On American History tv on cspan three. Collect snacks, the Senate ForeignRelations Committee considers the nomination of John Sullivan to the u. S. Ambassador to russia. Who currently serves as deputy secretary of state was asked several questions about trumps communication with the president of ukraine in july and alleged efforts to have ukraine investigate former Vice President joe biden in exchange for military aid. [background sounds] the meeting will come to order. Thank you all for attending today. Today were going to hold the nomination hearing on a very important position. Our nominee today is the honorable john j sullivan, to be the u. S. Investor to the Russian Federation. First we have two distinguished very distinguished, i might add colleagues of ours, was to introduce our nominees and were going to allow them to proceed with introductions. If im going to post on my opening statement. Lets hold that until the nominees had been introduced. Were glad to be joined today by senator Stan Sullivan of alaska and garden of maryland, and i understand that senator sullivan is like the straw to go first. Thank you mr. Chairman thank you very much. It is an honor to be before the committee, again, on behalf of my friend John Sullivan to support his nomination to be the United States investor to the Russian Federation. Despite what his last name which is just, we would we are not related. Off of occasionally joke with senator markey was also a proud sullivan member and his heritage somewhere back in history, we were probably all related. I have publicly supported secretary sullivan his nomination was before. I can speak to his long distinguished career, which you are familiar. I would begin by stating that john experience and qualifications have already been endorsed by this committee and by the United StatesSenate Previously confirmed is deputy secretary in may 2017, by a vote of 94 six and confirmed in the Bush Administration in march 2008, unanimously, the deputy secretary of commerce, and in july 2005 unanimously by the general counsel of the department of commerce by a voice vote. Freshman john we were sitting together in the george w. Bush administration. I was working is an assistant secretary of state on secretary lisa rice and john was the deputy secretary of commerce. And most notably, since 2017, john has successfully served is the United States deputy secretary of state with integrity. Has done an extremely impressive job in this Critical Role in widely respected not just across federal National Security agencies and government but internationally and most importantly, by the employees of the department of state which he has helped to lead. He has worked with them, led them, stood by them, and for them, is his tenure is deputy secretary. No i dont often take the quoting the National Media you may have noticed, that there is a wide crosssection of journalists and media in our country that noted johns obligations and reaffirmed the positive impact is already had the state department an article from politico, recently stated that John Sullivan deputy set secretary his winning over state department employees, so far sullivan is shown in fluency with diplomacy that is delighted his colleagues in the state department. The washington examiner, by ms. Miss martin calm and experience, three crucial ingredients in leading the u. S. Mission to russia. In wall street journal, by ambassador thomas pickering, one of the nation his most distinguished career diplomats he said secretary sullivan, ive come to respect on sullivan his judgment, his balance and his good sense and his openminded approach to how to deal with the difficult forum relations problems our country has. Mr. Chairman, you may also have seen this very long letter of distinguished National Security executives and former diplomat and military officials and secretaries of defense and brother positions who are all endorsing secretary sullivan his and mastership to russia. Is a relates to the responsibilities, with regard to the new position for which he has been nominated, deputy secretary salva currently leads onto ongoing u. S. Russia dialogues on counterterrorism and Strategic Security and has also played a key role numerous bilateral issues relating to the u. S. Russia relationship over the past two years. At a time when u. S. Rate russia relations are complex and difficult and strained and difficult than ever, it is important to have someone like john is americas top diplomat. Mr. Chairman, a few months who had the honor of introducing another outstanding them or be for this committee. General john, ambassador to saudi arabia. The time i said that while there are monday disagreements and spotty about her policy toward saudi arabia, there should be consensus that we need a well respected u. S. Ambassador there. Simon drove with the same russia today, John Sullivan is the man of integrity, and he understands what it means to honorably surf our nation and has a career of doing so. I just committee to support his nomination. Thank you mr. Chairman. Mentioned a letter that was addressed myself. From various aspects of Public Service. I will admit that into the record now. Thank you. I am pleased to join senator sullivan introducing secretary sullivan, to this committee. Secretary sullivan his maryland or or who has a boston accent. And served our nation, well and in Public Service is deputy secretary of state thats make a 2017. Acting secretary of state april of 18, in senior positions and department of justice the Defense Department of commerce, two decades the private attorney, he is well qualified for this position. John sullivan to me is the straight shooter. Is expressed public servant, my experience with him, is that he is had communicated with me effectively and honestly. He reached out to inform me when i was a ranking democrat on this committee and he is respected my role is United States senator and is the member of this committee. Most recently in our conversations he told me he was looking for a challenge. When he agreed to take this position. While you certainly will have a challenge of confirmed is ambassador to russia. This is the challenging position. Chet russia has been our adversary, make no mistake about it. They interfered with the 2016 elections, and that was not isolated to the United States. Report that i on behalf of this committee, 2018, he pointed out that mr. Printed a symmetric arsenal and is attacking his Democratic Institutions of democratic countries you wrote and now in the United States. Invaded and occupied is so occupied ukraine. In violation of our principal of helsinki final courts. Mr. Putin also is occupying russia and georgia and moldova, interfered in syria and violated the human rights of its own citizens leading to the enactment of the minuscule, not only here in the United States but in countries around the world and the list goes on and on and on. So mr. Chairman, we need a confirmed ambassador who will support our democratic principles and give hope to the voices in russia the stay on up to the request of regime of mr. Putin. Let me conclude by just quoting from secretary sullivan on his nomination hearing that senator sullivan referred to on may 9, 2017. When the nominee told us our greatest asset is our commitment to the fundamental values expressed is the founding of our nation, the right to live and liberty in the pursuit of happyness. These are basic human rights on the federal rock of our republic and at the heart of American Leadership in the world. I couldnt agree more with those statements. I think John Sullivan and his family for being wheeling to step forward to take on this challenge. Thank you thanks to both of you senator sullivan i know you have a commitment. I am a commitment also. You do. Glad to have you. I want to thank all of you again for coming and john welcome we are going to hunt up like today of the honorable John Sullivan to be the United States ambassador to russia. We welcome you back to the committee. Thank you for your willingness to continue surfing and what is the challenging and very Important Role in been here before. I have no doubt that this will be a brief hearing. My colleagues will be kind and generous with you is we go through this. Senators have already given deputy secretary sullivan, introduction possibly taking a few moments to take about the importance of this position. Must be agree that the u. S. Relationship with russia is at a low. Successive u. S. President s of both Political Parties have attempted to reset the relationship only to find that the brother side is an unwilling partner. This is caused in noble part, by our very different value sets, and are very different views on helping mankind. Bilaterally for the past few years have been marked right russians and ferrets in the American Electrical process is all right betty notice by the interference of brother electoral processes around the globe. By the expulsion of each others diplomats, and by a complete lack of trust, due to russians worldwide bad [applause]. Internationally rather than Global Health safety, russia test told and chosen to wreak havoc. We have all familiar with the long list of russias blind global activity. In a shredded international agreements, like the conventional forces you wrote treaty. The seas sovereign senator tony territory from georgia and ukraine and continues to occupy today, in violation of all International Norms and indeed, United Nations condemnation. It has poisoned its enemies with chemical weapons on foreign soil. And violated the item of treaty so blatantly, that all nato allies, reached a unanimous conclusion on those violations. Russias support is kept brutal dictators in syria and venezuela and wrong answers. They should have and would have fallen. And the government continues to metal in the elections of brother democratic states such is the referendum. See none so far is to in 2016. Thankfully, brother than those of the International Community to engage in similar conduct most countries recognize russias blind global influence and of taking action. The eu and u. S. Sanction corrupt russian on the make missy out. His Defense Industry on tessa, and his injury Energy Industry and by executive order all of which raise government revenue and to act maliciously. I have the house and senate will soon act passed the bill sponsored by senator bruce cruz, anthony and that will sanction those involved in north stream pipeline. Most of us, have worked and continue to work to get that done. In spite of her monday issues, there are also times of cooperation with russians. Like in the area of counter terrorism. It is important that we make clear to the russian people, that we do value our relationship with them. We should make sure that education and cultural exchanges, still take place and that we support Civil Society in their country in any way we can and up was standing malign packs of their leaders. Russia is the proud and important country on the international stage. In the u. S. Russia relationship will exist long after putin his gone. And all this leads me to the reason we are here today. To evaluate the nomination of deputy secretary sullivan to be the populace representative is to capture that we had to catch such a contentious relationship with. Its an incredibly Important Role. Deputy secretary sullivan is ready for this role. He has served the u. S. Government for the Department Congress and defense and justice, and i would see. I am confident that for the past two years surfing is our deputy secretary of state has given him a clear view of the multitude of problems we have with russia in the u. S. Government his efforts to resolve them, and the experience to navigate both our system, and russias system. I am honored and pleased to hear the compliments that you received from both sides of the aisle and even from the National Media. Thank you for being here today and thank you to your family for sharing the sacrifices this going to take to do this and with that i will turn it over to ricky member fernandez. Thank you mr. Chairman. To understand the rule of congress is a Political Branch of government and you have differentiated yourself from those of the administration who saw it on to break every norm in the current Foreign Policy. That is why we expect continued candidness from you here today. Unfortunately, one person to matter how skilled and dedicated, cannot counteract the disarray that is become of the Top Administration of Foreign Policy. I have served 27 years between house and senate work on Foreign Policy that entire time. Never before, have i seen such chaos was policy incoherence, from syria to turkey to run to ukraine and to russia. Our state department is on the front lines of our national defense. They are patriots charged with achieving all goals to the diplomacy. Never my 27 years missing a department so mismanaged. And so monday of our diplomats alondra. You dont have to take my word for it, just look to the testimony of two patriots. None of which an investor taylor taylor. The denigration of these two dedicated public servants, and the displays. The state department is in disarray and casualty of present prompts to u. S. National security is the political weapon. Never in my 27 years have they seen a department or an administration so wheeling to stick his thumb directly in the eye of congress a coequal branch of government. I dont think we have to cite the constitution here today but am certainly prepared to do so. Over the years has been pertinent to swim is between the legislative and executive branch and thats normal. We mentored New Territory and dangerous territory for our republic. Im not just talking about the house current inquiry, on talking about asking 20 times to get a basic piece of information. Extreme lengths that we we have had to go through to get a single doctorate. Department refusing to even discuss certain matters. Its not just playing hardball, undermining our democratic system of government. Unfortunately this is taking place on your watch and the action of pompeo. Secretary has a lot to answered for. So to you. We will talk about all of those issues and been so central to the Administration State Department last two half years. Also here to talk about your mission and bilateral relationship with the Russian Federation. I do not believe russia should be playing the role is in syria. I dont believe those doing business with Russian Military like turkey to becoming a free pass. I believe that russia should belong to the g7, at least not until they can change the course of events. And dont believe is acceptable to the lake tomato that directly benefits russia. Present trump is on the record is blaming all of the saints, everything one. I think the president has lost any shred of legitimate c. Ukrainians died of this because of him. America was made less. So mr. Secretary i want you to succeed in moscow if you are confirmed. Really do. But i need to hear directly from you is to what constitutes success. The success for filling president s prompts pro vision for the u. S. Russia bilateral relationship. All you actually advocate a policy to protect u. S. National security. It is a fundamentally important choice. It is the former, all have serious reservations about supporting your nomination. If its the latter, then im open to the conversation. And i look forward to hearing your thoughts on the choice. U. S. Policy in russia has been intrinsically wrapped up in ukraine policy. Given that Russian Forces continued their onslaught of its ukrainian troops and civilians in the fox. In onslaught i will again note that was made easier by the delay in providing Security Assistance. Your position of the state department would have afforded you the responsibility of overseeing the conduct of policy. But is you know about the role played by Rudy Giuliani. To the unique volunteer status lead to conflict of interest and confusing policymaking process. Where was the state department leadership, yourself included i came to depending ambassador jovanovich. At others. Now i supported you for your present position. But before i vote in your nomination, were going to need answers to these and brother questions. So i cant guarantee you the chairman suggesting that this will be a quick and simple and kind area. I look forward to your answers to the questions that have been posed. Thank you for your views. Dipper terry secretary sullivan. Hes been surfing is w secret