USGLC

James C. O’Brien is the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Prior to becoming Assistant Secretary, O’Brien was the Sanctions Coordinator at the State Department. During the Obama Administration, he served as the first Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. Previously, he served as the Presidential Envoy for the Balkans. O’Brien has also held roles as the Senior Advisor to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the Principal Deputy Director of Policy Planning at the State Department.

Past statements on development, diplomacy, and U.S. global leadership:

On U.S. Global Leadership: “American leadership has motivated more than 50 countries, with European allies at the fore, to contribute significant, sustained support to Ukraine.” (source)

On Sovereignty: “The United States stands with our allies and partners around the world as well as with every nation that respects the core tenets of the United Nations Charter, rejecting whatever fabricated outcomes Russia will announce. We are working with allies and partners to impose additional severe and swift economic costs on Russia.” (source)

On Peacekeeping: “The United States is therefore redoubling its support towards achieving a durable and dignified peace that provides the foundation for regional prosperity, economic connectivity, and freedom from outside malign influence – a goal that the leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan say they seek. This has also long been the United States’ strategic goal for the region.” (source)

On Authoritarianism: “We must remain true to the sacred sacrifice, quiet bravery, and strategic focus of past generations of Americans who refused to let dictators chart the course of events in Europe and across the globe.” (source)

On NATO: “NATO provides critical security support in northern Kosovo and support for the EU force in Bosnia.  It has long stood as the kind of backbone of the security that is necessary for the states of the Western Balkans as they move on their European pathway.” (source)

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