1 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:06,620 All right thank you . Uh Just a 2 00:00:06,620 --> 00:00:09,060 couple of one actually , just one 3 00:00:11,540 --> 00:00:14,360 administrative and personnel related 4 00:00:15,340 --> 00:00:18,710 thing to say at the top . The secretary 5 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:21,900 has appointed Mr Peter Levine and MS 6 00:00:21,900 --> 00:00:23,567 lisa diss bro to serve on the 7 00:00:23,567 --> 00:00:25,733 Commission on planning , programming , 8 00:00:25,733 --> 00:00:28,940 budgeting and execution reform . Mr 9 00:00:28,940 --> 00:00:31,162 Levine previously served as D . O . D . 10 00:00:31,162 --> 00:00:33,162 Deputy Chief management Officer and 11 00:00:33,162 --> 00:00:35,218 acting undersecretary of Defense for 12 00:00:35,218 --> 00:00:37,384 personnel and readiness that following 13 00:00:37,384 --> 00:00:39,384 his 20 years of service as Minority 14 00:00:39,384 --> 00:00:41,384 Counsel , general counsel and staff 15 00:00:41,384 --> 00:00:43,496 director of the Senate Armed Services 16 00:00:43,496 --> 00:00:45,607 Committee and he is currently serving 17 00:00:45,607 --> 00:00:47,829 as a senior fellow at the Institute for 18 00:00:47,829 --> 00:00:50,080 Defense analyses . MS diss bro , who I 19 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,080 think many of you know , previously 20 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:54,080 served as undersecretary of the Air 21 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:55,980 Force and prior to that Assistant 22 00:00:55,980 --> 00:00:57,702 Secretary of the Air Force for 23 00:00:57,702 --> 00:00:59,869 Financial Management and comptroller , 24 00:00:59,869 --> 00:01:01,980 she was also the vice director of the 25 00:01:01,980 --> 00:01:03,980 Joint Staff J eight . She currently 26 00:01:03,980 --> 00:01:06,036 serves as a director on the Board of 27 00:01:06,036 --> 00:01:08,202 Mercury Systems . The whole leadership 28 00:01:08,202 --> 00:01:10,940 team here looks forward to working with 29 00:01:10,940 --> 00:01:13,162 Mr Levine and Miss Diss bro . And their 30 00:01:13,162 --> 00:01:15,440 new roles as members of the commission . 31 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:17,662 We're grateful for their willingness to 32 00:01:17,662 --> 00:01:19,773 continue to serve the country in this 33 00:01:19,773 --> 00:01:21,884 capacity and I certainly look forward 34 00:01:21,884 --> 00:01:23,940 to uh to the work the good work that 35 00:01:23,940 --> 00:01:26,162 the commission will help us do in in in 36 00:01:26,162 --> 00:01:26,160 terms of our own programming and 37 00:01:26,170 --> 00:01:29,070 budgeting and execution . Um So with 38 00:01:29,070 --> 00:01:31,014 that we'll go to questions later . 39 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:34,530 Thanks dan . Um two things . 40 00:01:34,540 --> 00:01:37,380 11 of the things that the Russians said 41 00:01:37,390 --> 00:01:41,290 today was that they boosted 42 00:01:41,300 --> 00:01:44,010 their staff at some of their nuclear 43 00:01:44,020 --> 00:01:47,910 sites . I'm wondering if there's 44 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:49,920 anything that the pentagon has seen 45 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,087 regarding any changes in their nuclear 46 00:01:52,087 --> 00:01:54,710 posture at all . And then secondly , 47 00:01:55,060 --> 00:01:57,250 can you provide any assessment on the 48 00:01:57,250 --> 00:01:59,390 convoy that's headed to Kiev and what 49 00:01:59,390 --> 00:02:01,660 the security situation in Kiev is to 50 00:02:01,660 --> 00:02:03,730 the best that you all can tell right 51 00:02:03,730 --> 00:02:07,730 now . Um So on the nuclear question , 52 00:02:07,730 --> 00:02:10,840 I I have nothing to confirm these 53 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:12,784 reports that they've changed their 54 00:02:12,784 --> 00:02:14,951 staffing . Um what I would tell you is 55 00:02:14,951 --> 00:02:17,173 we've seen Mr Putin's announcement . Um 56 00:02:17,173 --> 00:02:19,730 we believe it's as unnecessary as it is 57 00:02:19,740 --> 00:02:22,630 escalatory , but we're reviewing and 58 00:02:22,630 --> 00:02:24,970 analyzing that uh that announcement . 59 00:02:24,980 --> 00:02:27,490 Um , and I would only just tell you 60 00:02:27,490 --> 00:02:31,130 that that as we continue to review and 61 00:02:31,140 --> 00:02:34,460 analyze and monitor . Uh the Secretary 62 00:02:34,460 --> 00:02:37,820 Austin is is comfortable with the the 63 00:02:37,820 --> 00:02:39,764 strategic deterrent posture of the 64 00:02:39,764 --> 00:02:41,987 United States and our ability to defend 65 00:02:41,987 --> 00:02:43,876 the homeland , our allies and our 66 00:02:43,876 --> 00:02:46,042 partners on the convoy . I mean , I've 67 00:02:46,042 --> 00:02:47,876 seen the images that that you're 68 00:02:47,876 --> 00:02:51,180 referring to um on on television , just 69 00:02:51,180 --> 00:02:53,770 like you . I mean , we we see them as 70 00:02:53,770 --> 00:02:57,490 well . I can't speak to specifics about 71 00:02:57,500 --> 00:03:01,480 its makeup uh , in the timeline and the 72 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:03,647 schedule that they're on or what their 73 00:03:03,647 --> 00:03:05,758 ultimate destination is . But clearly 74 00:03:05,758 --> 00:03:09,290 we continue to see Russian forces uh 75 00:03:09,300 --> 00:03:11,990 move on or move try to move closer to 76 00:03:11,990 --> 00:03:13,990 so they can move on , Kiev from the 77 00:03:13,990 --> 00:03:16,580 ground . Um , we still assess that 78 00:03:16,580 --> 00:03:20,310 they're outside the city center and 79 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:23,310 but what we know clearly that they have , 80 00:03:23,370 --> 00:03:25,426 they have intentions with respect to 81 00:03:25,426 --> 00:03:29,030 Kiev . Um , what we also have 82 00:03:29,030 --> 00:03:32,790 seen is Ukrainians , 83 00:03:33,640 --> 00:03:37,060 uh , resisting quite effectively around 84 00:03:37,060 --> 00:03:40,920 Kiev and continuously , they 85 00:03:40,930 --> 00:03:43,410 they have made it a tough slog for the 86 00:03:43,410 --> 00:03:46,900 Russians to move further south . Um , 87 00:03:46,910 --> 00:03:50,830 and as I think you've seen in reporting 88 00:03:50,830 --> 00:03:52,886 of your own , that the Russians have 89 00:03:52,930 --> 00:03:56,120 not only experienced a stiff and 90 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:58,453 determined resistance by the Ukrainians , 91 00:03:58,540 --> 00:04:01,080 but logistics and sustainment problems 92 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:03,290 of their own . So I can't speak with 93 00:04:03,290 --> 00:04:05,179 specificity about this convoy and 94 00:04:05,179 --> 00:04:07,346 what's in it and what they're and what 95 00:04:07,346 --> 00:04:09,290 their designs are , but it clearly 96 00:04:09,290 --> 00:04:11,750 appears to us just anecdotally as of a 97 00:04:11,750 --> 00:04:13,850 piece of their desire to continue to 98 00:04:13,850 --> 00:04:16,970 move on on the capitol , jen , john , 99 00:04:16,970 --> 00:04:19,081 what's your assessment of the Russian 100 00:04:19,081 --> 00:04:21,248 military , What have you learned about 101 00:04:21,248 --> 00:04:23,248 the Russian military from this last 102 00:04:23,248 --> 00:04:25,526 five days ? You know , I think it's uh , 103 00:04:25,526 --> 00:04:27,692 it's too soon for us to have some sort 104 00:04:27,692 --> 00:04:29,581 of sweeping conclusions about the 105 00:04:29,581 --> 00:04:31,692 Russian military here in day five . I 106 00:04:31,692 --> 00:04:34,480 would look very modern . I would uh , I 107 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:37,560 would uh , just say a couple of things . 108 00:04:39,140 --> 00:04:40,690 Uh , first of all , 109 00:04:42,940 --> 00:04:46,700 um , make no mistake . Mr 110 00:04:46,700 --> 00:04:49,790 Putin still has at his disposal , 111 00:04:49,790 --> 00:04:52,670 significant combat power . He hasn't 112 00:04:52,670 --> 00:04:55,160 moved all of it into Ukraine , but he's 113 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:57,382 moved the majority of it , he still has 114 00:04:57,382 --> 00:04:59,716 a lot that he hasn't moved into Ukraine . 115 00:04:59,940 --> 00:05:03,000 Um , it's combined arms . Um , and it's 116 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,620 not insignificant , jen Um , number two , 117 00:05:06,630 --> 00:05:10,550 yes , they have faced setbacks and 118 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:13,151 uh , and they have faced resistance , 119 00:05:13,840 --> 00:05:15,896 you gotta , you gotta hand it to the 120 00:05:15,896 --> 00:05:18,062 Ukrainians who have been fighting very 121 00:05:18,062 --> 00:05:20,118 hard for their country and making an 122 00:05:20,118 --> 00:05:22,284 impact and making a dent on Mr Putin's 123 00:05:22,284 --> 00:05:25,730 abilities . Uh But they will learn , 124 00:05:25,730 --> 00:05:27,897 the Russians will learn from this . We 125 00:05:27,897 --> 00:05:30,750 expect that they'll uh that uh that 126 00:05:30,750 --> 00:05:34,520 there we haven't seen any any 127 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:37,590 change in in in what we believe their 128 00:05:37,590 --> 00:05:41,010 desires to move in Ukraine . Um And so 129 00:05:41,020 --> 00:05:44,160 um they have suffered setbacks but I 130 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:46,160 don't think we can just assume that 131 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:48,382 they're gonna stay set back if you will 132 00:05:48,410 --> 00:05:50,650 that they will that they will try to 133 00:05:50,660 --> 00:05:52,980 work through these the resistance and 134 00:05:52,980 --> 00:05:55,147 to work through the challenges they've 135 00:05:55,147 --> 00:05:57,202 had on the logistics and sustainment 136 00:05:57,202 --> 00:05:59,370 front . Um Go ahead . You seen any new 137 00:05:59,370 --> 00:06:02,720 threat To Article five nations from 138 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:05,750 Russian forces and not 139 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:09,350 Tara ? Um Russia has said it will now 140 00:06:09,350 --> 00:06:11,770 hold accountable any nation that 141 00:06:11,770 --> 00:06:14,500 supplies weapons to Ukraine that lead 142 00:06:14,510 --> 00:06:16,650 to the death of its own forces . Is 143 00:06:16,650 --> 00:06:18,539 there a risk here that this could 144 00:06:18,539 --> 00:06:20,761 escalate if Russia decides to retaliate 145 00:06:20,761 --> 00:06:23,094 against nations that are providing Tara , 146 00:06:23,094 --> 00:06:25,261 that there's been a risk of escalation 147 00:06:25,261 --> 00:06:28,280 since uh since before Mr Putin decided 148 00:06:28,280 --> 00:06:30,380 to move in with tens of thousands of 149 00:06:30,380 --> 00:06:32,830 troops and tanks and mechanized forces 150 00:06:32,830 --> 00:06:35,290 and aircraft and um and ballistic 151 00:06:35,290 --> 00:06:37,346 missiles . Um You want to talk about 152 00:06:37,346 --> 00:06:39,012 escalation . Let's talk about 153 00:06:39,012 --> 00:06:40,846 escalation . Mr Putin is the one 154 00:06:40,846 --> 00:06:43,012 escalating this and continues to do so 155 00:06:43,012 --> 00:06:44,734 uh we're going to stand by the 156 00:06:44,734 --> 00:06:46,790 Ukrainian armed forces as we have as 157 00:06:46,790 --> 00:06:48,957 other NATO allies have and we're going 158 00:06:48,957 --> 00:06:51,068 to continue to find ways to help them 159 00:06:51,068 --> 00:06:53,670 defend themselves . Turkey today 160 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:55,624 announced that they're closing the 161 00:06:55,624 --> 00:06:57,810 straits to the old worship for the 162 00:06:57,820 --> 00:07:00,042 literal and monetary countries . Do you 163 00:07:00,042 --> 00:07:01,931 have anything One of you have any 164 00:07:01,931 --> 00:07:04,153 comments ? I am I don't I don't I don't 165 00:07:04,153 --> 00:07:06,870 have anyone that abraham . Thanks john 166 00:07:07,630 --> 00:07:10,030 is D O D coordinating air defense 167 00:07:10,030 --> 00:07:12,197 assistance with partners . And can you 168 00:07:12,197 --> 00:07:14,419 comment on the EU offer to give Ukraine 169 00:07:14,419 --> 00:07:16,641 combat jets ? I can't comment on the EU 170 00:07:16,641 --> 00:07:18,863 offer . We've seen that . I mean that's 171 00:07:18,863 --> 00:07:21,030 really for the european union to speak 172 00:07:21,030 --> 00:07:23,252 to uh but uh separate and distinct from 173 00:07:23,252 --> 00:07:25,252 that . And I think this gets really 174 00:07:25,252 --> 00:07:27,086 more your first question . Uh We 175 00:07:27,086 --> 00:07:29,308 absolutely remain in close consultation 176 00:07:29,308 --> 00:07:29,170 and coordination with allies and 177 00:07:29,170 --> 00:07:31,860 partners about security assistance . Um 178 00:07:31,870 --> 00:07:34,010 and uh I don't have a coordination 179 00:07:34,010 --> 00:07:36,010 mechanism to speak to , like all of 180 00:07:36,010 --> 00:07:38,066 it's being funneled through a single 181 00:07:38,066 --> 00:07:40,121 point or that kind of thing , but we 182 00:07:40,121 --> 00:07:42,121 continue to coordinate closely with 183 00:07:42,121 --> 00:07:44,288 allies and partners about the security 184 00:07:44,288 --> 00:07:46,510 assistance that the Ukrainians continue 185 00:07:46,510 --> 00:07:48,566 to get , not just from us , but from 186 00:07:48,566 --> 00:07:52,460 from them as well . Yeah . Yeah . So um 187 00:07:53,540 --> 00:07:55,762 many european nations are providing the 188 00:07:55,762 --> 00:07:58,890 Ukrainians with the advanced uh weapons . 189 00:07:58,890 --> 00:08:00,690 They're not they're not shy and 190 00:08:00,700 --> 00:08:03,190 revealing what types of weapons they're 191 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:05,660 they're providing uh to Ukraine in the 192 00:08:05,670 --> 00:08:07,781 past . The U . S . Has been reluctant 193 00:08:07,781 --> 00:08:10,003 and providing lethal weapon , but now , 194 00:08:10,003 --> 00:08:12,114 you know , openly we're talking about 195 00:08:12,114 --> 00:08:14,114 these things . However , you know , 196 00:08:14,114 --> 00:08:16,950 we're still talking anti airborne anti 197 00:08:16,950 --> 00:08:19,400 armor but there's no specificity is 198 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:22,260 this because of intelligence reasons or 199 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:24,751 as some might say , you don't want to 200 00:08:24,751 --> 00:08:27,430 provoke the Russians more . I mean what 201 00:08:27,430 --> 00:08:30,620 is the reason that it's open ? The U . 202 00:08:30,620 --> 00:08:32,842 S . Will support the Ukrainian forces . 203 00:08:32,842 --> 00:08:34,953 We're going to continue to do that as 204 00:08:34,953 --> 00:08:37,064 as you said and other officials . But 205 00:08:37,064 --> 00:08:39,560 what on the specific side of these 206 00:08:39,560 --> 00:08:43,550 weapons Freddie ? I um I don't think 207 00:08:43,550 --> 00:08:45,580 we've been inconsistent at all . I 208 00:08:45,580 --> 00:08:47,747 can't speak for what other nations are 209 00:08:47,747 --> 00:08:49,858 saying and doing . They can speak for 210 00:08:49,858 --> 00:08:51,747 the security assistance . They're 211 00:08:51,747 --> 00:08:53,636 providing the Ukrainians which is 212 00:08:53,636 --> 00:08:55,802 welcome . Uh and and and and certainly 213 00:08:55,802 --> 00:08:57,524 encouraged . We've been pretty 214 00:08:57,524 --> 00:09:01,240 consistent about a acknowledging we're 215 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:03,573 doing it and going to continue to do it . 216 00:09:03,573 --> 00:09:05,684 Be giving you a sense of the size and 217 00:09:05,684 --> 00:09:07,796 scale and the scope of it in terms of 218 00:09:07,796 --> 00:09:10,960 the dollar figures apply to it . Um and 219 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:13,380 see been pretty I think transparent 220 00:09:13,380 --> 00:09:15,950 about what's generally in the package , 221 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:17,682 we're not going to give you an 222 00:09:17,682 --> 00:09:19,738 inventory list . We're not gonna put 223 00:09:19,738 --> 00:09:21,904 that out to the public because as I've 224 00:09:21,904 --> 00:09:21,490 said from this podium many times before , 225 00:09:21,490 --> 00:09:23,379 we don't think there's a value to 226 00:09:23,379 --> 00:09:25,601 operational security for the Ukrainians 227 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:27,807 to to have that out in the public that 228 00:09:27,807 --> 00:09:29,862 what the shopping list looks like on 229 00:09:29,862 --> 00:09:31,807 any given day . I just don't see a 230 00:09:31,807 --> 00:09:33,918 value to doing that , I think I think 231 00:09:33,918 --> 00:09:35,862 we need to think about , we should 232 00:09:35,862 --> 00:09:38,196 always think about operational security , 233 00:09:38,196 --> 00:09:39,862 certainly in this case on the 234 00:09:39,862 --> 00:09:41,973 Ukrainians part , so we're doing that 235 00:09:41,973 --> 00:09:44,580 um the the kinds of material that are 236 00:09:44,580 --> 00:09:46,520 gonna be in these uh security 237 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:48,631 assistance packages going forward . I 238 00:09:48,631 --> 00:09:50,409 think you've rightly said we've 239 00:09:50,409 --> 00:09:52,576 detailed it's going to be some weapons 240 00:09:52,576 --> 00:09:54,742 that can support them on the ground as 241 00:09:54,742 --> 00:09:56,798 well as weapons that can support The 242 00:09:56,798 --> 00:09:58,853 airborne challenges that they have . 243 00:09:58,853 --> 00:10:01,076 And I think I think we feel comfortable 244 00:10:01,076 --> 00:10:03,020 going about that far on the images 245 00:10:03,020 --> 00:10:04,909 coming from Max are the satellite 246 00:10:04,909 --> 00:10:07,076 images of this convoy that extends for 247 00:10:07,076 --> 00:10:10,240 17 miles . Um Do you believe the 248 00:10:10,250 --> 00:10:12,470 Russians , Russian forces advancing on 249 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:15,060 give are planning on basically 250 00:10:15,060 --> 00:10:18,580 encircled the city or storm this type 251 00:10:18,580 --> 00:10:22,270 of um this type of troops and armaments 252 00:10:22,270 --> 00:10:25,440 at this size . Are you able to draw any 253 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:28,030 conclusions from what you've seen ? I 254 00:10:28,030 --> 00:10:30,141 think the main conclusion we can draw 255 00:10:30,141 --> 00:10:32,141 this gets the leaders . Question is 256 00:10:32,141 --> 00:10:34,252 that we that that they continue to to 257 00:10:34,252 --> 00:10:36,197 want to move on , keith to capture 258 00:10:36,197 --> 00:10:39,150 keith to take keith um and although we 259 00:10:39,150 --> 00:10:41,483 don't know everything about this convoy , 260 00:10:41,483 --> 00:10:43,780 it is certainly in keeping with what we 261 00:10:43,780 --> 00:10:45,947 believe to be their intent with , with 262 00:10:45,947 --> 00:10:47,836 respect to the capital city , how 263 00:10:47,836 --> 00:10:50,002 they're going to do that , whether its 264 00:10:50,002 --> 00:10:53,380 encirclement or or bombardment or or 265 00:10:53,390 --> 00:10:55,446 street to street fighting . I mean I 266 00:10:55,446 --> 00:10:57,612 just don't think we have that level of 267 00:10:57,612 --> 00:10:59,779 dexterity now to give you that kind of 268 00:10:59,779 --> 00:11:01,890 detail in terms of Russian planning , 269 00:11:01,890 --> 00:11:01,670 we don't we don't have insights to 270 00:11:01,670 --> 00:11:03,670 everything that they're planning on 271 00:11:03,670 --> 00:11:06,430 doing , um what we can talk about is 272 00:11:06,430 --> 00:11:08,486 what we're seeing now and and that's 273 00:11:08,486 --> 00:11:10,541 what we're seeing now and we're also 274 00:11:10,541 --> 00:11:12,541 seeing the Ukrainians put up a very 275 00:11:12,541 --> 00:11:12,460 stiff and determined resistance on 276 00:11:12,460 --> 00:11:14,571 their capital city and they have made 277 00:11:14,571 --> 00:11:16,682 it very difficult for the Russians to 278 00:11:16,682 --> 00:11:18,849 to continue to move ahead . We believe 279 00:11:18,849 --> 00:11:21,720 that the , based on what we know of 280 00:11:21,730 --> 00:11:23,841 what their plans were , that they are 281 00:11:23,841 --> 00:11:26,008 behind schedule , that they have faced 282 00:11:26,008 --> 00:11:27,841 a different resistance than they 283 00:11:27,841 --> 00:11:30,320 anticipated . Can you update us on any 284 00:11:30,330 --> 00:11:32,441 efforts that deconfliction ? And have 285 00:11:32,441 --> 00:11:34,940 there been any like close calls or 286 00:11:34,950 --> 00:11:37,380 specific cases in the last five days 287 00:11:37,380 --> 00:11:39,269 where there would be a need for a 288 00:11:39,269 --> 00:11:41,324 tactical deconfliction and then like 289 00:11:41,324 --> 00:11:43,980 how is are there calls that are being 290 00:11:43,980 --> 00:11:45,924 made from this building , from the 291 00:11:45,924 --> 00:11:48,258 White House , from the State Department ? 292 00:11:48,258 --> 00:11:50,591 Whatever it is to try to establish that , 293 00:11:50,591 --> 00:11:52,647 I would tell you that uh there is no 294 00:11:52,647 --> 00:11:55,220 deconfliction mechanism uh in place 295 00:11:55,220 --> 00:11:57,960 right now , but 296 00:11:59,940 --> 00:12:01,718 but certainly we understand the 297 00:12:01,718 --> 00:12:04,020 importance of deconfliction 298 00:12:04,020 --> 00:12:06,242 particularly now that the airspace over 299 00:12:06,242 --> 00:12:08,353 Ukraine is contested and some of that 300 00:12:08,353 --> 00:12:10,409 airspace butts right up against NATO 301 00:12:10,409 --> 00:12:12,353 territory ? Um and we're exploring 302 00:12:12,353 --> 00:12:14,750 options for uh 303 00:12:16,340 --> 00:12:18,118 should there be a deconfliction 304 00:12:18,118 --> 00:12:20,340 mechanism , what would that look like ? 305 00:12:20,340 --> 00:12:22,507 How would that be when we're exploring 306 00:12:22,507 --> 00:12:22,430 those options court ? I think that's 307 00:12:22,540 --> 00:12:24,596 that's where we are right now , when 308 00:12:24,596 --> 00:12:26,429 you say we you mean the pentagon 309 00:12:26,429 --> 00:12:28,262 pentagon , is there , is there a 310 00:12:28,262 --> 00:12:30,429 consideration of sort of like a larger 311 00:12:30,429 --> 00:12:30,280 NATO deconfliction . So like somehow 312 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:32,224 NATO would be the one who would be 313 00:12:32,224 --> 00:12:34,336 communicating that that could be part 314 00:12:34,336 --> 00:12:36,558 of the calculus . Again , we're kind of 315 00:12:36,558 --> 00:12:35,890 exploring the options right now . We 316 00:12:35,890 --> 00:12:38,000 don't have we don't have concrete 317 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:39,778 decisions and we don't have any 318 00:12:39,778 --> 00:12:41,944 indication right now from the Russians 319 00:12:41,944 --> 00:12:44,056 that they would also be interested in 320 00:12:44,056 --> 00:12:46,278 exploring those options . Uh , it's got 321 00:12:46,278 --> 00:12:48,278 to be a two way street , but we are 322 00:12:48,278 --> 00:12:50,500 having discussions here about what that 323 00:12:50,500 --> 00:12:52,667 should look like could look like . And 324 00:12:52,667 --> 00:12:52,560 certainly one option could be that it's 325 00:12:52,560 --> 00:12:54,650 done at , you know , inside the 326 00:12:54,650 --> 00:12:56,872 alliance rather than a unilateral thing 327 00:12:56,872 --> 00:12:58,817 at this point . This is Russia has 328 00:12:58,817 --> 00:13:01,110 shown no interest in establishing this . 329 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:03,573 I think that's a safe bet . Yes , ma'am , 330 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:07,560 carla . And now that we've seen 331 00:13:07,570 --> 00:13:09,737 civilian targets that have been hit as 332 00:13:09,737 --> 00:13:11,903 the US considering installing a no fly 333 00:13:11,903 --> 00:13:15,080 zone in Ukrainian airspace . And then 334 00:13:15,090 --> 00:13:17,310 to follow , can you tell us if there's 335 00:13:17,310 --> 00:13:19,532 been any more requests from NATO allies 336 00:13:19,532 --> 00:13:21,699 for US military assistance and give us 337 00:13:21,699 --> 00:13:23,532 an update on the troops that are 338 00:13:23,532 --> 00:13:25,643 deployed for this potential inclusion 339 00:13:25,643 --> 00:13:27,754 in the NATO response force , What are 340 00:13:27,754 --> 00:13:29,921 they doing right now ? Uh , there's no 341 00:13:29,921 --> 00:13:32,032 additional request for allied support 342 00:13:32,032 --> 00:13:34,199 that I'm that I'm tracking carla . But 343 00:13:34,199 --> 00:13:36,421 obviously this is a dynamic situation . 344 00:13:36,421 --> 00:13:35,940 We're in constant touch with our allies 345 00:13:35,940 --> 00:13:37,718 and partners and will certainly 346 00:13:37,718 --> 00:13:39,829 continue to talk about that ? I would 347 00:13:39,829 --> 00:13:41,996 not rule out in coming days Additional 348 00:13:41,996 --> 00:13:44,273 repositioning in Europe as appropriate . 349 00:13:44,273 --> 00:13:46,496 Um I don't have any updates for for you 350 00:13:46,496 --> 00:13:49,980 on on the NATO response force or uh or 351 00:13:49,980 --> 00:13:52,091 the troops that we have contributed . 352 00:13:52,091 --> 00:13:54,147 The president spoke to the 7000 that 353 00:13:54,147 --> 00:13:56,313 we're going over there . They could be 354 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:59,470 elements of our contribution to the 355 00:13:59,470 --> 00:14:03,030 very ready joint task force uh that 356 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:06,200 uh that NATO is working on putting 357 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:08,620 together but but you do really have to 358 00:14:08,620 --> 00:14:10,980 talk to to to uh to NATO and the 359 00:14:10,980 --> 00:14:13,147 alliance there in brussels about their 360 00:14:13,147 --> 00:14:15,369 plans for that . What I would just tell 361 00:14:15,369 --> 00:14:17,480 you is that Secretary Austin has been 362 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:19,702 very clear from the very beginning that 363 00:14:19,702 --> 00:14:21,702 should it be activated , we want to 364 00:14:21,702 --> 00:14:23,924 make sure we're ready and that's why we 365 00:14:23,924 --> 00:14:25,980 we've sent some additional forces to 366 00:14:25,980 --> 00:14:28,147 europe to be in that posture and to be 367 00:14:28,147 --> 00:14:30,036 ready . Should should that be the 368 00:14:30,036 --> 00:14:31,813 requirement that comes from the 369 00:14:31,813 --> 00:14:33,869 alliance . Again , we haven't gotten 370 00:14:33,869 --> 00:14:36,036 specific requirements laid out yet for 371 00:14:36,036 --> 00:14:38,091 for us and as for the troops that we 372 00:14:38,091 --> 00:14:39,924 have already repositioned and or 373 00:14:39,924 --> 00:14:42,147 deployed from the states unilaterally . 374 00:14:42,147 --> 00:14:44,360 Um they continue to work and train um 375 00:14:44,370 --> 00:14:47,160 with with the host nations as well as 376 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:50,820 other NATO allies in wherever they are , 377 00:14:50,830 --> 00:14:52,940 whether it's in the Baltic region or 378 00:14:52,940 --> 00:14:55,051 whether it's down in the southeastern 379 00:14:55,051 --> 00:14:57,650 flank . Hungary Bulgaria Romania . They 380 00:14:57,650 --> 00:14:59,761 continued to work and train with with 381 00:14:59,761 --> 00:15:01,928 their host nations and allied partners 382 00:15:01,928 --> 00:15:04,290 And then the 82nd as you know in Poland . 383 00:15:04,500 --> 00:15:07,370 They are also there as a reassurance 384 00:15:07,370 --> 00:15:09,940 force but they are postured and 385 00:15:09,940 --> 00:15:12,870 prepared to assist if needed with any 386 00:15:12,870 --> 00:15:15,220 evacuation assistance for americans 387 00:15:15,220 --> 00:15:17,387 coming across that border . Uh there's 388 00:15:17,387 --> 00:15:19,609 been , there hasn't been a heavy demand 389 00:15:19,609 --> 00:15:21,720 for that . They're postured and ready 390 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:23,942 to do that , but there just hasn't been 391 00:15:23,942 --> 00:15:25,998 a large outflow of american citizens 392 00:15:25,998 --> 00:15:28,109 from Ukraine and those that have come 393 00:15:28,109 --> 00:15:30,276 by and large , by a vast majority have 394 00:15:30,276 --> 00:15:30,240 not needed any assistance from the 395 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:32,073 United States military . They've 396 00:15:32,073 --> 00:15:34,129 already made their plans . They know 397 00:15:34,129 --> 00:15:34,100 where they're going , that there's 398 00:15:34,100 --> 00:15:36,440 obviously good transportation uh 399 00:15:36,450 --> 00:15:38,760 available to them in Poland . Okay , 400 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:43,180 let me get to the phones here uh , Tony 401 00:15:43,180 --> 00:15:46,910 to paseo . Hi john , quick 402 00:15:46,910 --> 00:15:50,490 question . How by how many days do you 403 00:15:50,490 --> 00:15:53,060 think the Russians have been derailed 404 00:15:53,070 --> 00:15:55,070 or been delayed from their original 405 00:15:55,070 --> 00:15:57,126 plans ? You've alluded to that ? You 406 00:15:57,126 --> 00:15:59,348 referenced that today . That are behind 407 00:15:59,348 --> 00:16:01,514 what you think with your schedule were 408 00:16:01,514 --> 00:16:03,626 they intending to be in Kiev by today 409 00:16:03,626 --> 00:16:05,848 and have conquered the city under their 410 00:16:05,848 --> 00:16:09,030 original war plan . Tony I want to be 411 00:16:09,030 --> 00:16:11,141 reticent here to to get too much into 412 00:16:11,141 --> 00:16:13,141 Russian planning . I mean , I think 413 00:16:13,141 --> 00:16:15,250 they they're far better to speak to 414 00:16:15,250 --> 00:16:18,020 what their plans were . Uh we think 415 00:16:18,020 --> 00:16:21,710 that there are a few days behind where 416 00:16:21,710 --> 00:16:23,940 they expected to be writ large in the 417 00:16:23,940 --> 00:16:26,162 country . I mean , I know we're focused 418 00:16:26,162 --> 00:16:28,329 on Kiev now , but we think there , you 419 00:16:28,329 --> 00:16:30,273 know , there are a few days behind 420 00:16:30,273 --> 00:16:32,496 where they expected to be at this point 421 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,290 Phil Stewart that we've provided to the 422 00:16:35,290 --> 00:16:37,623 Ukrainians . Can you broadly say , well , 423 00:16:37,623 --> 00:16:39,846 how effectively they have been used and 424 00:16:39,846 --> 00:16:41,901 how widely they have been used . And 425 00:16:41,901 --> 00:16:44,012 we're talking javelins and other ones 426 00:16:44,012 --> 00:16:46,179 that have been in the news . I'm going 427 00:16:46,179 --> 00:16:46,000 to steer away from getting into a 428 00:16:46,010 --> 00:16:48,760 battlefield analysis of the weaponry 429 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:50,816 that's being used on any given day . 430 00:16:50,816 --> 00:16:52,730 Into what effect we know that the 431 00:16:52,730 --> 00:16:55,860 Ukrainian armed forces are using a lot 432 00:16:55,860 --> 00:16:58,210 of the systems and equipment that had 433 00:16:58,210 --> 00:17:00,432 been provided to them , not just by the 434 00:17:00,432 --> 00:17:02,488 United States , but by other nations 435 00:17:02,488 --> 00:17:04,654 and as I said , and you can see it for 436 00:17:04,654 --> 00:17:06,877 yourself and many of your outlets , you 437 00:17:06,877 --> 00:17:09,043 you've got reporters on the ground who 438 00:17:09,043 --> 00:17:08,960 are seeing it up close and personal , 439 00:17:09,140 --> 00:17:11,251 the Ukrainians have been effective at 440 00:17:11,251 --> 00:17:13,473 using these weapons in these systems um 441 00:17:13,473 --> 00:17:16,300 and about and that resisting and and 442 00:17:16,300 --> 00:17:18,300 pushing back the Russian forces . I 443 00:17:18,300 --> 00:17:20,420 want to remind again that this is a , 444 00:17:20,430 --> 00:17:22,650 you know , it's this is a dynamic 445 00:17:22,650 --> 00:17:25,590 situation . It's war and war can be 446 00:17:25,590 --> 00:17:29,240 unpredictable . And uh and and uh I 447 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:32,600 don't think that that anybody including 448 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:35,360 perhaps especially Ukrainians are 449 00:17:35,360 --> 00:17:38,830 sniffing at uh at Russian capabilities 450 00:17:38,830 --> 00:17:42,360 that they're facing um Phil Stewart 451 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:47,730 john , what would the U . S . Or NATO 452 00:17:47,730 --> 00:17:49,860 allies do if Russia were to target 453 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:52,440 these convoys or these shipments of 454 00:17:52,450 --> 00:17:54,672 these weapons that are going to Ukraine 455 00:17:54,672 --> 00:17:56,783 especially now that Russia has warned 456 00:17:56,783 --> 00:17:58,506 that they find these shipments 457 00:17:58,506 --> 00:18:00,672 unacceptable . Yeah , I'm not going to 458 00:18:00,672 --> 00:18:02,710 get into a hypothetical Phil we're 459 00:18:02,710 --> 00:18:04,821 going to continue to provide security 460 00:18:04,821 --> 00:18:06,988 assistance to Ukrainian armed forces . 461 00:18:06,988 --> 00:18:09,154 Uh , and we're still going to look for 462 00:18:09,154 --> 00:18:11,560 ways to do that in the most effective , 463 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:14,260 efficient way possible . Our support 464 00:18:14,260 --> 00:18:17,610 for uh , for Ukraine continues as well 465 00:18:17,610 --> 00:18:19,780 as that of allies and partners . And 466 00:18:19,780 --> 00:18:21,447 I'm I'm going to refrain from 467 00:18:21,447 --> 00:18:24,690 hypothesizing about what ifs uh in 468 00:18:24,690 --> 00:18:27,110 terms of any disruptions or potential 469 00:18:27,110 --> 00:18:29,670 disruptions uh , to that assistance . 470 00:18:30,620 --> 00:18:31,880 Mike , Glenn . Yeah . 471 00:18:35,540 --> 00:18:37,360 Yeah . Hi john , thanks a lot . 472 00:18:38,140 --> 00:18:41,310 Question . The the Russians have 473 00:18:41,310 --> 00:18:43,860 violated basically every maximum rule 474 00:18:43,860 --> 00:18:46,390 of war you can think of . I mean under 475 00:18:46,390 --> 00:18:49,130 the 3 to 1 rule ratio ratio rule , they 476 00:18:49,130 --> 00:18:51,130 should have fielded about a million 477 00:18:51,130 --> 00:18:53,241 troops instead of the 200,000 or so . 478 00:18:53,241 --> 00:18:54,870 They fielded , they're not 479 00:18:54,870 --> 00:18:57,550 concentrating forces , They don't have , 480 00:18:57,940 --> 00:19:00,560 uh , you know , control of the airspace . 481 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:02,782 They don't they don't they don't have , 482 00:19:02,782 --> 00:19:04,782 they didn't have a good situational 483 00:19:04,782 --> 00:19:06,671 awareness of their opponents . My 484 00:19:06,671 --> 00:19:08,630 question is our leadership in the 485 00:19:08,630 --> 00:19:10,630 building , Are they surprised about 486 00:19:10,630 --> 00:19:12,630 just how bad the Russians have done 487 00:19:12,630 --> 00:19:14,630 have bungled this invasion so far , 488 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:17,151 we're watching this as closely as you 489 00:19:17,151 --> 00:19:19,810 guys are on a day by day basis . Um , 490 00:19:19,820 --> 00:19:23,640 and and we're we're refraining from 491 00:19:23,870 --> 00:19:27,500 making some sort of broad assessments 492 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:29,611 are assigning report cards to them on 493 00:19:29,611 --> 00:19:33,220 any given day . Um it is day five Mike , 494 00:19:33,740 --> 00:19:37,210 it's day five and it's clear the 495 00:19:37,210 --> 00:19:39,210 Russians have not made the progress 496 00:19:39,210 --> 00:19:41,377 that they wanted to make by day five , 497 00:19:41,377 --> 00:19:44,250 but that doesn't mean uh that they 498 00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:46,520 aren't going to adapt and try to 499 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:49,370 overcome some of these challenges ? Um 500 00:19:49,380 --> 00:19:52,950 And it doesn't mean that the that that 501 00:19:52,950 --> 00:19:56,430 the Ukrainians aren't going to also 502 00:19:56,430 --> 00:19:58,750 keep fighting for their country and 503 00:19:58,750 --> 00:20:00,861 what that looks like tomorrow and the 504 00:20:00,861 --> 00:20:02,861 next day , you know , we just don't 505 00:20:02,861 --> 00:20:06,160 know . So uh it's clear , yes the 506 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:09,770 Russians um uh Mhm . 507 00:20:10,340 --> 00:20:12,940 Have have had their own challenges and 508 00:20:12,940 --> 00:20:15,107 they have met resistance that we don't 509 00:20:15,107 --> 00:20:17,280 believe they fully expected . Uh But I 510 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:19,391 think it would be dangerous territory 511 00:20:19,391 --> 00:20:22,030 for us to to read too much into this on 512 00:20:22,030 --> 00:20:25,410 any given day . And and uh and and uh 513 00:20:25,420 --> 00:20:27,364 and prognosticate about where it's 514 00:20:27,364 --> 00:20:30,960 gonna go . I would also just add it . 515 00:20:32,030 --> 00:20:34,300 The one place that still could go is a 516 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:38,170 peaceful diplomatic outcome . There's 517 00:20:38,170 --> 00:20:42,100 nothing other than perhaps his own 518 00:20:42,100 --> 00:20:44,560 obstinance of preventing Mr Putin from 519 00:20:45,410 --> 00:20:47,410 from doing the right thing here and 520 00:20:47,410 --> 00:20:49,760 trying to find a way to to stop this 521 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:53,550 war to de escalate the tensions um and 522 00:20:53,550 --> 00:20:56,920 to uh and to reengage uh in some sort 523 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:59,270 of diplomatic peaceful path forward . 524 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:01,470 Uh And we'll see if that can bear out 525 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:03,591 clearly doesn't appear to be the path 526 00:21:03,591 --> 00:21:06,820 he wants to to choose . Louis . Can I 527 00:21:06,940 --> 00:21:08,940 ask you two questions . One , there 528 00:21:08,940 --> 00:21:10,990 have been reports that the Russians 529 00:21:10,990 --> 00:21:13,670 have used cluster munitions in Kharkiv . 530 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:16,670 Um do you have anything to suggest that 531 00:21:18,340 --> 00:21:20,562 how would you view that if that was the 532 00:21:20,562 --> 00:21:23,380 case and seeing the imagery that you 533 00:21:23,380 --> 00:21:25,547 guys have seen that sort of leading to 534 00:21:25,547 --> 00:21:27,269 these questions Louie we can't 535 00:21:27,269 --> 00:21:30,200 independently verify that . But look , 536 00:21:32,540 --> 00:21:34,410 um let's not get hung up on a 537 00:21:34,410 --> 00:21:37,190 particular weapons system here . He's 538 00:21:37,190 --> 00:21:40,560 perpetrating violence on a neighboring 539 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:42,950 nation state that presented no threat 540 00:21:42,950 --> 00:21:45,560 to him and innocent lives are being 541 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:48,930 killed , taken . And and we've seen 542 00:21:48,930 --> 00:21:51,152 casualties . We know there's casualties 543 00:21:51,152 --> 00:21:53,374 on both sides of this conflict . All of 544 00:21:53,374 --> 00:21:55,041 this louis was avoidable . So 545 00:21:58,140 --> 00:22:01,110 the obviously certain weapons carry 546 00:22:01,110 --> 00:22:04,700 with them uh ramifications that others 547 00:22:04,700 --> 00:22:07,090 don't . But let's not get too wrapped 548 00:22:07,090 --> 00:22:10,060 up in whether it's this or that this is 549 00:22:10,060 --> 00:22:12,120 a war of choice , completely and 550 00:22:12,120 --> 00:22:14,270 totally unavoidable and all the 551 00:22:14,270 --> 00:22:16,970 casualties are on his hands . All the 552 00:22:16,970 --> 00:22:19,800 blood is on Mr . Putin's hands on a 553 00:22:19,810 --> 00:22:21,866 different matter . You spoke earlier 554 00:22:21,866 --> 00:22:23,970 about the Thousands of soldiers from 555 00:22:23,970 --> 00:22:27,810 the 82nd ? Yeah . To help with the 556 00:22:27,810 --> 00:22:30,180 situation that has not emerged helping 557 00:22:30,180 --> 00:22:32,980 americans get out . There's a broader 558 00:22:32,980 --> 00:22:35,036 situation that's taking place on the 559 00:22:35,036 --> 00:22:37,091 border . You now have almost 300,000 560 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:39,662 people who have crossed over the border 561 00:22:39,662 --> 00:22:41,718 in the last four days . Is there any 562 00:22:41,718 --> 00:22:43,790 discussion that those forces may be 563 00:22:43,790 --> 00:22:45,790 committed to a broader humanitarian 564 00:22:45,790 --> 00:22:48,960 mission and under whatever 565 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:52,570 authority to ease that situation , 566 00:22:52,570 --> 00:22:54,459 given the limited resourcing that 567 00:22:54,459 --> 00:22:56,459 Poland may have , we're in constant 568 00:22:56,459 --> 00:22:58,459 touch with the our State Department 569 00:22:58,459 --> 00:23:00,126 colleagues uh and with polish 570 00:23:00,126 --> 00:23:03,400 authorities . Um and uh if there's such 571 00:23:03,400 --> 00:23:06,660 a demand signal outside of Ukraine If 572 00:23:06,660 --> 00:23:08,382 there's such a demand signal , 573 00:23:08,382 --> 00:23:10,382 obviously the Department of Defense 574 00:23:10,382 --> 00:23:12,493 would , would , would do our part and 575 00:23:12,493 --> 00:23:14,382 help out . There's no such demand 576 00:23:14,382 --> 00:23:17,730 signal right now , Jeff . 577 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:22,696 Thank you . I just wanted to clarify 578 00:23:22,696 --> 00:23:24,950 when you answer Tony's questions , I 579 00:23:24,950 --> 00:23:26,894 think you said something along the 580 00:23:26,894 --> 00:23:28,950 lines of no one is sniffing at these 581 00:23:28,950 --> 00:23:31,172 weapons . Was sniffing the right word . 582 00:23:33,340 --> 00:23:37,330 I think it was . Uh , let's see heather 583 00:23:37,330 --> 00:23:41,080 from us . And I great , 584 00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:43,247 thank you . I was wondering if you can 585 00:23:43,247 --> 00:23:44,969 give us an update on any naval 586 00:23:44,969 --> 00:23:47,080 movements you might have seen on this 587 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:49,024 afternoon as well as any update on 588 00:23:49,024 --> 00:23:51,247 whether Turkey is planning to close off 589 00:23:51,247 --> 00:23:53,358 the Bosporus to um , ships outside of 590 00:23:53,358 --> 00:23:55,580 the Black Sea fleet . Black Sea fleet . 591 00:23:55,580 --> 00:23:57,802 Turkey , I'll let Turkey speak to their 592 00:23:57,802 --> 00:24:00,080 application of the Montreal convention . 593 00:24:00,080 --> 00:23:59,970 That's that's that's for them to speak 594 00:23:59,970 --> 00:24:02,870 to um , in the maritime domain . Um , 595 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:05,550 we know that the , the Russians still 596 00:24:05,550 --> 00:24:09,500 had , they still have a they 597 00:24:09,500 --> 00:24:11,500 still have warships as well , which 598 00:24:11,500 --> 00:24:13,990 includes an amphibious landing ships in 599 00:24:13,990 --> 00:24:16,570 the Black Sea . We know that they use 600 00:24:16,570 --> 00:24:19,080 some of those landing ships to conduct 601 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:21,350 an amphibious assault late last week . 602 00:24:21,940 --> 00:24:24,610 I don't have any updates , uh , 603 00:24:24,620 --> 00:24:26,790 specific things to speak about in the 604 00:24:26,790 --> 00:24:28,957 maritime domain in the Black Sea , but 605 00:24:28,957 --> 00:24:31,300 we do know that they clearly still have 606 00:24:31,300 --> 00:24:33,411 combat capability at sea available to 607 00:24:33,411 --> 00:24:35,300 them . Um , and I just don't have 608 00:24:35,300 --> 00:24:37,356 anything more in terms of what we're 609 00:24:37,356 --> 00:24:39,578 seeing anything . Anything more kinetic 610 00:24:39,578 --> 00:24:41,800 to talk to ? Have you seen any evidence 611 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:44,133 that the Snake Island sailors are alive ? 612 00:24:44,133 --> 00:24:46,356 The Ukrainians , there was , we've seen 613 00:24:46,356 --> 00:24:48,467 some press reporting to that effect , 614 00:24:48,467 --> 00:24:50,522 but you have no way no way to verify 615 00:24:50,522 --> 00:24:52,633 that . One way or the other . Sorry , 616 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:55,207 the assistance , security assistance , 617 00:24:55,207 --> 00:24:57,373 both lethal and nonlethal that the U . 618 00:24:57,373 --> 00:24:57,280 S . And others are sending in . Do you 619 00:24:57,280 --> 00:24:59,336 have indications that that's getting 620 00:24:59,336 --> 00:25:01,502 where it needs to go ? Are those lives 621 00:25:01,502 --> 00:25:03,669 working and how far in the country can 622 00:25:03,669 --> 00:25:06,670 they get key car key ? I would just 623 00:25:06,670 --> 00:25:08,781 tell you , or in that , uh , that the 624 00:25:08,781 --> 00:25:11,120 the assistance continues to flow and we 625 00:25:11,120 --> 00:25:13,880 are comfortable that it's it's it's 626 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:16,213 getting into the hands that that needed . 627 00:25:16,213 --> 00:25:18,324 I think I'd leave it there , but I've 628 00:25:18,324 --> 00:25:20,770 already got you . No , no , I'm not . 629 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:23,720 All right , Go ahead . Okay . I wonder 630 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:25,887 if you could thank you so much , sir . 631 00:25:25,887 --> 00:25:27,998 I wonder if you could address some of 632 00:25:27,998 --> 00:25:30,109 the air policing mission . The United 633 00:25:30,109 --> 00:25:32,053 States has F sixteen's F 30 five's 634 00:25:32,053 --> 00:25:34,109 moving fifth gen capabilities to the 635 00:25:34,109 --> 00:25:33,790 eastern flank all the way from the 636 00:25:33,790 --> 00:25:36,800 Baltics down to Can you talk a little 637 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:39,440 bit about the impact effect that has 638 00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:41,607 had and what they're doing . Exactly . 639 00:25:41,607 --> 00:25:43,607 The Baltic air policing mission , I 640 00:25:43,607 --> 00:25:45,773 think , you know , is a longstanding , 641 00:25:45,773 --> 00:25:47,884 it's something we've been doing for a 642 00:25:47,884 --> 00:25:49,996 quite a while . Um , and it remains a 643 00:25:49,996 --> 00:25:52,220 valid mission set for our pilots and 644 00:25:52,220 --> 00:25:54,276 aircraft that are based there at you 645 00:25:54,276 --> 00:25:56,276 calm . As I said , some of them are 646 00:25:56,276 --> 00:25:59,210 coming from the the Navy side as well . 647 00:25:59,220 --> 00:26:01,442 And um , and we're going to continue to 648 00:26:01,442 --> 00:26:03,609 work with the , with the Baltic states 649 00:26:03,609 --> 00:26:05,776 on this air policing . But those , but 650 00:26:05,776 --> 00:26:05,340 those missions are happening . I mean , 651 00:26:05,340 --> 00:26:07,396 they are , they're happening in real 652 00:26:07,396 --> 00:26:09,618 time and they and they have even before 653 00:26:09,618 --> 00:26:11,562 this crisis . And it's important , 654 00:26:11,562 --> 00:26:13,980 especially , you know , back to um , to 655 00:26:13,980 --> 00:26:16,080 some degree , uh , back to courts 656 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:18,302 question about deconfliction . I mean , 657 00:26:18,302 --> 00:26:20,247 this is airspace that now butts up 658 00:26:20,247 --> 00:26:22,524 against what is now contested airspace . 659 00:26:22,524 --> 00:26:24,469 So , uh , in many ways , these air 660 00:26:24,469 --> 00:26:26,524 policing missions are more important 661 00:26:26,524 --> 00:26:29,270 than ever before . If you're feeling 662 00:26:29,270 --> 00:26:32,940 generous . Um , do you 663 00:26:32,950 --> 00:26:35,250 have the pentagon been able to assess 664 00:26:35,250 --> 00:26:38,470 anything additional from Putin's orders , 665 00:26:38,470 --> 00:26:40,303 putting troops on the heightened 666 00:26:40,303 --> 00:26:42,303 nuclear deterrent posture ? I kinda 667 00:26:42,303 --> 00:26:44,581 already dealt with that with with lita . 668 00:26:44,581 --> 00:26:46,748 I think I'll just leave my answer like 669 00:26:46,748 --> 00:26:49,081 I left it with her . Okay . You're , it , 670 00:26:50,340 --> 00:26:52,770 thank you very much what 671 00:26:54,340 --> 00:26:58,310 it was . So we know that Russians are 672 00:26:58,310 --> 00:27:00,199 using cruise missiles , ballistic 673 00:27:00,199 --> 00:27:03,480 missiles , advanced air 674 00:27:03,630 --> 00:27:07,040 technologies is the union , you know , 675 00:27:07,050 --> 00:27:09,770 NATO airspace being protected by 676 00:27:09,770 --> 00:27:12,450 advanced air defense systems right now , 677 00:27:12,450 --> 00:27:15,570 are you ready to intercept any Russian 678 00:27:15,570 --> 00:27:17,792 missiles crossing into the airspace ? I 679 00:27:17,792 --> 00:27:20,190 will talk about the specifics of how 680 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:23,610 NATO airspace is or will be protected . 681 00:27:24,540 --> 00:27:27,850 I would just tell you that uh , one of 682 00:27:27,850 --> 00:27:30,072 the reasons why we have and you've seen 683 00:27:30,072 --> 00:27:31,683 some of the air assets we've 684 00:27:31,683 --> 00:27:33,906 contributed now , uh , in just the last 685 00:27:33,906 --> 00:27:36,072 week or so , uh , is to make sure that 686 00:27:36,072 --> 00:27:38,128 we when we say we're going to defend 687 00:27:38,128 --> 00:27:40,128 every inch of NATO territory , that 688 00:27:40,128 --> 00:27:42,128 means from the sky as well . We are 689 00:27:42,128 --> 00:27:44,294 working in close coordination with our 690 00:27:44,294 --> 00:27:46,183 allies and partners and their air 691 00:27:46,183 --> 00:27:48,239 forces to make sure that we can meet 692 00:27:48,239 --> 00:27:50,239 that need . Okay . Thanks everybody 693 00:27:50,239 --> 00:27:50,950 appreciate it .