1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:03,710 I hear what you say when you when I'm 2 00:00:03,710 --> 00:00:05,710 late , you think I'm oblivious like 3 00:00:05,710 --> 00:00:07,710 that , that that that I don't and I 4 00:00:07,710 --> 00:00:09,821 don't you guys there's microphones in 5 00:00:09,821 --> 00:00:13,060 here . And so I think the last time I 6 00:00:13,060 --> 00:00:15,282 was a little bit late , somebody said , 7 00:00:15,282 --> 00:00:17,449 well , I was like 11 , 12 minutes late 8 00:00:17,449 --> 00:00:19,930 and uh , Okay , 18 . And somebody said , 9 00:00:19,930 --> 00:00:22,200 well , this isn't bad for Kirby time . 10 00:00:22,210 --> 00:00:24,370 Like I know I hear it , I know . All 11 00:00:24,370 --> 00:00:26,592 right , good afternoon everybody . Um , 12 00:00:26,592 --> 00:00:28,703 couple of things at the top . I think 13 00:00:28,703 --> 00:00:30,814 you all saw the secretary's statement 14 00:00:30,814 --> 00:00:32,592 expressing our gratitude to the 15 00:00:32,592 --> 00:00:34,550 government of Slovakia for their 16 00:00:34,550 --> 00:00:37,690 willingness to transfer uh an S 300 air 17 00:00:37,690 --> 00:00:40,530 defense missile system uh to Ukraine in 18 00:00:40,530 --> 00:00:42,697 that statement , he also , so I talked 19 00:00:42,697 --> 00:00:46,100 about um are ability , 20 00:00:46,100 --> 00:00:49,870 willingness and uh , and uh an upcoming 21 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:52,440 um provision of a temporary deployment 22 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:55,260 of a patriot system into Slovakia . Uh , 23 00:00:55,270 --> 00:00:58,030 so that their air defense uh can be 24 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:00,580 preserved . It's part and parcel of the 25 00:01:00,580 --> 00:01:02,802 larger effort that we've been doing now 26 00:01:02,802 --> 00:01:05,050 for quite some time to bolster NATO's 27 00:01:05,050 --> 00:01:07,050 eastern flank and improve our 28 00:01:07,050 --> 00:01:09,050 deterrence and defense capabilities 29 00:01:09,050 --> 00:01:11,217 there . This is a temporary deployment 30 00:01:11,217 --> 00:01:13,439 of a patriot system . While we continue 31 00:01:13,439 --> 00:01:15,494 to consult and talk to the Slovakian 32 00:01:15,494 --> 00:01:17,383 government about more longer term 33 00:01:17,383 --> 00:01:19,106 solutions . I don't have those 34 00:01:19,106 --> 00:01:21,106 solutions to speak to today or what 35 00:01:21,106 --> 00:01:23,328 that might look like . I can't give you 36 00:01:23,328 --> 00:01:25,383 an exact timeframe for how long this 37 00:01:25,383 --> 00:01:27,606 temporary deployment will occur will be 38 00:01:27,606 --> 00:01:29,828 working this in real time and iterative 39 00:01:29,828 --> 00:01:31,939 lee with the government of Slovakia , 40 00:01:31,939 --> 00:01:31,210 but we're grateful for their 41 00:01:31,210 --> 00:01:34,530 willingness to help out Ukraine with 42 00:01:34,530 --> 00:01:36,810 this critical need , particularly as 43 00:01:36,820 --> 00:01:40,110 the war in Ukraine now enters a new , a 44 00:01:40,110 --> 00:01:42,110 new time frame here . A new , a new 45 00:01:42,110 --> 00:01:44,240 phase , if you will , with a stronger 46 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:46,770 focus by the Russians on the , on the 47 00:01:46,770 --> 00:01:50,720 Donbass . Um , I know that you all 48 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:52,850 have been covering the , the missile 49 00:01:52,850 --> 00:01:56,660 strike that occurred at the Kremlin 50 00:01:56,660 --> 00:01:58,680 vortex . Uh , sorry , I'll probably 51 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:00,902 mess that up at the train station there 52 00:02:00,902 --> 00:02:04,760 in the Donbas . Um , um , that we are , 53 00:02:04,770 --> 00:02:05,600 we 54 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:12,140 we find unconvincing Russian claims 55 00:02:12,140 --> 00:02:13,751 that they weren't involved , 56 00:02:13,751 --> 00:02:15,973 particularly when the ministry actually 57 00:02:15,973 --> 00:02:18,140 announced it . Uh , and then when they 58 00:02:18,140 --> 00:02:20,084 saw reports of civilian casualties 59 00:02:20,084 --> 00:02:22,710 decided to go unannounced it . So , our 60 00:02:22,710 --> 00:02:26,040 assessment is that , uh , that this was 61 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:28,207 a Russian strike and that they use the 62 00:02:28,207 --> 00:02:30,318 short range ballistic missile to , to 63 00:02:30,318 --> 00:02:32,540 conduct it . Um , uh , and you've seen 64 00:02:32,540 --> 00:02:34,596 the reports for yourselves . Many of 65 00:02:34,596 --> 00:02:36,762 your colleagues have been reporting it 66 00:02:36,762 --> 00:02:38,651 from on the ground that there are 67 00:02:38,651 --> 00:02:40,984 civilian casualties . There it is again , 68 00:02:40,984 --> 00:02:43,151 of a piece of the Russian brutality in 69 00:02:43,151 --> 00:02:45,429 the prosecution of this war . Uh , and , 70 00:02:45,429 --> 00:02:47,651 uh , and their their their carelessness 71 00:02:47,651 --> 00:02:51,050 for trying to avoid civilian harm . Um , 72 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:55,280 on a personal notes , we are very happy 73 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:57,280 to hear . I got the news last night 74 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:59,391 that the Senate unanimously confirmed 75 00:02:59,391 --> 00:03:01,710 to D . O . D . Officials bila plan is 76 00:03:01,710 --> 00:03:03,599 the undersecretary of defense for 77 00:03:03,599 --> 00:03:05,654 acquisition and sustainment and eric 78 00:03:05,654 --> 00:03:07,766 raven to be the undersecretary of the 79 00:03:07,766 --> 00:03:09,877 Navy . And we're very excited . These 80 00:03:09,877 --> 00:03:09,780 are two very big positions , very key 81 00:03:09,780 --> 00:03:11,891 positions here at the department . Uh 82 00:03:11,891 --> 00:03:13,780 And we're excited to have them be 83 00:03:13,780 --> 00:03:15,780 joining the team here in the coming 84 00:03:15,780 --> 00:03:18,960 days . Uh There's a lot going on , a 85 00:03:18,970 --> 00:03:21,081 lot of threats and challenges to deal 86 00:03:21,081 --> 00:03:22,803 with them . And and both these 87 00:03:22,803 --> 00:03:24,914 gentlemen will be will be key to that 88 00:03:24,914 --> 00:03:27,026 effort . Moving on to some other news 89 00:03:27,026 --> 00:03:29,248 on the first of april U . S . Sailors , 90 00:03:29,248 --> 00:03:31,303 coast guardsmen and marines embarked 91 00:03:31,303 --> 00:03:33,526 aboard the USs hershel , woody Williams 92 00:03:33,526 --> 00:03:35,526 with support from Interpol and they 93 00:03:35,526 --> 00:03:37,303 assisted then in the cabo verde 94 00:03:37,303 --> 00:03:39,414 maritime forces with the interdiction 95 00:03:39,414 --> 00:03:41,637 of a Brazilian flagged fishing vessel , 96 00:03:41,637 --> 00:03:44,680 seizing approximately 6000 kg of 97 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:46,960 cocaine and with an estimated value of 98 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:50,420 more than $350 million . Local 99 00:03:50,430 --> 00:03:52,680 authorities took seven individuals into 100 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:54,810 custody during that counter drug 101 00:03:54,810 --> 00:03:57,870 operation . Another good example of 102 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:00,290 working with our allies and our 103 00:04:00,290 --> 00:04:02,600 partners all around the world to 104 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:05,520 improve security and stability . Uh 105 00:04:05,530 --> 00:04:07,586 Then on a programming note on monday 106 00:04:07,586 --> 00:04:09,641 morning , the secretary will welcome 107 00:04:09,641 --> 00:04:11,530 here to the pentagon , the indian 108 00:04:11,530 --> 00:04:13,697 Minister of Defense , Rajnath Singh um 109 00:04:13,697 --> 00:04:15,990 for enhanced cordon ceremony and a 110 00:04:15,990 --> 00:04:18,212 bilateral meeting . That of course will 111 00:04:18,212 --> 00:04:20,268 be uh you'll you'll be able to cover 112 00:04:20,268 --> 00:04:22,434 that . Then later in the afternoon the 113 00:04:22,434 --> 00:04:24,546 Secretary and Minister Sing Sing will 114 00:04:24,546 --> 00:04:26,768 join Secretary of State Blinken and the 115 00:04:26,768 --> 00:04:28,990 indian Minister of external Affairs 116 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:32,380 Jaishankar for the fourth US India two 117 00:04:32,380 --> 00:04:34,830 plus two ministerial dialogue and 118 00:04:34,830 --> 00:04:37,500 that'll occur on monday this year's two 119 00:04:37,500 --> 00:04:39,790 plus two will span the full breadth of 120 00:04:39,790 --> 00:04:41,734 the partnership between the United 121 00:04:41,734 --> 00:04:43,790 States and India , including Defense 122 00:04:43,790 --> 00:04:45,846 science and technology cooperation , 123 00:04:45,846 --> 00:04:47,957 climate , public health and people to 124 00:04:47,957 --> 00:04:50,012 people ties . Since its inception in 125 00:04:50,012 --> 00:04:52,234 2018 , the two plus two ministerial has 126 00:04:52,234 --> 00:04:54,401 allowed the United States and India to 127 00:04:54,401 --> 00:04:56,457 continue to work towards building an 128 00:04:56,457 --> 00:04:58,179 advanced comprehensive defense 129 00:04:58,179 --> 00:05:00,179 partnership That we think is poised 130 00:05:00,179 --> 00:05:02,401 very well to meet the challenges of the 131 00:05:02,401 --> 00:05:04,568 of the 21st century . So with that Bob 132 00:05:04,620 --> 00:05:07,570 on Ukraine , as the Russians narrow the 133 00:05:07,580 --> 00:05:10,650 focus of their operations to the Don 134 00:05:10,650 --> 00:05:12,817 boss in the south , as you described , 135 00:05:13,340 --> 00:05:15,600 Do you anticipate that this will change 136 00:05:15,610 --> 00:05:17,410 in any significant way that the 137 00:05:17,410 --> 00:05:20,640 Ukrainians needs , the type of needs 138 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:24,130 they'll have for um weaponry , other 139 00:05:24,140 --> 00:05:26,251 assistance from the United States and 140 00:05:26,251 --> 00:05:28,418 other partners . And also will it make 141 00:05:28,418 --> 00:05:30,584 it significantly more difficult to get 142 00:05:30,584 --> 00:05:34,290 it into them ? Um I do not we do not 143 00:05:34,290 --> 00:05:38,280 assess that this uh higher focused by 144 00:05:38,280 --> 00:05:40,447 the Russians on the south and the east 145 00:05:40,447 --> 00:05:43,430 by itself geographically is going to 146 00:05:43,550 --> 00:05:46,560 affect in any appreciable way the 147 00:05:46,570 --> 00:05:48,800 continued transshipment of security 148 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:51,100 assistance on the ground in the Ukraine 149 00:05:51,210 --> 00:05:53,043 that the United States States is 150 00:05:53,043 --> 00:05:56,090 helping to coordinate . Um and as for 151 00:05:56,090 --> 00:05:58,423 whether it will change the requirements , 152 00:05:58,423 --> 00:06:00,534 I think largely that's gonna be up to 153 00:06:00,534 --> 00:06:02,646 the Ukrainians . Uh as uh I think you 154 00:06:02,646 --> 00:06:04,646 all know , the Secretary spoke with 155 00:06:04,646 --> 00:06:06,646 Minister Reznikoff just yesterday , 156 00:06:06,646 --> 00:06:09,610 late , late yesterday afternoon . Good 157 00:06:09,610 --> 00:06:11,990 conversation as they all are . The 158 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:14,167 minister was grateful for the security 159 00:06:14,167 --> 00:06:16,222 assistance , particularly the recent 160 00:06:16,222 --> 00:06:18,310 announcement of $100 million dollars 161 00:06:18,310 --> 00:06:21,950 worth of javelins , which we did very 162 00:06:21,950 --> 00:06:24,172 much in keeping with conversations with 163 00:06:24,172 --> 00:06:26,440 them about this renewed fighting in a 164 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:28,900 much more confined geographic area . So 165 00:06:28,900 --> 00:06:31,380 we are tailoring our security 166 00:06:31,380 --> 00:06:33,491 assistance to meet their needs on the 167 00:06:33,491 --> 00:06:35,436 ground . But it's their needs were 168 00:06:35,436 --> 00:06:37,602 trying to meet . We're not trying to , 169 00:06:37,602 --> 00:06:39,713 you know , uh , voice singing , voice 170 00:06:39,713 --> 00:06:39,430 stuff upon them that , that we don't 171 00:06:39,430 --> 00:06:41,910 think that they can use . So , um , I 172 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,560 guess that's a long answer to a very 173 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:46,727 brief question . It's too soon to know 174 00:06:46,727 --> 00:06:48,504 if there's gonna have to be any 175 00:06:48,504 --> 00:06:50,560 adjustments . We'll work that out in 176 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:52,671 real time with Mr Resnick off and the 177 00:06:52,671 --> 00:06:52,430 Ukrainian armed forces . And clearly , 178 00:06:52,430 --> 00:06:54,597 if it's something we can do , uh , and 179 00:06:54,597 --> 00:06:56,319 we can do it quickly , we will 180 00:06:56,319 --> 00:06:58,486 absolutely do that right now . I don't 181 00:06:58,486 --> 00:07:00,430 think we're anticipating any major 182 00:07:00,430 --> 00:07:02,652 muscle movement changes in terms of the 183 00:07:02,652 --> 00:07:04,763 security assistance required for this 184 00:07:04,763 --> 00:07:06,820 for this new push by the Russians in 185 00:07:06,820 --> 00:07:08,931 the Donbass . I will tell you . And I 186 00:07:08,931 --> 00:07:10,931 think I've said this before . But I 187 00:07:10,931 --> 00:07:12,598 mean , one of the things that 188 00:07:12,598 --> 00:07:14,653 Ukrainians continue to say is one of 189 00:07:14,653 --> 00:07:16,820 the most valuable commodities is small 190 00:07:16,820 --> 00:07:19,920 arms ammunition . Uh , and uh , and we 191 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:22,031 and other nations continue to provide 192 00:07:22,031 --> 00:07:24,360 literally millions of rounds . It 193 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:26,027 doesn't get the headlines . I 194 00:07:26,027 --> 00:07:28,249 understand that it's not as dramatic as 195 00:07:28,249 --> 00:07:30,249 antitank missiles or , or stinger , 196 00:07:30,249 --> 00:07:32,380 anti air missiles . But it's a it's a 197 00:07:32,380 --> 00:07:34,750 vital need that they use literally 198 00:07:34,750 --> 00:07:36,472 every day . Uh , and that that 199 00:07:36,472 --> 00:07:40,420 continues to flow . Sylvia . Thank you 200 00:07:40,420 --> 00:07:43,840 agent yesterday the Secretary spoke 201 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:47,610 about updated guidance about 202 00:07:47,610 --> 00:07:50,070 sharing intelligence with the 203 00:07:50,070 --> 00:07:53,800 Ukrainians on the zones 204 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:57,130 controlled by the separatist , pro 205 00:07:57,130 --> 00:08:00,860 Russian population . So does it mean 206 00:08:00,940 --> 00:08:03,620 that you didn't give them any 207 00:08:03,620 --> 00:08:06,830 information , any intelligence on this 208 00:08:06,830 --> 00:08:09,840 zone until now ? And does it mean that 209 00:08:09,850 --> 00:08:13,120 you are giving them these intelligence 210 00:08:13,130 --> 00:08:16,480 now to help them reclaim these 211 00:08:16,490 --> 00:08:19,540 zones ? It did not mean that we weren't 212 00:08:19,540 --> 00:08:21,540 giving them useful intelligence and 213 00:08:21,540 --> 00:08:23,596 information in the don boston in the 214 00:08:23,596 --> 00:08:25,707 east eastern part of the country . We 215 00:08:25,707 --> 00:08:28,780 have continued to provide them uh with 216 00:08:28,790 --> 00:08:30,401 with useful intelligence and 217 00:08:30,401 --> 00:08:32,179 information to help them defend 218 00:08:32,179 --> 00:08:34,510 themselves . Um What the Secretary was 219 00:08:34,510 --> 00:08:36,621 referring to was as the conditions on 220 00:08:36,621 --> 00:08:38,840 the ground have changed and as this 221 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:41,710 focus , how has happened has has been 222 00:08:41,710 --> 00:08:45,250 more pronounced in the east . Um uh we 223 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,440 we needed to make sure that the that 224 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:51,170 the guidance to our own our own 225 00:08:51,170 --> 00:08:53,337 intelligence apparatus was was keeping 226 00:08:53,337 --> 00:08:56,320 pace with that . And what does it mean 227 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:58,487 that you are helping them now that the 228 00:08:58,487 --> 00:09:01,680 objective now is to help them to retake 229 00:09:01,690 --> 00:09:05,250 these those are objective is and has 230 00:09:05,250 --> 00:09:07,500 been to help them defend themselves . 231 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:11,560 And that includes giving them tools 232 00:09:11,570 --> 00:09:14,390 whether that be weapons and systems and 233 00:09:14,390 --> 00:09:16,700 ammunition or information to be able to 234 00:09:16,700 --> 00:09:19,360 do that uh as uh as best as they 235 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:21,270 possibly can . Yeah , 236 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,407 follow us . But Sylvia just asked in a 237 00:09:25,407 --> 00:09:28,650 separate question please , you know me 238 00:09:28,650 --> 00:09:30,872 by now that I'd like to pick apart your 239 00:09:30,872 --> 00:09:34,850 words and I enjoy it . Okay , well I 240 00:09:34,850 --> 00:09:36,961 appreciate we'll see if this rises to 241 00:09:36,961 --> 00:09:39,350 it then . Twice said in response to 242 00:09:39,350 --> 00:09:41,590 Sylvie that you're given the United 243 00:09:41,590 --> 00:09:43,368 States is giving the Ukrainians 244 00:09:43,368 --> 00:09:46,120 information to defend themselves . I 245 00:09:46,130 --> 00:09:48,297 want to make sure by the understanding 246 00:09:48,297 --> 00:09:50,463 of the word defend in other words . If 247 00:09:50,463 --> 00:09:52,686 the Ukrainians and you did , you know , 248 00:09:52,686 --> 00:09:54,408 I know you don't like to go in 249 00:09:54,408 --> 00:09:56,490 hypotheticals , but I'm gonna try it 250 00:09:56,490 --> 00:09:58,750 anyway . Ukrainians have engaged in 251 00:09:58,750 --> 00:10:00,917 offensive actions , not just defensive 252 00:10:00,917 --> 00:10:03,630 actions in Ukraine would sharing it if 253 00:10:03,630 --> 00:10:05,352 the Ukrainians are planning an 254 00:10:05,352 --> 00:10:07,960 offensive action , does that fall under 255 00:10:08,230 --> 00:10:10,341 an area where you provide information 256 00:10:10,341 --> 00:10:12,680 to help them ? We are look tom I don't 257 00:10:12,680 --> 00:10:14,624 want to and I'm not trying I'm not 258 00:10:14,624 --> 00:10:18,330 trying to parse words here . Uh when we 259 00:10:18,330 --> 00:10:20,274 say we want to help the Ukrainians 260 00:10:20,274 --> 00:10:22,441 defend themselves . Were talking about 261 00:10:22,441 --> 00:10:22,280 the aggregate effort here , We're not 262 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:24,502 talking about a tactical whether I'm in 263 00:10:24,502 --> 00:10:26,740 a defensive position or I'm on a 264 00:10:26,740 --> 00:10:30,060 counterattack . We aren't we're not 265 00:10:30,060 --> 00:10:32,227 getting into that level of specificity 266 00:10:32,227 --> 00:10:34,116 here . We are trying to give them 267 00:10:34,116 --> 00:10:36,310 useful information and intelligence 268 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:40,220 that allows them uh to defend 269 00:10:40,220 --> 00:10:42,620 themselves to push back to resist to 270 00:10:42,620 --> 00:10:44,787 fight against you call it whatever you 271 00:10:44,787 --> 00:10:47,340 want . Uh this Russian invasion . Um 272 00:10:47,340 --> 00:10:49,460 And if they were to use some of that 273 00:10:49,460 --> 00:10:51,682 information to conduct a counter attack 274 00:10:51,682 --> 00:10:53,990 then Then so be it uh they are 275 00:10:53,990 --> 00:10:56,620 defending the larger defenses of their 276 00:10:56,620 --> 00:10:58,676 country . They have been invaded now 277 00:10:58,676 --> 00:11:00,787 actually , they've been invaded quite 278 00:11:00,787 --> 00:11:03,009 frankly for eight years , but a massive 279 00:11:03,009 --> 00:11:05,064 invasion that began on 24 February . 280 00:11:05,064 --> 00:11:07,260 And um , and they're resisting that . 281 00:11:07,270 --> 00:11:09,460 And we are doing what we can . I'm not 282 00:11:09,460 --> 00:11:11,738 going to get into too much detail here . 283 00:11:11,738 --> 00:11:13,849 I think you can understand that , but 284 00:11:13,849 --> 00:11:15,904 we're doing what we can to give them 285 00:11:15,904 --> 00:11:15,690 the tools . And some of that includes 286 00:11:15,700 --> 00:11:18,950 useful information that they can use to 287 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:20,980 to contribute to that that active 288 00:11:20,980 --> 00:11:22,758 defense of their country . That 289 00:11:22,758 --> 00:11:24,869 clarifies it . My my other question , 290 00:11:24,869 --> 00:11:28,740 sorry , I'm delighted . I 291 00:11:28,750 --> 00:11:32,660 know that Earlier this year , actually 292 00:11:32,660 --> 00:11:35,960 on January 24 of this year , you said 293 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,071 in response to another question by me 294 00:11:38,071 --> 00:11:40,238 that it's quote not helpful to look at 295 00:11:40,238 --> 00:11:42,293 history , although I know you taught 296 00:11:42,293 --> 00:11:45,860 history in academy perplexity . That 297 00:11:45,860 --> 00:11:47,860 seems like a brutal retelling of my 298 00:11:47,860 --> 00:11:50,410 quote , but go ahead . That's Well . 299 00:11:50,630 --> 00:11:53,160 Anyway , as General Milley said 300 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:55,271 yesterday , the action is going to be 301 00:11:55,271 --> 00:11:57,438 shifting to the Donbass region , which 302 00:11:57,438 --> 00:11:59,438 is a different terrain than much of 303 00:11:59,438 --> 00:12:01,549 Ukraine . And it was the scene during 304 00:12:01,549 --> 00:12:03,716 World War two of huge tank battles and 305 00:12:03,716 --> 00:12:05,660 armored battles . From a strategic 306 00:12:05,660 --> 00:12:09,610 point of view , bullets are great and a 307 00:12:09,610 --> 00:12:11,777 lot of javelins are on their way . But 308 00:12:11,777 --> 00:12:13,721 does this give the Russians now an 309 00:12:13,721 --> 00:12:15,721 advantage in the sense that they do 310 00:12:15,721 --> 00:12:17,721 have more armor than Ukrainians and 311 00:12:17,721 --> 00:12:19,666 this is a terrain made for armored 312 00:12:19,666 --> 00:12:22,010 fighting . So this is a more confined 313 00:12:22,010 --> 00:12:23,770 geographic area . I am not a 314 00:12:23,780 --> 00:12:25,836 topographical expert . I'm certainly 315 00:12:25,836 --> 00:12:28,169 not an expert in land warfare . And yes , 316 00:12:28,169 --> 00:12:30,280 while I taught history , it was naval 317 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:32,391 history . So I want to stay inside my 318 00:12:32,391 --> 00:12:34,470 lanes here um what I can what and I 319 00:12:34,470 --> 00:12:36,581 don't want to be and I don't think we 320 00:12:36,581 --> 00:12:38,581 should be predictive about what the 321 00:12:38,581 --> 00:12:40,914 outcome is going to be . Um but there's , 322 00:12:40,914 --> 00:12:42,970 I think what the chairman was really 323 00:12:42,970 --> 00:12:45,137 getting at and he was absolutely right 324 00:12:45,137 --> 00:12:47,359 to do this was to provide a sense of of 325 00:12:47,359 --> 00:12:49,526 of the potential here for the conflict 326 00:12:49,526 --> 00:12:51,470 to increase in intensity and to be 327 00:12:51,470 --> 00:12:53,581 prolonged . And I think that's really 328 00:12:53,581 --> 00:12:55,748 the larger point he was trying to make 329 00:12:55,748 --> 00:12:57,914 because now the the Russians are going 330 00:12:57,914 --> 00:12:59,914 to be concentrating there available 331 00:12:59,914 --> 00:13:03,630 combat power and they still have a 332 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:05,862 the vast majority of their combat power 333 00:13:05,862 --> 00:13:07,973 still available to them . Tom they're 334 00:13:07,973 --> 00:13:10,029 gonna be concentrating that now in a 335 00:13:10,029 --> 00:13:12,570 more confined , smaller geographic area . 336 00:13:12,580 --> 00:13:15,400 So they , you know , earlier on in this 337 00:13:15,410 --> 00:13:17,960 invasion , they were working on three 338 00:13:17,970 --> 00:13:21,660 uh massively separate lines of access , 339 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:24,880 south , east , northeast , north , 340 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:27,510 northwest , right ? Um They divided the 341 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:29,780 massive force but they divided along 342 00:13:29,780 --> 00:13:31,780 three big lines of access . And now 343 00:13:31,780 --> 00:13:33,891 we're going to see that they're going 344 00:13:33,891 --> 00:13:36,290 to concentrate on on smaller uh fewer 345 00:13:36,300 --> 00:13:38,700 lines of access in a smaller geographic 346 00:13:38,700 --> 00:13:41,830 area . Uh So still a lot of combat 347 00:13:41,830 --> 00:13:44,140 power do we apply it in a smaller part 348 00:13:44,140 --> 00:13:46,140 of the country . Again , I'm not an 349 00:13:46,140 --> 00:13:48,362 expert on the geography here , but just 350 00:13:48,362 --> 00:13:50,418 looking at it on a map , you can see 351 00:13:50,418 --> 00:13:52,640 that they will be able to bring to bear 352 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:54,362 a lot more power in a lot more 353 00:13:54,362 --> 00:13:56,418 concentrated fashion that said , And 354 00:13:56,418 --> 00:13:58,084 this is not unimportant . The 355 00:13:58,084 --> 00:14:00,307 Ukrainians have also been fighting hard 356 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:02,536 in Donbas for the last eight years . 357 00:14:02,536 --> 00:14:04,647 The Ukrainians are certainly familiar 358 00:14:04,647 --> 00:14:07,090 with the terrain , the topography , uh , 359 00:14:07,100 --> 00:14:09,190 and uh , in the cities and towns and 360 00:14:09,190 --> 00:14:11,700 the roads and the railways . Uh , and 361 00:14:11,710 --> 00:14:14,370 uh , I mean , this is their home . And 362 00:14:14,380 --> 00:14:16,780 as we have seen in the last , well , 363 00:14:16,780 --> 00:14:18,947 the last few weeks , but certainly the 364 00:14:18,947 --> 00:14:20,947 last several days , as the Russians 365 00:14:20,947 --> 00:14:20,830 have concentrated more effort there , 366 00:14:20,840 --> 00:14:22,951 the Ukrainians are fighting back just 367 00:14:22,951 --> 00:14:26,030 as hard and we'll be working just as 368 00:14:26,030 --> 00:14:28,141 hard to continue to defend themselves 369 00:14:28,141 --> 00:14:31,110 there . Um , and again , our support is 370 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:33,176 of a piece of this as we continue to 371 00:14:33,176 --> 00:14:35,398 talk with them about what they need for 372 00:14:35,398 --> 00:14:37,520 this for this closer fight . If you 373 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:39,631 will , we're going to continue to try 374 00:14:39,631 --> 00:14:41,687 to to to support them in that . Does 375 00:14:41,687 --> 00:14:44,640 that answer your question ? Yeah , john 376 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:46,807 do you think the Russians are going to 377 00:14:46,807 --> 00:14:48,973 lose this war in Ukraine ? We want the 378 00:14:48,973 --> 00:14:51,340 Ukrainians to win this war . Um , and 379 00:14:51,350 --> 00:14:53,530 we want to see Ukraine not have to 380 00:14:53,530 --> 00:14:55,840 fight for its own sovereignty as it has 381 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:57,562 been for eight years . We keep 382 00:14:57,562 --> 00:14:59,590 forgetting that . Um , I think 383 00:14:59,590 --> 00:15:02,070 President Zelensky has been rock solid 384 00:15:02,070 --> 00:15:04,300 clear on what his outcome is here , a 385 00:15:04,300 --> 00:15:07,600 whole Ukraine uh fully respected as a 386 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:09,767 sovereign nation state state . We want 387 00:15:09,767 --> 00:15:11,900 that for him too . And so we want to 388 00:15:11,900 --> 00:15:14,390 help , we want to see them win . Um and 389 00:15:14,390 --> 00:15:16,630 that's why we are committing so much 390 00:15:16,630 --> 00:15:18,797 energy and security assistance to that 391 00:15:18,797 --> 00:15:20,963 country and will continue to do that . 392 00:15:20,963 --> 00:15:23,186 If you want to see the Ukrainians win , 393 00:15:23,186 --> 00:15:22,640 Does that mean you want to see the 394 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:25,100 Russians lose ? We would we want to see 395 00:15:25,110 --> 00:15:28,800 uh Mr Putin and the Russian army uh 396 00:15:28,810 --> 00:15:31,340 lose this invasion , lose this fight 397 00:15:31,350 --> 00:15:33,670 inside Ukraine . It is Ukrainian 398 00:15:33,670 --> 00:15:36,110 territory . Ukrainian sovereignty . 399 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:38,300 It's Ukrainian cities and lives that 400 00:15:38,300 --> 00:15:40,570 are being destroyed . And obviously we 401 00:15:40,570 --> 00:15:42,792 want to see that end and we want to see 402 00:15:42,792 --> 00:15:44,959 Ukraine whole again , will the U . S . 403 00:15:44,959 --> 00:15:47,126 Support Ukrainian forces if they go on 404 00:15:47,126 --> 00:15:49,348 the offensive in Crimea and the Russian 405 00:15:49,348 --> 00:15:51,403 backed separatist regions in eastern 406 00:15:51,403 --> 00:15:53,626 Ukraine , I'm not gonna get into future 407 00:15:53,626 --> 00:15:53,450 operations here . What I would tell you 408 00:15:53,450 --> 00:15:55,561 is we're going to continue to support 409 00:15:55,561 --> 00:15:57,506 Ukraine in their efforts to defend 410 00:15:57,506 --> 00:15:59,617 their sovereignty and their people as 411 00:15:59,617 --> 00:16:01,561 much as we can as fast as we can , 412 00:16:01,561 --> 00:16:03,450 Lucas . I'm not going to get into 413 00:16:03,450 --> 00:16:05,506 hypothetical hypothetical operations 414 00:16:05,506 --> 00:16:07,839 that they haven't conducted yet , kelly . 415 00:16:07,839 --> 00:16:09,839 I have two questions . If I may the 416 00:16:09,839 --> 00:16:11,783 first is on a profile today on the 417 00:16:11,783 --> 00:16:11,630 Commander in chief of the Ukrainian 418 00:16:11,630 --> 00:16:13,797 armed forces leading the fight against 419 00:16:13,797 --> 00:16:16,019 the rush . And I was curious if you had 420 00:16:16,019 --> 00:16:17,852 a comment on his leadership or a 421 00:16:17,852 --> 00:16:19,741 message to him and second Russian 422 00:16:19,741 --> 00:16:21,963 officials are threatening Finland if it 423 00:16:21,963 --> 00:16:24,186 goes ahead and joins NATO , Do you take 424 00:16:24,186 --> 00:16:26,408 those threats seriously ? And would the 425 00:16:26,408 --> 00:16:28,463 US come to Finland's defense ? So by 426 00:16:28,463 --> 00:16:30,630 the profile of commander , do you mean 427 00:16:30,630 --> 00:16:32,741 President Zelensky ? His commander in 428 00:16:32,741 --> 00:16:34,800 chief is the commander of his armed 429 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,022 forces in Ukraine . Haven't seen I have 430 00:16:37,022 --> 00:16:39,189 not seen the profile kelly . So let me 431 00:16:39,189 --> 00:16:41,411 take a look at the profile before I try 432 00:16:41,411 --> 00:16:43,578 to characterize it , I would just tell 433 00:16:43,578 --> 00:16:45,910 you that um we have good connectivity 434 00:16:45,910 --> 00:16:48,132 with Ukrainian armed forces at the very 435 00:16:48,132 --> 00:16:50,243 senior levels . General Milley speaks 436 00:16:50,243 --> 00:16:52,410 very frequently with his counterpart . 437 00:16:52,410 --> 00:16:54,743 As you know , you guys see the readouts , 438 00:16:54,743 --> 00:16:56,743 you know how often Secretary Austin 439 00:16:56,743 --> 00:16:58,854 speaks with Minister Reznikoff and of 440 00:16:58,854 --> 00:17:01,021 course President Biden and his regular 441 00:17:01,021 --> 00:17:03,460 contact with President Zelensky . Um it 442 00:17:03,460 --> 00:17:06,290 is remarkable how well they are leading 443 00:17:06,290 --> 00:17:08,457 their forces in the field and how good 444 00:17:08,457 --> 00:17:10,401 their command and control still is 445 00:17:10,401 --> 00:17:13,990 today . Well organized , well equipped , 446 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:16,056 certainly well trained over the last 447 00:17:16,056 --> 00:17:18,222 eight years and you're seeing all that 448 00:17:18,222 --> 00:17:20,278 come to bear . So I haven't seen the 449 00:17:20,278 --> 00:17:22,444 profile so I I can't really comment on 450 00:17:22,444 --> 00:17:24,590 that , but but uh , we have great 451 00:17:24,590 --> 00:17:26,423 confidence in Ukrainian military 452 00:17:26,423 --> 00:17:28,470 leadership and the incredible work 453 00:17:28,470 --> 00:17:30,581 they're doing leading their troops in 454 00:17:30,581 --> 00:17:32,748 the field and it's again , you've seen 455 00:17:32,748 --> 00:17:34,581 it , it's not just it's not just 456 00:17:34,581 --> 00:17:36,692 Ukrainian troops , Ukrainian citizens 457 00:17:36,692 --> 00:17:38,637 taking up arms and defending their 458 00:17:38,637 --> 00:17:40,748 streets in their cities on your other 459 00:17:40,748 --> 00:17:42,914 question . Again , I don't want to get 460 00:17:42,914 --> 00:17:45,248 ahead of where we are on a process here , 461 00:17:45,248 --> 00:17:47,930 a decision to join the NATO alliances 462 00:17:47,930 --> 00:17:50,430 between the alliance and that nation . 463 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:52,560 And I'm certainly with the United 464 00:17:52,560 --> 00:17:54,393 States is not going to interpose 465 00:17:54,393 --> 00:17:56,730 ourselves uh , into that decision 466 00:17:56,730 --> 00:17:58,841 making process that's really for them 467 00:17:58,841 --> 00:18:01,060 to speak to . That said . And I think 468 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:05,460 today's movement in the announcement 469 00:18:05,460 --> 00:18:08,250 that we're going to be providing a 470 00:18:08,260 --> 00:18:10,610 patriot battery inside Slovakia tells 471 00:18:10,610 --> 00:18:12,940 you how seriously we take our Article 472 00:18:12,940 --> 00:18:15,260 five commitments inside NATO and the 473 00:18:15,260 --> 00:18:16,982 alliance . And as you've heard 474 00:18:16,982 --> 00:18:19,038 President Biden say , we're going to 475 00:18:19,038 --> 00:18:21,204 defend every inch of NATO territory if 476 00:18:21,204 --> 00:18:22,982 it's if it's required , it's an 477 00:18:22,982 --> 00:18:25,204 ironclad commitment . The United States 478 00:18:25,204 --> 00:18:27,204 States believes that . Um and we'll 479 00:18:27,204 --> 00:18:28,927 continue to look for ways to , 480 00:18:28,927 --> 00:18:30,871 especially on the eastern flank to 481 00:18:30,871 --> 00:18:33,560 bolster that casting . Just to follow 482 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:35,760 up on Sylvia's question on information 483 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:38,110 sharing . Secretary Austin yesterday 484 00:18:38,110 --> 00:18:41,230 said that you guys are clarifying the 485 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:44,480 guidance for your force . What was he 486 00:18:44,490 --> 00:18:47,310 meaning ? Actually , one thing , 487 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:51,290 clarifying the as the situation changes 488 00:18:51,290 --> 00:18:53,920 on the ground , um information needs , 489 00:18:53,930 --> 00:18:55,930 change , information requirements , 490 00:18:55,930 --> 00:18:58,320 change information , guidance changes . 491 00:18:58,330 --> 00:19:00,441 And I think that's what the Secretary 492 00:19:00,441 --> 00:19:02,386 is referring to . And then another 493 00:19:02,386 --> 00:19:04,750 question , I'm sorry , we have seen 494 00:19:04,750 --> 00:19:08,410 reports that base of United while 495 00:19:08,420 --> 00:19:11,840 US forces are stationed in Syria came 496 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:13,896 under rocket attacks and two U . S . 497 00:19:13,896 --> 00:19:16,250 Service members were wounded reportedly . 498 00:19:16,490 --> 00:19:18,657 Do you have any thing on that ? Yeah , 499 00:19:18,657 --> 00:19:20,450 actually I do here . Hang on . 500 00:19:22,140 --> 00:19:25,610 Uh , so I think you guys saw centcom 501 00:19:25,610 --> 00:19:28,050 put out a release that there was 502 00:19:29,510 --> 00:19:33,300 indirect fire ? two rounds received 503 00:19:33,300 --> 00:19:35,300 at Green Village in Eastern Syria , 504 00:19:36,940 --> 00:19:38,960 they announced yesterday . We still 505 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:42,070 assess that at this time for us service 506 00:19:42,070 --> 00:19:44,240 members are continuing to be evaluated 507 00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:47,370 for traumatic brain injury symptoms . 508 00:19:47,380 --> 00:19:50,240 The numbers still four . It can change 509 00:19:50,250 --> 00:19:52,139 as we have seen in the past , but 510 00:19:52,139 --> 00:19:54,280 that's where we are right now . Uh , 511 00:19:54,290 --> 00:19:56,290 the indirect fire struck to support 512 00:19:56,290 --> 00:19:57,957 building buildings were still 513 00:19:57,957 --> 00:19:59,846 investigating this . I don't have 514 00:19:59,846 --> 00:20:02,068 attribution for you . I don't have more 515 00:20:02,068 --> 00:20:04,890 detail on on damage . Okay . Uh just 516 00:20:04,890 --> 00:20:06,557 one more . You don't have any 517 00:20:06,557 --> 00:20:08,501 attribution but you have any sense 518 00:20:08,501 --> 00:20:10,501 whether this was something that was 519 00:20:10,501 --> 00:20:12,612 carried out by some sort of a militia 520 00:20:12,612 --> 00:20:14,834 group . I mean , it's it is certainly a 521 00:20:14,834 --> 00:20:16,779 tactic that has been used by these 522 00:20:16,779 --> 00:20:19,010 militia groups , uh militia groups that 523 00:20:19,010 --> 00:20:21,177 are supported by Iran . It's right out 524 00:20:21,177 --> 00:20:23,399 of their playbook . I think our working 525 00:20:23,399 --> 00:20:25,399 assumption would be that that's the 526 00:20:25,399 --> 00:20:27,288 case here . But we want to do the 527 00:20:27,288 --> 00:20:29,510 forensics and and do it properly . Do I 528 00:20:29,510 --> 00:20:31,732 do I have a sheet from for the calls or 529 00:20:31,732 --> 00:20:33,788 nobody . I didn't get one . So we're 530 00:20:33,788 --> 00:20:37,550 not . That was my that was my 531 00:20:37,550 --> 00:20:40,810 poor attempt to move off of you but 532 00:20:40,820 --> 00:20:44,250 failed . Mike mike totally screwed me 533 00:20:44,250 --> 00:20:47,150 on . All right . One more on Ukraine is 534 00:20:47,150 --> 00:20:49,372 there just given that there's even more 535 00:20:49,372 --> 00:20:51,206 and more momentum , it seems for 536 00:20:51,206 --> 00:20:53,372 Finland and Sweden to potentially join 537 00:20:53,372 --> 00:20:55,594 NATO ? Is the pentagon already planning 538 00:20:55,594 --> 00:20:57,440 for sending some sort of U . S . 539 00:20:57,440 --> 00:20:59,718 Military presence into those countries ? 540 00:20:59,718 --> 00:21:02,880 Whether it's like a uh systems or 541 00:21:02,880 --> 00:21:05,047 anything like that ? Is there any kind 542 00:21:05,047 --> 00:21:07,950 of very early planning for reinforcing 543 00:21:07,950 --> 00:21:10,460 them as part of this ongoing shoring up 544 00:21:10,460 --> 00:21:13,120 of NATO ? Well , we've been doing that 545 00:21:13,180 --> 00:21:15,402 in court but specifically for some of a 546 00:21:15,402 --> 00:21:17,402 longer term presence to Finland and 547 00:21:17,402 --> 00:21:19,590 Sweden specifically if they know of no 548 00:21:19,590 --> 00:21:23,110 such plans for countries outside of 549 00:21:23,110 --> 00:21:25,443 NATO . No , but but once they I'm sorry , 550 00:21:25,443 --> 00:21:27,499 once they join NATO , is there early 551 00:21:27,499 --> 00:21:29,666 planning going on for if and when they 552 00:21:29,666 --> 00:21:31,721 actually do become members of NATO . 553 00:21:31,721 --> 00:21:33,943 I'm not aware of such planning . I mean 554 00:21:33,943 --> 00:21:35,943 that's that's uh that's many horses 555 00:21:35,943 --> 00:21:38,166 beyond where the card is right now . Um 556 00:21:38,166 --> 00:21:40,332 again , I don't want to get ahead of a 557 00:21:40,332 --> 00:21:42,221 decision making process between a 558 00:21:42,221 --> 00:21:44,554 sovereign nation state and the alliance . 559 00:21:44,554 --> 00:21:46,830 Um , so there's no such , there's no 560 00:21:46,830 --> 00:21:48,800 active planning for any kind of US 561 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:51,360 force presence in those countries . Um 562 00:21:51,370 --> 00:21:53,550 and again we we would need them , you 563 00:21:53,550 --> 00:21:56,050 know , being a process of them being 564 00:21:56,050 --> 00:21:57,717 NATO members and to have that 565 00:21:57,717 --> 00:21:59,828 conversation , we're just not there . 566 00:21:59,828 --> 00:22:02,106 The pentagon was planning organization , 567 00:22:02,106 --> 00:22:04,272 but maybe that was , we do we plan for 568 00:22:04,272 --> 00:22:06,494 a lot of things , but we don't plan for 569 00:22:06,494 --> 00:22:08,661 everything . Okay . There you go . I'm 570 00:22:08,661 --> 00:22:10,980 gonna trademark that Okay jenny , thank 571 00:22:10,980 --> 00:22:14,850 you don the U . S . Strategic assets 572 00:22:14,860 --> 00:22:17,850 will be deployed during the U . S . And 573 00:22:17,860 --> 00:22:21,640 South Korea joint . Military exercises 574 00:22:21,650 --> 00:22:25,140 to be Resume the next two weeks ? Do 575 00:22:25,140 --> 00:22:28,270 you see this as a sufficient 576 00:22:28,640 --> 00:22:32,110 deterrence to North Korea and send a 577 00:22:32,120 --> 00:22:34,180 message to North Korea . I mean look 578 00:22:34,180 --> 00:22:37,910 all our all our training events are 579 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:40,860 meant to improve our readiness . It's 580 00:22:40,860 --> 00:22:43,027 not about message sending , it's about 581 00:22:43,027 --> 00:22:45,940 readiness . Uh and that's that's our 582 00:22:45,940 --> 00:22:47,996 commitment on the peninsula . That's 583 00:22:47,996 --> 00:22:49,940 our commitment to our South korean 584 00:22:49,940 --> 00:22:52,051 allies . Because you know kim jong un 585 00:22:52,051 --> 00:22:55,360 sister mentioned at this time , 586 00:22:55,940 --> 00:22:57,996 they're not shooting the south Korea 587 00:22:57,996 --> 00:23:00,218 but they're not . They will be shooting 588 00:23:00,218 --> 00:23:03,470 the United States and she gave it to 589 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:07,260 some kind of signal to United States . 590 00:23:07,270 --> 00:23:09,470 How do you respond ? I haven't seen 591 00:23:09,470 --> 00:23:11,680 those comments were well aware of the 592 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:14,120 north Koreans uh their efforts to 593 00:23:14,120 --> 00:23:16,342 advance their nuclear ambitions as well 594 00:23:16,342 --> 00:23:18,453 as to advance their ballistic missile 595 00:23:18,453 --> 00:23:20,620 capabilities . We have we have reacted 596 00:23:20,620 --> 00:23:22,842 to that is just recently as a couple of 597 00:23:22,842 --> 00:23:25,064 weeks ago , you saw that we're boosting 598 00:23:25,064 --> 00:23:27,287 I . R . S . Our commitment uh in the in 599 00:23:27,287 --> 00:23:30,520 the Yellow Sea region . So I mean look 600 00:23:30,540 --> 00:23:34,370 we but we don't need we don't need to 601 00:23:34,370 --> 00:23:36,720 hear threats and threatening comments 602 00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:39,190 from North korean leaders to understand 603 00:23:39,450 --> 00:23:42,690 that the actual threat that that 604 00:23:42,690 --> 00:23:44,820 Pyongyang represents to the peninsula 605 00:23:44,820 --> 00:23:46,987 into the region . And that's why we're 606 00:23:46,987 --> 00:23:48,987 continuing to adjust our posture as 607 00:23:48,987 --> 00:23:51,300 needed uh to adjust our intelligence 608 00:23:51,300 --> 00:23:53,189 gathering posture as needed . And 609 00:23:53,189 --> 00:23:55,244 certainly to adjust our training and 610 00:23:55,244 --> 00:23:57,522 readiness with our South korean allies . 611 00:23:57,522 --> 00:23:59,578 Really thank you . I want to ask you 612 00:23:59,578 --> 00:24:01,689 about china that Chinese President Xi 613 00:24:01,689 --> 00:24:04,210 said to his Philippine counterpart area 614 00:24:04,220 --> 00:24:07,090 today , the regional security cannot be 615 00:24:07,100 --> 00:24:09,440 achieved by strengthening military 616 00:24:09,450 --> 00:24:11,830 alliance . Do you think this is an 617 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:15,130 attempt to divide the United States 618 00:24:15,130 --> 00:24:17,260 from US allies while the binding 619 00:24:17,260 --> 00:24:19,260 administration is focusing on north 620 00:24:19,260 --> 00:24:21,316 Seattle ? Well , without speaking to 621 00:24:21,316 --> 00:24:23,720 that particular comment , we have seen 622 00:24:23,730 --> 00:24:25,670 the chinese repeatedly 623 00:24:26,980 --> 00:24:30,450 try to divide the United States 624 00:24:30,940 --> 00:24:33,690 from our allies . We've we've seen 625 00:24:33,700 --> 00:24:36,150 their coercive and aggressive tactics 626 00:24:36,150 --> 00:24:39,030 to uh to to bully neighbors including 627 00:24:39,030 --> 00:24:42,050 some of our allies uh to come around to 628 00:24:42,050 --> 00:24:43,939 their way of thinking about their 629 00:24:43,939 --> 00:24:46,050 national security . What they believe 630 00:24:46,050 --> 00:24:48,161 their national security interests are 631 00:24:48,161 --> 00:24:50,217 uh in the region . Five of our seven 632 00:24:50,217 --> 00:24:52,328 treaty alliances are in the pacific , 633 00:24:52,328 --> 00:24:54,494 the indo pacific region . We take each 634 00:24:54,494 --> 00:24:56,383 one of them seriously and we have 635 00:24:56,383 --> 00:24:58,606 dozens more allies . I'm sorry , dozens 636 00:24:58,606 --> 00:25:00,828 dozens more partners in the region that 637 00:25:00,828 --> 00:25:02,828 we continue to talk with . Uh and I 638 00:25:02,828 --> 00:25:05,720 think it's fairly obvious when you see 639 00:25:05,720 --> 00:25:07,890 the chinese behave this way . They're 640 00:25:07,890 --> 00:25:09,800 concerned about our network of 641 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:11,967 alliances and partnerships . As you've 642 00:25:11,967 --> 00:25:13,967 heard Secretary Austin say that's a 643 00:25:13,967 --> 00:25:15,856 real strategic advantage that the 644 00:25:15,856 --> 00:25:17,967 United States has in the region . Are 645 00:25:17,967 --> 00:25:19,967 these are these alliances and these 646 00:25:19,967 --> 00:25:22,570 partnerships . Um and the chinese have 647 00:25:22,570 --> 00:25:24,681 nothing like that . They don't have a 648 00:25:24,681 --> 00:25:26,848 lot of friends . They don't have a lot 649 00:25:26,848 --> 00:25:29,070 of people . They can draw upon for that 650 00:25:29,070 --> 00:25:31,070 kind of support when they say . And 651 00:25:31,070 --> 00:25:30,740 when you hear the secretary talk about 652 00:25:30,740 --> 00:25:32,740 things like integrated deterrence . 653 00:25:32,740 --> 00:25:34,300 He's talking a lot about US 654 00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:36,356 capabilities , but he's also talking 655 00:25:36,356 --> 00:25:38,467 about how we combine our capabilities 656 00:25:38,467 --> 00:25:40,633 in an integrated fashion with those of 657 00:25:40,633 --> 00:25:42,856 our allies and partners . Again , china 658 00:25:42,856 --> 00:25:42,690 has nothing to compare that , that and 659 00:25:42,690 --> 00:25:44,634 cannot rely on that same kind of a 660 00:25:44,634 --> 00:25:47,760 network . Japan will call the past two 661 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:49,871 plus two meeting with the Philippines 662 00:25:49,871 --> 00:25:52,630 tomorrow . So what role do you expect 663 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:56,330 Japan to play to maintain the little 664 00:25:56,330 --> 00:25:58,480 best order in the south China sea ? I 665 00:25:58,480 --> 00:26:00,369 won't get ahead of a two plus two 666 00:26:00,369 --> 00:26:02,313 between those two sovereign nation 667 00:26:02,313 --> 00:26:05,230 states . We certainly , uh , respect 668 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:07,940 both of both of them as allies and they 669 00:26:07,940 --> 00:26:11,040 both are of ours . Um , but I'll let 670 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:13,096 them speak for their agenda and what 671 00:26:13,096 --> 00:26:16,150 they're trying to get out , um , of , 672 00:26:16,160 --> 00:26:18,327 of this discussion . I'm sure it'll be 673 00:26:18,327 --> 00:26:20,660 fruitful . I'm sure it'll be productive . 674 00:26:20,660 --> 00:26:22,827 I'm sure it'll be constructive to uh , 675 00:26:22,827 --> 00:26:25,190 improving mutual security needs In the 676 00:26:25,190 --> 00:26:28,760 indo pacific Lucas , John NATO says 677 00:26:28,760 --> 00:26:31,060 that up to 15,000 Russian soldiers have 678 00:26:31,060 --> 00:26:33,116 been killed fighting in Ukraine . Is 679 00:26:33,116 --> 00:26:35,282 there any evidence or indications that 680 00:26:35,282 --> 00:26:37,227 the Russians are reinforcing those 681 00:26:37,227 --> 00:26:40,440 losses ? I can't confirm the number and , 682 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:42,329 you know , we've stayed away from 683 00:26:42,329 --> 00:26:44,551 providing estimates on the numbers . We 684 00:26:44,551 --> 00:26:46,884 do know that they have taken casualties , 685 00:26:46,884 --> 00:26:49,610 um , both wounded and and and killed . 686 00:26:49,620 --> 00:26:52,400 Um , what I can tell you Lucas sort of 687 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:55,080 a two part answer here . One , uh , as 688 00:26:55,080 --> 00:26:58,000 we have seen Russian forces leave the 689 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:00,340 north and move into belarus and into 690 00:27:00,340 --> 00:27:02,580 Russia , we're beginning to see 691 00:27:02,580 --> 00:27:05,770 indications that they are in fact uh 692 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:07,940 working on ways of refitting and 693 00:27:07,940 --> 00:27:10,460 resupplying uh these units including 694 00:27:10,460 --> 00:27:12,627 discussions about how to how to really 695 00:27:12,627 --> 00:27:16,130 replace uh lost troops . Now some of 696 00:27:16,130 --> 00:27:18,620 these units are almost completely 697 00:27:18,620 --> 00:27:21,490 devastated and it's unclear whether 698 00:27:21,500 --> 00:27:24,480 they will ever be reformed or whether 699 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:26,480 they'll be combined with with other 700 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:28,258 units that are less depleted in 701 00:27:28,258 --> 00:27:30,970 manpower equipment vehicles . So 702 00:27:30,970 --> 00:27:33,081 they're working their way through all 703 00:27:33,081 --> 00:27:35,660 that right now remains to be seen how 704 00:27:35,660 --> 00:27:37,827 fast they'll be able to do it and with 705 00:27:37,827 --> 00:27:39,827 what ? But we have seen indications 706 00:27:39,827 --> 00:27:41,993 that they are looking at their manning 707 00:27:41,993 --> 00:27:44,104 shortages and some of these units and 708 00:27:44,104 --> 00:27:46,216 how they're gonna , how they're going 709 00:27:46,216 --> 00:27:48,438 to try to fix it . Do you know how many 710 00:27:48,438 --> 00:27:50,438 Russian soldiers they're looking to 711 00:27:50,438 --> 00:27:52,604 call up or send it ? We have seen some 712 00:27:52,604 --> 00:27:54,438 reports that they are looking at 713 00:27:54,438 --> 00:27:57,300 mobilizing reservists tens of thousands 714 00:27:57,300 --> 00:27:59,580 perhaps . But again I think that 715 00:27:59,580 --> 00:28:01,691 remains to be remains to be seen just 716 00:28:01,691 --> 00:28:05,020 to follow the rules . Question . Uh The 717 00:28:05,030 --> 00:28:07,197 is the secretary disappointed that the 718 00:28:07,197 --> 00:28:10,440 U . S . Navy is not planning to build a 719 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:12,496 lot more ships to keep up with china 720 00:28:12,496 --> 00:28:14,650 china shipbuilding program is on a 721 00:28:14,660 --> 00:28:17,300 linear trajectory . And the U . S . 722 00:28:17,300 --> 00:28:19,390 Navy shipbuilding trajectory is very 723 00:28:19,390 --> 00:28:22,960 flat . Does that concern ? I mean I 724 00:28:22,970 --> 00:28:25,180 don't know that I can improve upon the 725 00:28:25,180 --> 00:28:27,440 Secretary Secretary zone words on this 726 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:30,590 yesterday but he clearly got Uh an 727 00:28:30,590 --> 00:28:32,646 opportunity to speak to shipbuilding 728 00:28:32,646 --> 00:28:34,701 yesterday at the hearing in front of 729 00:28:34,701 --> 00:28:36,923 the Senate Armed Services Committee and 730 00:28:36,923 --> 00:28:36,720 then again on Tuesday with the House 731 00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:38,942 Armed Services Committee . I would just 732 00:28:38,942 --> 00:28:41,109 tell you that the truncated version is 733 00:28:41,109 --> 00:28:43,276 the secretary is very comfortable with 734 00:28:43,276 --> 00:28:46,320 the shipbuilding uh request that we're 735 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:49,930 making for 2023 which includes nine new 736 00:28:49,930 --> 00:28:52,810 battle force ships . Um And he's much 737 00:28:52,810 --> 00:28:55,032 more concerned about capability and the 738 00:28:55,032 --> 00:28:57,810 proper mix of modern capabilities in 739 00:28:57,810 --> 00:29:00,032 the naval force than he is just about . 740 00:29:00,032 --> 00:29:02,254 Numbers . Numbers have a quality all of 741 00:29:02,254 --> 00:29:04,588 their own . Clearly he understands that . 742 00:29:04,588 --> 00:29:06,930 Uh but his concern is making sure that 743 00:29:06,940 --> 00:29:09,107 as we build more ships and bring ships 744 00:29:09,107 --> 00:29:11,329 into the fleet , that they're the right 745 00:29:11,329 --> 00:29:13,551 mix of capabilities , the most advanced 746 00:29:13,551 --> 00:29:15,718 that we can put to sea . Does he think 747 00:29:15,718 --> 00:29:17,718 that the freedom class of the total 748 00:29:17,718 --> 00:29:19,718 combat ships was a complete waste . 749 00:29:19,718 --> 00:29:21,884 Your about to scrap all these warships 750 00:29:21,884 --> 00:29:23,940 that were built just a few years ago 751 00:29:23,940 --> 00:29:23,540 and now the navy is getting rid of it . 752 00:29:23,940 --> 00:29:25,800 You've heard him talk about the 753 00:29:25,810 --> 00:29:28,110 littoral combat ship and in fact he 754 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:29,953 heard him talk about this in the 755 00:29:29,953 --> 00:29:32,490 hearing . I mean , um they served a 756 00:29:32,490 --> 00:29:34,712 purpose and some of them still do serve 757 00:29:34,712 --> 00:29:36,657 a purpose and will serve a purpose 758 00:29:36,657 --> 00:29:38,712 going forward and over the course of 759 00:29:38,712 --> 00:29:40,823 the fiscal year defense plan . Um But 760 00:29:40,823 --> 00:29:42,934 when you look at look at the national 761 00:29:42,934 --> 00:29:44,990 defense strategy and you look at the 762 00:29:44,990 --> 00:29:47,212 budget which supports that strategy and 763 00:29:47,212 --> 00:29:49,379 that strategy is focused on the pacing 764 00:29:49,379 --> 00:29:51,601 challenge of china and the acute threat 765 00:29:51,601 --> 00:29:53,490 of Russia , what we , what we are 766 00:29:53,490 --> 00:29:55,546 working with the Navy on and support 767 00:29:55,546 --> 00:29:57,434 the Navy's efforts to develop new 768 00:29:57,434 --> 00:29:59,657 classes of ships , ships with with more 769 00:29:59,657 --> 00:30:01,657 capability than the LCS has for the 770 00:30:01,657 --> 00:30:03,823 kinds of fights that we think we might 771 00:30:03,823 --> 00:30:06,046 be in in the future Building those kind 772 00:30:06,046 --> 00:30:08,046 of warships years ago and not these 773 00:30:08,046 --> 00:30:10,157 literally , I don't think we're going 774 00:30:10,157 --> 00:30:10,100 to relitigate Navy shipbuilding plans 775 00:30:10,100 --> 00:30:12,322 from 10 , 20 years ago , Lucas . Okay , 776 00:30:12,322 --> 00:30:15,390 I gotta call it a day . Okay . I guess 777 00:30:15,390 --> 00:30:17,740 I'm not calling it today . When you 778 00:30:17,740 --> 00:30:20,290 responded to kelly's questions , you 779 00:30:20,290 --> 00:30:22,290 accidentally overlooked part of her 780 00:30:22,290 --> 00:30:24,512 question where she asked if you thought 781 00:30:24,512 --> 00:30:26,568 Russia's what what you're feeling is 782 00:30:26,568 --> 00:30:28,770 about Russia's threat to Finland . And 783 00:30:28,770 --> 00:30:30,714 given , you know how it threatened 784 00:30:30,714 --> 00:30:32,770 Ukraine and dead took action and has 785 00:30:32,770 --> 00:30:34,770 threatened Finland that if it makes 786 00:30:34,770 --> 00:30:36,992 moves to NATO , it could attack it . So 787 00:30:36,992 --> 00:30:38,826 I know you've overlooked that by 788 00:30:38,826 --> 00:30:38,050 accident , but I wonder if you could 789 00:30:38,050 --> 00:30:40,217 respond to that part of her question . 790 00:30:40,217 --> 00:30:42,217 I don't , I didn't mean to overlook 791 00:30:42,217 --> 00:30:44,383 anything kelly , I wasn't trying to do 792 00:30:44,383 --> 00:30:46,606 that . Look , I'm just not going to get 793 00:30:46,606 --> 00:30:49,370 into hypotheticals here , tom um , our 794 00:30:49,370 --> 00:30:52,270 focus , I mean Russian threats should 795 00:30:52,270 --> 00:30:54,492 be taken seriously . You said that many 796 00:30:54,492 --> 00:30:56,714 times from the podium and I'm wondering 797 00:30:56,714 --> 00:30:58,770 if that applies to Finland Finland , 798 00:30:58,770 --> 00:31:00,937 but that's what , but that's where you 799 00:31:00,937 --> 00:31:03,048 get into the hypothetical tom I'm not 800 00:31:03,048 --> 00:31:02,750 saying that we don't take Russian 801 00:31:02,750 --> 00:31:04,861 threats seriously . Of course we do . 802 00:31:04,861 --> 00:31:07,600 But um but I'm not going to speculate 803 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:10,780 or hypothesize about about another 804 00:31:10,780 --> 00:31:13,780 threat to another nation . Certainly a 805 00:31:13,780 --> 00:31:16,002 non NATO nation . I'm just not going to 806 00:31:16,002 --> 00:31:17,947 go there right now , bob ugly . My 807 00:31:17,947 --> 00:31:20,960 question is on the same general , if 808 00:31:23,080 --> 00:31:27,050 what if I recall 809 00:31:27,050 --> 00:31:29,280 with some precision , your answer it 810 00:31:29,280 --> 00:31:31,360 was that the U . S . 811 00:31:33,240 --> 00:31:35,490 Plans , the pentagon plans but doesn't 812 00:31:35,490 --> 00:31:37,601 plan for everything . And you seem to 813 00:31:37,740 --> 00:31:41,000 quite clearly rule out that you had any 814 00:31:41,000 --> 00:31:44,490 plans to assist Finland or Sweden ? Uh 815 00:31:44,490 --> 00:31:48,080 huh against threats . So let me not 816 00:31:48,080 --> 00:31:51,170 make it hypothetical . Um 817 00:31:52,140 --> 00:31:55,650 Do you mean to actually rule out the 818 00:31:55,990 --> 00:31:59,610 Defense Department ? Has , you said you 819 00:31:59,610 --> 00:32:03,460 have no active plans ? I do believe 820 00:32:03,460 --> 00:32:06,480 those were your words . Are you ruling 821 00:32:06,480 --> 00:32:08,920 out that you have , are you saying the 822 00:32:08,920 --> 00:32:12,120 Defense Department has no active plans 823 00:32:12,840 --> 00:32:15,760 to assist Finland and Sweden ? If 824 00:32:15,770 --> 00:32:17,992 either of those countries called you up 825 00:32:17,992 --> 00:32:20,270 this afternoon and said they need help . 826 00:32:20,270 --> 00:32:22,492 You have no plans . You have nothing of 827 00:32:22,492 --> 00:32:24,326 Barbara . Come on now that would 828 00:32:24,326 --> 00:32:26,159 require Barb please , that would 829 00:32:26,159 --> 00:32:29,180 require that you are , there's been no 830 00:32:29,180 --> 00:32:31,291 such request from Finland or Sweden . 831 00:32:31,291 --> 00:32:35,190 Um And obviously and this gets 832 00:32:35,200 --> 00:32:37,089 even in natural disasters if if a 833 00:32:37,089 --> 00:32:39,200 country calls and asks for the United 834 00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:41,422 States support certainly will will take 835 00:32:41,422 --> 00:32:43,422 that under consideration if there's 836 00:32:43,422 --> 00:32:45,367 something that uh the Commander in 837 00:32:45,367 --> 00:32:47,478 chief believes that the United States 838 00:32:47,478 --> 00:32:49,700 military can do to assist then that's a 839 00:32:49,700 --> 00:32:51,756 conversation will have but we are we 840 00:32:51,756 --> 00:32:53,589 are spending a lot of time today 841 00:32:53,589 --> 00:32:55,756 talking about a hypothetical that that 842 00:32:55,756 --> 00:32:58,030 hasn't presented itself , these are two 843 00:32:58,030 --> 00:33:01,070 sovereign nations um and they have to 844 00:33:01,070 --> 00:33:03,070 make decisions for themselves about 845 00:33:03,070 --> 00:33:05,181 what what alliances they want to join 846 00:33:05,181 --> 00:33:07,320 or not . They are not part of NATO . 847 00:33:07,330 --> 00:33:10,150 And so do we have an active defense 848 00:33:10,150 --> 00:33:12,372 plan for either nation right now ? No , 849 00:33:12,372 --> 00:33:15,080 we don't . But uh but that doesn't mean 850 00:33:15,080 --> 00:33:18,660 that should there be some kinetic 851 00:33:18,660 --> 00:33:21,780 threat that that those nations go to 852 00:33:21,780 --> 00:33:23,836 the international community and want 853 00:33:23,836 --> 00:33:25,891 support that we wouldn't taken under 854 00:33:25,891 --> 00:33:28,002 advisement ? Of course we would . But 855 00:33:28,002 --> 00:33:30,169 but I mean my goodness , I mean we are 856 00:33:30,169 --> 00:33:32,560 we're getting into way way ahead here 857 00:33:32,560 --> 00:33:34,880 in terms of of where the situation is , 858 00:33:34,890 --> 00:33:37,280 the fight now is in Ukraine , Ukraine 859 00:33:37,290 --> 00:33:39,170 is under threat , they have been 860 00:33:39,170 --> 00:33:42,030 invaded and our focus rightly so is on 861 00:33:42,030 --> 00:33:44,141 Ukraine and making sure that they can 862 00:33:44,141 --> 00:33:46,252 continue to defend themselves . Yes , 863 00:33:47,180 --> 00:33:50,200 about yesterday again , several 864 00:33:50,210 --> 00:33:53,000 senators , including Democratic 865 00:33:53,000 --> 00:33:55,100 senators expressed expressed 866 00:33:55,110 --> 00:33:58,680 frustration at what they called the 867 00:33:58,690 --> 00:34:02,240 fear of escalation and they 868 00:34:02,250 --> 00:34:05,960 wanted us to do more to 869 00:34:06,040 --> 00:34:08,970 help Ukraine . Does the change 870 00:34:08,980 --> 00:34:12,600 on the on the ground with the 871 00:34:12,610 --> 00:34:15,920 retreat of the Russians , does it make 872 00:34:15,930 --> 00:34:19,400 the mhm . The 873 00:34:19,410 --> 00:34:23,260 position of us more difficult to keep , 874 00:34:23,740 --> 00:34:27,100 especially on a moral standard moral 875 00:34:27,100 --> 00:34:29,360 point of view . I'm not sure I 876 00:34:29,360 --> 00:34:32,640 understand the question this balance 877 00:34:32,650 --> 00:34:36,170 that U . S . Is trying to maintain , 878 00:34:36,640 --> 00:34:39,580 helping but not 879 00:34:39,590 --> 00:34:42,800 intervening directly . Is it more 880 00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:46,360 difficult Now there's nothing easy 881 00:34:46,840 --> 00:34:50,670 about anything with respect to Ukraine , 882 00:34:51,140 --> 00:34:54,010 not for the Ukrainians , certainly not 883 00:34:54,010 --> 00:34:57,560 for NATO , not not not for individual 884 00:34:57,560 --> 00:34:59,782 nations like the United States that are 885 00:34:59,782 --> 00:35:01,893 trying to support Ukraine , nothing's 886 00:35:01,893 --> 00:35:05,350 easy about this . Um and we are 887 00:35:06,940 --> 00:35:10,020 we are working incredibly hard at an 888 00:35:10,530 --> 00:35:14,470 unprecedented scale to help another 889 00:35:14,470 --> 00:35:18,080 nation defend itself . I know we get up 890 00:35:18,080 --> 00:35:20,080 here and we spout these numbers and 891 00:35:20,080 --> 00:35:22,136 maybe sometimes they just kind of go 892 00:35:22,136 --> 00:35:24,510 into the ether because they because we 893 00:35:24,510 --> 00:35:25,677 do it all the time . 894 00:35:25,677 --> 00:35:29,420 950,000,800 895 00:35:29,420 --> 00:35:31,780 million . Um over the course of this 896 00:35:31,780 --> 00:35:35,120 administration , now , $2.5 billion 897 00:35:35,130 --> 00:35:38,080 which is almost as much as Ukraine's 898 00:35:38,080 --> 00:35:41,560 defense budget . And um 899 00:35:42,550 --> 00:35:44,383 and we've done it in near record 900 00:35:44,383 --> 00:35:46,328 actually in record time , we think 901 00:35:46,328 --> 00:35:48,439 about the speed with which this stuff 902 00:35:48,439 --> 00:35:51,560 is getting over there . Uh , So 903 00:35:52,140 --> 00:35:55,930 we what we're doing as much as we can 904 00:35:55,940 --> 00:35:58,350 as fast as we can and at the same time 905 00:35:58,940 --> 00:36:00,884 doing as much as we can to bolster 906 00:36:00,884 --> 00:36:02,884 NATO's eastern flank . We went from 907 00:36:02,884 --> 00:36:05,700 about 80,000 troops in europe in mid 908 00:36:05,700 --> 00:36:09,380 february to now over 100,000 . Uh 909 00:36:09,390 --> 00:36:11,980 and and now , you see it's just another 910 00:36:11,980 --> 00:36:13,813 repositioning inside europe of a 911 00:36:13,813 --> 00:36:17,430 patriot battery into Slovakia . Um , no 912 00:36:17,430 --> 00:36:19,380 other nation could do that from a 913 00:36:19,380 --> 00:36:21,602 logistics perspective , no other nation 914 00:36:21,602 --> 00:36:23,936 could do that from a supply perspective . 915 00:36:24,530 --> 00:36:27,870 Uh So we just fundamentally uh bristle 916 00:36:27,870 --> 00:36:29,814 at the notion that we're not doing 917 00:36:29,814 --> 00:36:31,703 enough and we're not doing enough 918 00:36:31,703 --> 00:36:33,870 faster . I mean , it's unprecedented . 919 00:36:33,870 --> 00:36:36,460 There's no historic comparison to what 920 00:36:36,460 --> 00:36:38,404 we're doing now , uh , to anything 921 00:36:38,404 --> 00:36:40,940 we've done in the past at the same time . 922 00:36:40,940 --> 00:36:44,270 Sylvie , we are mindful that Russia has 923 00:36:44,270 --> 00:36:46,320 a nuclear power , um , and that we 924 00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:48,431 don't have perfect visibility into Mr 925 00:36:48,431 --> 00:36:50,542 Putin's thinking . And so it would be 926 00:36:50,542 --> 00:36:52,487 irresponsible . I mean , Secretary 927 00:36:52,487 --> 00:36:54,840 Austin uh , took this office with one 928 00:36:54,840 --> 00:36:56,840 charge , and that is to defend this 929 00:36:56,840 --> 00:36:59,118 nation . Part of defending that nation . 930 00:36:59,118 --> 00:37:01,284 This nation is escalation management . 931 00:37:01,284 --> 00:37:04,040 Okay . If he wasn't doing that , if he 932 00:37:04,040 --> 00:37:06,262 wasn't thinking about the potential for 933 00:37:06,262 --> 00:37:08,318 escalation and where that might go , 934 00:37:08,318 --> 00:37:10,373 then he shouldn't be in the job . He 935 00:37:10,373 --> 00:37:12,373 takes that responsibility extremely 936 00:37:12,373 --> 00:37:14,596 seriously . Because the stakes are very 937 00:37:14,596 --> 00:37:18,520 high . So no apologies for for thinking 938 00:37:18,520 --> 00:37:20,576 about that as we continue to support 939 00:37:20,576 --> 00:37:22,298 Ukraine . And and certainly no 940 00:37:22,298 --> 00:37:24,464 apologies for the speed with which and 941 00:37:24,464 --> 00:37:26,687 the scale at which we have continued to 942 00:37:26,687 --> 00:37:28,798 do that . And I think you're going to 943 00:37:28,798 --> 00:37:30,964 see it continue going on in the future 944 00:37:30,964 --> 00:37:32,964 based on our constant conversations 945 00:37:32,964 --> 00:37:35,242 with Ukraine . Okay , thanks everybody . 946 00:37:35,242 --> 00:37:37,298 Have a great weekend . We'll see you 947 00:37:37,298 --> 00:37:36,250 monday