

#UPDATE
UN Security Council is holding an urgent briefing under “Threats to international peace and security.”
The meeting, requested by Estonia, which said three Russian fighters violated its airspace on 19 September. Miroslav Jenča of @UNDPPA is briefing.

[Ihar Losik @ihar_losik]

Hello FREEDOM! After five long years unjustly spent in Belarusian prison, l was released thanks to the courageous leadership of @POTUS and tireless efforts of @secrubio & @johnpcoale.

I am forever grateful. I dream of the day that I can meet @POTUS and thank him in person.

[RFE/RL Pressroom @RFERLPress]

After more than five years of unjust imprisonment in Belarus, @RFERL journalist Ihar Losik has been released.

“This phase of his [Ihar's] excruciating and wholly unfair ordeal, which stretched beyond five years, is finally over,” said @RFERL President & CEO @SteveCapus.

[Chris @AndersonCJ76]

@bmarsalis @nytimes Not the first crazy story about Russians and restaurants:

https://t.co/vymzeisieO

[Thomas de Waal @Tom_deWaal]

1 A really positive step forward in #Armenian-#Azerbaijani peace talks… but we shouldn’t expect a signing ceremony and peace in our time soon.
Some inaccurate reporting out there, this looks to me objective and accurate https://t.co/HPxpFIagcp

[Joe Wilson @RepJoeWilson]

I am grateful to receive this Georgian flag carried by the brave people of Georgia in their protests against the brutal Ivanishvili regime which was hit with water cannons wrongly fired at protestors. I am touched by the messages of resolve written on it by the Georgian people.

[David Clay @dave_clay]

One of the nice things about going on a new overseas posting is that it provides a ready-made reading project.

So my reading list in 2024 has been all about New England. Here are eight of the highlights, in no particular order (apart from the first one).

[Chris @AndersonCJ76]

American Friends of Georgia - Year End Appeal
https://t.co/iI4CkWO5GS

[Christopher Miller @ChristopherJM]

🇺🇦🗽NYC! We’ve got something special planned on Jan 9 at @UkrInstitute. I’ll join friends & fellow journalists @shustry & @maslovsaslov to discuss our books + years of reporting on the Russo-Ukrainian war. Q&A + reception to follow. Come out! 🎟️ tickets: https://t.co/kywfey3QR7