1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:11,240 --> 00:00:12,240 Yeah . 3 00:00:26,340 --> 00:00:27,340 So , 4 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:34,962 good evening . Welcome to NATO 5 00:00:34,962 --> 00:00:37,073 headquarters to this press conference 6 00:00:37,073 --> 00:00:38,796 of the Secretary General , the 7 00:00:38,796 --> 00:00:41,018 Secretary of State and the Secretary of 8 00:00:41,018 --> 00:00:42,740 Defense . They will make short 9 00:00:42,740 --> 00:00:44,907 introductory statements and then we'll 10 00:00:44,907 --> 00:00:44,720 be able to take a few questions . 11 00:00:44,730 --> 00:00:47,060 Secretary General , Good evening . We 12 00:00:47,060 --> 00:00:50,180 have just concluded an important joint 13 00:00:50,180 --> 00:00:53,300 meeting of NATO Foreign and Defense 14 00:00:53,310 --> 00:00:56,690 Ministers . Secretary of State , Tony 15 00:00:56,690 --> 00:00:59,200 Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd 16 00:00:59,210 --> 00:01:02,860 Austin have joined us here in brussels , 17 00:01:02,870 --> 00:01:06,600 so Tony and Lloyd . I'm very grateful 18 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,020 for your personal strong commitment to 19 00:01:09,030 --> 00:01:12,770 NATO to our transatlantic bomb . Your 20 00:01:12,770 --> 00:01:15,720 presence here today is a continued 21 00:01:15,730 --> 00:01:18,480 demonstration of the importance of the 22 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:21,070 transatlantic bond and the United 23 00:01:21,070 --> 00:01:23,410 States commitment to consulting with 24 00:01:23,420 --> 00:01:25,160 its NATO allies . 25 00:01:26,940 --> 00:01:29,930 Today , we decided together on the 26 00:01:29,930 --> 00:01:32,760 future or presence in Afghanistan . 27 00:01:33,740 --> 00:01:36,160 We have been in Afghanistan for almost 28 00:01:36,170 --> 00:01:39,880 20 years After we invoked 29 00:01:39,890 --> 00:01:42,600 Article five of our founding treaty for 30 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:45,450 the first time in support of the United 31 00:01:45,450 --> 00:01:49,230 States Of the terrific 9 11 terrorist 32 00:01:49,230 --> 00:01:53,130 attacks . Standing 33 00:01:53,140 --> 00:01:55,590 shoulder to shoulder . We have paid a 34 00:01:55,590 --> 00:01:59,080 high price in both blood and 35 00:01:59,090 --> 00:02:02,650 treasure . Thousands of troops from 36 00:02:02,660 --> 00:02:05,290 allied and many partner nations and 37 00:02:05,290 --> 00:02:08,120 from Afghanistan have paid the ultimate 38 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:11,850 price . Many more have been wounded . 39 00:02:13,640 --> 00:02:16,360 We are grateful to all who have served 40 00:02:16,810 --> 00:02:18,588 and we honor all those who have 41 00:02:18,588 --> 00:02:20,477 sacrificed so much for our shared 42 00:02:20,477 --> 00:02:24,320 security . Together , 43 00:02:24,330 --> 00:02:26,660 we are prevented Afghanistan from 44 00:02:26,660 --> 00:02:29,530 serving as a safe haven for terrorists 45 00:02:29,540 --> 00:02:32,250 attack against our own countries . 46 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:37,380 Since 9 11 , there have been no 47 00:02:37,380 --> 00:02:39,390 terrorist attacks on allied soil 48 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:42,860 organized from Afghanistan . We have 49 00:02:42,860 --> 00:02:45,070 also helped to build the Afghan 50 00:02:45,070 --> 00:02:49,000 security forces from scratch with 51 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:51,020 great bravery and professionalism . 52 00:02:51,030 --> 00:02:53,320 They have provided security across the 53 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:57,140 country over the last years and in the 54 00:02:57,140 --> 00:02:59,530 almost two decades of international 55 00:02:59,540 --> 00:03:01,596 military presence , we have help the 56 00:03:01,596 --> 00:03:03,960 Afghan people achieve social progress . 57 00:03:06,640 --> 00:03:09,680 Over a year ago , we welcomed the US 58 00:03:09,690 --> 00:03:11,700 Taliban Agreement and the U . S . 59 00:03:11,710 --> 00:03:15,420 Afghanistan Joint Declaration . Since 60 00:03:15,420 --> 00:03:19,040 then , we have gradually reduced our 61 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:21,760 troop presence as part of the peace 62 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:25,460 process . Currently we have 63 00:03:25,940 --> 00:03:29,060 Around 10,000 troops in Afghanistan , 64 00:03:29,540 --> 00:03:32,780 the majority from non U . S . Allies 65 00:03:32,790 --> 00:03:35,880 and partner countries . We have been 66 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:38,290 closely consulting on our presence in 67 00:03:38,290 --> 00:03:40,290 Afghanistan over the last weeks and 68 00:03:40,290 --> 00:03:43,850 months . In the light of the U . S . 69 00:03:43,850 --> 00:03:45,950 Decision to withdraw . Foreign and 70 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:48,450 defense ministers of NATO discussed the 71 00:03:48,450 --> 00:03:51,800 way forward today and decided 72 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:55,120 That we will start the withdrawal of 73 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:58,250 NATO risk to support mission forces by 74 00:03:58,260 --> 00:04:02,220 May one our drawdown will 75 00:04:02,220 --> 00:04:05,860 be orderly , coordinated and deliberate . 76 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,410 We plan to complete the withdrawal down 77 00:04:10,420 --> 00:04:13,260 for all our troops within a few months . 78 00:04:14,540 --> 00:04:17,480 Any Taliban attacks on our troops 79 00:04:17,490 --> 00:04:19,601 during this period will be met with a 80 00:04:19,601 --> 00:04:21,050 forceful response . 81 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:27,450 We went into Afghanistan together , we 82 00:04:27,450 --> 00:04:30,750 have adjusted our posture together and 83 00:04:30,750 --> 00:04:33,430 we are united in leaving together . 84 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:38,580 This is not an easy decision and it 85 00:04:38,580 --> 00:04:42,550 entails risks . As 86 00:04:42,550 --> 00:04:45,390 I've said for many months , we face a 87 00:04:45,390 --> 00:04:48,840 dilemma because the alternative to 88 00:04:48,840 --> 00:04:51,600 living in an orderly fashion is to be 89 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:55,200 prepared for a long term open ended 90 00:04:55,210 --> 00:04:57,850 military commitment with potentially 91 00:04:57,860 --> 00:04:59,460 more NATO troops . 92 00:05:02,340 --> 00:05:04,840 This is not the end of our relationship 93 00:05:04,840 --> 00:05:08,080 with Afghanistan , but rather the start 94 00:05:08,090 --> 00:05:11,530 of a new chapter chapter . NATO allies 95 00:05:11,540 --> 00:05:13,540 and partners will continue to stand 96 00:05:13,540 --> 00:05:17,290 with the Afghan people . But it's now 97 00:05:17,410 --> 00:05:19,243 for the Afghan people to build a 98 00:05:19,243 --> 00:05:23,080 sustainable peace that puts 99 00:05:23,110 --> 00:05:25,970 an end to violence , safeguards the 100 00:05:25,970 --> 00:05:27,730 human rights of all afghans , 101 00:05:27,740 --> 00:05:29,640 particularly women , Children and 102 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:33,060 minorities , oppose the rule of law 103 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:36,190 and ensures that Afghanistan never gain 104 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:38,960 serves as a safe haven for terrorists . 105 00:05:41,940 --> 00:05:45,520 Today . NATO ministers also addressed 106 00:05:45,530 --> 00:05:47,470 Russia's military build up in and 107 00:05:47,470 --> 00:05:51,050 around Ukraine . This is the 108 00:05:51,050 --> 00:05:54,040 biggest massing of Russian troops since 109 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:56,500 the illegal annexation of Crimea in 110 00:05:56,510 --> 00:06:00,140 2014 . And it's a 111 00:06:00,140 --> 00:06:02,270 part of a broader pattern of Russian 112 00:06:02,270 --> 00:06:04,560 aggressive actions which raises very 113 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,870 serious concerns . Allies 114 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:10,410 fully support Ukraine's sovereignty and 115 00:06:10,410 --> 00:06:12,880 territorial integrity and we call on 116 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:15,250 Russia to de escalate , immediately 117 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:18,260 stop a pattern of aggressive 118 00:06:18,270 --> 00:06:20,710 provocations and respect its 119 00:06:20,710 --> 00:06:22,266 international commitments . 120 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:26,940 Today's meeting , it's an important 121 00:06:26,940 --> 00:06:29,310 demonstration , our unity and in this 122 00:06:29,310 --> 00:06:31,820 complex and more competitive world . We 123 00:06:31,820 --> 00:06:34,670 must continue to strengthen NATO to 124 00:06:34,670 --> 00:06:38,040 face the full range of challenges , not 125 00:06:38,050 --> 00:06:41,490 just yesterday , but today and 126 00:06:41,500 --> 00:06:44,640 tomorrow . So Tony and Lloyd . It's 127 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:46,807 great to be here together with you and 128 00:06:46,807 --> 00:06:49,084 please hand it over to you . Thank you . 129 00:06:49,084 --> 00:06:51,660 Yes , thank you so much . Secretary 130 00:06:51,660 --> 00:06:54,470 Austin . Good evening everyone . It's 131 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:58,020 very good to be back here at NATO just 132 00:06:58,020 --> 00:07:00,390 a few weeks after my first visit as 133 00:07:00,390 --> 00:07:04,210 Secretary of State or particularly for 134 00:07:04,220 --> 00:07:06,670 such an important day in the history of 135 00:07:06,670 --> 00:07:10,060 our alliance . Um 20 years ago , 136 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:13,062 After the United States was attacked on 137 00:07:13,062 --> 00:07:15,960 9 11 . This alliance invoked Article 138 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:18,238 five for the first time in its history , 139 00:07:18,540 --> 00:07:21,050 An attack on one is an attack on all 140 00:07:22,340 --> 00:07:24,396 Together . We went to Afghanistan to 141 00:07:24,396 --> 00:07:26,930 root out al Qaeda and prevent future 142 00:07:26,930 --> 00:07:29,260 terrorist attacks from Afghanistan 143 00:07:29,940 --> 00:07:33,150 directed at our homelands . Now 144 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,490 we will leave Afghanistan together and 145 00:07:36,490 --> 00:07:40,400 bring our troops home . President biden 146 00:07:40,410 --> 00:07:43,410 just laid out our plan in detail in a 147 00:07:43,410 --> 00:07:45,950 speech to the american people and as 148 00:07:45,950 --> 00:07:49,750 you heard and his hands just noted , 149 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:52,462 We'll begin our troop withdrawal by May 150 00:07:52,462 --> 00:07:55,280 one and we'll complete it Before the 151 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:58,530 20th anniversary Of 9 11 . Later this 152 00:07:58,530 --> 00:08:01,960 year . After years of saying that 153 00:08:02,540 --> 00:08:06,200 we will leave at some point , that time 154 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:08,700 has come the threat from al Qaeda in 155 00:08:08,700 --> 00:08:11,460 Afghanistan is significantly degraded . 156 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:14,040 Osama bin laden has been brought to 157 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:17,040 justice . We have achieved our original 158 00:08:17,050 --> 00:08:20,510 objective and we don't believe that 159 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:22,298 maintaining an indefinite troop 160 00:08:22,298 --> 00:08:25,010 presence in Afghanistan is in our 161 00:08:25,010 --> 00:08:27,232 interests , not for the United States , 162 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:31,130 not for NATO and our allies . The world 163 00:08:31,130 --> 00:08:33,297 has changed dramatically over the last 164 00:08:33,297 --> 00:08:35,519 20 years . As you heard , the president 165 00:08:35,519 --> 00:08:37,741 say , We have to adjust our strategy to 166 00:08:37,741 --> 00:08:41,060 meet the threats of 2021 , Not 2001 , 167 00:08:41,540 --> 00:08:43,540 and take on the challenges that now 168 00:08:43,540 --> 00:08:46,930 demand our focus and resources . The 169 00:08:46,930 --> 00:08:48,880 United States and our allies will 170 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:51,690 coordinate closely on our next steps . 171 00:08:52,340 --> 00:08:54,396 We've always said that the secretary 172 00:08:54,396 --> 00:08:56,950 general noted that our plan was in 173 00:08:56,950 --> 00:09:00,060 together , adjust together , out 174 00:09:00,060 --> 00:09:03,400 together and today we began to hammer 175 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:06,550 out what out together looks like we 176 00:09:06,550 --> 00:09:08,606 will withdraw our troops responsibly 177 00:09:08,940 --> 00:09:12,870 deliberately safely . Let me be 178 00:09:12,870 --> 00:09:16,150 clear . Mhm . Even with our troops home , 179 00:09:16,940 --> 00:09:19,550 we as an alliance and the United States 180 00:09:19,550 --> 00:09:22,490 is a country will continue to invest in 181 00:09:22,670 --> 00:09:25,200 and support the Afghan people and their 182 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:28,750 chosen leaders will also 183 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:31,560 remain vigilant against any possibility 184 00:09:31,940 --> 00:09:34,600 that the threat of terrorism re emerges 185 00:09:35,340 --> 00:09:37,550 in Afghanistan will reorganize our 186 00:09:37,550 --> 00:09:39,970 counterterrorism capabilities to stay 187 00:09:39,970 --> 00:09:42,150 on top of that . We'll also hold the 188 00:09:42,150 --> 00:09:44,770 Taliban accountable to its commitments 189 00:09:44,770 --> 00:09:46,659 to keep Al Qaeda or any terrorist 190 00:09:46,659 --> 00:09:48,826 organization from using Afghanistan as 191 00:09:48,826 --> 00:09:52,370 a base for attacks against us , will 192 00:09:52,370 --> 00:09:54,370 pursue a durable and just political 193 00:09:54,370 --> 00:09:56,426 settlement between the government of 194 00:09:56,426 --> 00:09:58,481 Afghanistan and the Taliban and will 195 00:09:58,481 --> 00:10:00,426 engage other countries that have a 196 00:10:00,426 --> 00:10:02,370 major stake in a stable future for 197 00:10:02,370 --> 00:10:04,481 Afghanistan and will now have to step 198 00:10:04,481 --> 00:10:06,481 up after years of NATO underwriting 199 00:10:06,481 --> 00:10:08,950 stability , will continue to support 200 00:10:08,950 --> 00:10:10,839 the government of Afghanistan and 201 00:10:10,839 --> 00:10:12,672 provide assistance to the Afghan 202 00:10:12,672 --> 00:10:14,800 security forces who have fought and 203 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:17,050 continue to fight valiantly and at 204 00:10:17,050 --> 00:10:19,272 great cost on behalf of their country . 205 00:10:19,830 --> 00:10:21,886 And we'll keep investing in the well 206 00:10:21,886 --> 00:10:23,830 being of the Afghan people . We'll 207 00:10:23,830 --> 00:10:25,886 bring our diplomatic and development 208 00:10:25,886 --> 00:10:28,052 resources to bear to protect and build 209 00:10:28,052 --> 00:10:30,163 upon the gains that the Afghan people 210 00:10:30,163 --> 00:10:32,386 have made in recent years will continue 211 00:10:32,386 --> 00:10:34,552 support for the rights of afghan women 212 00:10:34,552 --> 00:10:36,840 and girls , minorities , advocating for 213 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:39,040 their meaningful participation in the 214 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:41,270 ongoing negotiations and they're equal 215 00:10:41,270 --> 00:10:44,920 representation throughout society and 216 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:47,087 will maintain significant humanitarian 217 00:10:47,087 --> 00:10:50,920 assistance to those in need . In 218 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:53,031 short , bringing our troops home does 219 00:10:53,031 --> 00:10:55,142 not mean ending our relationship with 220 00:10:55,142 --> 00:10:57,410 Afghanistan or our support for the 221 00:10:57,410 --> 00:11:00,980 country . And as you said , this will 222 00:11:00,980 --> 00:11:04,020 be the start of a new chapter grounded 223 00:11:04,020 --> 00:11:06,190 in diplomacy , just like our 224 00:11:06,190 --> 00:11:08,360 relationships with other countries , 225 00:11:08,530 --> 00:11:11,000 The future of Afghanistan ultimately is 226 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,222 in the hands of the Afghan people where 227 00:11:13,222 --> 00:11:15,710 it belongs . But our support our 228 00:11:15,710 --> 00:11:18,360 engagement and our determination remain . 229 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:22,060 Let me just also take a moment uh to 230 00:11:22,060 --> 00:11:24,360 acknowledge the extraordinary courage 231 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:27,151 and strength of the troops who served 232 00:11:27,151 --> 00:11:29,262 in Afghanistan over the past 20 years 233 00:11:29,262 --> 00:11:31,151 At its height , the International 234 00:11:31,151 --> 00:11:33,207 Security Assistance Force had troops 235 00:11:33,207 --> 00:11:35,151 from 50 NATO and partner countries 236 00:11:35,151 --> 00:11:37,160 Today . Resolute support has troops 237 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:39,860 from 35 NATO allies and partners . 238 00:11:41,340 --> 00:11:43,570 Our service members risk their lives , 239 00:11:43,950 --> 00:11:47,900 lost their lives in this effort , but 240 00:11:47,900 --> 00:11:50,030 we have succeeded in achieving the 241 00:11:50,030 --> 00:11:52,086 objective that we set out to achieve 242 00:11:52,100 --> 00:11:55,130 thanks to them and we honor their 243 00:11:55,130 --> 00:11:58,300 service and their sacrifice . I also 244 00:11:58,300 --> 00:12:00,522 have to say that the United States will 245 00:12:00,522 --> 00:12:03,110 never forget the solidarity that our 246 00:12:03,110 --> 00:12:05,300 NATO allies have shown every step of 247 00:12:05,300 --> 00:12:09,040 the way no country could have achieved 248 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:12,570 what we achieved as an alliance 249 00:12:12,940 --> 00:12:16,130 working together and as my friend , 250 00:12:16,130 --> 00:12:19,030 Secretary Austin can attest these years 251 00:12:19,030 --> 00:12:21,170 in Afghanistan have transformed our 252 00:12:21,170 --> 00:12:23,380 troops and our country's in ways that 253 00:12:23,380 --> 00:12:25,830 we will be reflecting and acting on for 254 00:12:25,830 --> 00:12:29,260 a long time to come on 255 00:12:29,260 --> 00:12:32,350 a separate note , as the Secretary 256 00:12:32,350 --> 00:12:34,920 General said , we also spent some time 257 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:38,150 today talking about the deep concern 258 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:42,160 that allies share about Russia and its 259 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:45,210 actions on the borders of Ukraine , The 260 00:12:45,220 --> 00:12:47,350 largest concentration of forces there 261 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:50,470 since 2014 . And what was striking to 262 00:12:50,470 --> 00:12:53,790 me was in the north atlantic council 263 00:12:53,790 --> 00:12:56,860 meeting listening to every single ally . 264 00:12:58,140 --> 00:13:00,860 All 30 of us express express those 265 00:13:00,860 --> 00:13:03,900 concerns uh and a determination to see 266 00:13:03,910 --> 00:13:06,100 Russia takes steps to deescalate the 267 00:13:06,100 --> 00:13:09,300 tensions that it is creating . Our 268 00:13:09,300 --> 00:13:11,356 conversations today here at NATO are 269 00:13:11,356 --> 00:13:13,133 just the start of the intensive 270 00:13:13,133 --> 00:13:15,133 planning that our countries will do 271 00:13:15,133 --> 00:13:17,356 together over the next several months . 272 00:13:17,356 --> 00:13:19,467 We are grateful to our allies . We're 273 00:13:19,467 --> 00:13:21,633 grateful to you Mr . Secretary General 274 00:13:21,633 --> 00:13:23,633 for your leadership as we undertake 275 00:13:23,633 --> 00:13:25,633 this historic transition together . 276 00:13:25,633 --> 00:13:27,022 Thank you . Mhm . Okay . 277 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:37,500 Secretary General Stoltenberg , thank 278 00:13:37,500 --> 00:13:40,760 you for today's productive discussions 279 00:13:42,140 --> 00:13:44,140 and I'm grateful to be joined by my 280 00:13:44,140 --> 00:13:46,850 friend and colleague today , Secretary 281 00:13:46,850 --> 00:13:50,560 Blinken tonight . I want to thank our 282 00:13:50,560 --> 00:13:53,980 NATO allies and partners for the time 283 00:13:53,980 --> 00:13:56,147 that they have afforded us to complete 284 00:13:56,147 --> 00:13:59,240 our review and explain the president's 285 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:03,150 decision to withdraw all us forces from 286 00:14:03,150 --> 00:14:07,140 Afghanistan by September 11 287 00:14:07,140 --> 00:14:10,960 2021 . And I fully support his decision . 288 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:15,273 Our troops have accomplished the 289 00:14:15,273 --> 00:14:16,996 mission that they were sent to 290 00:14:16,996 --> 00:14:19,051 Afghanistan to accomplish . And they 291 00:14:19,051 --> 00:14:21,960 have much for which to be proud , 292 00:14:23,340 --> 00:14:25,750 their services and their sacrifices 293 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:29,160 alongside those of our resolute support 294 00:14:29,160 --> 00:14:32,240 and Afghan partners made possible the 295 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:34,940 greatly diminished threat to all of our 296 00:14:34,940 --> 00:14:37,880 homelands and homelands from Al Qaeda 297 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:41,530 and other terrorist groups . These 298 00:14:41,530 --> 00:14:44,250 brave men and women also made possible 299 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:48,660 economic , civil and 300 00:14:48,660 --> 00:14:52,360 political progress . And so 301 00:14:53,540 --> 00:14:55,900 today the Afghan people police their 302 00:14:55,900 --> 00:14:59,850 own streets . They defend their own 303 00:14:59,850 --> 00:15:03,440 interest . They elect their own 304 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:07,120 leaders , many of whom are women . They 305 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:10,400 send their Children to school and they 306 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:12,530 own and operate more private 307 00:15:12,530 --> 00:15:14,260 enterprises than ever before . 308 00:15:17,110 --> 00:15:19,420 There is still too much violence to be 309 00:15:19,420 --> 00:15:22,890 sure . And we know the taliban still 310 00:15:22,890 --> 00:15:24,950 will seek to reverse some of this 311 00:15:24,950 --> 00:15:28,850 progress and that is why we support 312 00:15:28,850 --> 00:15:31,620 wholeheartedly the diplomatic efforts 313 00:15:31,620 --> 00:15:33,620 ongoing to achieve a negotiated 314 00:15:33,630 --> 00:15:36,530 political settlement that the afghan 315 00:15:36,530 --> 00:15:38,790 people themselves endorse . 316 00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:43,107 But today the president has given us a 317 00:15:43,107 --> 00:15:46,340 new mission to responsibly draw down 318 00:15:46,350 --> 00:15:49,310 our forces and transition to a new 319 00:15:49,310 --> 00:15:51,532 relationship with our Afghan partners . 320 00:15:52,740 --> 00:15:54,907 And thanks to the efforts of coalition 321 00:15:54,907 --> 00:15:57,129 and ally training , the Afghan security 322 00:15:57,129 --> 00:16:00,750 forces are better and more capable of 323 00:16:00,750 --> 00:16:02,861 securing their borders and protecting 324 00:16:02,861 --> 00:16:06,060 their fellow citizens . And we will 325 00:16:06,060 --> 00:16:08,170 continue to support them in those 326 00:16:08,170 --> 00:16:11,440 efforts . We will look to continue 327 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:13,650 funding key capabilities such as the 328 00:16:13,650 --> 00:16:16,660 Afghan Air Force and Special Mission 329 00:16:16,660 --> 00:16:20,160 Wing and we will seek to continue 330 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:23,130 paying salaries for Afghan security 331 00:16:23,130 --> 00:16:27,020 forces . We will also work closely 332 00:16:27,020 --> 00:16:28,853 with them and with our allies to 333 00:16:28,853 --> 00:16:31,960 maintain counterterrorism capabilities 334 00:16:31,970 --> 00:16:34,350 in the region sufficient to ensuring 335 00:16:34,740 --> 00:16:38,210 Afghanistan cannot become a safe haven 336 00:16:38,210 --> 00:16:39,988 for terrorists who threaten our 337 00:16:39,988 --> 00:16:43,830 security . Now , I 338 00:16:43,830 --> 00:16:46,040 know that thing or two about executing 339 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:49,350 a drawdown or what the military calls 340 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:53,280 retrograde . It is incredibly hard 341 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,560 work even in the best of circumstances . 342 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:00,490 But I am confident that our troops and 343 00:17:00,490 --> 00:17:02,546 our leaders will accomplish this new 344 00:17:02,546 --> 00:17:05,030 mission with the same skill and the 345 00:17:05,030 --> 00:17:07,670 same professionalism with which they 346 00:17:07,670 --> 00:17:09,340 have done everything else in 347 00:17:09,340 --> 00:17:13,270 Afghanistan . They will do it safely , 348 00:17:14,420 --> 00:17:17,660 they will do it orderly and they will 349 00:17:17,660 --> 00:17:21,520 do it deliberately and they will do it 350 00:17:21,530 --> 00:17:23,460 in lockstep with our allies . 351 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:28,270 As you've heard a couple of times this 352 00:17:28,270 --> 00:17:31,420 evening , we have all said that we went 353 00:17:31,420 --> 00:17:35,290 in together , we adjusted together and 354 00:17:35,290 --> 00:17:36,850 now we will leave together 355 00:17:39,140 --> 00:17:41,290 and I must add that we will respond 356 00:17:41,290 --> 00:17:44,710 forcefully should the taliban attack 357 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:47,390 any of our our forces or those of our 358 00:17:47,390 --> 00:17:50,170 allies during the straw down . 359 00:17:52,140 --> 00:17:54,029 Now , I believe it's important to 360 00:17:54,029 --> 00:17:56,196 remember that the president's decision 361 00:17:56,940 --> 00:18:00,530 also gives us an opportunity to 362 00:18:00,530 --> 00:18:04,220 refocus our efforts to deter and if 363 00:18:04,220 --> 00:18:06,020 necessary , to defeat future 364 00:18:06,020 --> 00:18:09,730 adversaries . And we will do 365 00:18:09,730 --> 00:18:11,420 that in no small measure by 366 00:18:11,430 --> 00:18:13,520 revitalizing our alliances and 367 00:18:13,520 --> 00:18:16,560 partnerships Such as this one 368 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:19,562 and by being ready to meet the 369 00:18:19,562 --> 00:18:22,160 challenges that most credibly undermine 370 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:25,160 our international rules based order . 371 00:18:27,340 --> 00:18:30,500 And as I've said before , The People's 372 00:18:30,500 --> 00:18:32,640 Republic of China is our number one 373 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:36,160 pacing challenge as it seeks to reshape 374 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:38,084 the international order . 375 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:44,510 Likewise , I call on Russia to respect 376 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:47,450 Ukraine's territorial integrity . 377 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:50,970 We are committed to assisting Ukraine 378 00:18:50,970 --> 00:18:54,160 with its self defense needs and in 379 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:57,290 closing , I want to thank all those who 380 00:18:57,290 --> 00:19:01,030 served in Afghanistan . I know all too 381 00:19:01,030 --> 00:19:03,730 well . The sacrifice that we've we've 382 00:19:03,730 --> 00:19:07,270 all made to get us to this point and to 383 00:19:07,270 --> 00:19:10,690 the families and the loved ones of 384 00:19:10,690 --> 00:19:14,130 those who did not make it home and for 385 00:19:14,130 --> 00:19:16,560 all those forever changed by this war . 386 00:19:17,740 --> 00:19:20,460 I pledge our unwavering support 387 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:25,120 for the grief and the challenges that 388 00:19:25,120 --> 00:19:28,820 you still endure . We 389 00:19:28,820 --> 00:19:32,460 honor you and we honor their 390 00:19:32,460 --> 00:19:36,170 memory and we always will . 391 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:39,784 And I believe that the president's 392 00:19:39,784 --> 00:19:42,960 decision proves exactly that . 393 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:47,490 Thank you very much . Thank you . We 394 00:19:47,490 --> 00:19:49,490 now have time for a few questions . 395 00:19:49,490 --> 00:19:51,730 We'll start with john Hudson from 396 00:19:51,730 --> 00:19:53,674 Washington post in the front row . 397 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:57,780 Thank you very much . Uh Secretary 398 00:19:57,780 --> 00:20:00,002 Blinken . The decision to withdraw from 399 00:20:00,002 --> 00:20:02,220 Afghanistan has been applauded by war 400 00:20:02,220 --> 00:20:04,520 weary americans . But many advocates 401 00:20:04,530 --> 00:20:06,697 for getting out have also said the U . 402 00:20:06,697 --> 00:20:08,808 S . Must be willing to take in afghan 403 00:20:08,808 --> 00:20:11,110 asylum seekers and also interpreters 404 00:20:11,110 --> 00:20:13,277 who worked with military personnel who 405 00:20:13,277 --> 00:20:15,499 may be imperiled by this decision . Can 406 00:20:15,499 --> 00:20:17,221 you commit to that ? Secretary 407 00:20:17,221 --> 00:20:19,332 Stoltenberg , will you encourage NATO 408 00:20:19,332 --> 00:20:21,499 members to take in afghan refugees and 409 00:20:21,499 --> 00:20:23,970 asylum seekers ? Secretary Austin , I'm 410 00:20:23,970 --> 00:20:26,137 told you made a very powerful case for 411 00:20:26,137 --> 00:20:28,248 withdrawal in the nac meeting today . 412 00:20:28,248 --> 00:20:31,440 Uh did uniformed us military person 413 00:20:31,450 --> 00:20:34,480 leaders share your view about this 414 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:36,591 decision to withdrawal in september . 415 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:40,470 I'll start very quickly and say simply , 416 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:43,840 yes , we have a commitment , especially 417 00:20:43,840 --> 00:20:46,360 to those who worked with us who helped 418 00:20:46,360 --> 00:20:48,730 us , whether it was our military , our 419 00:20:48,730 --> 00:20:51,360 diplomats and we have a a program that 420 00:20:51,360 --> 00:20:54,020 I think you're well aware of that is 421 00:20:54,020 --> 00:20:56,076 the so called special immigrant visa 422 00:20:56,076 --> 00:20:58,242 program uh that they would be eligible 423 00:20:58,242 --> 00:21:00,560 for . And I'm certainly committed uh if 424 00:21:00,570 --> 00:21:02,514 uh if there is a demand for it and 425 00:21:02,514 --> 00:21:04,681 request for it to move forward on that 426 00:21:04,940 --> 00:21:08,540 more more broadly , as I said 427 00:21:08,550 --> 00:21:11,770 earlier , the fact that we are 428 00:21:12,340 --> 00:21:14,396 removing our forces from Afghanistan 429 00:21:14,396 --> 00:21:16,507 does not mean that we're removing our 430 00:21:16,507 --> 00:21:18,600 commitment to Afghanistan and that 431 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:21,760 includes an ongoing commitment to 432 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:24,180 Afghanistan's development humanitarian 433 00:21:24,180 --> 00:21:26,670 assistance , particularly to those in 434 00:21:26,670 --> 00:21:28,559 need , as well as support for the 435 00:21:28,559 --> 00:21:31,400 Afghan security forces . So , working 436 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:33,456 with our partners , working with our 437 00:21:33,456 --> 00:21:35,678 allies , working with the international 438 00:21:35,678 --> 00:21:38,240 community , I am convinced you'll see 439 00:21:38,250 --> 00:21:40,417 sustained support for Afghanistan that 440 00:21:40,417 --> 00:21:43,270 will help address challenges that 441 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:45,860 Afghans continue to face in their lives . 442 00:21:47,140 --> 00:21:50,390 You say that it's for each and every 443 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:53,070 ally as individual nations to make 444 00:21:53,070 --> 00:21:55,760 decisions on asylum . But what I can 445 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:57,900 say is that NATO alliance , together 446 00:21:57,900 --> 00:22:00,067 with all the allies , will continue to 447 00:22:00,067 --> 00:22:02,770 support the efforts to create a 448 00:22:02,780 --> 00:22:05,970 sustainable peace in Afghanistan . And 449 00:22:05,970 --> 00:22:08,400 that's exactly why we uh so strongly 450 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:10,622 supported peace efforts and that's also 451 00:22:10,622 --> 00:22:12,678 the reason why we only have adjusted 452 00:22:12,678 --> 00:22:15,000 our force presence in Afghanistan as 453 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:18,480 part of the peace process . So we will 454 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:20,260 continue to provide support to 455 00:22:20,260 --> 00:22:23,450 Afghanistan . But people do that not by 456 00:22:23,450 --> 00:22:26,830 having thousands of soldiers on the 457 00:22:26,830 --> 00:22:29,990 ground in Afghanistan , but through our 458 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:32,680 partnership with Afghanistan with with 459 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:34,847 the support of the peace process . And 460 00:22:34,847 --> 00:22:37,590 also of course , working uh to make 461 00:22:37,590 --> 00:22:39,646 sure that we maintain the gains were 462 00:22:39,646 --> 00:22:41,757 made , not least in the fight against 463 00:22:41,757 --> 00:22:45,460 terrorism . Mhm . In terms of the input 464 00:22:45,460 --> 00:22:48,330 of our senior military , uh I won't 465 00:22:48,330 --> 00:22:51,680 speak for them . What I can tell you is 466 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:53,920 this was an inclusive process and their 467 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:57,620 voices were heard and their concerns 468 00:22:57,620 --> 00:23:00,360 taken into consideration as the 469 00:23:00,360 --> 00:23:02,060 president made his decision . 470 00:23:04,240 --> 00:23:06,573 But now that the decision has been made , 471 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:10,360 I call upon them to lead their forces 472 00:23:10,370 --> 00:23:12,520 to lead their forces through this 473 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:15,100 effort through this transition . And 474 00:23:15,100 --> 00:23:17,740 knowing them all very well as I do , I 475 00:23:17,740 --> 00:23:20,420 have every confidence that they will in 476 00:23:20,420 --> 00:23:23,180 fact lead their forces through this 477 00:23:23,180 --> 00:23:27,170 effort from The Wall Street Journal . 478 00:23:28,940 --> 00:23:30,662 Thank you very much uh for the 479 00:23:30,662 --> 00:23:32,829 secretary General . Uh what proportion 480 00:23:32,829 --> 00:23:35,100 if any of your organization's members 481 00:23:35,110 --> 00:23:37,332 expressed some concerns about a U . S . 482 00:23:37,332 --> 00:23:39,443 Led withdrawal and what it would mean 483 00:23:39,443 --> 00:23:41,530 for Afghanistan either as a possible 484 00:23:41,530 --> 00:23:43,697 location for terrorist elements or for 485 00:23:43,697 --> 00:23:45,863 the stability of the Afghan government 486 00:23:45,863 --> 00:23:47,919 and civil and women's rights there . 487 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:50,407 And if I may , for Secretary Blinken , 488 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:53,151 What is your response to Iran's claim 489 00:23:53,151 --> 00:23:55,060 that it will move to 60 uranium 490 00:23:55,060 --> 00:23:57,530 enrichment ? And is that an expected or 491 00:23:57,530 --> 00:23:59,641 an appropriate response to the attack 492 00:23:59,641 --> 00:24:01,808 on the task that Tehran has has blamed 493 00:24:01,808 --> 00:24:04,170 on Israel ? Um And then for Secretary 494 00:24:04,170 --> 00:24:06,840 Austin question about Russia's military 495 00:24:06,840 --> 00:24:08,840 build up that's worrying so much of 496 00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:11,940 europe today . What response to the US . 497 00:24:11,940 --> 00:24:14,160 and its partners have to impose costs 498 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:16,320 on Moscow if it interferes further in 499 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:18,153 Ukraine . Other than the kind of 500 00:24:18,153 --> 00:24:20,153 targeted sanctions we've seen since 501 00:24:20,153 --> 00:24:22,260 2014 . And where those responses 502 00:24:22,270 --> 00:24:24,570 discussed this week with NATO and other 503 00:24:24,570 --> 00:24:28,420 partners . Thank you . All allies 504 00:24:28,420 --> 00:24:32,010 agreed and all allies agreed actually 505 00:24:32,010 --> 00:24:34,050 statement . Which agreed at the 506 00:24:34,050 --> 00:24:36,217 ministerial meeting today . We clearly 507 00:24:36,217 --> 00:24:40,020 state that we now have decided to 508 00:24:40,020 --> 00:24:42,600 start the withdrawal of all our NATO 509 00:24:42,600 --> 00:24:45,380 troops uh from Afghanistan starting 510 00:24:45,390 --> 00:24:47,870 first Domain . And the plan is to 511 00:24:47,880 --> 00:24:50,150 finalize that , draw down and 512 00:24:50,150 --> 00:24:52,430 withdrawal within a few months . So 513 00:24:52,430 --> 00:24:54,763 this is not something we just discussed . 514 00:24:54,763 --> 00:24:56,930 This is something actually decided and 515 00:24:56,930 --> 00:24:59,610 adopted a joint declaration where we 516 00:24:59,620 --> 00:25:02,890 state that clearly and also explain why 517 00:25:02,890 --> 00:25:05,112 we made the decision at the same time . 518 00:25:05,112 --> 00:25:07,223 I think all of us are aware of that . 519 00:25:07,223 --> 00:25:09,590 This is not the easy decision . Uh This 520 00:25:09,590 --> 00:25:11,640 is a decision that entails risks 521 00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:15,840 uh and also a decision that really 522 00:25:15,850 --> 00:25:18,320 acquires that we continue to stay 523 00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:20,680 focused on Afghanistan partly to make 524 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:23,760 sure that the withdrawal takes place in 525 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:27,080 a safe and secure and orderly way that 526 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:29,191 we're sending a very clear message to 527 00:25:29,191 --> 00:25:31,358 the Taliban . If that if they start to 528 00:25:31,358 --> 00:25:34,480 attack us , we will retaliate and 529 00:25:34,490 --> 00:25:37,110 answering a very forceful way , but 530 00:25:37,110 --> 00:25:40,860 also to start to work on building 531 00:25:41,440 --> 00:25:43,630 a new chapter , a new kind of 532 00:25:43,630 --> 00:25:45,930 partnership with Afghanistan . Because 533 00:25:45,930 --> 00:25:47,874 there are many ways to support the 534 00:25:47,874 --> 00:25:51,250 country . Uh It's not it's not the case 535 00:25:51,250 --> 00:25:53,028 is that it's not there are many 536 00:25:53,028 --> 00:25:54,861 different ways . The only way to 537 00:25:54,861 --> 00:25:56,861 support the country's not by having 538 00:25:56,861 --> 00:25:56,560 thousands of combat troops deployed in 539 00:25:56,560 --> 00:25:58,500 the country . We're working with 540 00:25:58,510 --> 00:26:01,150 countries all over the world . We have 541 00:26:01,150 --> 00:26:03,150 diplomatic tools , we have economic 542 00:26:03,150 --> 00:26:05,372 tools , we have development , we have a 543 00:26:05,372 --> 00:26:07,539 mentoring , made all of that is at the 544 00:26:07,539 --> 00:26:09,590 disposal of NATO allies and NATO to 545 00:26:09,590 --> 00:26:11,450 continue to provide support to 546 00:26:11,460 --> 00:26:15,250 Afghanistan . So this is not the end . 547 00:26:15,260 --> 00:26:17,660 This is the beginning of a new way of 548 00:26:17,660 --> 00:26:19,880 working with Afghanistan . But I think 549 00:26:19,880 --> 00:26:23,680 that after 20 years allies so 550 00:26:23,680 --> 00:26:26,860 that the time had come to 551 00:26:27,540 --> 00:26:30,310 to end our military presence there . 552 00:26:30,320 --> 00:26:32,740 And in light of the US decision ally 553 00:26:32,740 --> 00:26:34,670 has agreed to the statement 554 00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:40,410 with with regard to Iran . We take very 555 00:26:40,410 --> 00:26:42,920 seriously it's provocative announcement 556 00:26:42,930 --> 00:26:45,152 of an intent to begin enriching uranium 557 00:26:45,340 --> 00:26:49,090 at 60% and the P five plus one should 558 00:26:49,100 --> 00:26:52,860 be unified and united in rejecting that . 559 00:26:53,340 --> 00:26:55,507 I have to tell you the step calls into 560 00:26:55,507 --> 00:26:57,970 question , Iran's seriousness with 561 00:26:57,970 --> 00:27:00,640 regard to the nuclear talks , justice . 562 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:02,473 It underscores the imperative of 563 00:27:02,473 --> 00:27:04,696 returning to mutual compliance with the 564 00:27:04,696 --> 00:27:07,850 JCPOA . Um the United States and Iran 565 00:27:07,850 --> 00:27:10,710 have both stated a common objective of 566 00:27:10,710 --> 00:27:13,080 returning to mutual compliance with the 567 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:15,510 JCPOA . We've been engaged 568 00:27:15,520 --> 00:27:17,687 constructively in a diplomatic process 569 00:27:17,687 --> 00:27:19,798 to achieve that goal . In Vienna last 570 00:27:19,798 --> 00:27:22,970 week , we explored concrete approaches 571 00:27:22,980 --> 00:27:26,130 that we could take the steps that Iran 572 00:27:26,130 --> 00:27:28,200 and the United States would take to 573 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:31,190 return to compliance . And I think the 574 00:27:31,190 --> 00:27:33,412 United States demonstrated very clearly 575 00:27:33,740 --> 00:27:35,890 to the other participants in this 576 00:27:35,890 --> 00:27:37,670 effort and to the world . Our 577 00:27:37,670 --> 00:27:39,950 seriousness of purpose . It remains to 578 00:27:39,950 --> 00:27:43,360 be seen whether Iran has that same 579 00:27:43,370 --> 00:27:46,160 seriousness of purpose . But the goal 580 00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:48,860 returning to compliance with the JCPOA 581 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:52,520 and the diplomatic process , which is 582 00:27:52,520 --> 00:27:55,770 resuming in the end of this week , that 583 00:27:55,770 --> 00:27:58,230 remains the best way to limit Iran's 584 00:27:58,230 --> 00:28:01,150 nuclear program in a lasting way to 585 00:28:01,150 --> 00:28:03,140 verifiably ensure that Iran cannot 586 00:28:03,150 --> 00:28:05,317 produce fissile material for a nuclear 587 00:28:05,317 --> 00:28:08,780 weapon on short notice . And 588 00:28:08,790 --> 00:28:11,970 we're committed to pursuing that 589 00:28:11,970 --> 00:28:14,900 process . But the real question is 590 00:28:14,900 --> 00:28:17,770 whether Iran is , and we'll find out 591 00:28:19,840 --> 00:28:23,060 with regard to the Russian force build 592 00:28:23,060 --> 00:28:26,110 up . We remain concerned about what 593 00:28:26,110 --> 00:28:29,320 we're seeing and so we continue to 594 00:28:29,320 --> 00:28:32,840 monitor very closely uh the activity 595 00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:35,062 there , we continue to consult with our 596 00:28:35,062 --> 00:28:38,140 partners . And as you've heard us say 597 00:28:38,140 --> 00:28:40,340 earlier this evening , we call upon 598 00:28:40,340 --> 00:28:43,760 Russia to cease their provocations and 599 00:28:43,760 --> 00:28:46,370 to be more transparent about about this 600 00:28:46,370 --> 00:28:49,400 recent activity . You've also heard us 601 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:51,520 say that we believe that the 602 00:28:51,530 --> 00:28:55,290 territorial integrity of Ukraine 603 00:28:55,300 --> 00:28:59,000 must be respected . We have 604 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:01,370 provided some material support to 605 00:29:01,380 --> 00:29:03,436 Ukraine in the past and will look to 606 00:29:03,436 --> 00:29:05,660 continue to do that . Um 607 00:29:07,740 --> 00:29:10,280 the national security architecture or 608 00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:12,530 team uh will always present our 609 00:29:12,530 --> 00:29:15,410 president with a range of options that 610 00:29:15,410 --> 00:29:17,870 are focused on employing , you know , 611 00:29:17,870 --> 00:29:20,760 that all of the uh the elements of 612 00:29:20,760 --> 00:29:22,871 national power that we have available 613 00:29:22,871 --> 00:29:25,730 to us when we consider options to 614 00:29:25,730 --> 00:29:28,290 present to the President and I'll just 615 00:29:28,290 --> 00:29:32,120 leave it at that go higher up thomas 616 00:29:32,120 --> 00:29:34,453 google from franco to L . G minus items . 617 00:29:34,940 --> 00:29:38,150 Yes . Thanks a lot . one Question to 618 00:29:38,150 --> 00:29:41,260 Secretary Blinken Please . Um in their 619 00:29:41,260 --> 00:29:43,820 annual threat assessment that was 620 00:29:43,820 --> 00:29:46,160 published just a few days ago . The U . 621 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:48,271 S . Intelligence community said about 622 00:29:48,271 --> 00:29:50,480 Afghanistan and I quote , the Taliban 623 00:29:50,480 --> 00:29:52,260 is likely to make gains on the 624 00:29:52,260 --> 00:29:55,110 battlefield and the Afghan government 625 00:29:55,110 --> 00:29:57,550 will struggle to hold the Taliban at 626 00:29:57,560 --> 00:30:00,060 bay of the coalition withdraw support 627 00:30:00,070 --> 00:30:03,070 unquote . Do you agree with that 628 00:30:03,080 --> 00:30:06,620 assessment ? How did it play into the 629 00:30:06,620 --> 00:30:09,540 decision making on Afghanistan ? And 630 00:30:09,540 --> 00:30:11,596 what should prevent the Taliban from 631 00:30:11,596 --> 00:30:14,420 searching a military solution to the 632 00:30:14,420 --> 00:30:17,870 intra afghan conflict ? And then a 633 00:30:17,880 --> 00:30:19,547 question to Secretary General 634 00:30:19,547 --> 00:30:22,440 Stoltenberg . You have been the number 635 00:30:22,440 --> 00:30:24,990 one proponent of a conditions based 636 00:30:25,130 --> 00:30:27,700 withdrawal and I think tonight is the 637 00:30:27,700 --> 00:30:29,756 first time I hear you speaking about 638 00:30:29,756 --> 00:30:31,930 Afghanistan without mentioning these 639 00:30:31,930 --> 00:30:34,460 famous three conditions to the taliban 640 00:30:35,940 --> 00:30:39,390 President biden came to the conclusion 641 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:42,400 that this conditions based approach 642 00:30:42,410 --> 00:30:44,243 would be a recipe for staying in 643 00:30:44,243 --> 00:30:47,240 Afghanistan forever . What do you reply 644 00:30:47,240 --> 00:30:50,310 to him tonight ? Uh and what do you 645 00:30:50,310 --> 00:30:52,310 reply to ? What he just said in his 646 00:30:52,310 --> 00:30:54,421 speech that basically for the past 10 647 00:30:54,421 --> 00:30:57,600 years , NATO elect clear objectives to 648 00:30:57,600 --> 00:30:59,780 justify its mission in Afghanistan . 649 00:30:59,790 --> 00:31:03,240 Thank you . With regard to the first 650 00:31:03,240 --> 00:31:05,580 question . I think the national 651 00:31:05,580 --> 00:31:07,650 Intelligence estimate is a very 652 00:31:07,650 --> 00:31:11,480 realistic assessment . Yeah . But it's 653 00:31:11,480 --> 00:31:15,320 important to remember how we we got 654 00:31:15,320 --> 00:31:18,960 here and to have that context 655 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:21,410 for what the president decided and 656 00:31:21,410 --> 00:31:24,300 where we're going . As a reminder , we 657 00:31:24,300 --> 00:31:27,090 inherited the lowest number of US and 658 00:31:27,090 --> 00:31:29,410 partner forces in Afghanistan since the 659 00:31:29,410 --> 00:31:31,620 very early days of the war , we 660 00:31:31,620 --> 00:31:33,564 inherited an agreement between the 661 00:31:33,564 --> 00:31:35,676 United States and the Taliban to draw 662 00:31:35,676 --> 00:31:38,250 down all forces , all U . S . Forces in 663 00:31:38,250 --> 00:31:42,060 any event by the first and we inherited 664 00:31:42,540 --> 00:31:45,090 at best a military stalemate between 665 00:31:45,090 --> 00:31:48,550 the Taliban and Afghan forces . That's 666 00:31:48,550 --> 00:31:51,200 the context in which the president 667 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:54,500 undertook a very rigorous review to 668 00:31:54,500 --> 00:31:56,720 Secretary Austin's point . That review 669 00:31:56,980 --> 00:32:00,240 included contributions from everyone 670 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:02,220 across our government including of 671 00:32:02,220 --> 00:32:04,620 course the intelligence community which 672 00:32:04,630 --> 00:32:08,370 provided a a basis upon which the 673 00:32:08,380 --> 00:32:10,713 president could start to make judgments . 674 00:32:11,240 --> 00:32:14,480 Mm We also had very important inputs 675 00:32:14,480 --> 00:32:17,320 from our allies . Um and it was vital 676 00:32:17,320 --> 00:32:19,653 to the president that we hear from them , 677 00:32:19,653 --> 00:32:21,820 including during consultations here at 678 00:32:21,820 --> 00:32:24,290 NATO just a few a few weeks ago . But 679 00:32:24,290 --> 00:32:26,860 throughout there was no sugarcoating 680 00:32:28,030 --> 00:32:29,919 that would not serve America , it 681 00:32:29,919 --> 00:32:32,086 wouldn't serve our allies . And as the 682 00:32:32,086 --> 00:32:34,030 secretary general said , these are 683 00:32:34,030 --> 00:32:35,919 these are hard decisions and hard 684 00:32:35,919 --> 00:32:38,600 choices . But what emerged from that 685 00:32:38,610 --> 00:32:41,650 process from that review was a clear 686 00:32:41,650 --> 00:32:43,483 eyed assessment of the best path 687 00:32:43,483 --> 00:32:45,372 forward to advance our collective 688 00:32:45,372 --> 00:32:47,261 interests and those interests are 689 00:32:47,261 --> 00:32:49,428 ending the war In Afghanistan after 20 690 00:32:49,428 --> 00:32:52,770 years by removing our remaining forces . 691 00:32:53,240 --> 00:32:55,470 As I said , our commitment to 692 00:32:55,470 --> 00:32:58,820 Afghanistan goes well beyond a single 693 00:32:58,820 --> 00:33:02,700 number . Um It's very important to note 694 00:33:02,780 --> 00:33:06,360 that we are very focused on advancing 695 00:33:06,840 --> 00:33:08,562 what prospects there are for a 696 00:33:08,562 --> 00:33:11,170 diplomatic resolution to the conflict . 697 00:33:11,640 --> 00:33:15,280 Mhm . Pressing the parties to engage in 698 00:33:15,290 --> 00:33:19,220 meaningful negotiations to a political 699 00:33:19,220 --> 00:33:21,880 outcome and peaceful settlement . We're 700 00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:24,450 engaging other countries in that effort 701 00:33:24,460 --> 00:33:27,690 to take their responsibility for 702 00:33:27,690 --> 00:33:29,990 Afghanistan's future as well . Many 703 00:33:29,990 --> 00:33:31,990 other countries have interested and 704 00:33:31,990 --> 00:33:34,046 influence with Afghanistan that they 705 00:33:34,046 --> 00:33:36,157 have not focused on the last 20 years 706 00:33:36,157 --> 00:33:38,268 as we've been the ones doing the hard 707 00:33:38,268 --> 00:33:40,379 work . So we expect to see that too . 708 00:33:40,379 --> 00:33:42,268 And that can have an impact . And 709 00:33:42,268 --> 00:33:45,830 finally , uh I would say the 710 00:33:45,840 --> 00:33:49,770 Taliban has has a choice to make . 711 00:33:52,840 --> 00:33:56,240 They say that they want 712 00:33:56,250 --> 00:33:59,410 international recognition , that they 713 00:33:59,410 --> 00:34:02,180 want international support . They're 714 00:34:02,180 --> 00:34:04,860 part of Afghanistan's governance . 715 00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:08,240 Of course , there a number of other 716 00:34:08,240 --> 00:34:10,129 things that they want , including 717 00:34:10,129 --> 00:34:12,184 prisoner releases and delistings and 718 00:34:12,184 --> 00:34:15,800 and so forth . And uh , those 719 00:34:15,800 --> 00:34:18,970 things will , I think 720 00:34:19,540 --> 00:34:22,940 be significantly affected by the path 721 00:34:22,940 --> 00:34:25,910 of the taliban chooses to take going 722 00:34:25,910 --> 00:34:28,490 forward . In addition , I think it's in 723 00:34:28,490 --> 00:34:30,379 no one's interest , including the 724 00:34:30,379 --> 00:34:32,580 taliban's , to plunge Afghanistan back 725 00:34:32,590 --> 00:34:35,490 into a long war , into a civil war that 726 00:34:35,490 --> 00:34:38,480 will do terrible damage to the country 727 00:34:38,490 --> 00:34:42,430 and everyone . So I think 728 00:34:42,430 --> 00:34:44,763 the assessment again is a realistic one . 729 00:34:44,763 --> 00:34:47,590 But there are , I think a whole series 730 00:34:47,590 --> 00:34:50,760 of incentives and disincentives that 731 00:34:50,760 --> 00:34:53,480 will , that will continue to shape what 732 00:34:53,490 --> 00:34:56,670 happens . But ultimately , ultimately , 733 00:34:57,040 --> 00:35:00,430 yeah , the people of Afghanistan will 734 00:35:00,430 --> 00:35:03,350 be the ones to decide their future . We 735 00:35:03,350 --> 00:35:07,220 will , we will do everything we can to 736 00:35:07,220 --> 00:35:09,950 support efforts toward a peaceful , 737 00:35:10,040 --> 00:35:12,650 stable just future . But they're the 738 00:35:12,650 --> 00:35:14,261 ones who have to decide it . 739 00:35:18,040 --> 00:35:20,620 Or last month , my main message has 740 00:35:20,620 --> 00:35:24,290 been that after the signing of the 741 00:35:24,300 --> 00:35:26,467 deal between the United States and the 742 00:35:26,467 --> 00:35:30,460 taliban uh last year january last year , 743 00:35:31,240 --> 00:35:34,630 we all have faced a dilemma and that is 744 00:35:34,640 --> 00:35:38,490 either to leave in an orderly way . And 745 00:35:38,490 --> 00:35:40,490 that decision , of course , entails 746 00:35:40,490 --> 00:35:43,000 risks and I don't underestimate . I'm 747 00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:44,944 actually very clear eyed about the 748 00:35:44,944 --> 00:35:48,840 challenges will face . But 749 00:35:48,850 --> 00:35:52,830 the alternative is to stay . 750 00:35:52,850 --> 00:35:54,961 But then we need to be prepared for a 751 00:35:54,961 --> 00:35:57,760 long term , open ended military 752 00:35:57,760 --> 00:35:59,982 presence . And most likely we will have 753 00:35:59,982 --> 00:36:02,093 to increase the number of NATO troops 754 00:36:02,093 --> 00:36:05,330 in Afghanistan to withstand increased 755 00:36:05,340 --> 00:36:08,950 Taliban pressure , more violence . And 756 00:36:08,950 --> 00:36:11,890 therefore we have consulted very 757 00:36:11,890 --> 00:36:15,190 closely over many months how to make 758 00:36:15,190 --> 00:36:17,520 this difficult decision . And no one is 759 00:36:17,520 --> 00:36:19,409 saying this is easy and no one is 760 00:36:19,409 --> 00:36:21,580 saying this is discreet , but we just 761 00:36:21,590 --> 00:36:23,850 have to make that decision . And 762 00:36:23,850 --> 00:36:26,072 actually I am impressed by the way NATO 763 00:36:26,072 --> 00:36:28,183 unless they've been able to consult , 764 00:36:28,183 --> 00:36:31,300 discuss , assess and then make a 765 00:36:31,310 --> 00:36:35,310 decision together . We have 766 00:36:35,310 --> 00:36:37,660 been in Afghanistan for 20 years . 767 00:36:39,130 --> 00:36:40,963 There are many challenges , many 768 00:36:40,963 --> 00:36:43,610 problems , many unsolved challenges 769 00:36:43,610 --> 00:36:46,110 still in Afghanistan . But we have 770 00:36:46,110 --> 00:36:48,388 achieved a lot . Together with afghans . 771 00:36:48,830 --> 00:36:51,010 We have for all these years prevented 772 00:36:51,010 --> 00:36:53,500 that Afghanistan is a base where 773 00:36:53,510 --> 00:36:55,621 international terrorists can organize 774 00:36:55,621 --> 00:36:59,440 plan finance execute 775 00:36:59,440 --> 00:37:01,329 terrorist attacks against our own 776 00:37:01,329 --> 00:37:03,496 countries . To prevent that . That was 777 00:37:03,496 --> 00:37:06,250 the main goal of going . In second , we 778 00:37:06,250 --> 00:37:08,417 have to build an afghan security force 779 00:37:09,230 --> 00:37:12,310 which now consists of 780 00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:15,350 hundreds of thousands of a professional , 781 00:37:15,490 --> 00:37:19,360 well trained brave 782 00:37:19,370 --> 00:37:22,720 soldiers , uh military personnel which 783 00:37:22,720 --> 00:37:24,887 are now in charge of security in their 784 00:37:24,887 --> 00:37:27,390 own country . We will continue to 785 00:37:27,390 --> 00:37:29,850 support them even though we are ending 786 00:37:29,850 --> 00:37:31,906 our military persons on the ground . 787 00:37:32,600 --> 00:37:34,156 And thirdly , we are helped 788 00:37:36,430 --> 00:37:38,450 the Afghans to make significant 789 00:37:38,460 --> 00:37:40,880 economic and political social progress 790 00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:43,160 in their own country . So this is a 791 00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:45,430 totally different Afghanistan than 792 00:37:45,430 --> 00:37:48,590 Afghanistan moved into in 2001 . And 793 00:37:48,590 --> 00:37:50,980 therefore we also gradually adjusted 794 00:37:50,980 --> 00:37:54,610 our presence . So this is actually this 795 00:37:54,610 --> 00:37:56,777 is the end of an ongoing process which 796 00:37:56,777 --> 00:37:59,054 started sometimes more than a year ago . 797 00:37:59,930 --> 00:38:02,152 Uh not so many years ago , we were more 798 00:38:02,152 --> 00:38:04,486 than 100,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan . 799 00:38:04,486 --> 00:38:06,940 Every combat operation . Now we are 800 00:38:06,940 --> 00:38:09,360 roughly 10,000 and mostly trained 801 00:38:09,360 --> 00:38:11,690 assistants . First mission . So when we 802 00:38:11,690 --> 00:38:14,440 now anyway make the final decision to 803 00:38:14,450 --> 00:38:17,080 end our mental presence . That is part 804 00:38:17,080 --> 00:38:19,810 of a adjustment which has going on for 805 00:38:19,810 --> 00:38:23,000 some time . And again , I'm not saying 806 00:38:23,000 --> 00:38:25,056 this easy . I'm not saying it's risk 807 00:38:25,056 --> 00:38:27,111 free but I'm saying that compared to 808 00:38:27,111 --> 00:38:29,444 alternative and also based on the U . S . 809 00:38:29,444 --> 00:38:32,410 Decision all and I disagreed and 810 00:38:32,410 --> 00:38:34,577 therefore they also adopted and agreed 811 00:38:34,577 --> 00:38:37,510 to the statement uh which can you state 812 00:38:37,510 --> 00:38:40,310 that we will start withdrawal the final 813 00:38:40,310 --> 00:38:42,477 withdrawal first domain and then dealt 814 00:38:42,477 --> 00:38:45,860 with in a few months . So 815 00:38:45,870 --> 00:38:49,740 true from Associated Press . Yes , 816 00:38:49,750 --> 00:38:51,528 robert Burns , Associated Press 817 00:38:52,020 --> 00:38:54,470 Secretary Austin both of you and 818 00:38:54,470 --> 00:38:56,990 Secretary Blinken mentioned that once 819 00:38:56,990 --> 00:38:59,212 the withdrawal of U . S . And coalition 820 00:38:59,212 --> 00:39:03,070 forces is complete that there will be a 821 00:39:03,080 --> 00:39:05,290 repositioning of counterterrorism 822 00:39:05,290 --> 00:39:07,480 forces in the region . And I wonder if 823 00:39:07,480 --> 00:39:10,090 you can explain what exactly that means . 824 00:39:10,100 --> 00:39:12,810 Um in other words where will they be 825 00:39:12,820 --> 00:39:15,620 and what kind of numbers ? And can you 826 00:39:15,620 --> 00:39:17,842 say Secretary Austin that it's actually 827 00:39:17,842 --> 00:39:21,540 realistic to target uh 828 00:39:21,550 --> 00:39:23,690 extremist groups inside the vast 829 00:39:23,690 --> 00:39:25,801 expanses of Afghanistan if you're not 830 00:39:25,801 --> 00:39:28,740 actually there . And for Secretary 831 00:39:28,750 --> 00:39:31,200 General Stoltenberg will NATO be part 832 00:39:31,200 --> 00:39:33,720 of that over the horizon force . And 833 00:39:33,720 --> 00:39:35,776 for Secretary Blinken , what sort of 834 00:39:35,776 --> 00:39:37,998 diplomatic arrangements will have to be 835 00:39:37,998 --> 00:39:39,942 made in order to accomplish that . 836 00:39:39,942 --> 00:39:42,650 Thank you . Um 837 00:39:44,120 --> 00:39:46,120 Great question . But I think you'll 838 00:39:46,120 --> 00:39:49,660 understand why I won't 839 00:39:49,670 --> 00:39:52,650 get into specific details about where 840 00:39:53,220 --> 00:39:56,570 our counterterrorist assets may be 841 00:39:56,570 --> 00:40:00,040 positioned . I would tell you that 842 00:40:00,050 --> 00:40:03,130 we are beginning the process now of 843 00:40:03,130 --> 00:40:05,130 working out details with allies and 844 00:40:05,130 --> 00:40:07,720 partners about how are we going to do 845 00:40:07,720 --> 00:40:10,100 that and we'll work those details in 846 00:40:10,110 --> 00:40:13,890 the appropriate channels . Um 847 00:40:13,900 --> 00:40:15,940 as you know bob we have a range of 848 00:40:15,940 --> 00:40:18,740 capabilities that are available to us . 849 00:40:19,510 --> 00:40:22,780 Um and the president has been clear 850 00:40:22,780 --> 00:40:26,480 that we will not allow our homeland to 851 00:40:26,480 --> 00:40:28,702 be attacked , a gang from the spaces of 852 00:40:28,702 --> 00:40:32,420 Afghanistan . Um in 853 00:40:32,420 --> 00:40:35,900 terms of our ability to acquire targets 854 00:40:35,910 --> 00:40:38,730 and engage them in places where we are 855 00:40:38,730 --> 00:40:42,460 not actually you're seeing us do that 856 00:40:42,470 --> 00:40:46,300 each and every day and in places around 857 00:40:46,300 --> 00:40:49,270 the globe or that be in remote places 858 00:40:49,270 --> 00:40:53,220 and in Africa or 859 00:40:53,220 --> 00:40:57,090 other places , we have the reach and 860 00:40:57,090 --> 00:41:00,420 the ability to in fact do that . And I 861 00:41:00,420 --> 00:41:02,642 would just say , working in conjunction 862 00:41:02,642 --> 00:41:05,150 with our allies and partners , there's 863 00:41:05,150 --> 00:41:08,870 probably not a space on the globe that 864 00:41:08,870 --> 00:41:11,037 the United States and its allies can't 865 00:41:11,037 --> 00:41:13,130 reach . Thanks . 866 00:41:16,110 --> 00:41:19,950 Okay . I have very little lad to 867 00:41:19,980 --> 00:41:22,060 what Secretary Austin said . Let me 868 00:41:22,060 --> 00:41:25,840 just say that more broadly that with 869 00:41:25,840 --> 00:41:29,560 regard to other countries in the 870 00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:32,730 region , I think one of the the 871 00:41:32,730 --> 00:41:35,240 striking things is that while we have 872 00:41:35,250 --> 00:41:37,820 many differences with many of them on a 873 00:41:37,830 --> 00:41:40,440 number of accounts , there are clearly 874 00:41:40,440 --> 00:41:43,190 some shared interests across a number 875 00:41:43,190 --> 00:41:46,330 of countries , whether it is Russia , 876 00:41:46,810 --> 00:41:50,030 china , India , Pakistan , 877 00:41:51,110 --> 00:41:55,010 Iran , Turkey and others . 878 00:41:55,020 --> 00:41:57,930 And when it comes to Afghanistan , 879 00:41:59,360 --> 00:42:01,890 I think there's a an interest that many 880 00:42:01,890 --> 00:42:04,310 of these countries have in not seeing 881 00:42:04,700 --> 00:42:07,420 the country to send back into into 882 00:42:07,420 --> 00:42:10,950 civil war into into a long war . The 883 00:42:10,960 --> 00:42:12,738 risks that could pose to them , 884 00:42:13,300 --> 00:42:16,230 including potentially extremism and 885 00:42:16,230 --> 00:42:18,119 terrorism directed against them , 886 00:42:18,300 --> 00:42:21,320 refugee flows heading in in their 887 00:42:21,320 --> 00:42:23,920 direction . Drugs as well . 888 00:42:24,700 --> 00:42:27,430 All of those argue that 889 00:42:28,600 --> 00:42:30,790 countries will have an interest and 890 00:42:30,790 --> 00:42:34,350 also some influence with the parties in 891 00:42:34,360 --> 00:42:37,070 in Afghanistan to try to keep things 892 00:42:37,070 --> 00:42:40,750 moving in a in a positive , 893 00:42:40,760 --> 00:42:43,700 positive direction . Uh huh . As I 894 00:42:43,700 --> 00:42:45,811 noted earlier for the last 20 years , 895 00:42:46,700 --> 00:42:49,150 these countries have not had to do much 896 00:42:49,160 --> 00:42:53,140 because NATO has been there at least 897 00:42:53,140 --> 00:42:56,760 providing helping to provide with the 898 00:42:56,760 --> 00:43:00,450 Afghans some basic stability . I think 899 00:43:00,460 --> 00:43:03,820 countries will now have to look hard 900 00:43:04,500 --> 00:43:07,080 at the interests that they have , look 901 00:43:07,080 --> 00:43:09,080 hard at the influence they have and 902 00:43:09,080 --> 00:43:11,510 decide whether to use that in ways that 903 00:43:11,520 --> 00:43:14,320 ensure that Afghanistan is not 904 00:43:15,300 --> 00:43:19,220 a source of instability and a 905 00:43:19,220 --> 00:43:21,110 source of terrorism extremism . 906 00:43:22,800 --> 00:43:26,430 We will continue to provide support to 907 00:43:26,430 --> 00:43:29,410 and work with Afghanistan also after 908 00:43:29,420 --> 00:43:31,531 the end of arrested support mission . 909 00:43:31,531 --> 00:43:34,400 Uh I spoke with President Ghani today 910 00:43:34,400 --> 00:43:36,511 and one of the issues we discussed is 911 00:43:36,511 --> 00:43:38,344 actually how to develop this new 912 00:43:38,344 --> 00:43:40,970 partnership and that will address 913 00:43:40,970 --> 00:43:43,220 different things . It's point about how 914 00:43:43,220 --> 00:43:45,053 to make sure that we are able to 915 00:43:45,200 --> 00:43:47,860 through its support to our diplomatic 916 00:43:47,870 --> 00:43:49,926 presence , diplomatic missions . The 917 00:43:49,926 --> 00:43:53,280 political efforts , it's about continue 918 00:43:53,280 --> 00:43:55,113 to provide support to the Afghan 919 00:43:55,113 --> 00:43:58,920 security forces . Uh We 920 00:43:58,920 --> 00:44:01,450 also have to look into how can we make 921 00:44:01,450 --> 00:44:05,110 sure that we uh not jeopardized against 922 00:44:05,110 --> 00:44:06,832 were made in the fight against 923 00:44:06,832 --> 00:44:09,440 international terrorism . Exactly how 924 00:44:09,450 --> 00:44:11,450 we will do that . Exactly what role 925 00:44:11,450 --> 00:44:14,070 NATO will will will have is not yet 926 00:44:14,080 --> 00:44:16,460 decided . But all of these issues have 927 00:44:16,470 --> 00:44:18,940 are on the table and are now discussed 928 00:44:18,950 --> 00:44:21,400 among NATO allies and also with 929 00:44:21,410 --> 00:44:24,660 Afghanistan . Uh that knows adult of 930 00:44:24,660 --> 00:44:26,327 course in our engagement with 931 00:44:26,327 --> 00:44:29,250 Afghanistan uh to support the peace 932 00:44:29,250 --> 00:44:32,200 efforts fragile , difficult , no 933 00:44:32,200 --> 00:44:34,256 guarantee for success . But the only 934 00:44:34,256 --> 00:44:36,422 way to lasting peace is also something 935 00:44:36,422 --> 00:44:38,311 that NATO NATO NATO hours will be 936 00:44:38,311 --> 00:44:42,010 focused on . We welcome the the 937 00:44:42,020 --> 00:44:44,660 upcoming Istanbul conference . Uh 938 00:44:44,670 --> 00:44:46,781 Foreign Minister Mevlut cavusoglu was 939 00:44:46,781 --> 00:44:50,410 there and updated allies on on the 940 00:44:50,410 --> 00:44:54,230 preparations for that conference . What 941 00:44:54,230 --> 00:44:57,420 NATO can do is to support help assist 942 00:44:57,420 --> 00:44:59,880 the afghans . But at the end of the day , 943 00:44:59,890 --> 00:45:02,057 it is the Afghans themselves that have 944 00:45:02,057 --> 00:45:04,168 to create peace in Afghanistan . So I 945 00:45:04,168 --> 00:45:06,390 think one of the main messages from the 946 00:45:06,390 --> 00:45:08,557 meeting today is that we will continue 947 00:45:08,557 --> 00:45:10,612 to support , will continue to help . 948 00:45:10,612 --> 00:45:12,446 But we also , in a way , call of 949 00:45:12,446 --> 00:45:15,090 afghans to really make a serious effort 950 00:45:15,090 --> 00:45:17,257 to create peace in their own country . 951 00:45:17,257 --> 00:45:19,368 And at the end of the day , it's only 952 00:45:19,368 --> 00:45:21,201 Afghans that can create peace in 953 00:45:21,201 --> 00:45:23,930 Afghanistan for the last question we go 954 00:45:23,940 --> 00:45:26,260 again higher up and it's on to Hossa 955 00:45:26,270 --> 00:45:27,600 from the EPA 956 00:45:30,090 --> 00:45:33,390 you agree today that it is essential 957 00:45:33,390 --> 00:45:36,290 for NATO to continue delivering support 958 00:45:36,300 --> 00:45:39,380 for Ukraine . Secretary Austin and 959 00:45:39,380 --> 00:45:41,602 Secretary General Stoltenberg . Can you 960 00:45:41,602 --> 00:45:43,380 tell us what kind of additional 961 00:45:43,380 --> 00:45:45,630 military support Ukraine can exist 962 00:45:45,640 --> 00:45:49,070 expect ? And a more general question to 963 00:45:49,070 --> 00:45:51,410 Secretary Austin ? Why are you stepping 964 00:45:51,420 --> 00:45:53,470 up your support for Ukraine while 965 00:45:53,470 --> 00:45:55,850 taking a decision that could destroy 966 00:45:55,860 --> 00:45:58,810 the young afghan democracy ? Thank you . 967 00:46:00,480 --> 00:46:02,480 I didn't hear the last part of your 968 00:46:02,480 --> 00:46:04,591 question . Could you say that again ? 969 00:46:04,591 --> 00:46:06,758 Last part was to secretary brink . And 970 00:46:06,758 --> 00:46:08,813 more general question . Um , why are 971 00:46:08,813 --> 00:46:10,647 you stepping up your support for 972 00:46:10,647 --> 00:46:12,702 Ukraine while taking a decision that 973 00:46:12,702 --> 00:46:14,424 could destroy the young afghan 974 00:46:14,424 --> 00:46:16,100 democracy ? Thank you . 975 00:46:20,470 --> 00:46:22,637 First of all , how I can't support the 976 00:46:22,637 --> 00:46:24,526 United States going to brought to 977 00:46:24,526 --> 00:46:26,820 Ukraine and then . Yeah , so I think I 978 00:46:26,820 --> 00:46:30,400 think you you've heard me say earlier 979 00:46:30,410 --> 00:46:33,440 that we were providing material support 980 00:46:33,440 --> 00:46:35,496 to Ukraine and we've been doing that 981 00:46:35,496 --> 00:46:38,200 for some time . That includes non 982 00:46:38,200 --> 00:46:40,960 lethal materials and some uh some 983 00:46:40,960 --> 00:46:43,420 weapons uh and some trainers that we 984 00:46:43,420 --> 00:46:45,650 provided in the past to to assist with 985 00:46:45,650 --> 00:46:48,300 that . Uh and we would look to continue 986 00:46:48,300 --> 00:46:50,356 to do the same types of things going 987 00:46:50,356 --> 00:46:52,700 forward based upon their needs . 988 00:46:54,880 --> 00:46:57,990 Okay , uh NATO allies provide 989 00:46:58,000 --> 00:47:00,310 political and practical support to 990 00:47:00,310 --> 00:47:03,250 Ukraine in many different ways . We 991 00:47:03,250 --> 00:47:05,320 have over years established and 992 00:47:05,320 --> 00:47:07,487 developed a partnership with Ukraine . 993 00:47:07,487 --> 00:47:09,487 We help with capacity building with 994 00:47:09,487 --> 00:47:11,598 modernizing reforming the defense and 995 00:47:11,598 --> 00:47:13,376 security institutions with some 996 00:47:13,376 --> 00:47:15,598 training and different NATO allies also 997 00:47:15,598 --> 00:47:17,320 provide on the bilateral basis 998 00:47:17,320 --> 00:47:19,153 equipment and different kinds of 999 00:47:19,153 --> 00:47:21,376 material support . And I encourage NATO 1000 00:47:21,376 --> 00:47:23,790 allies to step up and to do more . And 1001 00:47:23,790 --> 00:47:26,300 I also welcome the fact that we also do 1002 00:47:26,310 --> 00:47:28,143 more within the NATO framework , 1003 00:47:28,143 --> 00:47:30,032 including for instance , on naval 1004 00:47:30,032 --> 00:47:32,520 capabilities . Last time I was in and 1005 00:47:32,520 --> 00:47:34,353 in Ukraine and we said the Naval 1006 00:47:34,353 --> 00:47:36,298 Academy know that sound their NATO 1007 00:47:36,298 --> 00:47:38,242 trainers , they're helping them to 1008 00:47:38,242 --> 00:47:40,298 modernize and and and and strengthen 1009 00:47:40,298 --> 00:47:42,464 their their their naval capabilities . 1010 00:47:42,464 --> 00:47:44,576 So we're working with Ukraine in many 1011 00:47:44,576 --> 00:47:46,700 different ways . On top of that . We 1012 00:47:46,700 --> 00:47:48,990 have also increased our military 1013 00:47:48,990 --> 00:47:51,212 presence in the Black Sea region , more 1014 00:47:51,212 --> 00:47:53,800 in general , uh in in Romania , 1015 00:47:53,810 --> 00:47:57,280 uh with more air policing with more 1016 00:47:57,280 --> 00:48:00,480 naval presence . So , uh , the support 1017 00:48:00,480 --> 00:48:04,290 for Ukraine is only one element of uh 1018 00:48:04,300 --> 00:48:07,540 more NATO presence , partly into 1019 00:48:07,550 --> 00:48:09,828 partner countries' Georgia and Ukraine , 1020 00:48:09,828 --> 00:48:12,680 but also three Littoral states , Turkey , 1021 00:48:12,680 --> 00:48:15,730 Bulgaria and Romania in the region are 1022 00:48:15,740 --> 00:48:18,840 stepping up and together . All the NATO 1023 00:48:18,840 --> 00:48:21,370 allies have increased their presence in 1024 00:48:21,370 --> 00:48:24,610 the region . And on the , on the last 1025 00:48:24,610 --> 00:48:26,832 part of your question . Uh I appreciate 1026 00:48:26,832 --> 00:48:28,943 the question , but I just don't share 1027 00:48:28,943 --> 00:48:32,060 its its premise uh at all first . And 1028 00:48:32,070 --> 00:48:34,126 to reiterate and emphasize something 1029 00:48:34,126 --> 00:48:35,848 that I think we've all said in 1030 00:48:35,848 --> 00:48:38,050 different ways this evening . Um We've 1031 00:48:38,050 --> 00:48:41,760 been in Afghanistan militarily for 20 1032 00:48:41,760 --> 00:48:44,930 years , but to equate support for 1033 00:48:44,930 --> 00:48:48,610 Afghanistan solely to our military 1034 00:48:48,960 --> 00:48:52,760 presence and engagement , I think it 1035 00:48:52,770 --> 00:48:54,826 is wrong . And as we've made clear , 1036 00:48:54,826 --> 00:48:56,992 even as we bring our forces home after 1037 00:48:56,992 --> 00:49:00,560 20 years and after they achieved the 1038 00:49:00,560 --> 00:49:03,430 objective For which they went there to 1039 00:49:03,430 --> 00:49:05,652 deal with the people who attacked us on 1040 00:49:05,652 --> 00:49:08,480 9 11 and to ensure that Afghanistan 1041 00:49:08,480 --> 00:49:10,820 would not again become a base for 1042 00:49:10,820 --> 00:49:12,931 terrorism directed against any of our 1043 00:49:12,931 --> 00:49:16,590 countries . Uh huh Even as we do that , 1044 00:49:17,370 --> 00:49:20,430 we remain committed to Afghanistan . We 1045 00:49:20,430 --> 00:49:22,374 remain committed to the diplomatic 1046 00:49:22,374 --> 00:49:24,319 effort to bring the Afghan parties 1047 00:49:24,319 --> 00:49:26,400 together to try to find a peaceful 1048 00:49:26,400 --> 00:49:28,880 settlement to the conflict . We remain 1049 00:49:28,880 --> 00:49:31,980 committed to assisting the country with 1050 00:49:31,990 --> 00:49:34,101 development assistance , humanitarian 1051 00:49:34,101 --> 00:49:36,101 assistance , support for the Afghan 1052 00:49:36,101 --> 00:49:38,750 national Security forces um and all of 1053 00:49:38,750 --> 00:49:42,710 that will endure um with regard 1054 00:49:42,710 --> 00:49:46,590 to Ukraine again , what we're deeply 1055 00:49:46,590 --> 00:49:49,390 concerned about what we're seeing about 1056 00:49:49,400 --> 00:49:52,090 Russia's ongoing aggressive actions , 1057 00:49:52,570 --> 00:49:55,660 rhetoric directed at Ukraine . And as I 1058 00:49:55,660 --> 00:49:57,980 said , what was striking today was 1059 00:49:57,990 --> 00:50:01,590 every single ally expressed the same 1060 00:50:01,590 --> 00:50:04,330 concerns . We're watching very closely 1061 00:50:04,340 --> 00:50:06,660 as we we see very credible reports of 1062 00:50:06,660 --> 00:50:10,050 this Troop build up in occupied Crimea 1063 00:50:10,050 --> 00:50:12,272 and around Ukraine's borders that as we 1064 00:50:12,272 --> 00:50:14,494 said , are now at levels not seen since 1065 00:50:14,494 --> 00:50:17,410 Russia's invasion in 2014 . So we are 1066 00:50:17,410 --> 00:50:19,880 right to be concerned about that . We 1067 00:50:19,880 --> 00:50:21,936 know what happened last time . We've 1068 00:50:21,936 --> 00:50:24,580 also seen uh continued attacks by 1069 00:50:24,590 --> 00:50:26,479 Russian led forces at the line of 1070 00:50:26,479 --> 00:50:28,920 contact in eastern Ukraine that at 1071 00:50:28,920 --> 00:50:30,750 least as of This morning , that 1072 00:50:30,750 --> 00:50:33,230 resulted in 12 Ukrainian personnel 1073 00:50:33,230 --> 00:50:36,110 killed since since the last week in 1074 00:50:36,110 --> 00:50:38,680 March . And meanwhile , Ukraine has 1075 00:50:38,680 --> 00:50:41,430 demonstrated I think real restraint in 1076 00:50:41,430 --> 00:50:43,374 the faith , excuse me , of Russian 1077 00:50:43,374 --> 00:50:46,640 provocations . So that's why we're 1078 00:50:46,640 --> 00:50:48,473 focused on this , that's why the 1079 00:50:48,473 --> 00:50:51,180 alliance is concerned and we are united 1080 00:50:51,180 --> 00:50:53,291 in that concern . Let me just add the 1081 00:50:53,291 --> 00:50:55,124 11 point because I do think it's 1082 00:50:55,124 --> 00:50:57,124 important um uh with with regard to 1083 00:50:57,124 --> 00:51:00,670 Russia , um , we 1084 00:51:00,680 --> 00:51:04,520 uh would prefer a 1085 00:51:04,570 --> 00:51:07,240 stable and predictable relationship 1086 00:51:07,250 --> 00:51:10,070 with Russia and that in turn 1087 00:51:10,760 --> 00:51:13,790 requires open lines of communication to 1088 00:51:13,790 --> 00:51:17,280 be very clear about our views 1089 00:51:17,290 --> 00:51:19,070 about our policies , about our 1090 00:51:19,070 --> 00:51:22,950 objections to Russia's actions . And 1091 00:51:22,960 --> 00:51:24,682 that's also important to avoid 1092 00:51:24,682 --> 00:51:26,738 miscalculations . And that's exactly 1093 00:51:26,738 --> 00:51:28,849 what you saw yesterday with President 1094 00:51:28,849 --> 00:51:31,270 biden picking up the phone , calling 1095 00:51:31,270 --> 00:51:34,060 President Putin and also proposing that 1096 00:51:34,060 --> 00:51:37,490 they need in the in the weeks ahead . 1097 00:51:38,060 --> 00:51:41,600 So we are very focused on this , 1098 00:51:42,560 --> 00:51:44,782 on this challenge . And it's one that I 1099 00:51:44,782 --> 00:51:47,220 think is shared across the entire lines . 1100 00:51:48,060 --> 00:51:50,560 So this concludes this press conference . 1101 00:51:50,570 --> 00:51:53,890 Thank you . Thank you .