Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2024

March 1, 2024

Q. Mr. President, when do airdrops in Gaza start?

Israel-Hamas Conflict in Gaza, Palestinian Territories

Q. Do you think there will be a cease-fire deal by Ramadan?

The President. I'm hoping so. We're still working real hard at it. We're not there yet.

Q. What is the biggest hold-up right now?

The President. I'm not going to tell you that because that would get involved in the negotiations.

Russia/Ukraine

Q. Mr. President, is it time toâis it time to have talks on Ukraineâto speak to President Putin about Ukraine to maybe get the peace talks? Is it a good timeââ

The President. Speak to Putin?

Q. Yes.

The President. About Ukraine?

Border Security

Q. Why are you waiting to take executive action on the border?

The President. Because we need more forces on the border. I don't have the authority to do

that.

[*At this point, several reporters began asking questions at once.*]

Q. Do you trustâdo you trust Israel will investigate what happened yesterday, Mr.

President?

Q. [Inaudible]âcalling for a diplomatic solution to end the war in Ukraine?

Civilian Deaths at a Humanitarian Assistance Delivery in Northern Gaza

Q. Do you trust Israel will investigate what happened yesterday?

The President. Yes.

U.S. Airdrop of Humanitarian Assistance in Gaza

Q. When willâwhen can we expect the first airdrops into Gaza?

The President. I'm not positive. I think very soon.

Visit of Minister Without Portfolio Benny Gantz of Israel to Washington, DC

Q. Will you be seeing Benny Gantz this weekend, sir?

The President. No.

Israel-Hamas Conflict in Gaza, Palestinian Territories

Q. Are you still confident you can get a cease-fire by Monday?

The President. No, I was just saying: It looks like we're stillâit's not there yet.

Q. President Bidenââ

The President. I thinkâI think we'll get there, but it's not there yet. And I'm notâand it may not get there now.

Civilian Deaths at a Humanitarian Assistance Delivery in Northern Gaza

Q. Will you speak to Netanyahu about yesterday's attack? Will you speak to Netanyahu about yesterday's attack?

The President. I will speak to yesterday's attack.

Q. [Inaudible]âwill never be a cease-fire then?

Congressional Investigation Into Business Practices of the President's Son R. Hunter Biden and Brother James B. Biden

Q. SpeakerâSpeaker Johnson has accused you of lying repeatedly about your interactions with your son and brother's business partners. What's your response to him?

The President. Tell him to read the record of every single witness. These guys got to stop this stuff.

Congressional Investigation Into Business Practices of the President's Son R. Hunter Biden and Brother James B. Biden

Q. But you did interact with their partners.

The President. I did not interact with their partners.

Q. You didn't have dinner or lunch and coffee?

The President. No.

Israel-Hamas Conflict in Gaza, Palestinian Territories

Q. Mr. President, so you think there may never be a cease-fire negotiation?

The President. I'm still hoping for it. You know, it's not over until it's over.

Israel-Hamas Conflict in Gaza, Palestinian Territories

Q. What still needs to happenâ[inaudible]? What still needs to happen in negotiations?

The President. What hasâthere has to be an agreement on the timing. And they're still far apart.

Thank you.

Q. Sir, on Alexei Navalnyââ

NOTE: The President spoke at 5:59 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White House prior to boarding Marine One. In his remarks, he referred to President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia. A reporter referred to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. The transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on March 4.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, White House. Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Biden, James B.; Biden, R. Hunter; Johnson, J. Michael; Putin, Vladimir Vladimirovich.

Subjects: Border security; Gaza, conflict with Israel; Gaza, humanitarian situation; Gaza, international assistance; House of Representatives impeachment inquiry; Israel, military operations in Gaza; News media, Presidential interviews; Russia, conflict in Ukraine; Russia, President; Ukraine, Russian invasion and airstrikes.

DCPD Number: DCPD202400156.