Fact
ba
.
se
Press Conference: Jen Psaki Holds a Press Briefing at The White House - March 7, 2022
-
Jen Psaki Person
-
Question Person
Jen Psaki
Positive
00:00:00-00:00:09 (10 sec)
"Hi, everyone. Okay. I have two items for all of you at the top."
1
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:00:09-00:00:26 (16 sec)
"This week, we are marking one year -- the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan, which has been the key driver of our strong economic recovery, provided us with the tools needed to fight the pandemic, and made long-term investments to revitalize the local economy in communities around the country."
2
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:00:26-00:00:36 (11 sec)
"Each day this week, we will focus on a different element of the hundreds of ARP -- or American Rescue Plan -- programs that have successfully delivered resources across the country over the past year."
3
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:00:36-00:00:50 (13 sec)
"Today, we're focusing on ARP's higher-ed investments in community colleges; HBCUs; TCCUs -- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities; and MSIs -- Minority-Serving Institutions."
4
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:00:50-00:01:01 (11 sec)
"In a press call today with key members of Congress, Education Secretary Cardona will highlight the ARP's Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to serve students and ensure learning continues during the pandemic."
5
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:01:01-00:01:14 (13 sec)
"The ARP's funding for Higher Education includes over $10 billion for community colleges and over $2.7 billion for HBCUs -- one of the largest-ever federal investments in community colleges and HBCUs."
6
Jen Psaki
Somewhat Positive
00:01:14-00:01:42 (27 sec)
"These funds are already having a significant impact on institutions and students. A recent survey of college presidents by the American Council on Education found that these ARP investments enabled 93 percent of colleges to provide direct financial support to students at risk of dropping out, 81 percent of colleges to keep students' net prices similar to pre-pandemic levels, and 70 percent of colleges to continue to employ faculty, staff, and other employees."
7
Jen Psaki
Positive
00:01:42-00:01:54 (12 sec)
"Today, we also have a new announcement from the President's competition agenda. The Departments of Treasury, Justice, Labor, and the Federal Trade Commission investigated the effects of the lack of labor market competition on the U.S. economy."
8
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:01:54-00:02:02 (8 sec)
"This new report makes clear that there is more we can do so every worker can take advantage of our historically strong labor market recovery."
9
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:02:02-00:02:14 (12 sec)
"Corporate concentration and anti-competitive practices, like non-compete agreements and misclassification, have stifled wages for workers and reduced their power to bargain for dignity and respect in the workplace."
10
Jen Psaki
Negative
00:02:14-00:02:22 (7 sec)
"The costs to workers are substantial. Lack of competition causes workers' wages to be 20 percent lower than what they'd otherwise earn."
11
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:02:22-00:02:30 (8 sec)
"The report also shows that diminished labor market competition holds back our entire economy, inhibiting innovation, increasing prices, and curbing economic growth."
12
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:02:30-00:02:37 (7 sec)
"And finally, I know some of you will be traveling with us to Fort Worth, Texas, tomorrow, so I wanted to give you a little bit of a preview of that."
13
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:02:37-00:02:55 (19 sec)
"Tomorrow, President Biden and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to speak with veterans, caregivers, and survivors about addressing the health effects of environmental exposures such as burn pits. This is obviously something the President talked about in his State of the Union Address a little less than a week ago."
14
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:02:55-00:03:09 (14 sec)
"They will visit the Fort Worth VA Clinic and receive a briefing from VA doctors and nurses on their primary care and specialty health services for veterans. They will also speak with veterans and patient advocates about different challenges facing the community."
15
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:03:09-00:03:25 (16 sec)
"Then they will deliver remarks at Tarrant County Resource Connection on expanding access to healthcare and benefits for veterans affected by exposure to harmful substances, toxins, and other environmental hazards, including those from burn pits, as part of the "Unity Agenda for the Nation.""
16
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:03:25-00:03:43 (18 sec)
"The President will discuss the administration's actions to address these issues, including a new proposed rule to consider adding certain rare cancers to the list of those presumed to be service connected. And he will urge Congress to send him legislation that ensures we honor our commitment to veterans exposed to toxic substances."
17
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:03:43-00:03:56 (12 sec)
"President Biden believes we have a sacred obligation to care for our veterans and their families. And as a military family, the Bidens know firsthand the challenges that come from military service and deployment to combat zones."
18
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:03:56-00:03:58 (2 sec)
"With that, Josh, why don't you kick us off?"
19
Question
Positive
00:03:58-00:04:17 (19 sec)
"Thanks, Jen. Three questions. First: Administration officials are meeting with foreign counterparts in Venezuela. You've also talked to Iran and the Saudis. Is the supply of oil so important that it's acceptable to cut deals in some cases with countries that may have engaged in unsavory actions in the past?"
20
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:04:17-00:04:26 (10 sec)
"Well, first, I think it's important to take each of those engagements separately, because there are a range of issues that are important in each of those -- in each of those relationships."
21
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:04:26-00:04:46 (19 sec)
"One, as it relates to Saudi Arabia, we did talk a few weeks ago about how Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein went to Saudi Arabia to discuss a range of issues -- including the war in Yemen, including security in the region, and certainly including energy security."
22
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:04:46-00:04:55 (9 sec)
"They had the discussion. It's in everyone's interests to -- to reduce the impact on the global oil marketplace, and that was part of that discussion."
23
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:04:55-00:05:12 (17 sec)
"As it relates to Venezuela, the purpose of the trip that was taken by administration officials was to discuss a range of issues -- including, certainly, energy security -- but also to discuss the health and welfare of detained U.S. citizens. We're never going to miss an opportunity to do exactly that."
24
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:05:12-00:05:22 (10 sec)
"And I will just note, in this scenario, that they are separate. They are separate paths and conversations, just as they are in the Iran negotiations."
25
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:05:22-00:05:24 (2 sec)
"And what was the third country you mentioned? Sorry."
26
Question
Slightly Positive
00:05:24-00:05:27 (3 sec)
"Well, Venezuela, Iran, and Saudis."
27
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:05:27-00:05:41 (14 sec)
"Oh, and Iran. The most vital reason -- the most important reason why we are focused and have been focused on having these discussions with the Iranians and our P5+1 partners is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon."
28
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:05:41-00:05:56 (15 sec)
"That is why we're in these -- these negotiations. We are getting closer. There are still important components to work through. But certainly, the discussion of oil is a part of that, but the most important reason is to prevent them from acquiring a nuclear weapon."
29
Jen Psaki
Leans Positive
00:05:56-00:06:07 (11 sec)
"So, I would just note -- and I went through all of those purposefully, obviously, because these are all geopolitical issues that have a range of topics that are a part of the discussion in our engagements."
30
Question
Very Negative
00:06:07-00:06:21 (14 sec)
"Secondly, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has suggested that Russian oil imports should be banned. We're already seeing that Russia is struggling to sell some of its oil, which suggests that supplies are destabilized."
31
Question
Very Negative
00:06:21-00:06:29 (8 sec)
"Given that fact, would President Biden sign a ban? And what would hold him back from doing so if not?"
32
Jen Psaki
Very Negative
00:06:29-00:06:47 (18 sec)
"Well, no decision has been made at this point by the President about a ban on import -- a ban on importing of oil from Russia, and those discussions are ongoing internally and also with our counterparts and partners in Europe and around the world."
33
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:06:47-00:07:02 (15 sec)
"I would note that what the President is most focused on is ensuring we are continuing to take steps to deliver punishing economic consequences on Putin while taking all action necessary to limit the impact to prices at the gas pump."
34
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:07:02-00:07:12 (10 sec)
"And as you noted, yes, it is true that there has obviously been an impact of the invasion on the level of import to the United States and to other parts of the world."
35
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:07:12-00:07:29 (17 sec)
"I would note as we're having these conversations -- and obviously, the President talked with his -- a number of his European partners this morning about a range of issues; this was part of it. But if you look at Russian imports, they account for about a third currently of Europe's oil imports."
36
Jen Psaki
Slightly Negative
00:07:29-00:07:54 (25 sec)
"So, with the data we have that's most -- that we have available at this point in time is back to 2021, not that long ago. But just to give you a point of comparison: The amount that the United States was importing back in 2021 before the invasion was about 700,000 barrels per day of crude oil and petroleum. The Europeans import about 4.5 million barrels per day of oil."
37
Jen Psaki
Somewhat Positive
00:07:54-00:08:13 (18 sec)
"So, obviously, we are also very well aware as we're having these conversations and as we're consulting with our partners that there would be -- we have different capacities and capabilities."
38
Jen Psaki
Leans Negative
00:08:13-00:08:31 (18 sec)
"Absolutely not. Let me just note that we know the science, we know the data and what works and what is the most -- what the most effective steps are in protecting people of a range of ages from hospitalization and even death."
39
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:08:31-00:08:54 (23 sec)
"The FDA and CDC have already weighed in in the safety -- on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines for those five and older. The recommendations are vetted transparently through a process for -- with a purpose so that parents can have confidence, after consulting with their pediatricians or doctors if they would like, about the safety."
40
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:08:54-00:09:02 (8 sec)
"But we also know through the data that unvaccinated teenagers are three times as likely to be hospitalized if they get COVID than vaccinated teenagers."
41
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:09:02-00:09:15 (13 sec)
"So, it's deeply disturbing that there are politicians peddling conspiracy theories out there and casting doubt on vaccinations when it is our best tool against the virus and the best tool to prevent even teenagers from being hospitalized."
42
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:09:15-00:09:16 (1 sec)
"Go ahead."
43
Question
Slightly Negative
00:09:16-00:09:35 (20 sec)
"I want to read to you -- if I could, Jen -- some comments from people we've met at gas stations today. One woman saying, "I just never imagined to see the cost of gas be this high." Another said, "It's a huge stressor to my financial situation, a huge stressor. It's kind of like something I'm stressed about, like, during the day: Will I be able to afford gas? How much money do I have?""
44
Question
Neutral
00:09:35-00:09:43 (8 sec)
"What is the White House, what is the President's message to Americans who are going to the gas station today and seeing prices so high?"
45
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:09:43-00:09:54 (11 sec)
"Well, the President's message is that he's going to do everything we can, everything he can to reduce the impact on the American people, including the price of gas at the tank."
46
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:09:54-00:10:10 (16 sec)
"What is also true is that because of the actions of President Putin, because he invaded a sovereign country, that created instability in the markets. That is something the President talked about even before Russia and President Putin moved forward with their actions."
47
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:10:10-00:10:18 (8 sec)
"But we have already taken steps, the President has already taken steps: historic release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve -- one that's done in a coordinated fashion."
48
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:10:18-00:10:29 (11 sec)
"And, clearly, we will continue to have conversations with large oil producers and suppliers around the world about how to mitigate the impact and consider domestic options as well."
49
Question
Neutral
00:10:29-00:10:35 (6 sec)
"You said, on Friday, the administration is looking at options it could take, quote, "right now... to cut U.S. consumption of Russian energy.""
50
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:10:35-00:10:36 (1 sec)
"Mm-hmm."
51
Question
Neutral
00:10:36-00:10:39 (2 sec)
"When is a decision on that going to be made?"
52
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:10:39-00:10:44 (5 sec)
"I don't have a prediction of that for you at this point in time, but there is an active discussion."
53
Question
Negative
00:10:44-00:11:02 (18 sec)
"And I want to go back to one of the three countries that Josh mentioned: Venezuela. There was a U.S. team there this weekend talking to the Maduro regime. Sanctions have been in place since 2019, a lack of diplomatic engagement since then because of electoral fraud, because of all the things that that regime has done to the Venezuelan people."
54
Question
Very Positive
00:11:02-00:11:14 (12 sec)
"And I hear you say we're doing everything we can to bring down the cost of gas, but is it really worth doing business with a despot like Nicolás Maduro to drive down gas prices?"
55
Jen Psaki
Somewhat Positive
00:11:14-00:11:37 (23 sec)
"Well, first, I think that's leaping several stages ahead in any process. There was a discussion that was had by members of the administration over the course of the last several days. Those discussions are also ongoing. And part of our focus is also on the health and welfare of detained U.S. citizens -- while a separate process, still that is part of our engagement with them."
56
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:11:37-00:11:44 (7 sec)
"So, at this point in time, I don't have anything to predict. It's ongoing. I just don't have anything to convey at this point."
57
Question
Negative
00:11:44-00:11:50 (6 sec)
"And on Americans who are not -- or who are being detained: What's being done about Brittney Griner, in Russia?"
58
Jen Psaki
Leans Negative
00:11:50-00:12:06 (16 sec)
"Well, we, of course, have seen the reports. Because we do not have a Privacy Act waiver, which I think you're all familiar with, I can't speak to that more specifically. Of course, we obviously do everything we can, when there are any reports of Americans who are detained, through the State Department and through diplomatic channels."
59
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:12:06-00:12:11 (5 sec)
"But I would point you to the State Department for more. But given we don't have a Privacy Act waiver, it's unlikely we would say -- to say more."
60
Question
Neutral
00:12:11-00:12:19 (7 sec)
"And you're not aware of any other Americans like her who have been detained in recent weeks under similar incidents?"
61
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:12:19-00:12:31 (12 sec)
"Again, I have nothing to report from here, Ed. I would say that the Privacy Act waiver, which is required for us to be able to speak to any instances. But given you asked me about the particular report, I wanted to speak to that."
62
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:12:31-00:12:32 (1 sec)
"Go ahead."
63
Question
Slightly Positive
00:12:32-00:12:45 (13 sec)
"Thank you, Jen. It sounds like you guys are blaming Putin for the increase in gas prices recently, but weren't gas prices going up anyway because of post-pandemic supply chain issues?"
64
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:12:45-00:13:08 (23 sec)
"Well, I think there's no question that, as we have seen and outside analysts have conveyed this as well, the increase, and the anticipated continued increase -- which is, I think, what some of your colleagues were asking about -- that that is a direct result of the invasion of Ukraine. And also, there was an anticipation of that that was -- that was -- it was factored in, as gas prices have gone up."
65
Question
Neutral
00:13:08-00:13:20 (12 sec)
"So you say that you're going to do everything that you can to reduce the impact that high gas prices have on Americans. We're asking other countries to think about maybe pumping more oil. Why not just do it here?"
66
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:13:20-00:13:27 (6 sec)
"Well, to be very clear, federal policies are not limiting the supplies of oil and gas. To the con- -- let me finish -- to the con- -- let me finish --"
67
Question
Neutral
00:13:27-00:13:29 (2 sec)
"President Biden signed an executive order --"
68
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:13:29-00:13:29 ( sec)
"Peter."
69
Question
Neutral
00:13:29-00:13:30 (1 sec)
"-- his first week --"
70
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:13:30-00:13:31 (1 sec)
"Peter, I'm --"
71
Question
Neutral
00:13:31-00:13:32 (1 sec)
"-- that halted new oil and gas leases --"
72
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:13:32-00:13:34 (1 sec)
"Let me -- let me give you --"
73
Question
Neutral
00:13:34-00:13:34 ( sec)
"-- on public lands."
74
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:13:34-00:13:49 (15 sec)
"Let me give you the facts here -- and I know that can be inconvenient, but I think they're important in this moment: To the contrary, we have -- we have been clear that in the short term, supply must keep up with the demand we're -- we are -- here and around the world, while we make the shift to secure a clear -- clean energy future."
75
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:13:49-00:14:05 (16 sec)
"We are one of the largest producers with a strong domestic oil and gas industry. We have actually produced more oil; it is at record numbers. And we will continue to produce more oil. There are 9,000 approved drilling permits that are not being used."
76
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:14:05-00:14:17 (12 sec)
"So the suggestion that we are not let allowing companies to drill is inaccurate. The suggestion that that is what is hindering or preventing gas prices to come down is inaccurate."
77
Question
Somewhat Positive
00:14:17-00:14:25 (9 sec)
"Would President Biden rescind his executive order that halts new oil and natural gas leases on public lands?"
78
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:14:25-00:14:40 (14 sec)
"Well, 90 percent of them happen on private lands, as I'm sure you know. And there are 9,000 unused approved drilling permits. So I would suggest you ask the oil companies why they're not using those if there's a desire to drill more."
79
Question
Slightly Negative
00:14:40-00:14:46 (7 sec)
"Would President Biden ever undo his executive order that stopped the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline?"
80
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:14:46-00:14:49 (3 sec)
"Are you suggesting that would solve the gas prices issue?"
81
Question
Slightly Positive
00:14:49-00:14:56 (7 sec)
"Well, do you think that that would maybe affect prices faster than getting the whole country off of fossil fuels?"
82
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:14:56-00:15:02 (6 sec)
"I actually don't think it would. The Keystone was not an oilfield; it's a pipeline."
83
Question
Slightly Positive
00:15:02-00:15:02 ( sec)
"Yeah."
84
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:15:02-00:15:11 (9 sec)
"Also, the oil is continuing to flow in, just through other means. So it actually would have nothing to do with the current supply imbalance."
85
Question
Very Positive
00:15:11-00:15:32 (21 sec)
"So, gas prices are approaching an all-time high per gallon. How high would they have to get before President Biden would say "I'm going to set aside my ambitious climate goals and just increase domestic oil production, get the producers to drill more here, and we can address the fossil fuel future later"?"
86
Jen Psaki
Positive
00:15:32-00:15:48 (15 sec)
"Well, again, Peter, the U.S. produced more oil this past year than in President Trump's first year. Next year, according to the Department of Energy, we will produce more oil than every -- than ever before. Those are -- those are the facts, in terms of oil production."
87
Jen Psaki
Positive
00:15:48-00:15:55 (7 sec)
"And again, right now there are 9,000 unused approved permits to drill on shore. So, I think you're misidentifying what the actual issue is."
88
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:15:55-00:16:17 (22 sec)
"But if we're looking to the future and what -- how -- what we can do to prevent this from being a challenge in future crises, the best thing we can do is reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil, because that will help us have a reliable source of energy so that we're not worried about gas prices going up because of the whims of a foreign dictator."
89
Question
Neutral
00:16:17-00:16:24 (8 sec)
"Right. And you guys think that asking Saudi Arabia or Venezuela or Iran is reducing our dependence on foreign oil?"
90
Jen Psaki
Slightly Negative
00:16:24-00:16:40 (15 sec)
"That's actually -- I just outlined each of those specific scenarios and the range of discussions that we're having with each of those countries. I don't think anybody is advocating for Iran to continue acquiring a nuclear weapon, perhaps except for the former president who pulled us out of the deal."
91
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:16:40-00:16:40 ( sec)
"Go ahead."
92
Question
Very Positive
00:16:40-00:16:53 (13 sec)
"Thanks, Jen. President Zelenskyy spoke with ABC today. He says that he's had a longstanding request in with allies to access these Soviet-era fighter jets. So I want to -- I want to ask you about this backfilling -- this possibility of backfilling these fighter jets."
93
Question
Neutral
00:16:53-00:16:58 (5 sec)
"He says President Biden can do more to make this happen. What's your response to that, and what's the holdup?"
94
Jen Psaki
Leans Positive
00:16:58-00:17:19 (21 sec)
"Well, just for clarity -- I know everybody is following this very closely, but to catch others up -- we're talking about Polish planes -- right? -- these fighter jets that they are requesting. We're working with Poland on this issue and consulting with the rest of our NATO Allies on it. This is Poland's sovereign decision to make. We have in no way opposed Poland transferring planes to Ukraine."
95
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:17:19-00:17:38 (19 sec)
"But to go to the source of your question here, I think, Cecilia, there are a number of challenging practical questions, including how the planes would actually be transferred from Poland to Ukraine. Right? So, are they going to fly? Where will they depart from? Where will they land? Those are all very important questions here."
96
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:17:38-00:17:57 (19 sec)
"And also, as it -- as it relates to the backfill question, we are working through some pretty complicated logistics on that front as well, including how we would backfill, because procuring new planes and transferring serious weapon systems often takes years -- take years to do from the United States."
97
Jen Psaki
Slightly Negative
00:17:57-00:18:02 (5 sec)
"So that is all -- those are all two layers of dif- -- of difficult logistical challenges here."
98
Question
Somewhat Negative
00:18:02-00:18:14 (12 sec)
"But is it predominantly logistical challenges that is the holdup? Or is there a concern on the part of the President that supplying Poland these planes could exacerbate the conflict with Russia, Poland, and other Allied countries?"
99
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:18:14-00:18:37 (22 sec)
"Well, I think there's an important question here, as I touched on a little, about where they take off from and where they land, right? There is a airbase that is a NATO airbase in Poland. If you have plans -- planes departing from there, that's -- that could be a challenging circumstance. Are there -- what are the other options and where do they land?"
100
Jen Psaki
Very Negative
00:18:37-00:19:00 (23 sec)
"So those are some of the logistical challenges. Obviously, the Department of Defense can speak to this more intensively. But we're looking at all of those factors. But we are not, certainly, preventing or blocking or discouraging Poland. That is -- they are a sovereign country. They make -- they make their own decisions. But it is not as easy as just moving planes around."
101
Question
Negative
00:19:00-00:19:26 (26 sec)
"And President Zelenskyy said that, in recent days, that "all the people who will die from this day, will die also because of you." He's essentially saying the West will have blood on its hands if it doesn't do more. Is the President happy with -- does he believe the cr- -- the administration's response so far to this crisis has been adequate? Is he okay? Does he consider this successful at this point?"
102
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:19:26-00:19:32 (6 sec)
"I mean, Cecilia, I don't think anybody watching this anywhere around the world feels happy. This is -- this is --"
103
Question
Neutral
00:19:32-00:19:33 (1 sec)
"But as it relates to the American side of this?"
104
Jen Psaki
Very Negative
00:19:33-00:19:50 (17 sec)
"But let me finish. This is barbaric. It's horrific to watch. I mean, you have 1.5 million, if not more, refugees crossing the border. You have mothers and children dead on the side of the road. This is heart wrenching to watch. And -- ugh, sorry, it's -- it is. It's heart wrenching to watch, you know?"
105
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:19:50-00:20:07 (17 sec)
"And I think for us who are working in public service, you watch in these moments and there are -- there are limitations in the sense that we are not going to send U.S. troops to fight in Ukraine against Russia. The President is not going to do that. That is what you have to weigh as President of the United States."
106
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:20:07-00:20:29 (21 sec)
"What we are doing and what he is doing is continuing to take every step to provide them security assistance -- $1 billion of security assistance. That has been expedited. I know the Department of Defense gave an update on Friday about how much of that has arrived. A huge percentage has arrived and been expedited in a very short timeframe."
107
Jen Psaki
Very Negative
00:20:29-00:20:47 (18 sec)
"We have also provided economic, humanitarian assistance. And I think any world leader would tell you that without the President's leadership and without the United States rallying the world to hold Russia accountable, there would not be the kind of accountability, pressure on the financial system in Russia."
108
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:20:47-00:21:04 (17 sec)
"So we are doing everything that is in the interest of the United States, in the interest of our partners in NATO to put pressure on President Putin, to support the Ukrainians, and certainly doing that while we watch them fight bravely and courageously."
109
Jen Psaki
Somewhat Positive
00:21:04-00:21:29 (25 sec)
"I think the last think I would say on this, Cecilia, is that it's also important -- and we're very cognizant of this here -- to be clear that this is going to be -- continue to be a very, very difficult period of time. The Ukrainians are fighting bravely. We're standing by them and supporting them. But Russia is -- you know, they're going to continue to fight. They are going to continue to pursue what President Putin's ambition is."
110
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:21:29-00:21:30 (1 sec)
"Go ahead."
111
Question
Neutral
00:21:30-00:21:31 (2 sec)
"Can I just step back a little bit --"
112
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:21:31-00:21:32 ( sec)
"Yeah."
113
Question
Neutral
00:21:32-00:21:34 (3 sec)
"-- in terms of supply. We're talking about specific"
114
Question
Neutral
00:21:34-00:21:36 (2 sec)
"countries, but this has been an effort that's been underway now --"
115
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:21:36-00:21:36 ( sec)
"Yeah."
116
Question
Slightly Positive
00:21:36-00:21:42 (6 sec)
"-- for several months. Amos, Brett, many others as well. Algeria, Japan."
117
Question
Positive
00:21:42-00:21:58 (16 sec)
"What is the update in terms of -- has supply been kicked in on the LNG side or on the oil side? Where does that stand, given the extensive effort in the leadup to now, to try and backfill and ensure stability on the supply side?"
118
Jen Psaki
Somewhat Positive
00:21:58-00:22:02 (4 sec)
"You mean for the global markets to -- for natural gas? Both."
119
Question
Somewhat Positive
00:22:02-00:22:04 (2 sec)
"For natural gas or oil, on the global markets."
120
Jen Psaki
Somewhat Positive
00:22:04-00:22:11 (6 sec)
"So, let me start with the natural gas side because that we anticipated would be an issue for the Europeans primarily."
121
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:22:11-00:22:38 (27 sec)
"We have had some success -- Japan as an example, and I can see if there are others, too, to read out to all of you -- where there was supply that was intended to go to Japan and other countries in Asia and redirect it to Europeans so that it could help backfill the potential shortage in natural gas. That is less an issue for us here in the United States and more an issue for the Europeans. And to your point, it is something we've been working on for some time."
122
Jen Psaki
Very Negative
00:22:38-00:23:01 (23 sec)
"In terms of global oil supply, I don't have anything to read out for you at this point in time. Those conversations certainly have been ongoing, but the release -- the coordinated release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the continued discussion about that has been a part of the effort to address the shortage or the potential for shortage in the marketplace."
123
Question
Somewhat Negative
00:23:01-00:23:08 (7 sec)
"But 60 million barrels is -- I'm not trying to minimize it, but it's a drop in the bucket given the scale of the, kind of, dislocation we've seen."
124
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:23:08-00:23:09 ( sec)
"Yeah."
125
Question
Very Positive
00:23:09-00:23:24 (16 sec)
"Is there a trigger in terms of the conversations with global allies, partners, players in the supply market that would cause them to come in, based on the conversations that have happened? Like, what it's going to bring them in and make clear that the months of work you guys have put into this actually results in something tangible?"
126
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:23:24-00:23:39 (15 sec)
"Sure. I certainly understand your question. What I was trying to convey is that that's part of what we've done to date. But we are continuing conversations about a range of what would be needed moving forward. And there are a range of options on the table. I just can't detail more specifics from here."
127
Question
Very Positive
00:23:39-00:23:58 (18 sec)
"Okay. And then, last one. How much does it weigh on the administration, if you move towards cutting Russian imports of oil, that it would be a unilateral move in the face of what had been a very carefully calibrated coalition up to this point where energy was considered off the table, for the most part?"
128
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:23:58-00:24:00 (2 sec)
"Sure. Well, I would say this is one of the"
129
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:24:00-00:24:19 (19 sec)
"reasons that I gave the example of how much -- you know, our capabilities and our capacities are very different, both because we import such a smaller percentage of oil from Russia than the Europeans do, but also because we have a much larger capacity for producing our own oil."
130
Jen Psaki
Somewhat Positive
00:24:19-00:24:36 (17 sec)
"So, it is a very different circumstance, and certainly we are going to continue to consult with, continue to convey where our plans, where our discussions are here internally with the Europeans. But I would look at it through a different prism than past coordinated efforts."
131
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:24:36-00:24:37 (1 sec)
"Go ahead."
132
Question
Slightly Negative
00:24:37-00:24:46 (9 sec)
"Can I just follow up there? Just today, Russia said that it could cut off fuel through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline -- Nord Stream 2."
133
Question
Leans Positive
00:24:46-00:25:08 (22 sec)
"You know, to what extent are you concerned that European allies, who depend so incredibly on these oil and gas imports from Russia, could really be stuck? I mean, like, what -- I realize you're making efforts, but, you know, to what extent does that factor in? And what do you say to Russia in terms of this threat?"
134
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:25:08-00:25:33 (25 sec)
"Well, I think we have been concerned from the beginning about steps that President Putin could take to impact neighboring countries, countries in Europe, through a range of means. And, certainly, access to energy and energy security is a part of that. That's obviously one of the reasons we've been working with a range of partners on addressing what could be a natural gas shortage."
135
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:25:33-00:26:07 (35 sec)
"And you are right, Andrea, as you well know, that even -- I mean, the Nord Stream 1, 2 threat aside, the reliance on importing -- the import of Russian oil is so much more significant in Russia -- excuse me, in Europe -- that well over the course of time, it's clear they recognize the need to diversify their means of getting oil. This is a bigger challenge and puts them in a more challenging position. And we recognize that from here, even as the President is considering steps that we could take from here."
136
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:26:07-00:26:21 (14 sec)
"So, it is one of the reasons why the President, why people like Amos Hochstein, Brett McGurk, other -- others from our national security team have been engaging in a range of discussions over the course of the last several months."
137
Question
Neutral
00:26:21-00:26:25 (4 sec)
"So, I guess, a couple follow-ups just on them, and then I've got another question."
138
Question
Very Positive
00:26:25-00:26:55 (29 sec)
"So, these conversations that are taking place, both in terms of securing additional sources or supplies of energy but also in terms of closing sanctions, loopholes, and -- you know, it doesn't seem like you're getting a huge amount of traction. I mean, in terms of India, Pakistan, you know, and China has still not been, you know, helpful in this regard. How would you assess the success of that?"
139
Question
Slightly Negative
00:26:55-00:27:11 (16 sec)
"And then, just quickly on the -- what you're saying about the European supplies: So, are you saying that the coordinated action shouldn't -- I mean, one shouldn't view the differentiation on energy as a failure of the coordination?"
140
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:27:11-00:27:41 (31 sec)
"So, on the second piece, yes, that's what I was saying in that there -- we have -- we recognize, and the President and other national security officials have been very clear in our conversations, that while we have -- we have a different circumstance as it relates to Russian oil because we import such a smaller amount and because we have our own production capabilities and capacities, and that is different. We recognize that."
141
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:27:41-00:27:45 (4 sec)
"On the first piece, tell me -- sorry, what was the first part of your question?"
142
Question
Very Positive
00:27:45-00:27:46 (2 sec)
"Just the success of this outreach."
143
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:27:46-00:27:47 ( sec)
"Yeah."
144
Question
Neutral
00:27:47-00:28:00 (13 sec)
"I mean, you're sending people all over the globe, basically, to -- you know, either virtually or in person -- to continue to try to isolate Russia. And it doesn't seem like you're getting as much traction with some of these countries as you might have hoped."
145
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:28:00-00:28:19 (19 sec)
"I wouldn't look at it through the isolating; that's part of our overarching effort here, right? But as it relates to oil supply, what we're trying to do is engage with energy producers and those with reserves of oil supply to make sure that we are addressing the supply in the marketplace."
146
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:28:19-00:28:35 (16 sec)
"Obviously, the coordinated release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve just a few days ago is an example of that. And I certainly understand you're asking which countries here and where are we having those conversations. I understand those questions. I just can't get into more specific details from here because it wouldn't be constructive to our efforts to make progress."
147
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:28:35-00:28:36 (1 sec)
"Go ahead."
148
Question
Neutral
00:28:36-00:28:36 ( sec)
"Can I ask you --"
149
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:28:36-00:28:37 (1 sec)
"Oh, go ahead."
150
Question
Neutral
00:28:37-00:28:38 (1 sec)
"-- about Iran? I'm sorry."
151
Jen Psaki
Somewhat Positive
00:28:38-00:28:38 ( sec)
"Sure."
152
Question
Neutral
00:28:38-00:29:03 (25 sec)
"Yesterday, Secretary Blinken said that sanctions on Russia over Ukraine have nothing to do with cooperation with Moscow on the Iran nuclear deal. But today, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov doubled down in saying that all participants must have "unhindered cooperation." Are you doing anything to provide Russia any kind of written guarantees in order to bring this, you know, Iran nuclear deal over the finish line?"
153
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:29:03-00:29:17 (13 sec)
"Well, again, I think on this, we're making progress together. Russia is a member of the P5+1. I don't think anyone believes it's in their interest for Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. And that is how we're approaching these negotiations and discussions."
154
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:29:17-00:29:23 (7 sec)
"And certainly, as the Secretary of State said just yesterday, we don't believe that the sanctions on them have anything to do with that shared goal."
155
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:29:23-00:29:24 ( sec)
"Go ahead."
156
Question
Neutral
00:29:24-00:29:26 (3 sec)
"What is that status of those talks? What would you [inaudible]?"
157
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:29:26-00:29:35 (9 sec)
"We're continuing to make a great deal of progress. Obviously, the harder things always happen at the very end of the process. And that's where we are -- stand at this point in time."
158
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:29:35-00:29:36 ( sec)
"Go ahead."
159
Question
Neutral
00:29:36-00:29:37 (2 sec)
"Can you take question from the back?"
160
Question
Neutral
00:29:37-00:29:40 (3 sec)
"So, two quick ones on oil and then just one other one."
161
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:29:40-00:29:41 (1 sec)
"Yeah."
162
Question
Very Negative
00:29:41-00:29:57 (16 sec)
"You mentioned the meeting this morning with Britain, France, and Germany that the President had with the leaders. Did they, in that conversation this morning, express either a willingness or a hesitance to ban oil or limit oil imports to their countries from Russia?"
163
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:29:57-00:30:02 (5 sec)
"Their countries all have wonderful spokespeople who can speak for those countries."
164
Question
Neutral
00:30:02-00:30:03 (1 sec)
"Are you guys going to do a readout?"
165
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:30:03-00:30:03 (1 sec)
"We did do a readout."
166
Question
Neutral
00:30:03-00:30:05 (2 sec)
"You did already? Okay. I missed it."
167
Jen Psaki
Leans Negative
00:30:05-00:30:25 (19 sec)
"I would just note that we've had ongoing conversations and we have a very open line of communication, as is evidenced by the President having this call this morning, about everything from what we're seeing on the ground in Ukraine to security assistance deliveries to discussions about weapons to discussions about additional steps to squeeze President Putin in the financial sector."
168
Question
Somewhat Positive
00:30:25-00:30:39 (14 sec)
"Okay. Quickly on -- there's conversations up on Capitol Hill about bipartisan conversations about legislation that could ban the import of Russian oil into the United States. If a bill like that came to the President's desk, would he sign it?"
169
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:30:39-00:30:43 (5 sec)
"Well, no, the President has not made a decision at this point in time. So that's where we stand."
170
Question
Neutral
00:30:43-00:30:47 (3 sec)
"But that's taking unilateral action as --"
171
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:30:47-00:30:53 (7 sec)
"Is a bill on its way over here that's passed Congress? I don't think so. But the President has not yet made a decision."
172
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:30:53-00:31:00 (7 sec)
"I just gave for you -- or tried to give for you a little bit of the reasoning and the thinking behind where we stand in our coordination with our allies and partners."
173
Question
Very Negative
00:31:00-00:31:25 (26 sec)
"One last question; you referenced it: the gruesome, awful picture on the front page of our paper today. Do you know if the President has seen that picture; what his personal reaction was to it, if so; and more broadly, does he -- has he been affected on a personal level by some of the imagery that's come out? And is that affecting or has he talked about how to incorporate that personal reaction into some of the policymaking over the last 10 days?"
174
Jen Psaki
Leans Positive
00:31:25-00:31:40 (14 sec)
"Well, I don't know if he saw this specific -- there are a lot of New York Times hard copies floating around this building, I can tell you, and other -- and other newspapers and outlets you all work for, so I don't know that he saw that specific photo."
175
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:31:40-00:32:14 (34 sec)
"But what I can tell you is that, you know, the President is somebody who, of course, has been working in national security and foreign policy for decades, through his career, right? He is also a father, a grandfather. I don't know that anyone, including him, has seen those photos -- whether on the front page of your paper or others, and not been moved. And I'm sure I can speak personally that, you know, talking to my neighbors, my in-laws, I'm sure this is true for all of you as well: The personal impact people have felt in this country -- it's really moved people in this country."
176
Jen Psaki
Positive
00:32:14-00:32:28 (14 sec)
"And the President is absolutely a citizen of the United States, of course the leader of the free world, but also somebody who has enormous empathy for the plight of other human beings. And he has, of course, been impacted by the images he has seen, as we all have been."
177
Question
Very Negative
00:32:28-00:32:29 (1 sec)
"Are they war crimes?"
178
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:32:29-00:32:29 (1 sec)
"Go ahead."
179
Question
Neutral
00:32:29-00:32:31 (2 sec)
"Going back to Venezuela for a second --"
180
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:32:31-00:32:32 ( sec)
"Yeah."
181
Question
Leans Positive
00:32:32-00:32:39 (7 sec)
"-- would they have to agree to release the U.S. citizens in prison there if the U.S. were to ease the current sanctions on oil exports?"
182
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:32:39-00:32:57 (19 sec)
"So, it's a really important question. There are different channels. And, obviously, we're going to continue to do everything we can to bring anyone who is detained in Venezuela or any other part of the world home, but they happen through different tracks. They're all a part of the conversation with Venezuela writ large, but not at the same time."
183
Question
Neutral
00:32:57-00:33:11 (14 sec)
"And obviously, Vice President Harris is going to Poland and Romania this week. Can you talk a little bit more about the White House's objectives with her going over there and particularly what message you want to send to Russia with the Vice President being in that area?"
184
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:33:11-00:33:36 (25 sec)
"Absolutely. So, as you noted, the Vice President is leaving on her trip just in a couple of days, and she'll be over there really showing the support of the United States for the work of our allies and partners, whether that is on refugees. And a number of these countries, including the ones she'll be visiting, have welcomed hundreds of thousands of refugees from Ukraine."
185
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:33:36-00:33:45 (9 sec)
"And she'll also be talking about our ongoing range of options and assistance that we've been providing to the Ukrainian people."
186
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:33:45-00:34:03 (18 sec)
"So, she is going to be there. I think it sends a strong message that the Vice President is going to be in -- meeting with many of our eastern flank partners, NATO Allies to convey our commitment to working in lockstep with them and to -- and to continuing to support their efforts in the region."
187
Question
Neutral
00:34:03-00:34:25 (22 sec)
"And one more quick one. This morning, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the committees that oversee trade said that they have a deal on legislation that would in part suspend normal trade relations with both Russia and Belarus. I'm wondering if the White House supports that, either through legislation or through other avenues."
188
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:34:25-00:34:40 (15 sec)
"We have -- I've seen those reports, but we don't have any decision on a policy from here at this point in time."
189
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:34:40-00:34:46 (6 sec)
"Go ahead, in the middle."
190
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:34:46-00:35:12 (27 sec)
"Well, typically what happens with SWIFT and removing instit- -- or when we're implementing this -- and Iran is the best point of comparison here -- is it's done institution by institution. So that is the case here as well. It's done institution by institution. We haven't taken options off the table, and I'm not taking options off the table here. But it's been -- we've implemented it in the same way with our European partners that we did when we implemented it as it relates to Iran."
191
Question
Very Positive
00:35:12-00:35:24 (12 sec)
"Um, sorry -- so just to be clear, though, there's not limitat- -- I mean, it sounds like there were limited institutions that were targeted thus far and -- from -- removing them from the SWIFT banking system. But you would be open to going further?"
192
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:35:24-00:35:25 (2 sec)
"We've never taken that off the table."
193
Question
Somewhat Positive
00:35:25-00:35:53 (28 sec)
"Okay. The other thing I wanted to ask you about -- going back to the Iran nuclear deal -- is: My understanding is that Russia is demanding guarantees that sanctions targeting the Kremlin over Ukraine do not hinder its trade with Iran that would be potentially reopened if this Iran nuclear deal moved forward. Could that throw a wrench in negotiations? And I am curious what the White House's take is overall on Russians trying to put that ultimatum down."
194
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:35:53-00:36:03 (10 sec)
"Well, again, I think, as our Secretary of State said yesterday, we don't believe it has anything to do with our shared goal of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon."
195
Question
Neutral
00:36:03-00:36:08 (4 sec)
"So you don't see it as a way to potentially, I guess, limit the impact that's current sanctions have on Russia?"
196
Jen Psaki
Slightly Negative
00:36:08-00:36:10 (3 sec)
"We don't believe Russia wants Iran to have a nuclear weapon either."
197
Question
Somewhat Positive
00:36:10-00:36:22 (12 sec)
"And so -- sorry, just to be clear: So, you don't see the idea, though, that these sorts of sanction guarantees of its trade with Iran have any impact on the current sanctions that the U.S. and Western allies have imposed on Russia?"
198
Jen Psaki
Slightly Negative
00:36:22-00:36:23 ( sec)
"No."
199
Question
Slightly Positive
00:36:23-00:36:23 ( sec)
"Okay."
200
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:36:23-00:36:27 (4 sec)
"I think -- and our Secretary of State spoke to this yesterday."
201
Question
Neutral
00:36:27-00:36:35 (8 sec)
"Can I ask you one other question? In parts of southern Ukraine, it seems that Russia has shifted from a military takeover to, essentially, occupation."
202
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:36:35-00:36:36 ( sec)
"Yeah."
203
Question
Positive
00:36:36-00:36:44 (9 sec)
"That it is now occupying parts -- occupying towns. Does the White House support the Ukrainian people's right to resist the occupation and, essentially, through any means necessary?"
204
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:36:44-00:37:03 (19 sec)
"Well, we certainly support the rights of the Ukrainian people to fight back. I would note that we have seen many Ukrainians; many, many members of the Ukrainian military; and certainly President Zelenskyy in leadership fight bravely, courageously over the course of the last 12 days."
205
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:37:03-00:37:21 (18 sec)
"I think it's also true that the world needs to be prepared for a very long, difficult road ahead. While they are fighting bravely and we are standing with them and supporting them, the Russians are still intending to grind out military advances in the short term just by sheer manpower and firepower."
206
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:37:21-00:37:25 (4 sec)
"So, yes, we support their right to push back and to fight back against that."
207
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:37:25-00:37:25 (1 sec)
"Go ahead."
208
Question
Neutral
00:37:25-00:37:40 (14 sec)
"On businesses: Is there any concern in the White House with all these Western companies that are suspending operations with Russia that that just ends up deepening ties between Russia and China, that this is really forcing Russia in its connections deeper into China?"
209
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:37:40-00:37:47 (7 sec)
"Well, as you know, we've seen that for some time -- right? -- long before Russia invaded Ukraine -- them moving a little bit closer together or closer together."
210
Jen Psaki
Leans Positive
00:37:47-00:38:03 (16 sec)
"What is true on the economic front, though, is that the G7 alone -- and that is not the totality of the unity as it relates to these sanctions -- accounts for about 50 percent of global GDP, while Russia and Ukrai- -- and China, sorry, account for only 15 percent."
211
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:38:03-00:38:26 (23 sec)
"So, they can't backfill the impact of these sanctions from China. It's just not -- not possible. Now, we've also seen China abide by the sanctions that have been put in place. They obviously abstained also from the U.N. Security Council vote and have made some comments about the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."
212
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:38:26-00:38:32 (6 sec)
"If they don't abide by the sanctions, we always have -- you know, we clearly have means to take steps, but that's what we've seen to date."
213
Question
Leans Positive
00:38:32-00:38:41 (9 sec)
"So, it doesn't sound like the White House is concerned that some of these withdrawals will backfire and create permanent ties between Russia and China that --"
214
Jen Psaki
Positive
00:38:41-00:39:02 (21 sec)
"Well, we know they were -- they were moving closer long before the invasion, which is, I think, an important component here. But as it relates to the economic ties, there's not a way, just based on purely their place in the economic marketplace, for China to completely backfill the impact of the G7 and others -- and others in the world and the financial sanctions."
215
Question
Neutral
00:39:02-00:39:03 (1 sec)
"And can I ask one more?"
216
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:39:03-00:39:03 (1 sec)
"Oh, go ahead."
217
Question
Neutral
00:39:03-00:39:04 ( sec)
"On Saudi Arabia --"
218
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:39:04-00:39:04 ( sec)
"Yeah."
219
Question
Neutral
00:39:04-00:39:10 (6 sec)
"-- is there any discussion in the White House yet for the President to call the Crown Prince, MBS -- Mohammed bin Salman -- to talk about oil?"
220
Jen Psaki
Somewhat Positive
00:39:10-00:39:28 (18 sec)
"He spoke with the King just recently. And obviously, we have had Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein travel to the region, talk about a range of issues, including security in the region and the war in Yemen, as well as energy security. But, no, I don't -- there's no plans at this point, no."
221
Question
Slightly Positive
00:39:28-00:39:37 (9 sec)
"Jen, you detailed some of the challenges as it relates to the jets that are in Poland right now, the NATO base there -- how you get into Ukraine and do it in a way that doesn't instigate a wider war here."
222
Question
Very Negative
00:39:37-00:39:55 (18 sec)
"Vladimir Putin, this weekend, warned that implementing a no-fly zone would be considered a declaration of war, but he also went further. His language was, via translator: "Any move in this direction will be viewed by us as a participation in the armed conflict. That very second, we will view them as participants... and it would not matter what members they are.""
223
Question
Leans Negative
00:39:55-00:40:07 (12 sec)
"So, why does the U.S. -- or perhaps the U.S. and its NATO Allies have confidence that delivering those airplanes in any form will not be viewed by Vladimir Putin as an act of war?"
224
Jen Psaki
Negative
00:40:07-00:40:13 (6 sec)
"Well, first of all, there's already a war going on in Ukraine that's been instigated by Vladimir Putin."
225
Question
Very Negative
00:40:13-00:40:16 (2 sec)
"A wider -- he was referring to a "wider war" that would bring in them as an added participant."
226
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:40:16-00:40:27 (12 sec)
"Well, I think you ask an important question here, and it is: Where do these military planes take off from? That's an important question, right? How do they land? How do they get there? The transporting of them. Those are all important factors."
227
Question
Very Negative
00:40:27-00:40:36 (9 sec)
"But he says "any move in this direction." So even where they take off from almost doesn't matter. By "any move" means even the provision of them would be viewed as an "act of war," conceivably. No?"
228
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:40:36-00:40:46 (10 sec)
"Well, again, we can't speak to President Putin's -- what's in his mind, what's in his brain, and the totality of what his intentions are. We've already seen him take a range of steps."
229
Jen Psaki
Slightly Positive
00:40:46-00:41:00 (14 sec)
"We've provided one billion dollars in security assistance. We're not halting that, right? We're not halting our support for the Ukrainians. So, we're not waiting for the advice of Vladimir Putin on what we're going to do here as it relates to backfilling planes."
230
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:41:00-00:41:07 (6 sec)
"But the procurement or the providing of planes is up to Poland. They're a sovereign country; they can decide."
231
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:41:07-00:41:11 (4 sec)
"I just wanted to outline some of the logistical challenges which are real, and they're on a couple of layers."
232
Question
Neutral
00:41:11-00:41:11 ( sec)
"Understood."
233
Question
Leans Positive
00:41:11-00:41:32 (21 sec)
"And given the conversation we've had earlier about Iran, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia, the President, as a candidate, said in November of 2019, of Saudi Arabia -- he said, we would make them, quote, "pay the price, and make them, in fact, the pariah that they are." And there's "very little social redeeming value in the present government in Saudi Arabia." Does President Biden still stand by those words about the government of Saudi Arabia?"
234
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:41:32-00:41:50 (17 sec)
"He does. He's never stood away from them, Peter, but it's also true that there is a war in Yemen, that there are security issues in the Middle East, that there are a range of steps we need to engage with all sorts of countries around the world on that are in -- because it's in our U.S. national security interests and in our interests."
235
Jen Psaki
Neutral
00:41:50-00:41:50 (1 sec)
"Go ahead."
236
Question
Neutral
00:41:50-00:42:02 (11 sec)
"So, following up on that, Axios reported this morning that the President -- there's a deliberation here, at least, that the President might go to Saudi Arabia. Can you confirm those deliberations and perhaps provide a little bit more insight into what's being discussed?"
237
Jen Psaki
Slightly Negative
00:42:02-00:42:04 (3 sec)
"There's no current plans for the President to travel to Saudi Arabia."
238
Question
Somewhat Positive
00:42:04-00:42:19 (15 sec)
"The decision that you announced last week that the President would not be directly speaking with Vladimir Putin -- has a decision amongst the Allies been made that that would be delegated to the European partners, that they would be the ones responsible for talking to Putin directly?"
239
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:42:19-00:42:43 (24 sec)
"No, but I would say that we very much support all of the diplomatic engagements our European partners or the Prime Minister of Israel or other leaders in the world are having, whether it's with President Putin, as long as they are also engrazing [sic] -- engaging with Ukrainian leadership, which we continue to encourage them to do. We also engage with them before and after all of these conversations."
240
Jen Psaki
Very Negative
00:42:43-00:43:08 (25 sec)
"So, what we said about the President speaking with President Putin is that now is not the moment. It doesn't mean we close the door for -- to forever. But while President Putin is invading -- and in a brutal, horrific way -- a foreign country, no, the President does not have an intention at this moment to speak with him. But that doesn't mean he will never. You know, we assess that as time goes on."
241
Question
Positive
00:43:08-00:43:09 (1 sec)
"Thanks, Jen."
242
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:43:09-00:43:12 (3 sec)
"Okay. Thank you, everybody. We'll do this again tomorrow."
243
Question
Neutral
00:43:12-00:43:17 (5 sec)
"Jen, just a question on Venezuela. Who were the people who -- the officials who went to Venezuela? Can you tell us about that?"
244
Jen Psaki
Somewhat Positive
00:43:17-00:43:19 (3 sec)
"There have been a range of reports. I'm sure we can get you more details."
245
Jen Psaki
Very Positive
00:43:19-00:43:25 (5 sec)
"Thank you, everybody. Thanks, everyone. Have a great day. Thank you."
246