1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:08,540 --> 00:00:10,596 Good afternoon . We are now starting 3 00:00:10,596 --> 00:00:12,900 the press conference today at the 4 00:00:12,910 --> 00:00:15,750 Ministry of National Defense . We held 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,540 a meeting between the United States 6 00:00:18,540 --> 00:00:21,240 Secretary of Defense , Mr Lloyd Austin 7 00:00:21,250 --> 00:00:23,660 and the Lithuanian Minister for Foreign 8 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:28,000 lost confidence for those 9 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:29,750 confidential minister 10 00:00:32,860 --> 00:00:35,150 Minister actual mind 11 00:00:39,530 --> 00:00:43,190 colleagues . Mr Secretary . It is a 12 00:00:43,190 --> 00:00:46,780 very joyful day . We're very pleased to 13 00:00:46,780 --> 00:00:50,250 welcome the U . S . 14 00:00:50,260 --> 00:00:52,570 Secretary of Defense here in Vilnius in 15 00:00:52,570 --> 00:00:55,670 Lithuania . We probably wouldn't find a 16 00:00:55,670 --> 00:00:58,910 more important day than this that was 17 00:00:58,910 --> 00:01:01,840 chosen for the Secretary's visit . 18 00:01:01,850 --> 00:01:04,990 We're facing an unprecedented situation 19 00:01:05,050 --> 00:01:08,630 where Russia has built has 20 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:12,250 mobilized More than 130,000 21 00:01:12,250 --> 00:01:15,730 troops near the Ukrainian border and in 22 00:01:15,730 --> 00:01:19,060 Belarus . And this situation is a 23 00:01:19,070 --> 00:01:21,710 direct threat , a direct military 24 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:25,180 threat to Ukraine , but it also poses a 25 00:01:25,180 --> 00:01:26,960 threat to the entire region . 26 00:01:28,340 --> 00:01:31,660 Russia is ready to 27 00:01:33,140 --> 00:01:36,610 rewrite the european security 28 00:01:36,610 --> 00:01:39,500 architecture . The architecture which 29 00:01:39,500 --> 00:01:42,750 was based on agreements on treaties and 30 00:01:42,750 --> 00:01:46,660 on diplomacy . Russia 31 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:50,810 is showing that it is 32 00:01:50,810 --> 00:01:54,160 choosing the way that is based on force 33 00:01:54,940 --> 00:01:58,700 And this way to countries such as 34 00:01:58,700 --> 00:02:00,770 Lithuania , Latvia and Estonia is 35 00:02:00,770 --> 00:02:04,190 especially dangerous one because our 36 00:02:04,190 --> 00:02:06,760 security depends on 37 00:02:07,140 --> 00:02:09,570 keeping our agreements . 38 00:02:10,540 --> 00:02:12,770 Therefore , today we need to send a 39 00:02:12,780 --> 00:02:16,480 very clear and unambiguous signal to 40 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,880 Russia and say that 41 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:24,780 rewriting a europe's security 42 00:02:24,790 --> 00:02:28,260 architecture will not go unnoticed by 43 00:02:28,270 --> 00:02:31,350 NATO and the 44 00:02:32,140 --> 00:02:35,290 rewritten security 45 00:02:35,300 --> 00:02:38,920 order will be faced by a very 46 00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:41,890 clear and strong response . That 47 00:02:41,890 --> 00:02:43,800 response will be given to Russia 48 00:02:43,810 --> 00:02:47,320 through sanctions response will be 49 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:49,300 given to Ukraine in the form of 50 00:02:49,310 --> 00:02:50,260 assistance . 51 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:55,760 And we also 52 00:02:55,770 --> 00:02:58,650 discussed today that the Baltic 53 00:02:58,650 --> 00:03:01,430 countries are also expecting a response . 54 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:04,280 We expect stronger assistance and 55 00:03:04,290 --> 00:03:07,800 additional capabilities to protect the 56 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:09,360 three Baltic countries . 57 00:03:11,540 --> 00:03:15,150 And at the end , I can 58 00:03:15,150 --> 00:03:16,550 say that 59 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:23,950 we should leave a space at the 60 00:03:23,950 --> 00:03:27,370 table of diplomacy to those who want to 61 00:03:27,370 --> 00:03:31,300 be at that table . Um but 62 00:03:31,310 --> 00:03:34,590 we should also , but if that's seat at 63 00:03:34,590 --> 00:03:36,646 the table remains empty , we need to 64 00:03:36,646 --> 00:03:38,590 state clearly that we are ready to 65 00:03:38,590 --> 00:03:40,312 defend ourselves . Thank you . 66 00:03:45,340 --> 00:03:47,173 Well , good afternoon everyone . 67 00:03:47,900 --> 00:03:51,840 Minister Landsbergis . I want to thank 68 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:53,900 you for hosting me today and please 69 00:03:53,900 --> 00:03:57,720 pass along my best wishes wishes to 70 00:03:57,730 --> 00:04:00,750 minister a new caucus . Ah 71 00:04:01,340 --> 00:04:04,040 and my regrets that he couldn't join us 72 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:06,340 today and I hope I wish him a speedy 73 00:04:06,340 --> 00:04:09,520 recovery . I'm very happy to be in 74 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:12,810 Vilnius on my first trip to this region 75 00:04:12,810 --> 00:04:15,610 as Secretary of Defense . And I'm glad 76 00:04:15,610 --> 00:04:18,560 that our colleagues from Estonia and 77 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:21,030 Latvia will be able to join us a bit 78 00:04:21,030 --> 00:04:25,010 later as well . For months now , Russia 79 00:04:25,020 --> 00:04:26,909 has been building up its military 80 00:04:26,909 --> 00:04:28,960 forces in and around Ukraine , 81 00:04:29,840 --> 00:04:33,270 including in Belarus . They're 82 00:04:33,280 --> 00:04:37,260 uncoiling and are now poised to 83 00:04:37,260 --> 00:04:41,040 strike and that's exactly why 84 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:43,960 why I'm here today . I want everyone in 85 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:46,960 Lithuania Estonia 86 00:04:48,090 --> 00:04:50,880 in Latvia to know and I want President 87 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:53,850 Putin and the Kremlin to know that the 88 00:04:53,850 --> 00:04:55,906 United States of America stands with 89 00:04:55,906 --> 00:04:59,610 our allies as I made clear in 90 00:04:59,610 --> 00:05:01,700 brussels this week , we take our 91 00:05:01,700 --> 00:05:04,060 obligations to NATO into our allies 92 00:05:04,060 --> 00:05:07,330 seriously . Our commitment to Article 93 00:05:07,330 --> 00:05:09,950 five is our ironclad . 94 00:05:12,340 --> 00:05:14,507 We have sent additional U . S . Forces 95 00:05:14,507 --> 00:05:18,110 eastward to reinforce NATO allies and 96 00:05:18,110 --> 00:05:20,054 we have thousands on call ready to 97 00:05:20,054 --> 00:05:23,060 deploy if NATO activates its response 98 00:05:23,060 --> 00:05:26,450 forces and we're grateful to Lithuania 99 00:05:26,450 --> 00:05:29,310 for hosting several 100 U . S . Troops 100 00:05:29,310 --> 00:05:32,550 here . A posture that I believe is 101 00:05:32,550 --> 00:05:35,730 important . Together we are 102 00:05:35,740 --> 00:05:39,310 improving our combined readiness and 103 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:43,020 adding to NATO's deterrence and 104 00:05:43,020 --> 00:05:46,660 defense capabilities . We're also 105 00:05:46,660 --> 00:05:49,560 dedicated to working with our partners 106 00:05:49,570 --> 00:05:52,380 in the Ukrainian armed forces to 107 00:05:52,380 --> 00:05:54,400 further strengthen their defense 108 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:58,300 capabilities . And for years we've been 109 00:05:58,300 --> 00:06:00,440 working closely with Lithuania and 110 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,710 other allies and partners to support 111 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:07,210 Ukrainian defense reform and to enhance 112 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:10,260 Ukraine's ability to defend itself . 113 00:06:12,050 --> 00:06:14,050 I'm pleased that other nations have 114 00:06:14,050 --> 00:06:17,080 stepped up to assist Ukraine now in his 115 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:20,940 time of need not only Lithuania but 116 00:06:20,940 --> 00:06:24,760 also Estonia , Latvia and Poland 117 00:06:26,140 --> 00:06:27,960 have demonstrated leadership by 118 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,030 providing anti air and anti armor 119 00:06:30,030 --> 00:06:33,330 capabilities to Ukraine . Your 120 00:06:33,340 --> 00:06:37,300 actions speak volumes rather 121 00:06:37,300 --> 00:06:40,550 than sowing division among allies which 122 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:42,850 we know Mr Putin would like to see 123 00:06:44,340 --> 00:06:48,270 NATO has shored up its defense and 124 00:06:48,270 --> 00:06:51,960 deterrence posture . Russia's actions 125 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:55,190 have only further united . The alliance 126 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:58,662 that's Mr Putin says he doesn't want to 127 00:06:58,662 --> 00:07:00,829 see a strong NATO on his western flank 128 00:07:00,829 --> 00:07:04,040 and as I've said before that is exactly 129 00:07:04,050 --> 00:07:07,290 what he's getting . But 130 00:07:07,290 --> 00:07:10,980 conflict is not inevitable . Mr Putin 131 00:07:10,980 --> 00:07:13,920 can choose a different path . The 132 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,510 United States in lock step with our 133 00:07:16,510 --> 00:07:19,960 allies and partners have offered him an 134 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:22,320 opportunity to pursue a diplomatic 135 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:25,350 solution . We hope that he takes , 136 00:07:26,940 --> 00:07:28,940 we hope that he steps back from the 137 00:07:28,940 --> 00:07:31,760 brink of conflict and we hope that he 138 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:35,060 de escalates no matter what . 139 00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:39,380 The United States will stand with our 140 00:07:39,380 --> 00:07:42,960 allies and partners and together 141 00:07:43,740 --> 00:07:46,350 we will work to overcome any challenge . 142 00:07:47,140 --> 00:07:49,510 two European European Peace and 143 00:07:49,510 --> 00:07:51,990 Stability . Thank you . And now we'll 144 00:07:51,990 --> 00:07:53,601 take a couple of questions . 145 00:07:56,440 --> 00:07:58,260 Thank you there Secretary 146 00:08:01,590 --> 00:08:04,160 will now have time for questions and 147 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:06,382 this press press conference we're going 148 00:08:06,382 --> 00:08:08,890 to have four questions will be asked by 149 00:08:08,890 --> 00:08:11,112 the Lithuanian media and two by the U . 150 00:08:11,112 --> 00:08:13,223 S . Media . So you are now welcome to 151 00:08:13,223 --> 00:08:15,334 ask your questions when you are given 152 00:08:15,334 --> 00:08:17,223 the microphone , please introduce 153 00:08:17,223 --> 00:08:19,279 yourself , interrogate the media you 154 00:08:19,279 --> 00:08:21,590 are representing and please and tell us 155 00:08:21,590 --> 00:08:23,701 who you're addressing . Your question 156 00:08:23,701 --> 00:08:27,290 to my name is still working 157 00:08:31,740 --> 00:08:35,560 and for Defense Secretary regarding um 158 00:08:36,140 --> 00:08:39,010 the news possible additional american 159 00:08:39,020 --> 00:08:41,160 capabilities here . The Iranian 160 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:43,290 president yesterday we met with Vice 161 00:08:43,290 --> 00:08:47,170 President Harris in Munich and said us 162 00:08:47,170 --> 00:08:49,120 is considering to reinforce Baltic 163 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:51,580 states and that he expects the decision 164 00:08:51,580 --> 00:08:54,650 soon after the meeting with you today . 165 00:08:54,660 --> 00:08:56,420 He said he expects the U . S . 166 00:08:56,420 --> 00:08:58,490 Permanent rotation of the italian on 167 00:08:58,490 --> 00:09:01,200 the Iranian soul . So and Minister 168 00:09:01,210 --> 00:09:04,390 Landsberg has just said that he expects 169 00:09:04,390 --> 00:09:07,760 additional someone questions will be . 170 00:09:08,540 --> 00:09:10,540 Did you make the decision yet ? And 171 00:09:10,540 --> 00:09:14,510 what kind of reinforcements ? And 172 00:09:14,510 --> 00:09:18,150 the question for the Minister do you 173 00:09:18,150 --> 00:09:20,360 think that war in your brain is 174 00:09:20,370 --> 00:09:24,340 inevitable ? Well thanks for 175 00:09:24,340 --> 00:09:27,960 your question . As I said , we are very 176 00:09:27,970 --> 00:09:31,700 grateful for Lithuania's 177 00:09:31,700 --> 00:09:34,800 tremendous hospitality in hosting the 178 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:36,578 hundreds of troops that we have 179 00:09:36,578 --> 00:09:39,540 currently working here and training 180 00:09:39,540 --> 00:09:42,990 here ? I don't have any announcements 181 00:09:42,990 --> 00:09:44,768 to make today in terms of troop 182 00:09:44,768 --> 00:09:48,470 presence . But as I said , I've been 183 00:09:48,470 --> 00:09:52,120 saying all along we will continue to 184 00:09:52,130 --> 00:09:55,910 assess uh situations and 185 00:09:55,910 --> 00:09:58,460 and consult with our with our allies 186 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:02,830 and as a security environment evolves , 187 00:10:02,830 --> 00:10:04,941 will will consult with our allies and 188 00:10:04,941 --> 00:10:07,920 and and make any necessary adjustments . 189 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:10,190 But again , no announcements to make 190 00:10:10,190 --> 00:10:11,190 today . 191 00:10:14,940 --> 00:10:17,460 I will answer in english . Um 192 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:21,960 the war is always avoidable 193 00:10:24,940 --> 00:10:27,940 what is up to Russia now and mr Putin 194 00:10:27,940 --> 00:10:30,960 to decide which path he wants to choose 195 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:35,660 upon . The intelligence that we have 196 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:40,370 that was shared with us and based on 197 00:10:40,370 --> 00:10:44,060 the already public announcements by 198 00:10:44,060 --> 00:10:46,116 several political leaders across the 199 00:10:46,116 --> 00:10:49,760 globe ? It is clear that Russia has all 200 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:52,610 the capacity that it needs in order to 201 00:10:52,610 --> 00:10:55,860 wage full scale war against Ukraine ? 202 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:01,760 So to answer your question , they are 203 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:04,460 ready but they can go back . 204 00:11:10,340 --> 00:11:12,260 Thank you special . 205 00:11:14,540 --> 00:11:16,484 Thank you . Next question please . 206 00:11:16,484 --> 00:11:18,707 President Biden said last night that he 207 00:11:18,707 --> 00:11:21,610 believed and made a decision to invade 208 00:11:21,610 --> 00:11:23,443 Ukraine . You just said that you 209 00:11:23,443 --> 00:11:25,830 thought it was uncoiling and was was 210 00:11:25,830 --> 00:11:28,350 poisoned strike . But also always hoped 211 00:11:28,350 --> 00:11:30,517 that he might not go through with it . 212 00:11:30,517 --> 00:11:32,739 Isn't there a contradiction there ? You 213 00:11:32,739 --> 00:11:35,160 know ? And also if you do believe he's 214 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:37,350 poison strike , can you give us some 215 00:11:37,350 --> 00:11:39,350 insight when you think that's gonna 216 00:11:39,350 --> 00:11:42,950 happen Day or two away 217 00:11:43,540 --> 00:11:46,140 and two into the Minister Yves called 218 00:11:46,140 --> 00:11:47,973 from our Union U . S . Troops to 219 00:11:47,973 --> 00:11:50,029 strengthen the Baltic defenses . How 220 00:11:50,029 --> 00:11:51,973 many you think are required , What 221 00:11:51,973 --> 00:11:54,251 kinds of capabilities should they have ? 222 00:11:54,251 --> 00:11:56,473 Should it be permanent ? And and on the 223 00:11:56,473 --> 00:11:58,560 product , you know , how would the 224 00:11:58,560 --> 00:12:00,820 Russian invasion of Ukraine change the 225 00:12:00,820 --> 00:12:02,987 calculus , the security assumptions in 226 00:12:02,987 --> 00:12:06,840 the Baltic states . First of all , in 227 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:10,460 terms of questions in terms of timing , 228 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:14,750 we said all along that that he has the 229 00:12:14,750 --> 00:12:17,450 capability in the area 230 00:12:18,390 --> 00:12:22,060 to move any time that he chooses 231 00:12:22,940 --> 00:12:26,560 now . I agree with with President Biden 232 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:29,260 that he has made his decision . And if 233 00:12:29,260 --> 00:12:33,140 you just look at what what what 234 00:12:33,150 --> 00:12:35,372 we're looking at in the in the region , 235 00:12:35,372 --> 00:12:37,330 they're significant combat forces 236 00:12:37,340 --> 00:12:39,620 forward . Those forces are now 237 00:12:39,620 --> 00:12:42,560 beginning to uncoil and move closer to 238 00:12:43,210 --> 00:12:46,880 to the border and that facilitates 239 00:12:46,890 --> 00:12:50,860 their onward movement . Um and the type 240 00:12:50,860 --> 00:12:52,916 of forces not only combat forces but 241 00:12:52,916 --> 00:12:56,860 logistics , combat aviation , 242 00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:59,780 um field hospitals , all those things 243 00:12:59,780 --> 00:13:02,210 are in the command and control nodes , 244 00:13:02,220 --> 00:13:04,420 all those things are are in the area . 245 00:13:04,430 --> 00:13:08,200 And so having done this before , I can 246 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:11,840 tell you that that is exactly what you 247 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:15,150 need and then to to attack and the and 248 00:13:15,150 --> 00:13:17,206 the stance that you need to be in to 249 00:13:17,206 --> 00:13:19,950 attack . Now whether or not that's in 250 00:13:22,740 --> 00:13:26,350 in opposition to us continuing to try 251 00:13:26,350 --> 00:13:29,900 to uh pursue a diplomatic solution . I 252 00:13:29,900 --> 00:13:32,180 don't think so And Phil I would point 253 00:13:32,180 --> 00:13:35,940 to you that back in 1994 we were 254 00:13:35,940 --> 00:13:39,230 poised conduct an operation into Haiti 255 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:41,440 And Lieutenant Colonel Austin was 256 00:13:41,450 --> 00:13:43,561 actually in an airplane with the 82nd 257 00:13:43,561 --> 00:13:45,672 Airborne Division with a parachute on 258 00:13:45,672 --> 00:13:47,783 his back about ready to jump in . And 259 00:13:47,783 --> 00:13:50,560 we were airborne And somehow in the in 260 00:13:50,660 --> 00:13:53,800 en route a diplomatic solution was 261 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:57,410 reached . Uh and and we turn that that 262 00:13:57,410 --> 00:14:01,150 operation around . So I believe that we 263 00:14:01,150 --> 00:14:03,530 should continue to try up until the 264 00:14:03,540 --> 00:14:05,740 very last minute until it's no longer 265 00:14:05,740 --> 00:14:09,370 possible . But I think I think if you 266 00:14:09,370 --> 00:14:11,426 look at the stance that he is in the 267 00:14:11,426 --> 00:14:14,020 day , uh it's apparent that he has made 268 00:14:14,020 --> 00:14:16,040 a decision and that they're they're 269 00:14:16,050 --> 00:14:18,272 they're moving into the right positions 270 00:14:18,272 --> 00:14:20,250 to be able to conduct an attack . 271 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:25,751 Well , I mentioned that in my initial 272 00:14:25,751 --> 00:14:28,300 remarks that what we are seeing is not 273 00:14:28,300 --> 00:14:31,660 just yet another 274 00:14:32,140 --> 00:14:35,360 Russian Possible active 275 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:37,360 aggressions of the light that we've 276 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:40,160 seen since 2008 and then later in 2014 . 277 00:14:40,540 --> 00:14:42,707 But it's actually they're rewriting of 278 00:14:42,707 --> 00:14:46,250 the european security order . Therefore , 279 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:50,980 our our reaction is also not 280 00:14:50,980 --> 00:14:52,980 just what is happening on Ukrainian 281 00:14:52,980 --> 00:14:56,930 border , but how the region is starting 282 00:14:56,930 --> 00:14:59,263 to look and it's already very different . 283 00:14:59,263 --> 00:15:01,400 The troop build up in Belarus is 284 00:15:01,410 --> 00:15:03,490 directly threatening to to the whole 285 00:15:03,490 --> 00:15:05,712 region , to the countries of the Baltic 286 00:15:05,712 --> 00:15:08,520 countries Poland ah And therefore we 287 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:11,160 have to be very , very serious , not 288 00:15:11,170 --> 00:15:13,226 just about the deterrence , but also 289 00:15:13,226 --> 00:15:15,114 about the possible possibility of 290 00:15:15,114 --> 00:15:17,350 defense . Ah And we have to show that 291 00:15:17,350 --> 00:15:21,000 we are ready in case Russia 292 00:15:21,070 --> 00:15:24,680 builds on its supposed successes 293 00:15:25,050 --> 00:15:27,790 and we're ready to defend the Baltic 294 00:15:27,790 --> 00:15:29,901 states and Poland and other countries 295 00:15:29,901 --> 00:15:33,540 in the region ? Well the numbers are 296 00:15:33,550 --> 00:15:37,300 tactical issue And I think that 297 00:15:37,310 --> 00:15:41,250 after the 2014 when Ukraine was first 298 00:15:41,260 --> 00:15:44,370 attacked , the Baltic region was 299 00:15:44,370 --> 00:15:47,750 reinforced with Katrina was reinforced 300 00:15:47,750 --> 00:15:49,750 with additional U . S . Troops with 301 00:15:49,750 --> 00:15:51,917 german troops , other Baltic countries 302 00:15:51,917 --> 00:15:55,570 with other allies . And I think we are 303 00:15:55,580 --> 00:15:57,691 already at the point where we have to 304 00:15:57,691 --> 00:16:01,150 tell um the 305 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:04,040 adversary that we are reinforcing 306 00:16:04,050 --> 00:16:07,150 Baltic countries that this is already a 307 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:09,104 reaction that this this is already 308 00:16:09,104 --> 00:16:11,327 happening . That there is a reaction to 309 00:16:11,327 --> 00:16:13,160 what what he started when Russia 310 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:13,060 started . 311 00:16:17,110 --> 00:16:19,166 That's just about christmas . Thanks 312 00:16:19,166 --> 00:16:23,130 for this responsive . I'm just 313 00:16:23,130 --> 00:16:25,360 following up on I'm saying 314 00:16:27,140 --> 00:16:30,060 I liked what Mr president said perfect 315 00:16:30,500 --> 00:16:32,740 tensions to escalate towards war in 316 00:16:32,740 --> 00:16:35,270 Ukraine . And what Russians made clear 317 00:16:35,270 --> 00:16:37,550 in their answers to the United States 318 00:16:37,940 --> 00:16:41,150 that basically they respect us opinion 319 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:43,216 most of all not NATO but the U . S . 320 00:16:43,216 --> 00:16:45,327 Opinion and they don't want US forces 321 00:16:45,327 --> 00:16:47,810 here in the region at all . The love in 322 00:16:47,810 --> 00:16:50,480 Lithuanian just wondering where does us 323 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:52,690 stand here ? Would you support 324 00:16:52,690 --> 00:16:55,400 Lithuanian expectations to see not just 325 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:58,160 reinforcements but permanent presence 326 00:16:58,620 --> 00:17:00,550 in the Ukrainian like in Poland . 327 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:02,560 Especially given what you mentioned 328 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:04,393 about Belarusian factor with the 329 00:17:04,393 --> 00:17:07,330 Russian force posture there with 30,000 330 00:17:07,330 --> 00:17:09,440 troops with 100 clips from here ? 331 00:17:09,450 --> 00:17:11,394 Little airport now . They deployed 332 00:17:11,394 --> 00:17:14,050 helicopters there yesterday or would 333 00:17:14,050 --> 00:17:16,500 you just be content with support units 334 00:17:16,510 --> 00:17:19,700 like NATO PFP group is doing in the and 335 00:17:19,700 --> 00:17:21,589 other multi countries sending air 336 00:17:21,589 --> 00:17:24,250 defense artillery et cetera just to 337 00:17:24,260 --> 00:17:27,420 enable your battalion based in 338 00:17:27,420 --> 00:17:30,320 Lithuania to cooperate more effectively . 339 00:17:30,330 --> 00:17:32,386 And second question if I may just to 340 00:17:32,386 --> 00:17:34,552 clarify one thing that both Russia and 341 00:17:34,552 --> 00:17:36,719 the United States seems to be at least 342 00:17:36,719 --> 00:17:39,330 eager to talk about and maybe to to to 343 00:17:39,330 --> 00:17:41,540 agree upon is on principle control 344 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:44,860 control specifically the range missiles 345 00:17:45,340 --> 00:17:47,451 um deployment in europe . Now U . S . 346 00:17:47,451 --> 00:17:49,673 And NATO have officially indicated that 347 00:17:49,673 --> 00:17:51,730 those missiles would be deployed to 348 00:17:51,740 --> 00:17:54,850 europe . Um ridiculous clarity . Is 349 00:17:54,860 --> 00:17:56,450 that still the plan to move 350 00:17:56,450 --> 00:17:59,370 conventional ? I have focused on a 351 00:17:59,370 --> 00:18:02,490 range missiles obviously to europe . If 352 00:18:02,490 --> 00:18:04,660 Russia moves forward with headlands 353 00:18:04,670 --> 00:18:06,960 against Ukraine or is that still a 354 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:10,210 negotiating table . So what makes you 355 00:18:10,220 --> 00:18:12,580 trust Russians if they violated the N . 356 00:18:12,580 --> 00:18:14,358 F . Treaty in the first place ? 357 00:18:17,540 --> 00:18:19,429 So just to recap here , the first 358 00:18:19,429 --> 00:18:21,596 question is whether or not we're gonna 359 00:18:21,740 --> 00:18:24,830 we're gonna position forces here on a 360 00:18:24,830 --> 00:18:26,886 permanent basis if we're considering 361 00:18:26,886 --> 00:18:29,840 that because of the signal that that 362 00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:32,870 sends to Russia . And the second 363 00:18:32,870 --> 00:18:36,160 question is I heard you was whether or 364 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:38,660 not we are we intend to revisit 365 00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:42,770 inf issues if Russia um 366 00:18:43,140 --> 00:18:45,990 attacks on the first issue . Again , 367 00:18:45,990 --> 00:18:49,110 I'm I don't have any announcements to 368 00:18:49,110 --> 00:18:50,660 make today in terms of 369 00:18:52,740 --> 00:18:55,980 permanent basing of forces . These are 370 00:18:55,980 --> 00:18:59,350 things that that we continue to 371 00:18:59,360 --> 00:19:02,640 assess . I would like to leave you with 372 00:19:02,650 --> 00:19:05,870 two things on this issue . Number one , 373 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:08,300 we consider Lithuania to be an 374 00:19:08,300 --> 00:19:11,850 incredibly important partner . Number 375 00:19:11,850 --> 00:19:15,730 two , we are absolutely committed to 376 00:19:15,730 --> 00:19:19,200 Article five and so any attack 377 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:22,450 against Lithuania is an is an attack 378 00:19:22,450 --> 00:19:25,560 against us all . And so 379 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:28,710 you and your countrymen should rest 380 00:19:28,710 --> 00:19:31,390 assured that our president , it's 381 00:19:31,390 --> 00:19:33,730 absolutely serious about about his 382 00:19:33,730 --> 00:19:37,030 statements there . And the 383 00:19:37,030 --> 00:19:39,850 second regarding a second question , in 384 00:19:39,850 --> 00:19:43,360 terms of whether or not we would 385 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:49,500 entertain any changes to the 386 00:19:49,510 --> 00:19:53,370 positioning of nuclear forces . I don't 387 00:19:53,370 --> 00:19:54,926 want to get involved in any 388 00:19:54,926 --> 00:19:58,460 hypotheticals . But again , if and when 389 00:19:58,940 --> 00:20:02,640 uh when he attacks and I think uh you 390 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:05,320 know , us and all of our allies , all 391 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:07,487 of our NATO allies and all of the rest 392 00:20:07,487 --> 00:20:09,653 of our european partners in the region 393 00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:11,951 really have to kind of take a look at 394 00:20:11,951 --> 00:20:14,062 what the strategic set now looks like 395 00:20:14,062 --> 00:20:17,060 and what's necessary to ensure that 396 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:19,460 that we're able to deter , but most 397 00:20:19,460 --> 00:20:23,400 importantly defend uh NATO countries 398 00:20:23,410 --> 00:20:26,050 should something happen ? So , again , 399 00:20:26,050 --> 00:20:28,800 these are very as you know , very 400 00:20:28,810 --> 00:20:31,980 complex matters . Certainly things that 401 00:20:31,980 --> 00:20:35,970 we would not entertain uh in a vacuum , 402 00:20:35,980 --> 00:20:38,091 things that we would consult with our 403 00:20:38,091 --> 00:20:41,070 allies and partners on . But I won't I 404 00:20:41,070 --> 00:20:44,560 won't address any hypotheticals today . 405 00:20:49,590 --> 00:20:51,950 And the last 4th question . Okay , 406 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:55,384 thank you both for doing this . Mr 407 00:20:55,384 --> 00:20:57,273 Secretary , the President said he 408 00:20:57,273 --> 00:21:00,710 believes that Russia target . So have 409 00:21:00,710 --> 00:21:03,080 you ordered us troops to help us 410 00:21:03,090 --> 00:21:05,800 diplomatic presence move to or 411 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:08,200 elsewhere ? Uh and then can I get your 412 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:10,890 reaction to Russia's nuclear drills 413 00:21:10,900 --> 00:21:12,950 that are happening today . And then 414 00:21:12,950 --> 00:21:15,330 also um Mr Minister , you said 415 00:21:15,330 --> 00:21:17,386 something about the Baltic countries 416 00:21:17,386 --> 00:21:19,108 expecting a response . Can you 417 00:21:19,108 --> 00:21:21,219 elaborate what response from Russia ? 418 00:21:21,219 --> 00:21:23,441 Are you expecting as you look at what's 419 00:21:23,441 --> 00:21:25,552 going on in Belarus and in and around 420 00:21:25,552 --> 00:21:27,740 Ukraine ? And then specifically when 421 00:21:27,740 --> 00:21:29,796 you talk about reinforcements , what 422 00:21:29,796 --> 00:21:32,060 military capability ? No state 423 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:38,180 Thanks carla . On the first question 424 00:21:38,190 --> 00:21:41,860 regarding um protection of 425 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:47,320 U . S . Citizens and Kiev . Number one , 426 00:21:47,320 --> 00:21:50,160 the president has been clear about the 427 00:21:50,160 --> 00:21:52,630 fact that we don't he does not intend 428 00:21:52,630 --> 00:21:55,170 to introduce us forces into Ukraine . 429 00:21:58,040 --> 00:22:01,060 On the second question back on that 430 00:22:01,060 --> 00:22:04,410 question , Secretary of State Blinken 431 00:22:04,410 --> 00:22:08,030 has been very emphatic most 432 00:22:08,030 --> 00:22:11,140 recently here warning american citizens 433 00:22:11,140 --> 00:22:14,220 that now is the time to leave . And we 434 00:22:14,230 --> 00:22:16,480 and we'll continue to do that . And we 435 00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:20,140 hope that american citizens will take 436 00:22:20,140 --> 00:22:23,790 he um on the second question 437 00:22:23,790 --> 00:22:27,270 regarding the strategic forces exercise 438 00:22:27,270 --> 00:22:30,770 that we're currently seeing um 439 00:22:32,740 --> 00:22:35,730 The concerning issue is that Putin now 440 00:22:35,730 --> 00:22:39,270 has 150,000 or so forces 441 00:22:40,710 --> 00:22:44,020 deployed in the in the border region of 442 00:22:44,020 --> 00:22:47,000 Ukraine and forces in Belarus as well . 443 00:22:47,010 --> 00:22:50,010 This has created a lot of tension that 444 00:22:50,010 --> 00:22:52,060 we're trying to resolve through 445 00:22:52,060 --> 00:22:54,970 diplomacy and we're asking him to 446 00:22:54,970 --> 00:22:56,914 deescalate . But the management of 447 00:22:56,914 --> 00:23:00,270 those forces and you know , the 448 00:23:00,270 --> 00:23:03,050 prevention of accidental 449 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:08,670 events occurring is difficult when you 450 00:23:08,670 --> 00:23:10,837 have that many forces that are kind of 451 00:23:10,837 --> 00:23:12,948 leaning forward when you layer on top 452 00:23:12,948 --> 00:23:15,880 of that a very sophisticated uh 453 00:23:15,890 --> 00:23:19,410 exercise with strategic nuclear forces ? 454 00:23:19,420 --> 00:23:22,310 Uh that makes things complicated to a 455 00:23:22,310 --> 00:23:25,770 degree that you could have an accident 456 00:23:26,140 --> 00:23:28,660 or a mistake that that that could be 457 00:23:28,660 --> 00:23:31,920 made . And so it would make sense to 458 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:34,680 try to separate those uh , those two 459 00:23:34,690 --> 00:23:37,870 events if at all possible . But uh , 460 00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:40,160 that does create concerned not only 461 00:23:40,170 --> 00:23:42,840 with me but with all of my my my 462 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:46,290 colleagues around the globe . So we'll 463 00:23:46,290 --> 00:23:47,623 see what happens here . 464 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:53,960 He and ST 465 00:23:56,640 --> 00:24:00,570 the safety . Well , we always 466 00:24:00,570 --> 00:24:03,180 do an assessment of the situation . We 467 00:24:03,180 --> 00:24:06,450 always have plans to if it 468 00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:09,510 if the indicators and warnings are such 469 00:24:09,510 --> 00:24:11,610 that , you know , we need to move 470 00:24:11,610 --> 00:24:14,060 people to uh , you know , out of the 471 00:24:14,060 --> 00:24:16,420 country from that location , then we'll 472 00:24:16,420 --> 00:24:19,560 do that . And I can guarantee you that 473 00:24:19,560 --> 00:24:22,950 our diplomats , our military personnel 474 00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:25,300 have drilled this very , very hard and 475 00:24:25,300 --> 00:24:28,430 so based upon the great information 476 00:24:28,430 --> 00:24:30,541 that our intel community is providing 477 00:24:30,541 --> 00:24:32,763 us , uh , we believe that we'll be able 478 00:24:32,763 --> 00:24:34,708 to make we'll be able to see those 479 00:24:34,708 --> 00:24:37,041 indications and warning and take action . 480 00:24:38,340 --> 00:24:41,860 They call it the cosmos . That 481 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:48,296 I've I've said in my initial remarks 482 00:24:48,296 --> 00:24:50,450 that we are , 483 00:24:51,340 --> 00:24:54,500 what we are seeing . He is 484 00:24:55,740 --> 00:24:59,610 that one of them motives behind Putin's 485 00:24:59,610 --> 00:25:02,350 actions currently could be his 486 00:25:02,940 --> 00:25:05,820 What he would see as successes from the 487 00:25:05,830 --> 00:25:08,960 previous incursions in 2014 and 2008 . 488 00:25:09,340 --> 00:25:11,500 That means that in his calculations , 489 00:25:11,510 --> 00:25:13,566 it is a possibility that the Western 490 00:25:13,566 --> 00:25:16,950 reaction was to too 491 00:25:16,950 --> 00:25:20,570 slow and too too small for him 492 00:25:20,570 --> 00:25:24,460 to be stopped . That 493 00:25:24,470 --> 00:25:26,526 that means that he's building on his 494 00:25:26,526 --> 00:25:28,900 previous successes . And if he would 495 00:25:28,900 --> 00:25:31,940 believe that his current activity is 496 00:25:31,950 --> 00:25:35,900 also successful , then uh if you 497 00:25:35,900 --> 00:25:37,956 ask yourself a question , then who's 498 00:25:37,956 --> 00:25:39,900 next ? Who's who could be the next 499 00:25:39,900 --> 00:25:42,580 target ? And this is why you see so 500 00:25:42,580 --> 00:25:46,400 many words , people and in here 501 00:25:46,790 --> 00:25:49,540 in Lithuania , because that's a natural 502 00:25:49,540 --> 00:25:51,596 progression . Therefore , you know , 503 00:25:51,596 --> 00:25:53,720 when we're saying that the battle for 504 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:57,430 Ukraine is the battle for europe . If 505 00:25:57,430 --> 00:25:59,430 he's not stopped there , he will go 506 00:25:59,430 --> 00:26:03,100 further . And so we cannot 507 00:26:03,110 --> 00:26:06,360 let Putin has this success . 508 00:26:07,440 --> 00:26:09,660 Ukraine needs to be helped . 509 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:14,320 And I'm I'm grateful that 510 00:26:14,320 --> 00:26:16,930 with the US administration's assistance , 511 00:26:16,940 --> 00:26:20,640 we are doing our part in here in 512 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:24,100 Lithuania and other Baltic states . We 513 00:26:24,110 --> 00:26:26,540 count ourselves as an example what 514 00:26:26,540 --> 00:26:28,630 needs to be done . And we hope that 515 00:26:28,630 --> 00:26:30,519 other countries would follow this 516 00:26:30,519 --> 00:26:32,686 example . But to add to that , we need 517 00:26:32,686 --> 00:26:36,030 to make sure that he sees that his 518 00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:38,207 actions are creating a response in the 519 00:26:38,207 --> 00:26:40,410 Baltic region as well . And we are 520 00:26:40,410 --> 00:26:44,260 reinforced , were strengthened and we 521 00:26:44,260 --> 00:26:46,900 do not allow him to even think about 522 00:26:46,900 --> 00:26:50,360 looking this this direction . If we're 523 00:26:50,360 --> 00:26:53,350 talking about specifics , we had a 524 00:26:53,350 --> 00:26:56,950 conversation , we shared some ideas 525 00:26:56,950 --> 00:27:00,570 about which sectors could be reinforced 526 00:27:00,580 --> 00:27:03,880 the most but most of the time we're 527 00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:07,340 talking about permanent troops presence , 528 00:27:07,350 --> 00:27:09,740 permanent U . S troop presence here in 529 00:27:09,740 --> 00:27:11,351 the territory of Lithuania . 530 00:27:17,220 --> 00:27:19,442 Thank you . Thank you very much . Thank 531 00:27:19,442 --> 00:27:22,270 you everyone for the questions . Okay , 532 00:27:22,840 --> 00:27:24,840 thank you . The press conference is 533 00:27:24,840 --> 00:27:26,270 over . Mhm .