Assistant Secretary O’Brien’s Travel to Malta, Italy, the Vatican, and the United Kingdom

Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien is traveling to Valletta, Malta; Rome, Italy; the Vatican; and London, United Kingdom October 26-31.  In Malta, he will attend Ukraine’s third meeting under the Peace Formula discussions, following similar meetings in Copenhagen and Jeddah.  Assistant Secretary O’Brien will also meet with Maltese government officials to discuss regional security, energy security, and the ongoing conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas.

In Rome, the Vatican, and London, Assistant Secretary O’Brien will meet with Italian, Holy See, and UK government officials to discuss European security, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and PRC threats to the rules-based international order.  He will discuss the security situation in the Middle East and our shared support of Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism.  He will also discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza and our continued commitment to coordinating with partners in the region to ensure sustained and safe access to food, water, medical care, and other assistance required to meet humanitarian needs.  In Rome, he will also discuss Italy’s upcoming G7 presidency.