1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:01,560 mm hmm . 2 00:00:17,340 --> 00:00:20,310 Okay . Just one quick note at the top 3 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:22,750 today , I think as you all saw 4 00:00:22,750 --> 00:00:25,050 following the NATO heads of state and 5 00:00:25,050 --> 00:00:27,660 government approval of defense plans . 6 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:30,740 Um the NATO supreme allied commander , 7 00:00:30,740 --> 00:00:32,629 europe general Walters released a 8 00:00:32,629 --> 00:00:34,629 statement . I think you've all seen 9 00:00:34,629 --> 00:00:36,573 this on the activation of the NATO 10 00:00:36,573 --> 00:00:38,740 response force . Um there's a historic 11 00:00:38,740 --> 00:00:40,740 nature to all of this . This is the 12 00:00:40,740 --> 00:00:42,573 first time that the alliance has 13 00:00:42,573 --> 00:00:44,796 employed these high readiness forces in 14 00:00:44,796 --> 00:00:47,018 a deterrence and defense role . So it's 15 00:00:47,018 --> 00:00:48,851 not an insignificant move by the 16 00:00:48,851 --> 00:00:51,073 alliance . This activation serves as an 17 00:00:51,073 --> 00:00:53,360 additional notice or warning order as 18 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:55,470 you guys are familiar with for the 19 00:00:55,470 --> 00:00:57,710 allies who contribute to the NATO 20 00:00:57,710 --> 00:00:59,950 response force . I'm not gonna have 21 00:00:59,950 --> 00:01:02,760 specifics for you today on 22 00:01:03,340 --> 00:01:06,860 units , timelines , schedules 23 00:01:07,740 --> 00:01:11,720 as NATO communicates , what it's going 24 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:13,950 to need from the United States , just 25 00:01:13,950 --> 00:01:16,117 like it will to other nations . Um and 26 00:01:16,117 --> 00:01:18,500 as they do that we will certainly be 27 00:01:18,500 --> 00:01:20,667 able to acknowledge and announce those 28 00:01:20,667 --> 00:01:22,889 U . S . Capabilities and units who will 29 00:01:22,889 --> 00:01:25,720 be going specifically as designated to 30 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:28,400 support the NATO mission and the NATO 31 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:31,940 response force . Now as we've also 32 00:01:31,940 --> 00:01:34,510 announced previously , the department 33 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:36,520 has placed a range of multi mission 34 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:38,631 units in the United States and europe 35 00:01:38,631 --> 00:01:40,909 on a heightened preparedness to deploy , 36 00:01:40,909 --> 00:01:42,742 which increases our readiness to 37 00:01:42,742 --> 00:01:44,853 provide for the U . S . Contributions 38 00:01:44,853 --> 00:01:46,853 to the NRF on a shorter tether than 39 00:01:46,853 --> 00:01:49,200 what we could do before with today's 40 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,250 activation notice by general Walters we 41 00:01:52,250 --> 00:01:55,070 stand ready if called upon by NATO to 42 00:01:55,070 --> 00:01:57,181 support the Nrf in the defense of the 43 00:01:57,181 --> 00:01:59,480 alliance and will absolutely do that . 44 00:01:59,490 --> 00:02:01,601 Uh and with that we'll take questions 45 00:02:01,601 --> 00:02:05,330 bob . Thank you john so 46 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:07,736 two things on that point , President 47 00:02:07,736 --> 00:02:10,220 biden just announced that he has 48 00:02:10,220 --> 00:02:12,331 ordered additional forces to europe . 49 00:02:12,420 --> 00:02:14,600 And is that part of what you just 50 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:17,460 described ? And the second question is 51 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:20,960 so NATO has activated a portion of the 52 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:24,570 rapid or the response force 53 00:02:26,340 --> 00:02:29,140 and you can't say how many troops the U . 54 00:02:29,140 --> 00:02:31,140 S . Will contribute to that because 55 00:02:31,140 --> 00:02:33,196 they haven't asked for any trip to . 56 00:02:33,196 --> 00:02:34,807 Yeah . So I think the in the 57 00:02:34,807 --> 00:02:36,973 president's statement , I think he was 58 00:02:36,973 --> 00:02:39,307 referring to his announcement yesterday . 59 00:02:39,307 --> 00:02:41,307 This was a readout of his call with 60 00:02:41,307 --> 00:02:42,973 President Zelensky and he was 61 00:02:42,973 --> 00:02:46,960 reiterating that uh what uh in that 62 00:02:46,970 --> 00:02:49,030 in that conversation he was pointing 63 00:02:49,030 --> 00:02:51,141 back to the announcement that he made 64 00:02:51,141 --> 00:02:52,752 yesterday . So I have no new 65 00:02:52,752 --> 00:02:54,863 announcements of force deployments to 66 00:02:54,863 --> 00:02:56,752 speak to today . Think about this 67 00:02:56,752 --> 00:02:59,090 activation a bit like you would an R . 68 00:02:59,090 --> 00:03:01,257 F . F . A request for forces . Right , 69 00:03:01,257 --> 00:03:03,890 so it's now been activated And so we'll 70 00:03:03,890 --> 00:03:06,140 be in direct consultations with NATO 71 00:03:06,140 --> 00:03:08,600 and general Walters in his sack your 72 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:10,800 hat to work through what their 73 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:13,820 requirements are gonna be for the NATO 74 00:03:13,820 --> 00:03:16,760 Response force and the very ready joint 75 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:20,010 Task force . And as I've said many 76 00:03:20,010 --> 00:03:23,560 times before , the secretary is very 77 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:25,504 very committed to making sure that 78 00:03:25,504 --> 00:03:28,760 whatever those requirements are uh that 79 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:30,704 the United States is ready to lean 80 00:03:30,704 --> 00:03:32,371 forward as much as possible . 81 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:34,551 Yesterday's announcement , you know , 82 00:03:34,551 --> 00:03:36,551 the 7000 . And we talked about as I 83 00:03:36,551 --> 00:03:40,220 also said yesterday uh portions of 84 00:03:40,220 --> 00:03:43,840 them are , we can 85 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:46,340 expect will be earmarked for the NATO 86 00:03:46,340 --> 00:03:49,370 response force . Again after we've 87 00:03:49,370 --> 00:03:51,592 consulted with general Walters and NATO 88 00:03:51,592 --> 00:03:53,759 and we understand what they need . But 89 00:03:53,759 --> 00:03:55,926 one of the reasons why President biden 90 00:03:56,340 --> 00:03:58,284 push them forward was so that they 91 00:03:58,284 --> 00:04:00,530 could be ready for just such a need and 92 00:04:00,540 --> 00:04:04,080 we wanted to get the clock going to to 93 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:06,550 get them to get them prepositioned if 94 00:04:06,550 --> 00:04:08,383 you will . So there's still some 95 00:04:08,383 --> 00:04:10,494 homework to be done , still some math 96 00:04:10,494 --> 00:04:12,828 that needs to be worked out . But again , 97 00:04:12,828 --> 00:04:14,939 the Secretary wanted to make sure and 98 00:04:14,939 --> 00:04:17,050 the President obviously wants to make 99 00:04:17,050 --> 00:04:16,770 sure that we're leaning as far forward 100 00:04:16,770 --> 00:04:20,730 as we can . I mean , 101 00:04:20,740 --> 00:04:23,470 it could , it could be um again , we're 102 00:04:23,470 --> 00:04:25,470 gonna , we're going to work closely 103 00:04:25,470 --> 00:04:27,581 with NATO and make sure that we fully 104 00:04:27,581 --> 00:04:29,637 understand what the requirements are 105 00:04:29,637 --> 00:04:31,859 from the United States perspective . Uh 106 00:04:31,859 --> 00:04:31,540 and then , and then we'll move forward . 107 00:04:31,550 --> 00:04:35,490 But the , but the um A good chunk of 108 00:04:35,490 --> 00:04:38,590 the 7000 we talked about yesterday , um 109 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:41,160 we believe will be earmarked 110 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:45,200 for NATO contributions . Again , if 111 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:47,350 it's , if it's deemed that they are 112 00:04:47,350 --> 00:04:49,406 needed , they are wanted and they're 113 00:04:49,406 --> 00:04:51,461 ready and if they aren't , well then 114 00:04:51,461 --> 00:04:53,406 they'll be used . They can be used 115 00:04:53,406 --> 00:04:55,461 unilaterally to support and reassure 116 00:04:55,461 --> 00:04:57,710 our allies for for the President for 117 00:04:57,710 --> 00:04:59,766 the and for the Secretary , this was 118 00:04:59,766 --> 00:05:02,043 very much about trying to lean forward . 119 00:05:02,043 --> 00:05:04,099 So I don't have any specifics to say 120 00:05:04,099 --> 00:05:06,266 today , specific units or timelines or 121 00:05:06,266 --> 00:05:08,321 schedules . Um , but I want to point 122 00:05:08,321 --> 00:05:10,543 back to what we said all along that the 123 00:05:10,543 --> 00:05:12,766 United States , we take this commitment 124 00:05:12,766 --> 00:05:14,766 very , very seriously and and we're 125 00:05:14,766 --> 00:05:16,821 gonna lean in as as much as we can . 126 00:05:16,821 --> 00:05:18,932 Okay . Part of criticism has been two 127 00:05:18,932 --> 00:05:21,099 days into the invasion . This was seen 128 00:05:21,099 --> 00:05:23,210 coming , you know , a couple of weeks 129 00:05:23,210 --> 00:05:25,154 ago . Why are there still such few 130 00:05:25,154 --> 00:05:27,432 details ? And if the need is so urgent , 131 00:05:27,870 --> 00:05:29,981 you know , they could roll in through 132 00:05:29,981 --> 00:05:32,130 Kiev in the coming days . Why not be 133 00:05:32,130 --> 00:05:34,190 able to give more details about what 134 00:05:34,190 --> 00:05:36,710 units are going , where you know what , 135 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:38,850 why aren't there ? I guess . I'm not 136 00:05:38,850 --> 00:05:40,961 sure what , I'm not sure what Russian 137 00:05:40,961 --> 00:05:43,072 operations in Kiev has to do with the 138 00:05:43,072 --> 00:05:44,890 timing of of of how soon we can 139 00:05:44,890 --> 00:05:48,390 identify units address . I if I , if I 140 00:05:48,390 --> 00:05:51,950 may very politely just uh 141 00:05:52,340 --> 00:05:54,451 challenged the premise here . We have 142 00:05:54,451 --> 00:05:56,673 been in the United States in particular 143 00:05:56,673 --> 00:05:58,840 has been very forward leaning in terms 144 00:05:58,840 --> 00:06:00,896 of reassuring allies . Um , and with 145 00:06:00,896 --> 00:06:03,118 each muscle movement , we've been right 146 00:06:03,118 --> 00:06:04,729 up here talking about it and 147 00:06:04,729 --> 00:06:06,896 identifying them to the , to the level 148 00:06:06,896 --> 00:06:09,007 of specificity that we can . Um as we 149 00:06:09,007 --> 00:06:12,570 did again yesterday . Um uh , 150 00:06:12,580 --> 00:06:15,210 but the way the process works in NATO 151 00:06:15,210 --> 00:06:17,321 is you have to approve a defense plan 152 00:06:17,321 --> 00:06:19,321 first and then the activation comes 153 00:06:19,321 --> 00:06:21,488 second that happened today . The heads 154 00:06:21,488 --> 00:06:24,740 of state approved defense plans , which 155 00:06:24,740 --> 00:06:27,830 then gave general Walters as secure the 156 00:06:27,830 --> 00:06:31,030 authorization , He needed to authorized 157 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:34,080 the activation of the NRF and then now 158 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:36,191 it goes to the nation's to fill those 159 00:06:36,191 --> 00:06:37,802 needs . But we have to be in 160 00:06:37,802 --> 00:06:40,024 consultation with NATO about what those 161 00:06:40,024 --> 00:06:42,358 needs are . Again , to my answer to bob , 162 00:06:42,358 --> 00:06:42,080 it's it's kind of , it's not unlike a 163 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:43,950 request for forces , it's just a 164 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:46,071 different process , but it's the same 165 00:06:46,071 --> 00:06:48,404 idea . So I don't think that , you know , 166 00:06:48,404 --> 00:06:50,460 we're not waiting on anything . As a 167 00:06:50,460 --> 00:06:52,571 matter of fact , quite the contrary , 168 00:06:52,571 --> 00:06:54,627 the secretary's orders authorized by 169 00:06:54,627 --> 00:06:56,793 the president yesterday actually put a 170 00:06:56,793 --> 00:06:58,960 good chunk of troops coming from . The 171 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:01,016 state's going to Europe so that they 172 00:07:01,016 --> 00:07:00,760 can be ready for just these kinds of 173 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:02,649 needs . Clarifications . How many 174 00:07:02,649 --> 00:07:04,704 troops are prepared to deploy orders 175 00:07:04,704 --> 00:07:07,230 now ? Is it still 8500 ? No , it's it's 176 00:07:07,230 --> 00:07:09,063 north of that and I've said that 177 00:07:09,063 --> 00:07:11,063 publicly before , it's several 1000 178 00:07:11,063 --> 00:07:13,119 more . Um north of the 8500 that was 179 00:07:13,119 --> 00:07:16,060 originally put on prepare to deploy gen 180 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:18,860 john President Lynskey has made a 181 00:07:18,860 --> 00:07:21,540 passionate appeal to the U . S . And 182 00:07:21,540 --> 00:07:23,990 NATO to set up a no fly zone over 183 00:07:23,990 --> 00:07:26,157 Ukraine . They have fought , as you've 184 00:07:26,157 --> 00:07:29,880 said valiantly on the ground , Russia 185 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,213 does not have air superiority right now , 186 00:07:32,213 --> 00:07:35,350 why not set up that no fly zone at 187 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,990 Ukraine's request . Uh look that's a 188 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:41,690 policy decision at the at the nation 189 00:07:41,690 --> 00:07:45,120 state level I um I haven't seen the 190 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:47,130 request that President Zelensky has 191 00:07:47,130 --> 00:07:50,890 made . Um I would just tell you 192 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:55,262 Syria where there are Russian warplanes 193 00:07:55,262 --> 00:07:57,429 there . it's been set up in the past , 194 00:07:57,429 --> 00:07:59,540 there's historical precedent for it . 195 00:07:59,540 --> 00:08:03,290 Why not unite NATO european nations to 196 00:08:03,290 --> 00:08:05,290 set up a no fly zone ? I would just 197 00:08:05,290 --> 00:08:08,260 tell you that that that would have to 198 00:08:08,260 --> 00:08:10,371 be a discussion inside the alliance . 199 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:13,207 The President has been very clear that 200 00:08:13,207 --> 00:08:15,373 U . S . Troops will not be fighting in 201 00:08:15,373 --> 00:08:17,460 Ukraine and that our focus is on 202 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:20,150 helping them defend themselves . And 203 00:08:20,150 --> 00:08:22,261 we've done that Uh and we're going to 204 00:08:22,261 --> 00:08:24,317 continue to look for ways to do that 205 00:08:24,317 --> 00:08:27,350 and to shore up our NATO allies and our 206 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:30,720 our defenses on on NATO territory . How 207 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:32,887 would you characterize the fighting in 208 00:08:32,887 --> 00:08:34,780 the last 36 hours in terms of the 209 00:08:34,780 --> 00:08:37,860 Ukrainian fighting and what Russia's 210 00:08:37,860 --> 00:08:39,916 experience ? Well , you know , I'm a 211 00:08:39,916 --> 00:08:42,138 little loath to get into a blow by blow 212 00:08:42,138 --> 00:08:43,971 here from the pentagon podium on 213 00:08:43,971 --> 00:08:46,138 operations that were not involved in . 214 00:08:46,330 --> 00:08:48,608 I would just tell you broadly speaking , 215 00:08:48,650 --> 00:08:49,920 that 216 00:08:52,540 --> 00:08:55,660 that we we see clear indications that 217 00:08:55,670 --> 00:08:57,892 the Ukrainian armed forces are fighting 218 00:08:57,892 --> 00:09:00,580 back and bravely defending their 219 00:09:00,580 --> 00:09:04,430 country . And we also see 220 00:09:04,430 --> 00:09:08,010 indications that there have been 221 00:09:08,010 --> 00:09:09,954 measures of success in that regard 222 00:09:09,954 --> 00:09:13,010 because um again , without getting into 223 00:09:13,010 --> 00:09:16,630 a blow by blow , It's not 224 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:19,680 apparent to us that the Russians over 225 00:09:19,680 --> 00:09:21,680 the last 24 hours have been able to 226 00:09:21,680 --> 00:09:24,730 execute their plans um , as as as they 227 00:09:24,730 --> 00:09:27,310 deemed that , they would . but it's a 228 00:09:27,310 --> 00:09:30,260 dynamic , fluid situation , it's uh 229 00:09:30,940 --> 00:09:33,750 uh it wouldn't be responsible for us to 230 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:36,550 talk about it and , you know in a in a 231 00:09:36,560 --> 00:09:40,370 predictive way right now . Um And 232 00:09:40,370 --> 00:09:42,370 uh and we're just we're gonna we're 233 00:09:42,370 --> 00:09:44,537 watching as closely as we can but they 234 00:09:44,537 --> 00:09:46,648 are fighting back , they are fighting 235 00:09:46,648 --> 00:09:48,703 for their country and uh and they're 236 00:09:48,703 --> 00:09:51,220 doing so bravely facing setbacks on the 237 00:09:51,220 --> 00:09:53,442 battlefield From what our understanding 238 00:09:53,442 --> 00:09:55,387 is that they have experienced some 239 00:09:55,387 --> 00:09:58,950 setbacks . Yes . Uh Let's go Megan 240 00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:01,920 On the forces who have been put on 241 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:04,540 alert and then activated earlier this 242 00:10:04,540 --> 00:10:08,210 month . It was 8500 . The Pentagon has 243 00:10:08,210 --> 00:10:10,266 said since then that there were more 244 00:10:10,266 --> 00:10:12,770 people put on prepare to deploy orders . 245 00:10:12,780 --> 00:10:15,090 You also there the Pentagon has also 246 00:10:15,090 --> 00:10:17,230 said that the 7000 troops activated 247 00:10:17,230 --> 00:10:19,286 yesterday . Some of them had been on 248 00:10:19,286 --> 00:10:21,452 that part of that original 80 500 some 249 00:10:21,452 --> 00:10:23,674 of them weren't . So my question is how 250 00:10:23,674 --> 00:10:25,786 many troops total since the beginning 251 00:10:25,786 --> 00:10:27,952 of this month have been put on prepare 252 00:10:27,952 --> 00:10:29,952 to deploy orders ? And how many are 253 00:10:29,952 --> 00:10:32,174 still on prepare to deploy orders after 254 00:10:32,174 --> 00:10:34,286 this activation yesterday , Megan , I 255 00:10:34,286 --> 00:10:36,508 don't have an exact figure for you . As 256 00:10:36,508 --> 00:10:38,619 I said it's been several 1000 more in 257 00:10:38,619 --> 00:10:41,360 addition to the 8500 . Um So uh 258 00:10:41,370 --> 00:10:43,860 somewhere between 10 and 12,000 total 259 00:10:44,340 --> 00:10:47,010 um have been put on prepare to deploy 260 00:10:47,010 --> 00:10:50,020 or or or accelerated . Some of them 261 00:10:50,020 --> 00:10:53,610 were already on PTO And we'd shorten 262 00:10:53,610 --> 00:10:55,777 that tether for instance in some cases 263 00:10:55,777 --> 00:10:58,550 from 10 to 5 days some of that number 264 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,350 it wasn't on heightened alert and so we 265 00:11:01,350 --> 00:11:03,572 did put them on P . T . D . O . Prepare 266 00:11:03,572 --> 00:11:05,628 to deploy orders . It varies by unit 267 00:11:05,628 --> 00:11:08,830 and by capability . Um And I don't have 268 00:11:08,830 --> 00:11:12,140 an exact breakdown of of what is Going 269 00:11:12,140 --> 00:11:14,430 to be going as a part of this NATO 270 00:11:14,430 --> 00:11:16,597 response force package . Because again 271 00:11:16,597 --> 00:11:18,597 we're still working our way through 272 00:11:18,597 --> 00:11:18,240 that requirement . The question is 273 00:11:18,250 --> 00:11:20,780 who's on alert ? Who has been on alert ? 274 00:11:20,790 --> 00:11:22,957 Who is no longer on alert and is going 275 00:11:22,957 --> 00:11:25,012 I don't have I don't have a specific 276 00:11:25,012 --> 00:11:27,234 list for you today . And in 12,000 have 277 00:11:27,234 --> 00:11:29,234 been the total amount who have been 278 00:11:29,234 --> 00:11:31,346 alert roughly roughly . Is it safe to 279 00:11:31,346 --> 00:11:33,401 detect 7000 from that roughly to say 280 00:11:33,401 --> 00:11:37,340 that there are . So again we've 281 00:11:37,340 --> 00:11:39,507 got to be careful here Megan . Not not 282 00:11:39,507 --> 00:11:42,060 everybody that has been put on a 283 00:11:42,060 --> 00:11:44,830 heightened alert posture is earmarked 284 00:11:44,830 --> 00:11:47,420 for the NATO response force . Some of 285 00:11:47,420 --> 00:11:49,540 those units are simply that the 286 00:11:49,540 --> 00:11:51,762 secretary wanted to make sure they were 287 00:11:51,762 --> 00:11:53,762 more ready to go uh in a unilateral 288 00:11:53,762 --> 00:11:57,020 capacity . Some maybe uh perfectly 289 00:11:57,030 --> 00:11:59,197 placed in being to be used for the V . 290 00:11:59,197 --> 00:12:01,410 JTF we'll have to see what what what 291 00:12:01,410 --> 00:12:04,250 the requirements look like . Um So it's 292 00:12:04,260 --> 00:12:06,820 it's not a it's not binary it's not , 293 00:12:06,820 --> 00:12:09,850 well that's all these troops are just 294 00:12:09,850 --> 00:12:12,190 designated for NATO and these troops 295 00:12:12,190 --> 00:12:14,680 are just designated for unilateral . Um 296 00:12:14,690 --> 00:12:18,190 These units that the president 297 00:12:18,190 --> 00:12:21,130 announced yesterday that 7000 they 298 00:12:21,130 --> 00:12:23,370 could very well fit the bill for the 299 00:12:23,370 --> 00:12:26,420 NATO response force . Um And uh and and 300 00:12:26,420 --> 00:12:29,710 maybe they won't and we'll have them uh 301 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:31,910 ready in a three point stance in case 302 00:12:31,910 --> 00:12:33,640 we need them from from from a 303 00:12:33,650 --> 00:12:35,890 unilateral perspective . So that's why 304 00:12:35,890 --> 00:12:38,100 I'm being very careful today because 305 00:12:38,100 --> 00:12:42,030 it's it's not either or it's 306 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:44,151 it's a menu of options that are going 307 00:12:44,151 --> 00:12:46,262 to be available to national leaders . 308 00:12:46,262 --> 00:12:48,760 And again , what I can promise is as we 309 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:51,620 get solidity on this and and more 310 00:12:51,620 --> 00:12:54,330 specificity will detail that for you . 311 00:12:54,850 --> 00:12:57,017 There are several 1000 more who are on 312 00:12:57,017 --> 00:12:58,906 some sort of heightened alert for 313 00:12:58,906 --> 00:13:01,220 europe in general . It is safe to say 314 00:13:01,220 --> 00:13:02,940 that it is safe to say that 315 00:13:04,270 --> 00:13:08,190 thank you . Um I understand that 316 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:11,970 NATO gave the order to prepare 317 00:13:11,970 --> 00:13:15,690 the troops . What would trigger NATO 318 00:13:15,700 --> 00:13:19,510 to deploy them ? Would it be 319 00:13:19,890 --> 00:13:22,400 Russian troops going to the west of 320 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:25,340 Ukraine or what kind of 321 00:13:25,350 --> 00:13:28,810 threat would trigger their 322 00:13:28,820 --> 00:13:32,620 effective deployment ? That that 323 00:13:32,620 --> 00:13:34,731 really is a decision for the knack to 324 00:13:34,731 --> 00:13:36,676 make for the alliance to make . It 325 00:13:36,676 --> 00:13:38,509 wouldn't be a unilateral U . S . 326 00:13:38,509 --> 00:13:41,350 Decision . Um I think today's uh 327 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:43,416 approval of the defense plan and the 328 00:13:43,416 --> 00:13:45,749 activation itself as I said is historic , 329 00:13:45,749 --> 00:13:47,971 the first time that they have been been 330 00:13:47,971 --> 00:13:50,090 so activated . Um That's a big deal . 331 00:13:50,090 --> 00:13:52,910 Now again , what does it look like ? 332 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:55,730 How many and where does the alliance 333 00:13:55,730 --> 00:13:58,010 want to place them all of that is still 334 00:13:58,010 --> 00:14:01,240 being worked out and it's and and so I 335 00:14:01,250 --> 00:14:03,306 can't honestly answer your questions 336 00:14:03,306 --> 00:14:05,890 about what what the trigger is . Um I 337 00:14:05,890 --> 00:14:09,680 think you can safely assume that that 338 00:14:09,740 --> 00:14:11,740 what has been triggered here is the 339 00:14:11,740 --> 00:14:13,962 activation and the trigger for that has 340 00:14:13,962 --> 00:14:15,850 been this unlawful , 341 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:21,200 unlawful invasion again by 342 00:14:21,210 --> 00:14:22,660 Russia into Ukraine . 343 00:14:26,020 --> 00:14:28,850 Secretary also mentioned about 344 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:33,120 providing defense article support and 345 00:14:33,130 --> 00:14:36,660 also including air defense systems to 346 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:40,090 great . Is there going to be any input 347 00:14:40,100 --> 00:14:42,156 from the United States , any type of 348 00:14:42,156 --> 00:14:44,260 air defense systems like patriots or 349 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:47,402 what I would tell you is we're 350 00:14:47,402 --> 00:14:49,569 continuing to look for ways to support 351 00:14:49,569 --> 00:14:51,624 Ukraine to to defend themselves . We 352 00:14:51,624 --> 00:14:55,120 have continued to do that and uh , and 353 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:58,050 we're going to look uh , to do that 354 00:14:58,050 --> 00:15:00,380 going forward and we're very actively 355 00:15:00,380 --> 00:15:02,860 engaged in in those efforts to help 356 00:15:02,860 --> 00:15:05,490 them better defend themselves through 357 00:15:05,490 --> 00:15:07,601 both lethal and non lethal assistance 358 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:10,090 from the very get go . I have not been 359 00:15:10,090 --> 00:15:13,570 detailing for any of you , each and 360 00:15:13,570 --> 00:15:15,681 every package each and every shipment 361 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,007 because I think you can understand and 362 00:15:18,007 --> 00:15:20,007 it's particularly relevant now that 363 00:15:20,007 --> 00:15:22,450 Ukraine is involved in a no kidding 364 00:15:22,450 --> 00:15:25,060 invasion of their country , um , 365 00:15:26,350 --> 00:15:28,540 that we wouldn't want to put it out 366 00:15:28,540 --> 00:15:30,830 there in the public space . Everything 367 00:15:30,830 --> 00:15:33,108 they're getting from the United States . 368 00:15:33,108 --> 00:15:35,710 So we're gonna continue to be judicious 369 00:15:35,710 --> 00:15:37,988 about how much detail we put out there , 370 00:15:37,988 --> 00:15:39,932 but we know they have self defense 371 00:15:39,932 --> 00:15:42,099 needs . We're gonna do the best we can 372 00:15:42,099 --> 00:15:44,210 to fill them and what's more is other 373 00:15:44,210 --> 00:15:43,750 nations are too , it's not just the 374 00:15:43,750 --> 00:15:47,330 United States . David without detailing , 375 00:15:47,340 --> 00:15:49,570 can you say , are you continuing to 376 00:15:49,570 --> 00:15:53,310 ship defense equipment to 377 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:57,360 Ukraine ? We are we are 378 00:15:57,740 --> 00:15:59,684 we have , let me put it this way , 379 00:15:59,684 --> 00:16:01,518 David , we we have not we're not 380 00:16:01,518 --> 00:16:04,610 talking about the effort to help them 381 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:07,462 defend themselves . We have not talking 382 00:16:07,462 --> 00:16:09,518 about the effort to provide security 383 00:16:09,518 --> 00:16:11,573 assistance in a lethal and nonlethal 384 00:16:11,573 --> 00:16:13,796 way in in the past tense . And leave it 385 00:16:13,796 --> 00:16:14,796 at that jenny , 386 00:16:18,140 --> 00:16:20,410 we're doing we're continuing to provide 387 00:16:20,410 --> 00:16:22,466 ways for them to defend themselves . 388 00:16:22,466 --> 00:16:24,410 That's as far as I'm going to go . 389 00:16:24,410 --> 00:16:27,000 We're continuing we're continuing just 390 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:28,778 looking at ways to support your 391 00:16:28,778 --> 00:16:31,710 continuing to it's not , yeah , I 392 00:16:31,710 --> 00:16:33,766 wasn't trying to be funny . It's not 393 00:16:33,766 --> 00:16:35,877 past tense . It's not over . It's not 394 00:16:35,877 --> 00:16:37,877 done . We're continuing to look for 395 00:16:37,877 --> 00:16:37,660 ways to help them defend themselves 396 00:16:37,670 --> 00:16:41,000 janey . Thank you , john , I have two 397 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,850 occasions on Russia and South Korea 398 00:16:44,630 --> 00:16:47,530 Station & You Know , You Lost Your Head 399 00:16:47,540 --> 00:16:50,360 one Death . It will retaliate 400 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:54,660 Immediately if there is a 14 state 401 00:16:55,540 --> 00:16:59,510 intervenes in Russia's movements . What 402 00:16:59,510 --> 00:17:01,550 is your comment ? I follow up 403 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:04,160 segregation . What is my comment about ? 404 00:17:05,620 --> 00:17:07,453 I'm sorry . Can you say it again 405 00:17:10,140 --> 00:17:14,060 immediately If There's a 14 406 00:17:14,070 --> 00:17:16,490 state intervenes 407 00:17:17,540 --> 00:17:19,960 vicious . Look , 408 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:26,810 we're we're going 409 00:17:26,810 --> 00:17:28,977 to do everything that we need to do to 410 00:17:28,977 --> 00:17:32,180 defend our country . And as the 411 00:17:32,190 --> 00:17:34,357 President has said , we're going to do 412 00:17:34,357 --> 00:17:36,579 what we need to do to defend every inch 413 00:17:36,579 --> 00:17:38,579 of NATO territory And we take those 414 00:17:38,579 --> 00:17:40,579 obligations seriously . Both to the 415 00:17:40,579 --> 00:17:43,130 american people and to um the to our 416 00:17:43,130 --> 00:17:45,130 allies . I'll just leave it at that 417 00:17:45,780 --> 00:17:47,947 time . The second location at the same 418 00:17:47,947 --> 00:17:51,910 time said if the South Korea joined 419 00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:54,860 the sanctions along with the United 420 00:17:54,870 --> 00:17:58,200 States , it really did not have the 421 00:17:58,210 --> 00:18:01,120 korean peninsula issues . How can you 422 00:18:01,120 --> 00:18:04,130 comment on this ? You 423 00:18:04,700 --> 00:18:08,410 cannot have the korean peninsula 424 00:18:08,410 --> 00:18:11,060 issues if South Korea 425 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:15,840 join sanctions along with the United 426 00:18:15,850 --> 00:18:16,590 States ? 427 00:18:19,540 --> 00:18:22,500 Well , you know that South Korea joined 428 00:18:22,510 --> 00:18:26,010 the sanctions . We welcome that 429 00:18:26,590 --> 00:18:30,120 warning that South Korea doing this . 430 00:18:30,450 --> 00:18:34,220 They have we welcome 431 00:18:34,230 --> 00:18:37,660 we welcome the comments made by our 432 00:18:37,660 --> 00:18:40,670 South korean allies . We welcome there 433 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:43,384 willingness to impose sanctions on 434 00:18:43,384 --> 00:18:45,740 Russia , as so many other countries are 435 00:18:45,740 --> 00:18:48,400 doing . Um and I think the message is 436 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,440 very clear that one that that Mr Putin 437 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:55,430 continues to isolate himself and and 438 00:18:55,440 --> 00:18:58,840 uh and his people by by these reckless 439 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:00,729 and unlawful actions . And so you 440 00:19:00,729 --> 00:19:02,840 you're seeing out of South Korea what 441 00:19:02,840 --> 00:19:04,951 you're seeing so many other places in 442 00:19:04,951 --> 00:19:06,840 the world where countries are are 443 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:08,951 making very clear , very demonstrably 444 00:19:08,951 --> 00:19:11,620 so , um their condemnation of this 445 00:19:11,630 --> 00:19:15,200 invasion of Ukraine . And again , we we 446 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:17,350 welcome the contributions to that 447 00:19:17,360 --> 00:19:19,710 effort by South Korea . I just asked a 448 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:22,920 follow up , did you say that the United 449 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:26,170 States is looking for ways you are 450 00:19:26,180 --> 00:19:30,010 continuing guys ? I'm 451 00:19:30,010 --> 00:19:32,430 not sure why this has become such a 452 00:19:32,430 --> 00:19:35,560 rhetorical exercise . We continue 453 00:19:37,420 --> 00:19:41,050 to provide for support for Ukraine to 454 00:19:41,050 --> 00:19:44,990 defend itself . The situation right 455 00:19:45,100 --> 00:19:47,100 is different in Ukraine than it was 456 00:19:47,100 --> 00:19:49,170 just a few days ago . So it would 457 00:19:49,170 --> 00:19:51,650 follow . I would think that we're going , 458 00:19:51,660 --> 00:19:54,270 you know , that uh that we're gonna 459 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:57,680 have to look for other ways to do this . 460 00:19:58,940 --> 00:20:02,870 The airspace over Ukraine is contested . 461 00:20:02,870 --> 00:20:05,037 The Russians don't have superiority of 462 00:20:05,037 --> 00:20:08,770 it . It's contested . So 463 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:13,690 we are going to be very clear here , we 464 00:20:13,690 --> 00:20:16,150 are going to provide additional 465 00:20:16,150 --> 00:20:18,910 security assistance for Ukraine . We 466 00:20:18,910 --> 00:20:22,390 will how that is going to be done is 467 00:20:22,390 --> 00:20:24,723 still being worked out . Does that help ? 468 00:20:24,723 --> 00:20:28,470 Okay , good , dan . Thank you . 469 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:30,591 I was looking for a pentagon reaction 470 00:20:30,591 --> 00:20:33,130 today to the back and forth . Um 471 00:20:33,140 --> 00:20:35,362 Finland came forward with some comments 472 00:20:35,362 --> 00:20:37,820 suggesting the Mayberry entertained who 473 00:20:37,820 --> 00:20:41,420 did . Finland . Finland came forward , 474 00:20:41,430 --> 00:20:44,320 raising the prospect of reorienting 475 00:20:44,330 --> 00:20:46,810 toward NATO a little bit more . Russia 476 00:20:46,810 --> 00:20:49,790 responded and basically made another 477 00:20:49,790 --> 00:20:52,012 veiled threat there . Do you anticipate 478 00:20:52,012 --> 00:20:54,346 from the Defense Department perspective , 479 00:20:54,346 --> 00:20:56,512 any different kinds of conversations ? 480 00:20:56,512 --> 00:20:59,280 Any renewed discussions that would 481 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:01,558 bring Finland under NATO with anything ? 482 00:21:01,558 --> 00:21:03,780 I'm not aware of any such discussions , 483 00:21:03,780 --> 00:21:05,947 dan . Um again , that would be for the 484 00:21:05,947 --> 00:21:07,891 alliance to speak to you , not the 485 00:21:07,891 --> 00:21:10,002 United States . I would just say what 486 00:21:10,002 --> 00:21:12,224 we said before in the case of Ukraine , 487 00:21:13,340 --> 00:21:15,229 who a nation , a sovereign nation 488 00:21:15,229 --> 00:21:17,562 associates with what alliances it joins . 489 00:21:17,562 --> 00:21:19,784 That's between that nation and that and 490 00:21:19,784 --> 00:21:21,896 the alliance in this case it would be 491 00:21:21,896 --> 00:21:24,250 between um any country in NATO uh and 492 00:21:24,260 --> 00:21:26,620 Mr Putin doesn't get a veto over that . 493 00:21:26,620 --> 00:21:28,731 He doesn't get to decide unilaterally 494 00:21:28,731 --> 00:21:30,550 on his own what an independent 495 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:33,810 sovereign state uh chooses to do with 496 00:21:33,820 --> 00:21:36,190 with its association and the alliances 497 00:21:36,190 --> 00:21:38,412 that it wants to join . So I don't know 498 00:21:38,412 --> 00:21:41,520 of any renewed conversations with 499 00:21:41,520 --> 00:21:43,631 respect to Finland , but again , that 500 00:21:43,631 --> 00:21:45,853 would really be between Finland and for 501 00:21:45,853 --> 00:21:48,020 the alliance to speak to you . Not the 502 00:21:48,020 --> 00:21:50,131 United States put another way Ukraine 503 00:21:50,131 --> 00:21:52,020 was reorienting toward the West , 504 00:21:52,020 --> 00:21:53,909 they're paying dearly right now . 505 00:21:53,909 --> 00:21:55,964 Finland has raised similar prospects 506 00:21:55,964 --> 00:21:58,460 and are now also being threatened . Is 507 00:21:58,460 --> 00:22:00,870 there any straight line here that we 508 00:22:00,870 --> 00:22:03,480 should be addressing about threats on 509 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:05,702 Finland ? And what that also would mean 510 00:22:05,702 --> 00:22:07,924 to europe , if there was a similar sort 511 00:22:07,924 --> 00:22:09,702 of operation on Finland , we'll 512 00:22:09,702 --> 00:22:11,591 certainly that would be extremely 513 00:22:11,591 --> 00:22:15,390 destabilizing . Um and I don't we don't 514 00:22:15,390 --> 00:22:17,168 have any indication that that's 515 00:22:17,168 --> 00:22:19,279 necessarily in the offing in terms of 516 00:22:19,279 --> 00:22:22,940 actual conflict there . Um and so I I 517 00:22:22,940 --> 00:22:24,829 don't want to speculate about the 518 00:22:24,829 --> 00:22:26,940 prospects of that or what we would do 519 00:22:26,940 --> 00:22:28,940 if that happened , I would just say 520 00:22:28,940 --> 00:22:32,370 that we are right now in a 521 00:22:32,370 --> 00:22:35,740 situation where um obviously the 522 00:22:35,740 --> 00:22:38,073 security of Ukraine is being threatened , 523 00:22:38,073 --> 00:22:40,296 but but european security writ large is 524 00:22:40,296 --> 00:22:42,462 being threatened , and you've seen the 525 00:22:42,462 --> 00:22:44,840 alliance step up in ways that that that 526 00:22:44,850 --> 00:22:47,720 truly are historic , um and uh and 527 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:49,887 significant , and I think you're going 528 00:22:49,887 --> 00:22:52,109 to continue to see that going forward . 529 00:22:52,109 --> 00:22:55,170 Um if 530 00:22:55,740 --> 00:22:57,851 the secretary said it best , I mean , 531 00:22:58,830 --> 00:23:01,090 Mr Putin is getting exactly what he 532 00:23:01,090 --> 00:23:03,430 says , he didn't want a strong NATO on 533 00:23:03,430 --> 00:23:05,430 his Western flank , and so without 534 00:23:05,430 --> 00:23:07,860 speaking to Finland specifically . Um 535 00:23:08,340 --> 00:23:12,270 We number one stand up for sovereignty 536 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:15,840 uh , and the territorial integrity of 537 00:23:15,850 --> 00:23:18,510 independent nation states . Uh , that's 538 00:23:18,510 --> 00:23:21,460 not gonna change . Um , and 539 00:23:22,590 --> 00:23:26,250 Mr Putin , should he want to violate 540 00:23:26,260 --> 00:23:28,570 that in new ways will find new costs . 541 00:23:28,570 --> 00:23:31,170 I'm sure imposed upon him . Number two . 542 00:23:31,540 --> 00:23:33,651 Our commitment to NATO's ironclad and 543 00:23:33,651 --> 00:23:35,762 we're gonna continue to look for ways 544 00:23:35,762 --> 00:23:38,520 to strengthen that . Okay , let me go 545 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:40,670 to the phone to your Abraham . 546 00:23:44,040 --> 00:23:46,470 Yeah , yeah . Thanks so much for taking 547 00:23:46,470 --> 00:23:49,360 my call , john um , reports indicate 548 00:23:49,360 --> 00:23:51,527 that Kiev could fall in as little as a 549 00:23:51,527 --> 00:23:53,880 day , is the Defense Department doing 550 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:56,280 anything to prevent Kiev from falling . 551 00:23:56,290 --> 00:23:58,790 And then I have a second question . I 552 00:23:58,790 --> 00:24:00,880 don't have a prediction about what's 553 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:03,620 going to happen to to Kiev Abraham . 554 00:24:03,620 --> 00:24:07,170 And as I said , we continue two 555 00:24:07,940 --> 00:24:10,320 provide ways for Ukraine to defend 556 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:12,098 itself , both from a lethal and 557 00:24:12,098 --> 00:24:15,090 nonlethal perspective . Um , and the 558 00:24:15,090 --> 00:24:17,257 other thing I'd say to that is you can 559 00:24:17,257 --> 00:24:19,740 see for yourself , just an open press 560 00:24:19,740 --> 00:24:21,462 reporting what you what you're 561 00:24:21,910 --> 00:24:23,799 colleagues are reporting from the 562 00:24:23,799 --> 00:24:26,280 region that Ukraine is fighting back . 563 00:24:26,290 --> 00:24:28,980 They're defending themselves . And as I 564 00:24:28,980 --> 00:24:32,220 said earlier , to gen uh , we certainly 565 00:24:32,220 --> 00:24:34,640 have seen indications that the Russians 566 00:24:34,640 --> 00:24:38,300 are not in every case making the 567 00:24:38,300 --> 00:24:40,356 progress that they thought they were 568 00:24:40,356 --> 00:24:42,133 gonna make . What's your second 569 00:24:42,133 --> 00:24:45,140 question . Yeah , Thanks on um , any 570 00:24:45,140 --> 00:24:47,440 assessments about what Ukrainian air 571 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:49,607 defenses remained intact . Thank you . 572 00:24:50,140 --> 00:24:53,470 I'm not going to get into a specific 573 00:24:53,470 --> 00:24:55,470 assessment about Ukrainian military 574 00:24:55,470 --> 00:24:58,340 capabilities . Um , a we don't have 575 00:24:58,340 --> 00:25:00,700 perfect visibility be even if we did , 576 00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:03,351 I don't think putting that out in the 577 00:25:03,351 --> 00:25:06,150 public when they're literally being 578 00:25:06,190 --> 00:25:09,460 attacked by a neighboring state 579 00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:12,460 um is is a smart move for us to make 580 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:14,770 Dimitri . Thanks , Jeff . 581 00:25:17,740 --> 00:25:19,851 Thanks , john a couple of questions . 582 00:25:19,851 --> 00:25:21,740 The first is whether you have any 583 00:25:21,740 --> 00:25:23,629 updates on the amphibious landing 584 00:25:23,629 --> 00:25:26,960 assault near Mariupol and secondly , 585 00:25:26,970 --> 00:25:29,026 some european intelligence officials 586 00:25:29,026 --> 00:25:30,970 say that actually half of Russia's 587 00:25:30,970 --> 00:25:33,192 combat power that had amassed along the 588 00:25:33,192 --> 00:25:35,720 border has now moved into Ukraine . I 589 00:25:35,720 --> 00:25:37,887 know in the US there was a view that a 590 00:25:37,887 --> 00:25:40,053 third had moved in . Have you seen big 591 00:25:40,053 --> 00:25:43,390 numbers move in today ? We have seen 592 00:25:45,740 --> 00:25:49,430 continued movement by uh Russian forces 593 00:25:49,440 --> 00:25:53,030 into Ukraine , both from the north uh 594 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:55,262 and from the south , I can't give you a 595 00:25:55,262 --> 00:25:58,140 dmitry um a percentage of what that , 596 00:25:58,150 --> 00:26:00,206 what that looks like we do . I would 597 00:26:00,206 --> 00:26:02,317 just tell you , we don't believe that 598 00:26:02,317 --> 00:26:04,428 the majority of the combat power that 599 00:26:04,428 --> 00:26:07,410 Mr Putin had a raid alongside Ukraine 600 00:26:07,420 --> 00:26:10,370 has been employed inside Ukraine , but 601 00:26:10,370 --> 00:26:12,770 it is fluid . Uh literally the 602 00:26:12,770 --> 00:26:14,714 situation changes by the hour . So 603 00:26:14,714 --> 00:26:16,826 again , I want to be careful that I'm 604 00:26:16,826 --> 00:26:18,492 not getting into providing an 605 00:26:18,492 --> 00:26:20,548 assessment of operations in which we 606 00:26:20,548 --> 00:26:23,430 are not involved . Um and as for the 607 00:26:23,430 --> 00:26:26,160 amphibious assault . Uh we do believe 608 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:29,260 that such an assault is being conducted 609 00:26:29,260 --> 00:26:31,482 today , but we don't again have perfect 610 00:26:31,482 --> 00:26:35,470 visibility on the progress of that . Uh 611 00:26:35,480 --> 00:26:37,730 and I couldn't give you a blow by blow 612 00:26:37,730 --> 00:26:39,952 of exactly how many they put ashore and 613 00:26:39,952 --> 00:26:41,786 what they're doing . Uh but it's 614 00:26:41,786 --> 00:26:43,730 certainly appears to us to be of a 615 00:26:43,730 --> 00:26:46,660 piece of their , of their designs in 616 00:26:46,660 --> 00:26:49,430 the south uh to to further cut off the 617 00:26:49,430 --> 00:26:53,350 Donbas region and to uh and to uh from 618 00:26:53,350 --> 00:26:56,310 a southern perspective continued to uh 619 00:26:56,320 --> 00:26:58,760 to try to take population centers . 620 00:27:00,330 --> 00:27:00,860 Karun . 621 00:27:07,240 --> 00:27:10,490 Hi Jon , sorry , can you hear me ? Can 622 00:27:10,490 --> 00:27:14,290 you hear me john ? Um okay , 623 00:27:14,290 --> 00:27:16,179 sorry , I just , I was gonna take 624 00:27:16,179 --> 00:27:18,401 myself off news . Um two questions . Um 625 00:27:18,401 --> 00:27:20,512 the first , just , just to clarify on 626 00:27:20,512 --> 00:27:22,457 the numbers thing , I know we were 627 00:27:22,457 --> 00:27:24,512 talking about The 7000 was announced 628 00:27:24,512 --> 00:27:26,568 yesterday , but of the 12,000 , that 629 00:27:26,568 --> 00:27:28,457 kind of approximately that you've 630 00:27:28,457 --> 00:27:30,568 already been sending over to Europe . 631 00:27:30,568 --> 00:27:32,623 How many of those are supposed to be 632 00:27:32,623 --> 00:27:34,790 under the auspices of NATO and and and 633 00:27:34,790 --> 00:27:37,012 these new plans that would go forward . 634 00:27:37,012 --> 00:27:36,940 And then also I understand you're not 635 00:27:36,950 --> 00:27:39,130 talking about where us troops would be 636 00:27:39,130 --> 00:27:41,241 going because those defense plans are 637 00:27:41,241 --> 00:27:43,297 still being worked out the details . 638 00:27:43,297 --> 00:27:45,241 But where do you see the potential 639 00:27:45,241 --> 00:27:47,186 flashpoints maybe still over point 640 00:27:47,186 --> 00:27:49,352 where NATO needs additional help right 641 00:27:49,352 --> 00:27:51,310 now . Um as you're looking at that 642 00:27:51,320 --> 00:27:53,376 sphere of influence , whether or not 643 00:27:53,376 --> 00:27:55,598 that's specifically where US troops end 644 00:27:55,598 --> 00:27:57,320 up going , I wouldn't describe 645 00:27:57,320 --> 00:27:59,487 locations on the eastern flank of NATO 646 00:27:59,487 --> 00:28:03,400 is flash points . Right now , The 647 00:28:03,410 --> 00:28:05,521 Russian military is very much focused 648 00:28:05,521 --> 00:28:08,690 on on Ukraine um and particularly the 649 00:28:08,690 --> 00:28:10,801 eastern half of the country . This is 650 00:28:10,801 --> 00:28:12,912 about reassuring allies and sending a 651 00:28:12,912 --> 00:28:15,134 strong message to Mr Putin that we take 652 00:28:15,134 --> 00:28:17,412 our Article five commitments seriously . 653 00:28:17,412 --> 00:28:19,412 So I would not describe the eastern 654 00:28:19,412 --> 00:28:21,579 flank , NATO territory as flash points 655 00:28:21,579 --> 00:28:23,634 are having their big flash points on 656 00:28:23,634 --> 00:28:27,230 them . Um Most of the 657 00:28:27,240 --> 00:28:29,462 forces that we have either repositioned 658 00:28:29,462 --> 00:28:32,400 inside uh europe or float from the 659 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:34,511 United States , we've we've done on a 660 00:28:34,511 --> 00:28:36,678 unilateral basis . In fact , all of it 661 00:28:36,678 --> 00:28:38,900 we've done on a unilateral basis . What 662 00:28:38,900 --> 00:28:41,067 I said yesterday , what I tried to say 663 00:28:41,067 --> 00:28:42,789 today was of the 7000 that the 664 00:28:42,789 --> 00:28:44,900 president ordered yesterday . Uh some 665 00:28:44,900 --> 00:28:47,380 of those will will probably be 666 00:28:47,380 --> 00:28:49,500 earmarked for the NATO response force 667 00:28:49,940 --> 00:28:51,870 when we finally hash out the 668 00:28:51,870 --> 00:28:54,092 requirements with the alliance and what 669 00:28:54,092 --> 00:28:55,926 that looks like . And it was the 670 00:28:55,926 --> 00:28:57,870 Secretary of desire uh to get them 671 00:28:57,870 --> 00:28:59,926 moving , get them ready and get them 672 00:28:59,926 --> 00:29:02,037 moving and get them as pre positioned 673 00:29:02,037 --> 00:29:04,940 as possible . So that when we have all 674 00:29:04,940 --> 00:29:07,600 the requirements in place , when actual 675 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:09,600 deployment orders are given for the 676 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:11,600 native response force by the by the 677 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:13,822 alliance , there'll be more ready to do 678 00:29:13,822 --> 00:29:16,670 that . Tara from Defense one 679 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:22,820 to clarify , is that 7000 of A separate 680 00:29:22,830 --> 00:29:24,886 silo from the 12,000 a day that will 681 00:29:24,886 --> 00:29:26,886 stay unilateral ? Or are we kind of 682 00:29:26,886 --> 00:29:29,100 cross counting numbers and pools of of 683 00:29:29,100 --> 00:29:32,690 US troops with with with Megan it's not 684 00:29:32,700 --> 00:29:35,630 it's not binary . We have . The 685 00:29:35,630 --> 00:29:38,750 secretary has shortened the tether 686 00:29:38,770 --> 00:29:42,690 on roughly 10 to 12,000 . Some of those 687 00:29:42,700 --> 00:29:46,060 10 to 12,000 are 688 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:48,807 are going to be earmarked for the NATO 689 00:29:48,807 --> 00:29:50,973 response force . Again , it's going to 690 00:29:50,973 --> 00:29:52,973 depend on what the capabilities are 691 00:29:52,973 --> 00:29:55,084 requested and what's the need and and 692 00:29:55,084 --> 00:29:57,307 then we'll go from there . Some of them 693 00:29:57,307 --> 00:29:59,362 he put on prepare to deploy . Orders 694 00:29:59,362 --> 00:30:01,529 are shortened . Tethers simply because 695 00:30:01,529 --> 00:30:01,370 he wanted them available for unilateral 696 00:30:01,370 --> 00:30:04,470 us action . Uh we have to work this out 697 00:30:04,470 --> 00:30:06,581 with with NATO and when we do , we'll 698 00:30:06,581 --> 00:30:08,692 have a better sense of of who's going 699 00:30:08,692 --> 00:30:10,637 where and what they're going to be 700 00:30:10,637 --> 00:30:12,970 earmarked for . It is entirely possible , 701 00:30:12,970 --> 00:30:15,137 for instance that uh units that are in 702 00:30:15,137 --> 00:30:16,859 europe on on unilateral orders 703 00:30:16,859 --> 00:30:19,081 depending on what NATO needs . Could be 704 00:30:19,081 --> 00:30:22,660 uh could be moved off of that and into 705 00:30:22,670 --> 00:30:25,003 into the NATO command structure . Again , 706 00:30:25,003 --> 00:30:27,003 we're still working our way through 707 00:30:27,003 --> 00:30:28,559 that right now . So it's an 708 00:30:28,559 --> 00:30:30,448 unsatisfying answer , but it's an 709 00:30:30,448 --> 00:30:30,370 honest one . We simply don't know what 710 00:30:30,370 --> 00:30:31,981 that breakdown is gonna be . 711 00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:38,270 Um let's see uh tom Squitieri talk news ? 712 00:30:39,140 --> 00:30:41,251 Hi john , good afternoon . Thanks . I 713 00:30:41,251 --> 00:30:43,473 have two questions . Um My first one is 714 00:30:43,473 --> 00:30:45,140 as well as you understand the 715 00:30:45,140 --> 00:30:47,251 pentagon's view on us , Does the NATO 716 00:30:47,251 --> 00:30:49,196 readiness force only apply to NATO 717 00:30:49,196 --> 00:30:51,418 nations or could they go to places like 718 00:30:51,418 --> 00:30:53,307 Sweden Finland or Moldova , these 719 00:30:53,307 --> 00:30:55,990 troops that we have provided uh and 720 00:30:55,990 --> 00:30:57,823 that we will continue to look at 721 00:30:57,823 --> 00:31:00,710 providing are earmarked for NATO 722 00:31:00,710 --> 00:31:04,090 territory paul McLeary politico 723 00:31:04,540 --> 00:31:06,651 john I have two questions . My second 724 00:31:06,651 --> 00:31:08,990 one is um does the pendant is the 725 00:31:08,990 --> 00:31:11,046 pentagon considering pulling out the 726 00:31:11,046 --> 00:31:13,268 National Guard trainers that are now in 727 00:31:13,268 --> 00:31:15,268 Moldova . I know of no such plans , 728 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:18,660 paul McLeary . Hi john I'm on the line 729 00:31:18,660 --> 00:31:21,040 still waiting . Um If I could get my 730 00:31:21,040 --> 00:31:24,930 question , Tara , thank you . Um how 731 00:31:24,930 --> 00:31:27,640 concerned is the building that this 732 00:31:27,640 --> 00:31:29,751 conflict could potentially spill over 733 00:31:29,751 --> 00:31:32,220 to the eastern flank countries ? Putin 734 00:31:32,220 --> 00:31:34,387 has not been completely clear what his 735 00:31:34,387 --> 00:31:36,553 intent is and whether his intent maybe 736 00:31:36,553 --> 00:31:39,210 extends beyond Ukraine . Just wondering 737 00:31:39,210 --> 00:31:41,210 if in any of the conversations with 738 00:31:41,210 --> 00:31:43,266 counterparts with Russia , have they 739 00:31:43,266 --> 00:31:45,432 clearly communicated that their intent 740 00:31:45,432 --> 00:31:48,290 stops at Ukraine ? It is you said it 741 00:31:48,290 --> 00:31:50,346 actually in your question , it's not 742 00:31:50,346 --> 00:31:53,560 entirely clear if Mr Putin has designs 743 00:31:53,560 --> 00:31:57,170 beyond Ukraine . Um and it's because 744 00:31:57,640 --> 00:32:00,250 that's not perfectly clear that we 745 00:32:00,250 --> 00:32:02,480 continue to look for ways to bolster 746 00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:04,900 our NATO capabilities and to reassure 747 00:32:04,900 --> 00:32:07,110 our allies . I mean uh one of the 748 00:32:07,110 --> 00:32:10,070 reasons we're doing this is because we 749 00:32:10,070 --> 00:32:13,460 want to make it clear to him that 750 00:32:13,940 --> 00:32:15,829 we will defend every inch of NATO 751 00:32:15,829 --> 00:32:19,280 territory ? Um I'm sorry paul , Go 752 00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:22,170 ahead , john just one follow up , is 753 00:32:22,170 --> 00:32:24,337 there any concern that this could grow 754 00:32:24,337 --> 00:32:26,720 into a regional war ? I think there's 755 00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:30,280 no reason for it to be a war . Now Tara 756 00:32:30,300 --> 00:32:32,660 and there it shouldn't have been Mr 757 00:32:32,660 --> 00:32:34,660 Putin had diplomatic options on the 758 00:32:34,660 --> 00:32:36,716 table that he decided to ignore . Uh 759 00:32:36,716 --> 00:32:39,250 and to evade and to invade Ukraine 760 00:32:39,250 --> 00:32:41,194 regardless . So there should be no 761 00:32:41,194 --> 00:32:43,306 reason why there's a war now there is 762 00:32:43,306 --> 00:32:46,230 obviously one . Uh clearly that's 763 00:32:46,230 --> 00:32:49,070 evident were we need to make sure and 764 00:32:49,070 --> 00:32:52,540 we will make sure um that it's very 765 00:32:52,540 --> 00:32:54,880 clear that we're going to defend every 766 00:32:54,880 --> 00:32:56,824 inch of NATO territory . I I'm not 767 00:32:56,824 --> 00:32:58,713 going to speculate about what the 768 00:32:58,713 --> 00:33:00,436 future holds because it is not 769 00:33:00,436 --> 00:33:03,240 perfectly clear uh where Mr Putin is 770 00:33:03,240 --> 00:33:05,720 going here . We want to make it clear 771 00:33:06,600 --> 00:33:10,410 that he will not be 772 00:33:10,410 --> 00:33:12,710 able to to to threaten in any tangible 773 00:33:12,710 --> 00:33:16,680 way . Our NATO allies . Okay , 774 00:33:16,680 --> 00:33:19,060 paul , Let's try it again . Alright , 775 00:33:19,070 --> 00:33:22,480 3rd Time's The Charm . Thanks . And you 776 00:33:22,480 --> 00:33:24,647 said we're going to continue to supply 777 00:33:24,647 --> 00:33:26,720 defensive weapons to Ukraine . Are 778 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:28,720 there is there any consideration of 779 00:33:28,720 --> 00:33:30,776 training Ukrainian troops outside of 780 00:33:30,776 --> 00:33:33,600 the country um for them to then go back 781 00:33:33,600 --> 00:33:36,110 in and fight ? I think we're looking at 782 00:33:36,120 --> 00:33:38,342 all kinds of different ways to continue 783 00:33:38,342 --> 00:33:41,090 supporting Ukrainian armed forces . Uh 784 00:33:41,090 --> 00:33:43,201 and we're not taking anything off the 785 00:33:43,201 --> 00:33:45,790 table with respect to how that how that 786 00:33:45,790 --> 00:33:47,901 might manifest itself going forward . 787 00:33:47,901 --> 00:33:49,790 And that could include that could 788 00:33:49,790 --> 00:33:51,123 include some training . 789 00:33:54,340 --> 00:33:56,118 You have addressed the issue of 790 00:33:56,118 --> 00:33:58,340 supporting the Ukrainian forces several 791 00:33:58,340 --> 00:34:00,673 times now , looking into different ways , 792 00:34:01,340 --> 00:34:04,970 which would my leaders to include that . 793 00:34:04,980 --> 00:34:06,910 Your assessment is that Ukrainian 794 00:34:06,910 --> 00:34:09,450 forces can actually resist for a long 795 00:34:09,450 --> 00:34:11,660 time . Is that the assessment to be 796 00:34:11,660 --> 00:34:14,300 able actually to get that assistant in 797 00:34:14,300 --> 00:34:16,910 various ways in lethal and nonlethal . 798 00:34:16,910 --> 00:34:18,966 I'm not going to put a time stamp on 799 00:34:18,966 --> 00:34:21,188 this . Funny . I mean , but you can see 800 00:34:21,188 --> 00:34:23,188 you can see for yourselves that the 801 00:34:23,188 --> 00:34:23,040 Ukrainians are fighting back , they're 802 00:34:23,040 --> 00:34:25,207 defending their country . So you don't 803 00:34:25,207 --> 00:34:28,900 think that time is running in a way 804 00:34:28,900 --> 00:34:31,540 that it might be too late to provide 805 00:34:31,550 --> 00:34:33,980 any type of assistance . We have been 806 00:34:33,980 --> 00:34:35,980 providing assistance for quite some 807 00:34:35,980 --> 00:34:37,869 time . We're going to continue to 808 00:34:37,869 --> 00:34:40,091 provide assistance And they're fighting 809 00:34:40,091 --> 00:34:42,147 back . They're fighting back in many 810 00:34:42,147 --> 00:34:44,091 ways using the assistance that the 811 00:34:44,091 --> 00:34:46,202 United States has provided as well as 812 00:34:46,202 --> 00:34:48,258 other nations . So they're using the 813 00:34:48,258 --> 00:34:50,036 assistance . You can see it for 814 00:34:50,036 --> 00:34:52,091 yourself . I'm I'm not going to tell 815 00:34:52,091 --> 00:34:54,313 you what weapons systems they're firing 816 00:34:54,313 --> 00:34:56,536 on what day and what location . I don't 817 00:34:56,536 --> 00:34:58,647 have that level of fidelity . But you 818 00:34:58,647 --> 00:35:00,813 don't need me to tell you that you can 819 00:35:00,813 --> 00:35:02,869 see it for yourself in the imagery . 820 00:35:02,869 --> 00:35:06,650 They're fighting back . Yeah . Um I 821 00:35:06,660 --> 00:35:09,170 think that's it for today . Thanks very 822 00:35:09,170 --> 00:35:10,781 much . Have a good weekend . 823 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:27,840 Mhm . 824 00:35:31,840 --> 00:35:32,230 Yeah . 825 00:35:41,640 --> 00:35:43,580 Mm hmm , mm hmm , 826 00:35:47,740 --> 00:35:51,630 mm hmm . Right . Mm 827 00:35:51,630 --> 00:35:52,630 hmm , 828 00:35:58,940 --> 00:36:01,100 mm hmm mm hmm . 829 00:36:10,330 --> 00:36:11,450 Mhm . Yeah . 830 00:36:19,630 --> 00:36:20,630 Yeah . 831 00:36:26,930 --> 00:36:30,520 Mm hmm . Mhm , mm 832 00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:32,040 hmm . Mhm . 833 00:36:34,930 --> 00:36:38,040 Thank you . Right . 834 00:36:40,630 --> 00:36:41,630 Yeah . 835 00:36:52,030 --> 00:36:55,280 Mm hmm . Yeah . 836 00:36:56,230 --> 00:37:00,150 Yeah . Yeah . Yeah . 837 00:37:01,330 --> 00:37:01,740 Yeah . 838 00:37:08,930 --> 00:37:09,340 Yeah . 839 00:37:18,800 --> 00:37:19,160 No . 840 00:37:26,330 --> 00:37:28,030 Yeah . Mhm . Yeah . 841 00:37:30,830 --> 00:37:31,040 Right .