WEBVTT 00:08.540 --> 00:10.596 Good afternoon . We are now starting 00:10.596 --> 00:12.900 the press conference today at the 00:12.910 --> 00:15.750 Ministry of National Defense . We held 00:15.760 --> 00:18.540 a meeting between the United States 00:18.540 --> 00:21.240 Secretary of Defense , Mr Lloyd Austin 00:21.250 --> 00:23.660 and the Lithuanian Minister for Foreign 00:24.040 --> 00:28.000 lost confidence for those 00:28.000 --> 00:29.750 confidential minister 00:32.860 --> 00:35.150 Minister actual mind 00:39.530 --> 00:43.190 colleagues . Mr Secretary . It is a 00:43.190 --> 00:46.780 very joyful day . We're very pleased to 00:46.780 --> 00:50.250 welcome the U . S . 00:50.260 --> 00:52.570 Secretary of Defense here in Vilnius in 00:52.570 --> 00:55.670 Lithuania . We probably wouldn't find a 00:55.670 --> 00:58.910 more important day than this that was 00:58.910 --> 01:01.840 chosen for the Secretary's visit . 01:01.850 --> 01:04.990 We're facing an unprecedented situation 01:05.050 --> 01:08.630 where Russia has built has 01:08.640 --> 01:12.250 mobilized More than 130,000 01:12.250 --> 01:15.730 troops near the Ukrainian border and in 01:15.730 --> 01:19.060 Belarus . And this situation is a 01:19.070 --> 01:21.710 direct threat , a direct military 01:21.720 --> 01:25.180 threat to Ukraine , but it also poses a 01:25.180 --> 01:26.960 threat to the entire region . 01:28.340 --> 01:31.660 Russia is ready to 01:33.140 --> 01:36.610 rewrite the european security 01:36.610 --> 01:39.500 architecture . The architecture which 01:39.500 --> 01:42.750 was based on agreements on treaties and 01:42.750 --> 01:46.660 on diplomacy . Russia 01:47.240 --> 01:50.810 is showing that it is 01:50.810 --> 01:54.160 choosing the way that is based on force 01:54.940 --> 01:58.700 And this way to countries such as 01:58.700 --> 02:00.770 Lithuania , Latvia and Estonia is 02:00.770 --> 02:04.190 especially dangerous one because our 02:04.190 --> 02:06.760 security depends on 02:07.140 --> 02:09.570 keeping our agreements . 02:10.540 --> 02:12.770 Therefore , today we need to send a 02:12.780 --> 02:16.480 very clear and unambiguous signal to 02:16.480 --> 02:19.880 Russia and say that 02:20.840 --> 02:24.780 rewriting a europe's security 02:24.790 --> 02:28.260 architecture will not go unnoticed by 02:28.270 --> 02:31.350 NATO and the 02:32.140 --> 02:35.290 rewritten security 02:35.300 --> 02:38.920 order will be faced by a very 02:38.920 --> 02:41.890 clear and strong response . That 02:41.890 --> 02:43.800 response will be given to Russia 02:43.810 --> 02:47.320 through sanctions response will be 02:47.320 --> 02:49.300 given to Ukraine in the form of 02:49.310 --> 02:50.260 assistance . 02:52.040 --> 02:55.760 And we also 02:55.770 --> 02:58.650 discussed today that the Baltic 02:58.650 --> 03:01.430 countries are also expecting a response . 03:01.440 --> 03:04.280 We expect stronger assistance and 03:04.290 --> 03:07.800 additional capabilities to protect the 03:07.800 --> 03:09.360 three Baltic countries . 03:11.540 --> 03:15.150 And at the end , I can 03:15.150 --> 03:16.550 say that 03:20.040 --> 03:23.950 we should leave a space at the 03:23.950 --> 03:27.370 table of diplomacy to those who want to 03:27.370 --> 03:31.300 be at that table . Um but 03:31.310 --> 03:34.590 we should also , but if that's seat at 03:34.590 --> 03:36.646 the table remains empty , we need to 03:36.646 --> 03:38.590 state clearly that we are ready to 03:38.590 --> 03:40.312 defend ourselves . Thank you . 03:45.340 --> 03:47.173 Well , good afternoon everyone . 03:47.900 --> 03:51.840 Minister Landsbergis . I want to thank 03:51.840 --> 03:53.900 you for hosting me today and please 03:53.900 --> 03:57.720 pass along my best wishes wishes to 03:57.730 --> 04:00.750 minister a new caucus . Ah 04:01.340 --> 04:04.040 and my regrets that he couldn't join us 04:04.040 --> 04:06.340 today and I hope I wish him a speedy 04:06.340 --> 04:09.520 recovery . I'm very happy to be in 04:09.520 --> 04:12.810 Vilnius on my first trip to this region 04:12.810 --> 04:15.610 as Secretary of Defense . And I'm glad 04:15.610 --> 04:18.560 that our colleagues from Estonia and 04:18.560 --> 04:21.030 Latvia will be able to join us a bit 04:21.030 --> 04:25.010 later as well . For months now , Russia 04:25.020 --> 04:26.909 has been building up its military 04:26.909 --> 04:28.960 forces in and around Ukraine , 04:29.840 --> 04:33.270 including in Belarus . They're 04:33.280 --> 04:37.260 uncoiling and are now poised to 04:37.260 --> 04:41.040 strike and that's exactly why 04:41.040 --> 04:43.960 why I'm here today . I want everyone in 04:43.960 --> 04:46.960 Lithuania Estonia 04:48.090 --> 04:50.880 in Latvia to know and I want President 04:50.880 --> 04:53.850 Putin and the Kremlin to know that the 04:53.850 --> 04:55.906 United States of America stands with 04:55.906 --> 04:59.610 our allies as I made clear in 04:59.610 --> 05:01.700 brussels this week , we take our 05:01.700 --> 05:04.060 obligations to NATO into our allies 05:04.060 --> 05:07.330 seriously . Our commitment to Article 05:07.330 --> 05:09.950 five is our ironclad . 05:12.340 --> 05:14.507 We have sent additional U . S . Forces 05:14.507 --> 05:18.110 eastward to reinforce NATO allies and 05:18.110 --> 05:20.054 we have thousands on call ready to 05:20.054 --> 05:23.060 deploy if NATO activates its response 05:23.060 --> 05:26.450 forces and we're grateful to Lithuania 05:26.450 --> 05:29.310 for hosting several 100 U . S . Troops 05:29.310 --> 05:32.550 here . A posture that I believe is 05:32.550 --> 05:35.730 important . Together we are 05:35.740 --> 05:39.310 improving our combined readiness and 05:39.320 --> 05:43.020 adding to NATO's deterrence and 05:43.020 --> 05:46.660 defense capabilities . We're also 05:46.660 --> 05:49.560 dedicated to working with our partners 05:49.570 --> 05:52.380 in the Ukrainian armed forces to 05:52.380 --> 05:54.400 further strengthen their defense 05:54.400 --> 05:58.300 capabilities . And for years we've been 05:58.300 --> 06:00.440 working closely with Lithuania and 06:00.440 --> 06:03.710 other allies and partners to support 06:03.720 --> 06:07.210 Ukrainian defense reform and to enhance 06:07.600 --> 06:10.260 Ukraine's ability to defend itself . 06:12.050 --> 06:14.050 I'm pleased that other nations have 06:14.050 --> 06:17.080 stepped up to assist Ukraine now in his 06:17.080 --> 06:20.940 time of need not only Lithuania but 06:20.940 --> 06:24.760 also Estonia , Latvia and Poland 06:26.140 --> 06:27.960 have demonstrated leadership by 06:27.960 --> 06:30.030 providing anti air and anti armor 06:30.030 --> 06:33.330 capabilities to Ukraine . Your 06:33.340 --> 06:37.300 actions speak volumes rather 06:37.300 --> 06:40.550 than sowing division among allies which 06:40.560 --> 06:42.850 we know Mr Putin would like to see 06:44.340 --> 06:48.270 NATO has shored up its defense and 06:48.270 --> 06:51.960 deterrence posture . Russia's actions 06:51.960 --> 06:55.190 have only further united . The alliance 06:56.440 --> 06:58.662 that's Mr Putin says he doesn't want to 06:58.662 --> 07:00.829 see a strong NATO on his western flank 07:00.829 --> 07:04.040 and as I've said before that is exactly 07:04.050 --> 07:07.290 what he's getting . But 07:07.290 --> 07:10.980 conflict is not inevitable . Mr Putin 07:10.980 --> 07:13.920 can choose a different path . The 07:13.920 --> 07:16.510 United States in lock step with our 07:16.510 --> 07:19.960 allies and partners have offered him an 07:19.960 --> 07:22.320 opportunity to pursue a diplomatic 07:22.320 --> 07:25.350 solution . We hope that he takes , 07:26.940 --> 07:28.940 we hope that he steps back from the 07:28.940 --> 07:31.760 brink of conflict and we hope that he 07:31.760 --> 07:35.060 de escalates no matter what . 07:37.240 --> 07:39.380 The United States will stand with our 07:39.380 --> 07:42.960 allies and partners and together 07:43.740 --> 07:46.350 we will work to overcome any challenge . 07:47.140 --> 07:49.510 two European European Peace and 07:49.510 --> 07:51.990 Stability . Thank you . And now we'll 07:51.990 --> 07:53.601 take a couple of questions . 07:56.440 --> 07:58.260 Thank you there Secretary 08:01.590 --> 08:04.160 will now have time for questions and 08:04.160 --> 08:06.382 this press press conference we're going 08:06.382 --> 08:08.890 to have four questions will be asked by 08:08.890 --> 08:11.112 the Lithuanian media and two by the U . 08:11.112 --> 08:13.223 S . Media . So you are now welcome to 08:13.223 --> 08:15.334 ask your questions when you are given 08:15.334 --> 08:17.223 the microphone , please introduce 08:17.223 --> 08:19.279 yourself , interrogate the media you 08:19.279 --> 08:21.590 are representing and please and tell us 08:21.590 --> 08:23.701 who you're addressing . Your question 08:23.701 --> 08:27.290 to my name is still working 08:31.740 --> 08:35.560 and for Defense Secretary regarding um 08:36.140 --> 08:39.010 the news possible additional american 08:39.020 --> 08:41.160 capabilities here . The Iranian 08:41.160 --> 08:43.290 president yesterday we met with Vice 08:43.290 --> 08:47.170 President Harris in Munich and said us 08:47.170 --> 08:49.120 is considering to reinforce Baltic 08:49.120 --> 08:51.580 states and that he expects the decision 08:51.580 --> 08:54.650 soon after the meeting with you today . 08:54.660 --> 08:56.420 He said he expects the U . S . 08:56.420 --> 08:58.490 Permanent rotation of the italian on 08:58.490 --> 09:01.200 the Iranian soul . So and Minister 09:01.210 --> 09:04.390 Landsberg has just said that he expects 09:04.390 --> 09:07.760 additional someone questions will be . 09:08.540 --> 09:10.540 Did you make the decision yet ? And 09:10.540 --> 09:14.510 what kind of reinforcements ? And 09:14.510 --> 09:18.150 the question for the Minister do you 09:18.150 --> 09:20.360 think that war in your brain is 09:20.370 --> 09:24.340 inevitable ? Well thanks for 09:24.340 --> 09:27.960 your question . As I said , we are very 09:27.970 --> 09:31.700 grateful for Lithuania's 09:31.700 --> 09:34.800 tremendous hospitality in hosting the 09:34.800 --> 09:36.578 hundreds of troops that we have 09:36.578 --> 09:39.540 currently working here and training 09:39.540 --> 09:42.990 here ? I don't have any announcements 09:42.990 --> 09:44.768 to make today in terms of troop 09:44.768 --> 09:48.470 presence . But as I said , I've been 09:48.470 --> 09:52.120 saying all along we will continue to 09:52.130 --> 09:55.910 assess uh situations and 09:55.910 --> 09:58.460 and consult with our with our allies 09:58.840 --> 10:02.830 and as a security environment evolves , 10:02.830 --> 10:04.941 will will consult with our allies and 10:04.941 --> 10:07.920 and and make any necessary adjustments . 10:07.920 --> 10:10.190 But again , no announcements to make 10:10.190 --> 10:11.190 today . 10:14.940 --> 10:17.460 I will answer in english . Um 10:19.240 --> 10:21.960 the war is always avoidable 10:24.940 --> 10:27.940 what is up to Russia now and mr Putin 10:27.940 --> 10:30.960 to decide which path he wants to choose 10:33.440 --> 10:35.660 upon . The intelligence that we have 10:37.200 --> 10:40.370 that was shared with us and based on 10:40.370 --> 10:44.060 the already public announcements by 10:44.060 --> 10:46.116 several political leaders across the 10:46.116 --> 10:49.760 globe ? It is clear that Russia has all 10:49.760 --> 10:52.610 the capacity that it needs in order to 10:52.610 --> 10:55.860 wage full scale war against Ukraine ? 10:58.440 --> 11:01.760 So to answer your question , they are 11:01.760 --> 11:04.460 ready but they can go back . 11:10.340 --> 11:12.260 Thank you special . 11:14.540 --> 11:16.484 Thank you . Next question please . 11:16.484 --> 11:18.707 President Biden said last night that he 11:18.707 --> 11:21.610 believed and made a decision to invade 11:21.610 --> 11:23.443 Ukraine . You just said that you 11:23.443 --> 11:25.830 thought it was uncoiling and was was 11:25.830 --> 11:28.350 poisoned strike . But also always hoped 11:28.350 --> 11:30.517 that he might not go through with it . 11:30.517 --> 11:32.739 Isn't there a contradiction there ? You 11:32.739 --> 11:35.160 know ? And also if you do believe he's 11:35.160 --> 11:37.350 poison strike , can you give us some 11:37.350 --> 11:39.350 insight when you think that's gonna 11:39.350 --> 11:42.950 happen Day or two away 11:43.540 --> 11:46.140 and two into the Minister Yves called 11:46.140 --> 11:47.973 from our Union U . S . Troops to 11:47.973 --> 11:50.029 strengthen the Baltic defenses . How 11:50.029 --> 11:51.973 many you think are required , What 11:51.973 --> 11:54.251 kinds of capabilities should they have ? 11:54.251 --> 11:56.473 Should it be permanent ? And and on the 11:56.473 --> 11:58.560 product , you know , how would the 11:58.560 --> 12:00.820 Russian invasion of Ukraine change the 12:00.820 --> 12:02.987 calculus , the security assumptions in 12:02.987 --> 12:06.840 the Baltic states . First of all , in 12:06.840 --> 12:10.460 terms of questions in terms of timing , 12:11.240 --> 12:14.750 we said all along that that he has the 12:14.750 --> 12:17.450 capability in the area 12:18.390 --> 12:22.060 to move any time that he chooses 12:22.940 --> 12:26.560 now . I agree with with President Biden 12:27.040 --> 12:29.260 that he has made his decision . And if 12:29.260 --> 12:33.140 you just look at what what what 12:33.150 --> 12:35.372 we're looking at in the in the region , 12:35.372 --> 12:37.330 they're significant combat forces 12:37.340 --> 12:39.620 forward . Those forces are now 12:39.620 --> 12:42.560 beginning to uncoil and move closer to 12:43.210 --> 12:46.880 to the border and that facilitates 12:46.890 --> 12:50.860 their onward movement . Um and the type 12:50.860 --> 12:52.916 of forces not only combat forces but 12:52.916 --> 12:56.860 logistics , combat aviation , 12:57.240 --> 12:59.780 um field hospitals , all those things 12:59.780 --> 13:02.210 are in the command and control nodes , 13:02.220 --> 13:04.420 all those things are are in the area . 13:04.430 --> 13:08.200 And so having done this before , I can 13:08.200 --> 13:11.840 tell you that that is exactly what you 13:11.840 --> 13:15.150 need and then to to attack and the and 13:15.150 --> 13:17.206 the stance that you need to be in to 13:17.206 --> 13:19.950 attack . Now whether or not that's in 13:22.740 --> 13:26.350 in opposition to us continuing to try 13:26.350 --> 13:29.900 to uh pursue a diplomatic solution . I 13:29.900 --> 13:32.180 don't think so And Phil I would point 13:32.180 --> 13:35.940 to you that back in 1994 we were 13:35.940 --> 13:39.230 poised conduct an operation into Haiti 13:39.240 --> 13:41.440 And Lieutenant Colonel Austin was 13:41.450 --> 13:43.561 actually in an airplane with the 82nd 13:43.561 --> 13:45.672 Airborne Division with a parachute on 13:45.672 --> 13:47.783 his back about ready to jump in . And 13:47.783 --> 13:50.560 we were airborne And somehow in the in 13:50.660 --> 13:53.800 en route a diplomatic solution was 13:53.800 --> 13:57.410 reached . Uh and and we turn that that 13:57.410 --> 14:01.150 operation around . So I believe that we 14:01.150 --> 14:03.530 should continue to try up until the 14:03.540 --> 14:05.740 very last minute until it's no longer 14:05.740 --> 14:09.370 possible . But I think I think if you 14:09.370 --> 14:11.426 look at the stance that he is in the 14:11.426 --> 14:14.020 day , uh it's apparent that he has made 14:14.020 --> 14:16.040 a decision and that they're they're 14:16.050 --> 14:18.272 they're moving into the right positions 14:18.272 --> 14:20.250 to be able to conduct an attack . 14:23.640 --> 14:25.751 Well , I mentioned that in my initial 14:25.751 --> 14:28.300 remarks that what we are seeing is not 14:28.300 --> 14:31.660 just yet another 14:32.140 --> 14:35.360 Russian Possible active 14:35.360 --> 14:37.360 aggressions of the light that we've 14:37.360 --> 14:40.160 seen since 2008 and then later in 2014 . 14:40.540 --> 14:42.707 But it's actually they're rewriting of 14:42.707 --> 14:46.250 the european security order . Therefore , 14:47.240 --> 14:50.980 our our reaction is also not 14:50.980 --> 14:52.980 just what is happening on Ukrainian 14:52.980 --> 14:56.930 border , but how the region is starting 14:56.930 --> 14:59.263 to look and it's already very different . 14:59.263 --> 15:01.400 The troop build up in Belarus is 15:01.410 --> 15:03.490 directly threatening to to the whole 15:03.490 --> 15:05.712 region , to the countries of the Baltic 15:05.712 --> 15:08.520 countries Poland ah And therefore we 15:08.520 --> 15:11.160 have to be very , very serious , not 15:11.170 --> 15:13.226 just about the deterrence , but also 15:13.226 --> 15:15.114 about the possible possibility of 15:15.114 --> 15:17.350 defense . Ah And we have to show that 15:17.350 --> 15:21.000 we are ready in case Russia 15:21.070 --> 15:24.680 builds on its supposed successes 15:25.050 --> 15:27.790 and we're ready to defend the Baltic 15:27.790 --> 15:29.901 states and Poland and other countries 15:29.901 --> 15:33.540 in the region ? Well the numbers are 15:33.550 --> 15:37.300 tactical issue And I think that 15:37.310 --> 15:41.250 after the 2014 when Ukraine was first 15:41.260 --> 15:44.370 attacked , the Baltic region was 15:44.370 --> 15:47.750 reinforced with Katrina was reinforced 15:47.750 --> 15:49.750 with additional U . S . Troops with 15:49.750 --> 15:51.917 german troops , other Baltic countries 15:51.917 --> 15:55.570 with other allies . And I think we are 15:55.580 --> 15:57.691 already at the point where we have to 15:57.691 --> 16:01.150 tell um the 16:01.160 --> 16:04.040 adversary that we are reinforcing 16:04.050 --> 16:07.150 Baltic countries that this is already a 16:07.160 --> 16:09.104 reaction that this this is already 16:09.104 --> 16:11.327 happening . That there is a reaction to 16:11.327 --> 16:13.160 what what he started when Russia 16:13.160 --> 16:13.060 started . 16:17.110 --> 16:19.166 That's just about christmas . Thanks 16:19.166 --> 16:23.130 for this responsive . I'm just 16:23.130 --> 16:25.360 following up on I'm saying 16:27.140 --> 16:30.060 I liked what Mr president said perfect 16:30.500 --> 16:32.740 tensions to escalate towards war in 16:32.740 --> 16:35.270 Ukraine . And what Russians made clear 16:35.270 --> 16:37.550 in their answers to the United States 16:37.940 --> 16:41.150 that basically they respect us opinion 16:41.160 --> 16:43.216 most of all not NATO but the U . S . 16:43.216 --> 16:45.327 Opinion and they don't want US forces 16:45.327 --> 16:47.810 here in the region at all . The love in 16:47.810 --> 16:50.480 Lithuanian just wondering where does us 16:50.480 --> 16:52.690 stand here ? Would you support 16:52.690 --> 16:55.400 Lithuanian expectations to see not just 16:55.400 --> 16:58.160 reinforcements but permanent presence 16:58.620 --> 17:00.550 in the Ukrainian like in Poland . 17:00.560 --> 17:02.560 Especially given what you mentioned 17:02.560 --> 17:04.393 about Belarusian factor with the 17:04.393 --> 17:07.330 Russian force posture there with 30,000 17:07.330 --> 17:09.440 troops with 100 clips from here ? 17:09.450 --> 17:11.394 Little airport now . They deployed 17:11.394 --> 17:14.050 helicopters there yesterday or would 17:14.050 --> 17:16.500 you just be content with support units 17:16.510 --> 17:19.700 like NATO PFP group is doing in the and 17:19.700 --> 17:21.589 other multi countries sending air 17:21.589 --> 17:24.250 defense artillery et cetera just to 17:24.260 --> 17:27.420 enable your battalion based in 17:27.420 --> 17:30.320 Lithuania to cooperate more effectively . 17:30.330 --> 17:32.386 And second question if I may just to 17:32.386 --> 17:34.552 clarify one thing that both Russia and 17:34.552 --> 17:36.719 the United States seems to be at least 17:36.719 --> 17:39.330 eager to talk about and maybe to to to 17:39.330 --> 17:41.540 agree upon is on principle control 17:41.800 --> 17:44.860 control specifically the range missiles 17:45.340 --> 17:47.451 um deployment in europe . Now U . S . 17:47.451 --> 17:49.673 And NATO have officially indicated that 17:49.673 --> 17:51.730 those missiles would be deployed to 17:51.740 --> 17:54.850 europe . Um ridiculous clarity . Is 17:54.860 --> 17:56.450 that still the plan to move 17:56.450 --> 17:59.370 conventional ? I have focused on a 17:59.370 --> 18:02.490 range missiles obviously to europe . If 18:02.490 --> 18:04.660 Russia moves forward with headlands 18:04.670 --> 18:06.960 against Ukraine or is that still a 18:06.960 --> 18:10.210 negotiating table . So what makes you 18:10.220 --> 18:12.580 trust Russians if they violated the N . 18:12.580 --> 18:14.358 F . Treaty in the first place ? 18:17.540 --> 18:19.429 So just to recap here , the first 18:19.429 --> 18:21.596 question is whether or not we're gonna 18:21.740 --> 18:24.830 we're gonna position forces here on a 18:24.830 --> 18:26.886 permanent basis if we're considering 18:26.886 --> 18:29.840 that because of the signal that that 18:29.840 --> 18:32.870 sends to Russia . And the second 18:32.870 --> 18:36.160 question is I heard you was whether or 18:36.160 --> 18:38.660 not we are we intend to revisit 18:39.840 --> 18:42.770 inf issues if Russia um 18:43.140 --> 18:45.990 attacks on the first issue . Again , 18:45.990 --> 18:49.110 I'm I don't have any announcements to 18:49.110 --> 18:50.660 make today in terms of 18:52.740 --> 18:55.980 permanent basing of forces . These are 18:55.980 --> 18:59.350 things that that we continue to 18:59.360 --> 19:02.640 assess . I would like to leave you with 19:02.650 --> 19:05.870 two things on this issue . Number one , 19:05.880 --> 19:08.300 we consider Lithuania to be an 19:08.300 --> 19:11.850 incredibly important partner . Number 19:11.850 --> 19:15.730 two , we are absolutely committed to 19:15.730 --> 19:19.200 Article five and so any attack 19:19.200 --> 19:22.450 against Lithuania is an is an attack 19:22.450 --> 19:25.560 against us all . And so 19:26.440 --> 19:28.710 you and your countrymen should rest 19:28.710 --> 19:31.390 assured that our president , it's 19:31.390 --> 19:33.730 absolutely serious about about his 19:33.730 --> 19:37.030 statements there . And the 19:37.030 --> 19:39.850 second regarding a second question , in 19:39.850 --> 19:43.360 terms of whether or not we would 19:46.640 --> 19:49.500 entertain any changes to the 19:49.510 --> 19:53.370 positioning of nuclear forces . I don't 19:53.370 --> 19:54.926 want to get involved in any 19:54.926 --> 19:58.460 hypotheticals . But again , if and when 19:58.940 --> 20:02.640 uh when he attacks and I think uh you 20:02.640 --> 20:05.320 know , us and all of our allies , all 20:05.320 --> 20:07.487 of our NATO allies and all of the rest 20:07.487 --> 20:09.653 of our european partners in the region 20:09.840 --> 20:11.951 really have to kind of take a look at 20:11.951 --> 20:14.062 what the strategic set now looks like 20:14.062 --> 20:17.060 and what's necessary to ensure that 20:17.440 --> 20:19.460 that we're able to deter , but most 20:19.460 --> 20:23.400 importantly defend uh NATO countries 20:23.410 --> 20:26.050 should something happen ? So , again , 20:26.050 --> 20:28.800 these are very as you know , very 20:28.810 --> 20:31.980 complex matters . Certainly things that 20:31.980 --> 20:35.970 we would not entertain uh in a vacuum , 20:35.980 --> 20:38.091 things that we would consult with our 20:38.091 --> 20:41.070 allies and partners on . But I won't I 20:41.070 --> 20:44.560 won't address any hypotheticals today . 20:49.590 --> 20:51.950 And the last 4th question . Okay , 20:53.440 --> 20:55.384 thank you both for doing this . Mr 20:55.384 --> 20:57.273 Secretary , the President said he 20:57.273 --> 21:00.710 believes that Russia target . So have 21:00.710 --> 21:03.080 you ordered us troops to help us 21:03.090 --> 21:05.800 diplomatic presence move to or 21:05.800 --> 21:08.200 elsewhere ? Uh and then can I get your 21:08.200 --> 21:10.890 reaction to Russia's nuclear drills 21:10.900 --> 21:12.950 that are happening today . And then 21:12.950 --> 21:15.330 also um Mr Minister , you said 21:15.330 --> 21:17.386 something about the Baltic countries 21:17.386 --> 21:19.108 expecting a response . Can you 21:19.108 --> 21:21.219 elaborate what response from Russia ? 21:21.219 --> 21:23.441 Are you expecting as you look at what's 21:23.441 --> 21:25.552 going on in Belarus and in and around 21:25.552 --> 21:27.740 Ukraine ? And then specifically when 21:27.740 --> 21:29.796 you talk about reinforcements , what 21:29.796 --> 21:32.060 military capability ? No state 21:34.840 --> 21:38.180 Thanks carla . On the first question 21:38.190 --> 21:41.860 regarding um protection of 21:43.440 --> 21:47.320 U . S . Citizens and Kiev . Number one , 21:47.320 --> 21:50.160 the president has been clear about the 21:50.160 --> 21:52.630 fact that we don't he does not intend 21:52.630 --> 21:55.170 to introduce us forces into Ukraine . 21:58.040 --> 22:01.060 On the second question back on that 22:01.060 --> 22:04.410 question , Secretary of State Blinken 22:04.410 --> 22:08.030 has been very emphatic most 22:08.030 --> 22:11.140 recently here warning american citizens 22:11.140 --> 22:14.220 that now is the time to leave . And we 22:14.230 --> 22:16.480 and we'll continue to do that . And we 22:16.480 --> 22:20.140 hope that american citizens will take 22:20.140 --> 22:23.790 he um on the second question 22:23.790 --> 22:27.270 regarding the strategic forces exercise 22:27.270 --> 22:30.770 that we're currently seeing um 22:32.740 --> 22:35.730 The concerning issue is that Putin now 22:35.730 --> 22:39.270 has 150,000 or so forces 22:40.710 --> 22:44.020 deployed in the in the border region of 22:44.020 --> 22:47.000 Ukraine and forces in Belarus as well . 22:47.010 --> 22:50.010 This has created a lot of tension that 22:50.010 --> 22:52.060 we're trying to resolve through 22:52.060 --> 22:54.970 diplomacy and we're asking him to 22:54.970 --> 22:56.914 deescalate . But the management of 22:56.914 --> 23:00.270 those forces and you know , the 23:00.270 --> 23:03.050 prevention of accidental 23:05.240 --> 23:08.670 events occurring is difficult when you 23:08.670 --> 23:10.837 have that many forces that are kind of 23:10.837 --> 23:12.948 leaning forward when you layer on top 23:12.948 --> 23:15.880 of that a very sophisticated uh 23:15.890 --> 23:19.410 exercise with strategic nuclear forces ? 23:19.420 --> 23:22.310 Uh that makes things complicated to a 23:22.310 --> 23:25.770 degree that you could have an accident 23:26.140 --> 23:28.660 or a mistake that that that could be 23:28.660 --> 23:31.920 made . And so it would make sense to 23:31.920 --> 23:34.680 try to separate those uh , those two 23:34.690 --> 23:37.870 events if at all possible . But uh , 23:37.880 --> 23:40.160 that does create concerned not only 23:40.170 --> 23:42.840 with me but with all of my my my 23:42.840 --> 23:46.290 colleagues around the globe . So we'll 23:46.290 --> 23:47.623 see what happens here . 23:51.640 --> 23:53.960 He and ST 23:56.640 --> 24:00.570 the safety . Well , we always 24:00.570 --> 24:03.180 do an assessment of the situation . We 24:03.180 --> 24:06.450 always have plans to if it 24:07.040 --> 24:09.510 if the indicators and warnings are such 24:09.510 --> 24:11.610 that , you know , we need to move 24:11.610 --> 24:14.060 people to uh , you know , out of the 24:14.060 --> 24:16.420 country from that location , then we'll 24:16.420 --> 24:19.560 do that . And I can guarantee you that 24:19.560 --> 24:22.950 our diplomats , our military personnel 24:22.960 --> 24:25.300 have drilled this very , very hard and 24:25.300 --> 24:28.430 so based upon the great information 24:28.430 --> 24:30.541 that our intel community is providing 24:30.541 --> 24:32.763 us , uh , we believe that we'll be able 24:32.763 --> 24:34.708 to make we'll be able to see those 24:34.708 --> 24:37.041 indications and warning and take action . 24:38.340 --> 24:41.860 They call it the cosmos . That 24:46.240 --> 24:48.296 I've I've said in my initial remarks 24:48.296 --> 24:50.450 that we are , 24:51.340 --> 24:54.500 what we are seeing . He is 24:55.740 --> 24:59.610 that one of them motives behind Putin's 24:59.610 --> 25:02.350 actions currently could be his 25:02.940 --> 25:05.820 What he would see as successes from the 25:05.830 --> 25:08.960 previous incursions in 2014 and 2008 . 25:09.340 --> 25:11.500 That means that in his calculations , 25:11.510 --> 25:13.566 it is a possibility that the Western 25:13.566 --> 25:16.950 reaction was to too 25:16.950 --> 25:20.570 slow and too too small for him 25:20.570 --> 25:24.460 to be stopped . That 25:24.470 --> 25:26.526 that means that he's building on his 25:26.526 --> 25:28.900 previous successes . And if he would 25:28.900 --> 25:31.940 believe that his current activity is 25:31.950 --> 25:35.900 also successful , then uh if you 25:35.900 --> 25:37.956 ask yourself a question , then who's 25:37.956 --> 25:39.900 next ? Who's who could be the next 25:39.900 --> 25:42.580 target ? And this is why you see so 25:42.580 --> 25:46.400 many words , people and in here 25:46.790 --> 25:49.540 in Lithuania , because that's a natural 25:49.540 --> 25:51.596 progression . Therefore , you know , 25:51.596 --> 25:53.720 when we're saying that the battle for 25:53.720 --> 25:57.430 Ukraine is the battle for europe . If 25:57.430 --> 25:59.430 he's not stopped there , he will go 25:59.430 --> 26:03.100 further . And so we cannot 26:03.110 --> 26:06.360 let Putin has this success . 26:07.440 --> 26:09.660 Ukraine needs to be helped . 26:10.440 --> 26:14.320 And I'm I'm grateful that 26:14.320 --> 26:16.930 with the US administration's assistance , 26:16.940 --> 26:20.640 we are doing our part in here in 26:20.640 --> 26:24.100 Lithuania and other Baltic states . We 26:24.110 --> 26:26.540 count ourselves as an example what 26:26.540 --> 26:28.630 needs to be done . And we hope that 26:28.630 --> 26:30.519 other countries would follow this 26:30.519 --> 26:32.686 example . But to add to that , we need 26:32.686 --> 26:36.030 to make sure that he sees that his 26:36.040 --> 26:38.207 actions are creating a response in the 26:38.207 --> 26:40.410 Baltic region as well . And we are 26:40.410 --> 26:44.260 reinforced , were strengthened and we 26:44.260 --> 26:46.900 do not allow him to even think about 26:46.900 --> 26:50.360 looking this this direction . If we're 26:50.360 --> 26:53.350 talking about specifics , we had a 26:53.350 --> 26:56.950 conversation , we shared some ideas 26:56.950 --> 27:00.570 about which sectors could be reinforced 27:00.580 --> 27:03.880 the most but most of the time we're 27:03.880 --> 27:07.340 talking about permanent troops presence , 27:07.350 --> 27:09.740 permanent U . S troop presence here in 27:09.740 --> 27:11.351 the territory of Lithuania . 27:17.220 --> 27:19.442 Thank you . Thank you very much . Thank 27:19.442 --> 27:22.270 you everyone for the questions . Okay , 27:22.840 --> 27:24.840 thank you . The press conference is 27:24.840 --> 27:26.270 over . Mhm .