The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 18, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the Malaysia Airlines disaster and the situation in eastern Ukraine. The two leaders discussed the need for a prompt international investigation with unimpeded access to the crash site. They also agreed that as the party responsible for arming the separatists, Russia needed to publicly call on the separatists to lay down their weapons and grant immediate access to international and Ukrainian investigators. The Vice President also stressed Russia’s obligations to support a mutual ceasefire, a roadmap for peace talks, release of hostages, an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) border monitoring mission, and most importantly, to halt the flow of heavy weapons – including anti-aircraft systems and other equipment – across the border.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 18, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to discuss bilateral relations, the tragedy with Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, and the situation in eastern Ukraine. The Vice President and Prime Minister reaffirmed that the United States and Poland are unshakable Allies and strategic partners.  The two leaders agreed that a prompt international investigation with safe and unimpeded access was needed to fully investigate the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.  The leaders also discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine, noting that Russia was supplying weapons and training – including anti-aircraft weapons – to the separatists, with profoundly de-stabilizing consequences.  The Vice President and Prime Minister agreed that Russia should immediately and publicly call on the separatists to lay down their weapons and allow full access to the Malaysian Airlines crash site for international and Ukrainian investigators.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 15, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden's Call with Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Salim al-Jabouri

This afternoon, Vice President Biden called Salim al-Jabouri to congratulate him on his selection as the next Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives. The Vice President and Speaker agreed on the importance of acting quickly, consistent with constitutional timelines, to form a new government capable of uniting Iraqi communities in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. They discussed the efforts required to address the legitimate grievances of all communities through the political process. They both reaffirmed the importance of the strategic relationship between the United States and Iraq. The Vice President made clear that the United States looks forward to working closely with Speaker al-Jabouri.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 15, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden's Call with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras about bilateral relations, the situation in eastern Ukraine, and Cyprus. The two leaders expressed their appreciation for the strong bilateral ties and alliance between Greece and the United States. On Ukraine, the leaders agreed that Russia’s continued provision of heavy weapons and equipment to the separatists in eastern Ukraine required a firm and unified response from the European Union and the United States. With regards to Cyprus, the Vice President informed Prime Minister Samaras about his recent trip to the island in May, and the leaders discussed their strong support for a comprehensive settlement to the conflict that would reunify Cyprus as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 14, 2014

Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiyah

Vice President Biden welcomed Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiyah at the White House today.  The Vice President and Minister of State discussed regional issues, including Syria, Iraq, Libya, and the Gaza crisis.  The Vice President congratulated Qatar on the signing of Letters of Offer and Acceptance for Apache Helicopters and Patriot and Javelin defense systems and reaffirmed the strong strategic relationship between Qatar and the United States.  

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 12, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden's Conversation with Osama al-Nujaifi

Earlier today, Vice President Biden spoke with Osama al-Nujaifi, the Speaker of the previous session of Iraq’s Council of Representatives. The Vice President underscored the United States’ support for Iraq in its efforts to isolate and defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which is a threat to all Iraqis. The Vice President commended Nujaifi for his patriotism in putting aside his candidacy for a new term as speaker of the parliament in an effort to move Iraq forward and accelerate the government formation process. Both leaders agreed that all Iraqi political forces must work to form a new government that enjoys a broad national acceptance as rapidly as possible.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 12, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden's Conversation with President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani

This morning, Vice President Biden spoke with Masoud Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The Vice President and President agreed on the importance of forming a new Iraqi government as quickly as possible, consistent with the timelines set forth in Iraq’s constitution. They confirmed that one of the new government’s key tasks will be to address long-standing disputes between the central and regional governments consistent with the Iraqi constitution. Towards this end, the two leaders agreed that any territorial dispute arising due to an exigency from the current crisis must be resolved peacefully, in a fair and transparent manner, and in full consultation with all communities. They also agreed that any such process should be undertaken only pursuant to the mechanisms set forth in the Iraqi constitution. The Vice President offered his sympathy for Kurdish Peshmerga fighters recently killed in battle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as well as all Iraqi soldiers fighting the same enemy, and he encouraged all political forces to unite against this serious threat to every component of Iraq.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 12, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today regarding the situation in eastern Ukraine. President Poroshenko informed the Vice President about the latest separatist attacks using heavy weapons on Ukrainian forces and the Vice President expressed his condolences for the loss of life. The Vice President expressed support for President Poroshenko’s efforts to convene a meeting to discuss a possible ceasefire with the separatists, and informed Poroshenko of ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts to work with our international partners to impose costs on Russia if it continues on its current course of providing the separatists with heavy weapons and equipment.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 10, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan

This morning, the Vice President hosted His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for a meeting at the Naval Observatory. The King and Vice President discussed a wide range of regional issues, including the Gaza crisis. They spoke about Iraq and agreed on the need for Iraqis to quickly form a government capable of uniting all of Iraq’s communities in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Regarding Syria, they discussed efforts to create the conditions for a comprehensive political solution, address the threat of violent extremism, and meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the Syrian people as well as those of host communities, including Jordan. The King and Vice President reaffirmed the value both countries place on the U.S.-Jordan partnership. 

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 10, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine. President Poroshenko told the Vice President that the Ukrainian government had proposed multiple venues -- in Ukraine, in Russia, as well as other countries -- for negotiating a ceasefire with the pro-Russian separatists, but that all of these offers were refused either by Russia or the separatists. The Vice President welcomed Ukraine’s continued efforts to negotiate a ceasefire as well as a roadmap for implementing President Poroshenko’s peace plan in an effort to put Ukraine on a long-term path to stability. The Vice President told President Poroshenko that the United States was discussing with its partners in the international community the need to hold Russia accountable for its continued support for the separatists, including its provision of heavy weapons and equipment across the border. The Vice President agreed with President Poroshenko on the need to quickly put in place an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) border monitoring mission in Ukraine that could potentially be expanded to monitor a future ceasefire, and on the need for the immediate release of Ukrainian hostages held by the separatists.