Antony J. Blinken 71st U.S. Secretary of State | Official Website
Secretary Antony J. Blinken addressed several pressing international issues during an interview with Savannah Guthrie on NBC's "The Today Show" on June 13, 2024.
Guthrie inquired about Hamas's response to a ceasefire deal proposed by President Biden nearly two weeks ago. Blinken expressed disappointment, stating, "the response we got was unfortunately not the yes that we were looking for." He emphasized that the proposal had received widespread support from various countries and organizations, including the United Nations Security Council and Israel. However, Hamas introduced new conditions which have complicated negotiations.
Blinken highlighted the urgency of resolving the situation: "It took Hamas 12 days to respond... The longer this goes on, the more people will suffer." He called for an immediate ceasefire and criticized Hamas leader Mr. Sinwar for prolonging the conflict while remaining relatively safe underground.
When asked if Hamas was negotiating in good faith, Blinken replied, "The proof will be in whether we can bring this to a conclusion quickly." He reiterated that it is time for haggling to stop and for a ceasefire to commence.
Regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's role in the conflict, Blinken confirmed Netanyahu's support for the ceasefire proposal despite internal political challenges within his coalition.
Guthrie also questioned whether the U.S. would consider a unilateral deal with Hamas for releasing American hostages if current negotiations fail. Blinken stressed that their priority is always American citizens' safety but maintained that the best way to secure their release is through the existing agreement.
Shifting focus to Ukraine, Guthrie asked about President Biden’s apology to President Zelenskyy at the G7 summit over delayed funding. Blinken acknowledged that delays had negatively impacted Ukraine’s war effort against Russia but noted recent bipartisan efforts in Congress to expedite assistance. He announced an upcoming bilateral security agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine aimed at supporting Ukraine’s defenses over the next decade.
In conclusion, Secretary Blinken underscored international unity against Russian aggression and reaffirmed ongoing commitments to assist Ukraine in its defense efforts.
