1 00:00:01,840 --> 00:00:05,800 Mhm . Yeah , I do my best 2 00:00:05,810 --> 00:00:09,760 to be late for you . Um Okay , um 3 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:12,496 quite a few things to get through at 4 00:00:12,496 --> 00:00:15,450 the top here . So uh so bear with me , 5 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:18,090 I think you all should have now , if 6 00:00:18,090 --> 00:00:20,312 you if you don't , when you get back to 7 00:00:20,312 --> 00:00:23,720 your desk you'll have it um a statement 8 00:00:23,730 --> 00:00:26,130 by the department about the next 9 00:00:26,140 --> 00:00:28,020 tranche of presidential drawdown 10 00:00:28,020 --> 00:00:31,470 authority . Uh Another $100 million . 11 00:00:31,580 --> 00:00:33,636 This was in pre existing authorities 12 00:00:33,636 --> 00:00:35,747 that we already had available to us . 13 00:00:35,970 --> 00:00:38,910 And in that package there will be 14 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:42,700 18 155 millimeter howitzers , 15 00:00:42,710 --> 00:00:45,120 18 tactical vehicles to tow those 16 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:47,940 howitzers and 18 artillery tubes 17 00:00:47,940 --> 00:00:49,773 basically is our equivalent of a 18 00:00:49,773 --> 00:00:52,670 battalion uh an artillery battalion 19 00:00:53,140 --> 00:00:56,440 um and three a.m. T . P Q 36 counter 20 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:58,440 artillery radars . This is the same 21 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:00,440 counter artillery radar system that 22 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:02,496 we've talked about before , that had 23 00:01:02,496 --> 00:01:04,551 been provided uh to Ukraine and then 24 00:01:04,551 --> 00:01:06,496 some ancillary field equipment and 25 00:01:06,496 --> 00:01:08,496 spare parts and that that that that 26 00:01:08,496 --> 00:01:10,440 brings to a close the pre existing 27 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:12,551 authorities that we had and draw down 28 00:01:12,551 --> 00:01:14,718 100 million . Um That stuff will start 29 00:01:14,718 --> 00:01:16,884 to flow very very soon . I cannot give 30 00:01:16,884 --> 00:01:16,690 you an exact date of when it's all 31 00:01:16,690 --> 00:01:18,801 going to show up in Ukraine . But you 32 00:01:18,801 --> 00:01:20,912 can imagine having seen us do this in 33 00:01:20,912 --> 00:01:23,134 the past that we're not gonna so in our 34 00:01:23,134 --> 00:01:25,134 hands will start flowing that stuff 35 00:01:25,134 --> 00:01:27,246 immediately . And these are all items 36 00:01:27,246 --> 00:01:29,412 that we have provided in the past . So 37 00:01:29,412 --> 00:01:31,579 there's there's a there's a process in 38 00:01:31,579 --> 00:01:33,746 place for that . Um So there's that Um 39 00:01:33,746 --> 00:01:35,857 that means that we have now committed 40 00:01:35,857 --> 00:01:37,968 approximately $4.6 billion dollars in 41 00:01:37,968 --> 00:01:40,023 security assistance to Ukraine since 42 00:01:40,023 --> 00:01:42,190 the beginning of this administration . 43 00:01:42,190 --> 00:01:45,080 And that includes Approximately 3.9 44 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:47,080 billion just since the beginning of 45 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:49,970 Russia's invasion on 24 February . So 46 00:01:49,970 --> 00:01:52,420 basically $4 billion dollars just since 47 00:01:52,420 --> 00:01:54,420 the beginning of the invasion . And 48 00:01:54,420 --> 00:01:58,030 since 2014 Overall , the United States 49 00:01:58,030 --> 00:02:00,400 has committed more than 6.6 billion and 50 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,650 security assistance . Uh and then 51 00:02:03,650 --> 00:02:05,706 obviously we're going to continue to 52 00:02:05,706 --> 00:02:07,539 work with allies and partners to 53 00:02:07,539 --> 00:02:07,150 continue to provide additional 54 00:02:07,150 --> 00:02:09,206 capabilities I think , you know that 55 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:13,400 okay on to the news last night about 56 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,750 support for the baby Formula 57 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,302 crisis here in the in the country . U . 58 00:02:19,302 --> 00:02:20,969 S . Transportation Command is 59 00:02:20,969 --> 00:02:22,858 expeditiously coordinating across 60 00:02:22,858 --> 00:02:24,636 federal agencies to include the 61 00:02:24,636 --> 00:02:26,747 departments of Agriculture and Health 62 00:02:26,747 --> 00:02:28,747 and Human Services and the Food and 63 00:02:28,747 --> 00:02:30,691 Drug Administration to support the 64 00:02:30,691 --> 00:02:32,524 president's direction to conduct 65 00:02:32,524 --> 00:02:34,358 operations . Fly Formula U . S . 66 00:02:34,358 --> 00:02:36,413 Transportation Command will leverage 67 00:02:36,413 --> 00:02:38,413 its partnership with commercial air 68 00:02:38,413 --> 00:02:40,636 carriers to contract and accelerate the 69 00:02:40,636 --> 00:02:42,802 importation of infant formula into the 70 00:02:42,802 --> 00:02:42,550 United States that meets our 71 00:02:42,550 --> 00:02:44,272 government's health and safety 72 00:02:44,272 --> 00:02:47,360 standards . Now we're in this active 73 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:49,730 coordination right now . I do not have 74 00:02:49,730 --> 00:02:52,210 a specific flight to speak to today or 75 00:02:52,220 --> 00:02:54,850 or exact quantities to speak to today . 76 00:02:54,850 --> 00:02:57,017 We are in active coordination with the 77 00:02:57,017 --> 00:02:59,072 interagency . We've got our marching 78 00:02:59,072 --> 00:03:01,230 orders and we'll work through this um 79 00:03:01,230 --> 00:03:03,510 and the first step of that is again 80 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:05,353 working with the inter agency to 81 00:03:05,353 --> 00:03:08,390 identify locations where Formula can be 82 00:03:08,390 --> 00:03:11,020 had overseas and then get getting 83 00:03:11,030 --> 00:03:14,180 getting the right aircraft in place to 84 00:03:14,180 --> 00:03:16,180 bring that to the United States and 85 00:03:16,180 --> 00:03:17,847 then of course working at the 86 00:03:17,847 --> 00:03:20,013 destination . So I'm sure you all have 87 00:03:20,013 --> 00:03:19,850 a lot of questions about this . We are 88 00:03:19,850 --> 00:03:21,850 in the very early stages of working 89 00:03:21,850 --> 00:03:23,906 through this . We all share the same 90 00:03:23,906 --> 00:03:25,517 sense of urgency and we will 91 00:03:25,517 --> 00:03:27,628 participate and cooperate to the best 92 00:03:27,628 --> 00:03:29,794 of our ability . But I just don't have 93 00:03:29,794 --> 00:03:31,906 like specific aircraft information to 94 00:03:31,906 --> 00:03:34,128 give you today . Um As I think you know 95 00:03:34,130 --> 00:03:37,390 today the secretary is uh hosting his 96 00:03:37,390 --> 00:03:39,612 spanish counterpart spanish Minister of 97 00:03:39,612 --> 00:03:41,390 Defense margarita robles to the 98 00:03:41,390 --> 00:03:43,501 pentagon will have a read out of that 99 00:03:43,501 --> 00:03:43,450 meeting later today that meetings 100 00:03:43,450 --> 00:03:46,350 ongoing um this morning . I think you 101 00:03:46,350 --> 00:03:48,183 also know the secretary shared a 102 00:03:48,183 --> 00:03:50,017 working breakfast with Israeli , 103 00:03:50,017 --> 00:03:52,350 Defense Minister , Benjamin Benny Gantz , 104 00:03:52,350 --> 00:03:54,350 the two leaders who know each other 105 00:03:54,350 --> 00:03:55,739 quite well discussed the 106 00:03:55,739 --> 00:03:57,461 administration's commitment to 107 00:03:57,461 --> 00:03:59,294 preventing Iran from obtaining a 108 00:03:59,294 --> 00:04:01,350 nuclear weapon and addressing Iran's 109 00:04:01,350 --> 00:04:03,406 destabilizing actions throughout the 110 00:04:03,406 --> 00:04:05,517 region . Secretary commended Minister 111 00:04:05,517 --> 00:04:07,628 Ganson Israelis on Israel's deepening 112 00:04:07,628 --> 00:04:09,850 relationships with countries across the 113 00:04:09,850 --> 00:04:12,072 region and the increasing opportunities 114 00:04:12,072 --> 00:04:14,128 for military to military cooperation 115 00:04:14,128 --> 00:04:16,350 that are enabled by Israel's transition 116 00:04:16,350 --> 00:04:18,461 into the U . S . Central Command area 117 00:04:18,461 --> 00:04:21,280 of responsibility , quick update out of 118 00:04:21,280 --> 00:04:24,460 South com this week from the 16th 119 00:04:24,470 --> 00:04:26,692 all the way through today . The U . S . 120 00:04:26,692 --> 00:04:28,748 Southern Command has been hosting US 121 00:04:28,748 --> 00:04:30,748 Chiefs of Mission and senior policy 122 00:04:30,748 --> 00:04:32,914 makers from the Western hemisphere for 123 00:04:32,914 --> 00:04:35,026 a conference to discuss support to us 124 00:04:35,026 --> 00:04:37,137 foreign policy and diplomatic efforts 125 00:04:37,137 --> 00:04:39,192 in south America Central America and 126 00:04:39,192 --> 00:04:40,803 the Caribbean . Um And those 127 00:04:40,803 --> 00:04:42,970 discussions were told have gone very , 128 00:04:42,970 --> 00:04:45,081 very well . And then lastly , just on 129 00:04:45,081 --> 00:04:47,248 schedule again , the Secretary , we'll 130 00:04:47,248 --> 00:04:48,970 be taking some time later this 131 00:04:48,970 --> 00:04:51,081 afternoon to meet with the members of 132 00:04:51,081 --> 00:04:53,026 the Suicide Prevention Independent 133 00:04:53,026 --> 00:04:55,026 Review Committee . Uh and uh and as 134 00:04:55,026 --> 00:04:56,581 they as they kick off their 135 00:04:56,581 --> 00:04:58,470 deliberations . So he's very much 136 00:04:58,470 --> 00:05:00,637 looking forward to that . That will be 137 00:05:00,637 --> 00:05:00,310 very soon this afternoon . And this 138 00:05:00,310 --> 00:05:03,360 thing died on me . Okay with that Ben 139 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,540 Fox questions . Perfect timing for it 140 00:05:05,540 --> 00:05:09,180 to die by the way . It's good . Um 141 00:05:09,190 --> 00:05:12,520 Yeah , with respect to NATO , what 142 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:15,040 types of things would the US be willing 143 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:18,120 to do in order to help provide security 144 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:20,064 assurances to Finland and Sweden , 145 00:05:20,740 --> 00:05:22,962 particularly during the time before any 146 00:05:22,962 --> 00:05:25,018 formal approval of NATO membership . 147 00:05:25,018 --> 00:05:26,851 Would , would that , for example 148 00:05:26,851 --> 00:05:29,018 include increased troop rotations into 149 00:05:29,018 --> 00:05:31,073 the country's ? Yeah , I'm not gonna 150 00:05:31,073 --> 00:05:33,296 get ahead of where we are and the staff 151 00:05:33,296 --> 00:05:35,184 level discussions with Sweden and 152 00:05:35,184 --> 00:05:37,407 Finland , we've said before , these are 153 00:05:37,407 --> 00:05:39,684 two militaries where we know very well . 154 00:05:39,684 --> 00:05:41,907 We've operated with them in Afghanistan 155 00:05:41,907 --> 00:05:41,800 Iraq and Kosovo . We exercise with them 156 00:05:41,810 --> 00:05:45,170 routinely . Um and we are actively now 157 00:05:45,170 --> 00:05:47,114 talking to them about what kind of 158 00:05:47,114 --> 00:05:49,281 security assurances they might need or 159 00:05:49,281 --> 00:05:51,290 welcome . Um And we'll work our way 160 00:05:51,290 --> 00:05:53,401 through that at at at at that level . 161 00:05:53,401 --> 00:05:55,512 But I don't have anything specific to 162 00:05:55,512 --> 00:05:57,068 speak to in terms of actual 163 00:05:57,068 --> 00:05:59,234 deliverables on that when we have more 164 00:05:59,234 --> 00:06:01,234 to say on it , and when we can talk 165 00:06:01,234 --> 00:06:03,234 about it , we certainly will in the 166 00:06:03,234 --> 00:06:05,790 room in the back there . I'm wondering 167 00:06:05,790 --> 00:06:08,200 if you can tell us at all with the 168 00:06:08,210 --> 00:06:10,432 newly passed bill that's expected to be 169 00:06:10,432 --> 00:06:12,850 signed , what types of equipment will 170 00:06:12,850 --> 00:06:15,160 you be sending first in those branches ? 171 00:06:15,170 --> 00:06:18,470 So as you know , there's a good chunk 172 00:06:18,470 --> 00:06:21,810 of the of this , uh , this new 173 00:06:21,810 --> 00:06:23,421 supplemental that will go to 174 00:06:23,421 --> 00:06:25,643 presidential drawdown authority and the 175 00:06:25,643 --> 00:06:27,866 Congress added some additional money to 176 00:06:27,866 --> 00:06:29,977 that . Uh , so it's uh , we asked for 177 00:06:29,977 --> 00:06:32,143 five billion . There's I'll get you in 178 00:06:32,143 --> 00:06:32,030 a second . Let me let me answer the 179 00:06:32,030 --> 00:06:34,141 question and then we'll then we'll go 180 00:06:34,141 --> 00:06:36,141 that way , you're just not going to 181 00:06:36,141 --> 00:06:35,890 exhaust your arm holding it up there 182 00:06:35,890 --> 00:06:38,057 because my answers can be quite long . 183 00:06:38,057 --> 00:06:40,450 Um , so those additional funding that 184 00:06:40,450 --> 00:06:42,506 will go to the presidential drawdown 185 00:06:42,506 --> 00:06:45,370 authority , uh we we are in constant 186 00:06:45,370 --> 00:06:47,592 communication with the Ukrainians about 187 00:06:47,592 --> 00:06:49,890 what they need almost daily basis . So 188 00:06:49,890 --> 00:06:52,700 we already have some thoughts about uh 189 00:06:52,710 --> 00:06:55,910 future uh systems um and material that 190 00:06:55,910 --> 00:06:58,077 will go , I don't want to get ahead of 191 00:06:58,077 --> 00:07:00,077 of decisions yet , because I mean , 192 00:07:00,077 --> 00:07:02,299 there's a process here that has to play 193 00:07:02,299 --> 00:07:04,466 out in terms of what we propose to the 194 00:07:04,466 --> 00:07:06,688 Ukrainians the back and forth , we have 195 00:07:06,688 --> 00:07:05,790 with them and then what ultimately the 196 00:07:05,790 --> 00:07:08,230 president authorizes , but I can tell 197 00:07:08,230 --> 00:07:10,740 you this , uh , that just like you saw 198 00:07:10,740 --> 00:07:13,840 with $100 million we just uh signed out 199 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,440 today . Um , the kinds of things that 200 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:18,440 will go forward will be relevant to 201 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:20,607 Ukraine into the fight that they're in 202 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:22,640 understanding that over time , that 203 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:25,060 fight's gonna change . So , uh , the 204 00:07:25,070 --> 00:07:27,890 future drawdown packages will probably 205 00:07:27,900 --> 00:07:29,990 at least in terms of , of , of 206 00:07:29,990 --> 00:07:32,157 frequency , look a lot like what we've 207 00:07:32,157 --> 00:07:34,268 done in the past . I mean what we now 208 00:07:34,268 --> 00:07:36,490 have , we now have some longer runway . 209 00:07:36,490 --> 00:07:38,434 And so we're gonna meter these out 210 00:07:38,434 --> 00:07:40,379 appropriately . So that Ukraine is 211 00:07:40,379 --> 00:07:42,601 getting what it needs in the fight that 212 00:07:42,601 --> 00:07:41,660 they're in . And that fight could 213 00:07:41,660 --> 00:07:43,771 change over time . So I don't want to 214 00:07:43,771 --> 00:07:45,771 get ahead of where we are . I don't 215 00:07:45,771 --> 00:07:47,993 want to speculate about future specific 216 00:07:47,993 --> 00:07:50,104 systems , but go ahead with the fight 217 00:07:50,104 --> 00:07:52,216 in the dawn bus going on . It is , it 218 00:07:52,216 --> 00:07:54,438 is not out of the realm of the possible 219 00:07:54,438 --> 00:07:53,910 to all that there'll be future 220 00:07:53,910 --> 00:07:56,188 artillery systems in there . But again , 221 00:07:56,188 --> 00:07:57,966 I don't want to I don't want to 222 00:07:57,966 --> 00:08:00,243 speculate or get ahead of where we are . 223 00:08:00,243 --> 00:08:02,299 Artillery clearly has proven to be a 224 00:08:02,299 --> 00:08:04,466 critical element for the Ukrainians in 225 00:08:04,466 --> 00:08:06,632 this fight . We said that when the war 226 00:08:06,632 --> 00:08:09,710 was going to now go into the Donbas , 227 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:11,840 that it was a fight that was gonna be 228 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:13,951 heavily reliant on long range fires , 229 00:08:13,951 --> 00:08:16,007 artillery . And we've seen that bear 230 00:08:16,007 --> 00:08:18,118 out . We know that the majority , The 231 00:08:18,118 --> 00:08:20,380 vast majority of the howitzers that we 232 00:08:20,380 --> 00:08:22,547 have sent , just the ones we have sent 233 00:08:22,547 --> 00:08:24,730 are actually on the front lines in 234 00:08:24,730 --> 00:08:26,397 various places in Ukraine and 235 00:08:26,397 --> 00:08:28,397 Ukrainians are using them and using 236 00:08:28,397 --> 00:08:30,820 them quite effectively ? So it as you 237 00:08:30,820 --> 00:08:33,042 said , we just sent another 18 or we're 238 00:08:33,042 --> 00:08:35,209 gonna send another 18 here soon . It's 239 00:08:35,209 --> 00:08:37,376 entirely possible that artillery could 240 00:08:37,376 --> 00:08:39,431 be in future drawdown packages . But 241 00:08:39,431 --> 00:08:41,542 we'll work that through and just like 242 00:08:41,542 --> 00:08:43,542 we've done it in the past . We will 243 00:08:43,542 --> 00:08:45,764 will be as transparent with you when we 244 00:08:45,764 --> 00:08:47,987 can when we have made these decisions , 245 00:08:47,987 --> 00:08:50,153 will will certainly make that public . 246 00:08:50,153 --> 00:08:52,264 Did not know he had his hand up first 247 00:08:52,264 --> 00:08:54,376 and he waited a long time . Would you 248 00:08:54,376 --> 00:08:56,487 finish the thought ? You started with 249 00:08:56,487 --> 00:08:58,542 Caitlin saying we had asked for five 250 00:08:58,542 --> 00:09:00,653 billion then you got off the original 251 00:09:00,653 --> 00:09:02,764 quest was five billion . And Congress 252 00:09:02,764 --> 00:09:04,987 added some additional funds to this ? I 253 00:09:04,987 --> 00:09:07,042 don't have the exact figure but they 254 00:09:07,042 --> 00:09:09,153 added some additional media authority 255 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:12,271 from Al Jazeera English . I wanted to 256 00:09:12,271 --> 00:09:14,271 ask you about the working breakfast 257 00:09:14,271 --> 00:09:16,327 between the Secretary of Defense and 258 00:09:16,327 --> 00:09:18,160 Benny Gantz . The readout didn't 259 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:20,271 mention anything about the killing of 260 00:09:20,271 --> 00:09:22,049 Palestinian american journalist 261 00:09:22,049 --> 00:09:24,310 Charlene . Obviously there's a lot of 262 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:26,200 condemnation that come from US 263 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:28,311 lawmakers with regards to the killing 264 00:09:28,311 --> 00:09:30,533 of the journalist . It is highly likely 265 00:09:30,533 --> 00:09:32,644 that she was killed using an american 266 00:09:32,644 --> 00:09:34,811 weapon . Considering the weaponry used 267 00:09:34,811 --> 00:09:36,770 by the Israeli military . Was this 268 00:09:36,780 --> 00:09:39,950 discussed in the between the two uh , 269 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:42,280 during the meeting and if indeed there 270 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:44,520 was some sort of an investigation that 271 00:09:44,530 --> 00:09:47,280 established the US weapon was used to 272 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:49,380 kill an american journalist . Will 273 00:09:49,380 --> 00:09:51,850 there be any reprimand or 274 00:09:52,340 --> 00:09:55,140 sanctioning from the US with regards to 275 00:09:55,140 --> 00:09:57,810 this , What I can tell you is the 276 00:09:57,820 --> 00:09:59,876 subject did come up in the breakfast 277 00:09:59,876 --> 00:10:03,340 and secretary welcomed uh 278 00:10:03,350 --> 00:10:06,480 Israel's uh intent statement , clear 279 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:09,110 statement of intent to investigate this . 280 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:13,080 He welcomed that . That came out 281 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:15,413 today saying they will not investigated , 282 00:10:15,413 --> 00:10:17,636 refuses the government of Israel , it's 283 00:10:17,636 --> 00:10:19,469 not for the Israeli military , I 284 00:10:19,469 --> 00:10:21,358 believe it's in their Ministry of 285 00:10:21,358 --> 00:10:23,469 Interior and they have stated a clear 286 00:10:23,469 --> 00:10:25,247 intent to investigate . And the 287 00:10:25,247 --> 00:10:26,969 Secretary welcomed that , that 288 00:10:26,969 --> 00:10:29,550 investigation and obviously we look 289 00:10:29,550 --> 00:10:31,050 forward to seeing what the 290 00:10:31,050 --> 00:10:33,161 investigation finds out . But I'm not 291 00:10:33,161 --> 00:10:35,272 going to get ahead of it or speculate 292 00:10:35,272 --> 00:10:37,328 about what the outcomes might be one 293 00:10:37,328 --> 00:10:39,328 way or the other , but do not think 294 00:10:39,328 --> 00:10:41,550 that there is a bit of room for concern 295 00:10:41,550 --> 00:10:41,010 considering it is Israel that is 296 00:10:41,010 --> 00:10:43,890 accused of killing the journalist . And 297 00:10:43,890 --> 00:10:46,040 if it was another country , let's say 298 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:48,096 that killed an american journalist , 299 00:10:48,096 --> 00:10:50,207 maybe the US wouldn't be so welcoming 300 00:10:50,207 --> 00:10:51,984 to allowing for that country to 301 00:10:51,984 --> 00:10:54,096 investigate itself . Let's say it was 302 00:10:54,096 --> 00:10:56,262 Iran or Yeah , I appreciate the chance 303 00:10:56,262 --> 00:10:58,151 the opportunity here to get me to 304 00:10:58,151 --> 00:11:00,151 speculate about investigations that 305 00:11:00,151 --> 00:10:59,860 haven't been started for events that 306 00:10:59,860 --> 00:11:02,360 haven't happened yet . We welcome the 307 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:03,860 fact that there will be an 308 00:11:03,860 --> 00:11:05,971 investigation . We've made clear , we 309 00:11:05,971 --> 00:11:05,940 want to see this investigation be 310 00:11:05,940 --> 00:11:08,162 thorough and transparent and complete . 311 00:11:08,162 --> 00:11:10,162 Um but I also don't think it serves 312 00:11:10,162 --> 00:11:12,273 serves anybody's purpose to get ahead 313 00:11:12,273 --> 00:11:14,384 of it when it's ongoing and it hasn't 314 00:11:14,384 --> 00:11:16,750 hasn't concluded . So let's see what 315 00:11:16,750 --> 00:11:19,030 the investigation comes comes back and 316 00:11:19,030 --> 00:11:21,197 what it says but it did come up in the 317 00:11:21,197 --> 00:11:23,450 conversation . Yes ma'am john Timmer 318 00:11:23,450 --> 00:11:25,339 from Al Jazeera English . Just to 319 00:11:25,339 --> 00:11:27,450 follow up on Jamal's question , would 320 00:11:27,450 --> 00:11:27,090 you support an independent 321 00:11:27,100 --> 00:11:29,211 investigation ? I think we've already 322 00:11:29,211 --> 00:11:31,840 said we uh we welcome the fact that the 323 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:33,840 Israeli government is indicated and 324 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:36,062 willingness to investigate this and I'm 325 00:11:36,062 --> 00:11:38,173 not gonna get ahead of the process of 326 00:11:38,173 --> 00:11:40,396 where we are . Travis . Thanks John had 327 00:11:40,396 --> 00:11:42,562 a few questions about the baby formula 328 00:11:42,562 --> 00:11:44,784 flights . Um I just wanted to clarify , 329 00:11:44,784 --> 00:11:46,618 you said Transcom is going to be 330 00:11:46,618 --> 00:11:46,410 working with commercial partners . Does 331 00:11:46,410 --> 00:11:48,521 that mean there won't be any military 332 00:11:48,521 --> 00:11:50,577 aircraft involved ? There's gonna be 333 00:11:50,577 --> 00:11:52,743 contracted commercial carriers , We we 334 00:11:52,743 --> 00:11:54,966 believe at this point that the probably 335 00:11:54,966 --> 00:11:57,132 the most expeditious and quite frankly 336 00:11:57,132 --> 00:11:59,630 the most cost efficient way to support 337 00:11:59,630 --> 00:12:01,686 this immediate need would be through 338 00:12:01,686 --> 00:12:03,630 commercial contract carriers . The 339 00:12:03,630 --> 00:12:05,741 transcript does not believe they have 340 00:12:05,741 --> 00:12:09,600 to activate the the C . R . A . F . Um 341 00:12:09,610 --> 00:12:11,610 At this point they believe they can 342 00:12:11,610 --> 00:12:13,388 probably handle this again most 343 00:12:13,388 --> 00:12:15,750 efficiently with contract carriers that 344 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:19,290 uh that are already in the satellite uh 345 00:12:19,300 --> 00:12:22,080 satellite in the orbit of of of 346 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:24,024 carriers that they work with every 347 00:12:24,024 --> 00:12:26,080 single day . And they do , I mean so 348 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:28,136 much of the security assistance that 349 00:12:28,136 --> 00:12:30,247 goes to Ukraine for instance is going 350 00:12:30,247 --> 00:12:32,302 on contract carriers not Great Tales 351 00:12:32,302 --> 00:12:35,310 that said Travis um if if a if a 352 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:37,487 requirement can best be met by a great 353 00:12:37,487 --> 00:12:39,709 tale . Transcom will certainly have the 354 00:12:39,709 --> 00:12:41,876 authority to use a great tale but they 355 00:12:41,876 --> 00:12:44,098 believe right now probably the best and 356 00:12:44,098 --> 00:12:46,209 most efficient way to do this is with 357 00:12:46,209 --> 00:12:48,431 contract carriers . We'll see . We just 358 00:12:48,431 --> 00:12:50,598 don't have a lot of detail right now . 359 00:12:50,598 --> 00:12:50,240 We're working it out closely with with 360 00:12:50,250 --> 00:12:52,520 HHS you talked earlier in the week I 361 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:55,260 think about the stocks in the U . S . 362 00:12:55,270 --> 00:12:57,381 And overseas commissaries I think 50% 363 00:12:57,381 --> 00:12:59,159 you said in the U . S . And 70% 364 00:12:59,159 --> 00:13:01,381 overseas . Right . Um , do you have any 365 00:13:01,381 --> 00:13:03,603 update on those numbers or whether they 366 00:13:03,603 --> 00:13:05,659 do it ? The stocks have dwindled And 367 00:13:05,659 --> 00:13:07,881 our military families somewhere on this 368 00:13:07,881 --> 00:13:09,992 priority list . Are there discussions 369 00:13:09,992 --> 00:13:11,881 whether some of this formula from 370 00:13:11,881 --> 00:13:14,214 overseas might be going to commissaries . 371 00:13:14,214 --> 00:13:16,326 I did check on the numbers that those 372 00:13:16,326 --> 00:13:18,850 numbers are still relevant , 50% stock 373 00:13:18,850 --> 00:13:21,180 age levels here at home in in our 374 00:13:21,180 --> 00:13:24,750 commissaries and 70% overseas . And the 375 00:13:24,750 --> 00:13:26,917 defense commissary agency continues to 376 00:13:26,917 --> 00:13:29,230 evaluate this against the need every 377 00:13:29,230 --> 00:13:31,850 single day . I know of no changes to 378 00:13:31,850 --> 00:13:33,750 those policies or priorities . 379 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:37,220 Obviously we're not immune to the same 380 00:13:37,220 --> 00:13:39,442 shortages that the rest of the american 381 00:13:39,442 --> 00:13:41,609 people are experienced with respect to 382 00:13:41,609 --> 00:13:43,776 baby formula . We take the president's 383 00:13:43,776 --> 00:13:45,887 direction very very seriously and and 384 00:13:45,887 --> 00:13:47,887 we'll work this as hard as we can . 385 00:13:47,887 --> 00:13:50,053 Yeah . Barbara um , for I think was is 386 00:13:50,053 --> 00:13:52,164 the first time you called this a baby 387 00:13:52,164 --> 00:13:54,109 formula crisis . You used the word 388 00:13:54,109 --> 00:13:56,240 crisis not a word the pentagon uses 389 00:13:56,240 --> 00:13:58,500 lightly . So can you tell us a little 390 00:13:58,500 --> 00:14:00,980 bit more about , you know how the 391 00:14:00,980 --> 00:14:03,050 secretary is getting information on 392 00:14:03,050 --> 00:14:05,920 this ? Has he appointed ? Is there any 393 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:08,590 kind of working group ? Is there any 394 00:14:08,590 --> 00:14:10,757 kind of watch group ? Has he appointed 395 00:14:10,757 --> 00:14:12,812 asked somebody to take charge in the 396 00:14:12,812 --> 00:14:14,930 building of making sure he's getting 397 00:14:14,930 --> 00:14:18,130 the information he needs on this . What 398 00:14:18,130 --> 00:14:20,200 has led you to the conclusion to use 399 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:23,010 the word crisis ? I think it's it's 400 00:14:23,020 --> 00:14:25,620 evident Barbara that that there is a 401 00:14:25,630 --> 00:14:27,770 significant shortage out there in the 402 00:14:27,770 --> 00:14:30,260 american population of baby formula and 403 00:14:30,260 --> 00:14:32,427 the president has taken this very very 404 00:14:32,427 --> 00:14:34,650 seriously . That's why I called for the 405 00:14:34,660 --> 00:14:37,160 use of the Defense Production Act and 406 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:40,370 asked for dot to support HHS and 407 00:14:40,370 --> 00:14:42,850 agriculture in terms of finding uh 408 00:14:42,860 --> 00:14:45,027 inventories overseas that we can bring 409 00:14:45,027 --> 00:14:47,027 bring home . I I think I was simply 410 00:14:47,027 --> 00:14:49,249 stating the obvious which I think we've 411 00:14:49,249 --> 00:14:51,360 all recognized that it's that it's an 412 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:53,420 issue um out there in the american 413 00:14:53,420 --> 00:14:55,642 population in the Department of Defense 414 00:14:55,642 --> 00:14:59,250 will do uh everything we can to 415 00:14:59,250 --> 00:15:01,460 help alleviate that . There has not 416 00:15:01,460 --> 00:15:04,610 been uh an establishment of a of a of a 417 00:15:04,610 --> 00:15:06,666 group here at the pentagon to manage 418 00:15:06,666 --> 00:15:09,260 this . Um uh U . S . Transportation 419 00:15:09,260 --> 00:15:11,427 command is going to be our lead agency 420 00:15:11,427 --> 00:15:13,649 for working with the inter agency to to 421 00:15:13,649 --> 00:15:15,704 find these inventories and to try to 422 00:15:15,704 --> 00:15:17,927 get them here to the United States on a 423 00:15:17,927 --> 00:15:19,927 different subject earlier today , a 424 00:15:19,927 --> 00:15:21,871 senior defense official uh talking 425 00:15:21,871 --> 00:15:23,982 about the situation at the US embassy 426 00:15:23,982 --> 00:15:26,760 in Kiev said right now there's no US 427 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:29,930 military security component to their 428 00:15:29,940 --> 00:15:33,280 embassy security needs . Um So that is 429 00:15:33,280 --> 00:15:36,270 broader , no no military security 430 00:15:36,270 --> 00:15:39,900 component broader than just a US Marine 431 00:15:39,910 --> 00:15:41,632 Embassy U . S . Marine Embassy 432 00:15:41,632 --> 00:15:44,850 contingent if you and I fully 433 00:15:44,850 --> 00:15:46,961 understand it comes at the request of 434 00:15:46,961 --> 00:15:49,239 the State Department . But nonetheless , 435 00:15:49,239 --> 00:15:52,350 if there's no US military security 436 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:56,000 component to the embassy security 437 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,960 needs , are you not concerned ? 438 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,351 I don't know how to put it other than 439 00:16:02,351 --> 00:16:04,980 you could have a repeat of the kind . 440 00:16:05,180 --> 00:16:07,440 Not exactly , but the kind of tragedy 441 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,384 that was seen so many years ago in 442 00:16:09,384 --> 00:16:11,990 Benghazi where some of the State 443 00:16:11,990 --> 00:16:13,990 Department didn't feel security was 444 00:16:13,990 --> 00:16:16,860 required . Military security was 445 00:16:16,860 --> 00:16:18,916 brought in late because they weren't 446 00:16:18,916 --> 00:16:21,280 asked to be there . Do you just wait 447 00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:24,750 for the State Department or do you at 448 00:16:24,750 --> 00:16:28,500 some point take a more assertive role 449 00:16:28,500 --> 00:16:31,260 and say we have assessed and we think 450 00:16:31,260 --> 00:16:33,316 you need security or do you think no 451 00:16:33,316 --> 00:16:35,420 security is needed by anything other 452 00:16:35,420 --> 00:16:38,090 than State Department personnel ? I 453 00:16:38,090 --> 00:16:40,312 would say we work very closely with the 454 00:16:40,312 --> 00:16:42,423 State Department about their security 455 00:16:42,423 --> 00:16:44,479 requirements . Um and those security 456 00:16:44,479 --> 00:16:47,770 requirements are not the same in any 457 00:16:48,540 --> 00:16:51,270 to places around the planet . Um 458 00:16:52,750 --> 00:16:56,750 So we are in direct conversations 459 00:16:56,750 --> 00:16:58,528 and coordination with our State 460 00:16:58,528 --> 00:17:00,850 Department colleagues about 461 00:17:02,370 --> 00:17:05,910 there , Their security footprint there 462 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:09,490 at the embassy in Kiev . Um and I don't 463 00:17:09,490 --> 00:17:11,546 have anything to announce today with 464 00:17:11,546 --> 00:17:13,768 any changes to how that's to how that's 465 00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:16,407 going to be done in the future . We're 466 00:17:16,407 --> 00:17:18,629 in constant communication with them and 467 00:17:18,629 --> 00:17:20,796 I don't think that it would be helpful 468 00:17:20,796 --> 00:17:22,684 for me at all in any way from the 469 00:17:22,684 --> 00:17:24,907 podium to talk about what that security 470 00:17:24,907 --> 00:17:26,684 footprint looks like , what the 471 00:17:26,684 --> 00:17:28,907 postures looks like . Um and uh and how 472 00:17:28,907 --> 00:17:31,073 that and how the security requirements 473 00:17:31,073 --> 00:17:33,184 are going to get filled . And I would 474 00:17:33,184 --> 00:17:33,120 certainly refer you to the State 475 00:17:33,120 --> 00:17:35,290 Department to speak to uh to their 476 00:17:35,290 --> 00:17:38,380 decision making process in terms of of 477 00:17:38,380 --> 00:17:40,436 how they better secure diplomacy and 478 00:17:40,436 --> 00:17:42,658 their diplomats . If there's a if there 479 00:17:42,658 --> 00:17:46,110 is a validated need for U . S . 480 00:17:46,110 --> 00:17:48,332 Military assistance , then again that's 481 00:17:48,332 --> 00:17:50,388 a discussion that we will absolutely 482 00:17:50,388 --> 00:17:52,610 have with the State Department . I mean 483 00:17:52,610 --> 00:17:54,554 nothing's we obviously we want our 484 00:17:54,554 --> 00:17:56,666 diplomats to be able to do their jobs 485 00:17:56,666 --> 00:17:59,610 and and we're glad to see that that 486 00:17:59,610 --> 00:18:01,777 they have resumed operations in Kiev . 487 00:18:01,777 --> 00:18:03,943 We agree with them that that that's an 488 00:18:03,943 --> 00:18:05,800 important move . And if there's 489 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:07,911 something that the U . S . Department 490 00:18:07,911 --> 00:18:09,911 of Defense can do to assist them in 491 00:18:09,911 --> 00:18:12,133 their diplomatic work , then we'll have 492 00:18:12,133 --> 00:18:14,300 that conversation with them just to be 493 00:18:14,300 --> 00:18:16,522 clear . You're being very prospective , 494 00:18:16,522 --> 00:18:19,260 shall we say in looking down the road , 495 00:18:19,260 --> 00:18:21,482 you are repeatedly saying you will have 496 00:18:21,482 --> 00:18:23,649 that conversation . If there is a need 497 00:18:23,649 --> 00:18:25,538 you're being , we are having that 498 00:18:25,538 --> 00:18:27,704 conversation with the State Department 499 00:18:27,704 --> 00:18:29,680 about about what their security 500 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:31,902 requirements might look like . But it's 501 00:18:31,902 --> 00:18:34,124 ultimately up to the Secretary of State 502 00:18:34,124 --> 00:18:37,730 to determine uh there or anywhere else 503 00:18:37,730 --> 00:18:40,450 around the world how he wants to better 504 00:18:40,890 --> 00:18:43,860 secure and protect his diplomats and 505 00:18:44,420 --> 00:18:46,698 and if there's a role that we can play , 506 00:18:46,698 --> 00:18:48,587 then we will absolutely have that 507 00:18:48,587 --> 00:18:50,531 discussion with them . But I'm not 508 00:18:50,531 --> 00:18:52,531 gonna get ahead of where things are 509 00:18:52,531 --> 00:18:52,260 right now . And I am certainly not 510 00:18:52,260 --> 00:18:54,600 going to talk hear from the podium 511 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,070 about security footprint at that or any 512 00:18:57,070 --> 00:18:58,848 other embassy . I think you can 513 00:18:58,848 --> 00:19:00,848 understand , we wouldn't want , who 514 00:19:00,848 --> 00:19:04,100 wouldn't want to go there . Yes , thank 515 00:19:04,100 --> 00:19:07,510 you . John , as you know , Afghanistan 516 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:09,750 people situation gate words everyday 517 00:19:09,760 --> 00:19:11,593 women situation , you know , the 518 00:19:11,593 --> 00:19:14,570 taliban push them forced them to wear 519 00:19:14,570 --> 00:19:17,500 burqa . And the other side a 520 00:19:17,940 --> 00:19:20,580 week ago said we are close friends with 521 00:19:20,580 --> 00:19:23,060 american . We are not enemy . American 522 00:19:23,060 --> 00:19:25,440 is not our enemy . If it's not enemy . 523 00:19:25,450 --> 00:19:27,672 Although I asked this question from the 524 00:19:27,672 --> 00:19:29,783 State Department , if you have a good 525 00:19:29,783 --> 00:19:32,560 relationship with americans , then why 526 00:19:32,940 --> 00:19:36,910 they don't open the school for women 527 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:39,460 in Afghanistan ? And the other side , 528 00:19:39,470 --> 00:19:42,670 as I read the report for the pentagon 529 00:19:42,670 --> 00:19:45,120 yesterday ? Pentagon concern about 530 00:19:45,120 --> 00:19:47,960 Daesh also and 531 00:19:47,970 --> 00:19:51,170 $7 billion value 532 00:19:51,490 --> 00:19:54,670 equipment of the United States left 533 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:56,610 behind in Afghanistan . It is 534 00:19:56,610 --> 00:19:58,721 complicated . What do you think ? And 535 00:19:58,721 --> 00:20:01,130 the second question , what's your first 536 00:20:01,130 --> 00:20:05,120 question ? The first question is about 537 00:20:05,130 --> 00:20:08,710 what do I think about what the Pentagon 538 00:20:08,710 --> 00:20:10,932 is concerned ? We talked about this the 539 00:20:10,932 --> 00:20:13,099 other day last time I was a podium . I 540 00:20:13,099 --> 00:20:16,460 mean we've been nothing but 541 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:19,062 clear and consistent that we don't want 542 00:20:19,062 --> 00:20:22,450 to see a return of of of of ISIS 543 00:20:22,450 --> 00:20:24,728 particularly ISIS K inside Afghanistan , 544 00:20:24,728 --> 00:20:27,110 that's already there . But I mean , you 545 00:20:27,110 --> 00:20:29,630 know , growth in their capabilities 546 00:20:29,630 --> 00:20:31,408 such that it would threaten our 547 00:20:31,408 --> 00:20:34,660 interests . Uh and we're watching this 548 00:20:34,660 --> 00:20:37,530 as closely as we can . Same thing . 549 00:20:38,220 --> 00:20:40,930 Okay , Do you accept a con is a 550 00:20:40,930 --> 00:20:44,810 friendship ? The Taliban say we are 551 00:20:44,820 --> 00:20:47,042 friends with the United States . We are 552 00:20:47,042 --> 00:20:50,190 not enemy . I'll tell you what we what 553 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:52,710 we won't accept is another threat to 554 00:20:52,710 --> 00:20:54,488 the homeland that emanates from 555 00:20:54,488 --> 00:20:56,654 Afghanistan and that's why we're going 556 00:20:56,654 --> 00:20:58,821 to stay focused on making sure we have 557 00:20:58,821 --> 00:21:00,877 an over the horizon counterterrorism 558 00:21:00,877 --> 00:21:03,250 capability to deal with that and that 559 00:21:03,260 --> 00:21:06,520 the United States , Oh , I want to 560 00:21:06,530 --> 00:21:09,690 establish military bases in Pakistan , 561 00:21:09,740 --> 00:21:13,670 Is it true ? I'm not gonna I don't know 562 00:21:13,670 --> 00:21:15,810 any . I have no updates in terms of 563 00:21:15,820 --> 00:21:17,931 military basing in the region . We're 564 00:21:17,931 --> 00:21:20,050 talking to regional partners 565 00:21:20,060 --> 00:21:23,930 about about possibilities 566 00:21:23,940 --> 00:21:26,690 to help us improve our over the horizon 567 00:21:26,690 --> 00:21:28,801 counterterrorism capabilities . But I 568 00:21:28,801 --> 00:21:30,634 don't have any updates for you . 569 00:21:30,634 --> 00:21:32,750 Anything specific to talk about from 570 00:21:32,750 --> 00:21:34,870 the spanish news agency . Thank you . 571 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:37,890 Going back to the NATO summit , I would 572 00:21:37,890 --> 00:21:40,112 like to know , I wonder if you would be 573 00:21:40,112 --> 00:21:42,168 able to give more details about what 574 00:21:42,168 --> 00:21:45,090 what's being cooked because they say 575 00:21:45,100 --> 00:21:47,960 yes before the before the summit 576 00:21:47,970 --> 00:21:50,290 because they are talking about a new 577 00:21:50,290 --> 00:21:53,960 strategic concept that it's going to be 578 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:57,120 set during the summit . So what does 579 00:21:57,130 --> 00:21:59,590 this mean ? And also my second question 580 00:21:59,590 --> 00:22:03,290 is uh will the US be willing to send 581 00:22:03,300 --> 00:22:07,130 troops to Sweden or Finland if they 582 00:22:07,140 --> 00:22:09,900 ask them for ? They asked NATO for any 583 00:22:09,900 --> 00:22:12,470 help . I think Secretary General 584 00:22:12,470 --> 00:22:14,414 Stoltenberg has talked quite a bit 585 00:22:14,414 --> 00:22:16,692 about the NATO's new strategic concept . 586 00:22:16,692 --> 00:22:18,859 I would point you back to the comments 587 00:22:18,859 --> 00:22:20,859 that he has made . I know that they 588 00:22:20,859 --> 00:22:23,026 will clearly in june in Madrid want to 589 00:22:23,026 --> 00:22:25,137 talk about the future of the alliance 590 00:22:25,137 --> 00:22:27,303 and how the alliance needs to continue 591 00:22:27,303 --> 00:22:29,081 to evolve and transform for the 592 00:22:29,081 --> 00:22:31,248 security environment that has actually 593 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:35,060 changed in europe . Clearly it has and 594 00:22:35,070 --> 00:22:37,220 NATO is now more relevant than ever . 595 00:22:37,220 --> 00:22:39,850 And I know that without speaking for 596 00:22:39,860 --> 00:22:41,971 the Secretary General , he's eager to 597 00:22:41,971 --> 00:22:43,971 have that discussion with allies in 598 00:22:43,971 --> 00:22:43,680 june , I won't get ahead of that 599 00:22:43,690 --> 00:22:45,801 discussion . We are very much looking 600 00:22:45,801 --> 00:22:47,801 forward to participating in that on 601 00:22:47,801 --> 00:22:49,968 Sweden and Finland . Um I think I'd go 602 00:22:49,968 --> 00:22:52,134 back to what I said before , We are at 603 00:22:52,134 --> 00:22:54,190 uh conversations with both countries 604 00:22:54,190 --> 00:22:56,190 now that they have both applied but 605 00:22:56,190 --> 00:22:58,412 they have not yet assessed . Uh we have 606 00:22:58,412 --> 00:22:59,968 uh we're having staff level 607 00:22:59,968 --> 00:23:02,190 conversations with with both militaries 608 00:23:02,190 --> 00:23:05,670 about any potential security 609 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:08,920 assurances and or capabilities that uh 610 00:23:08,930 --> 00:23:11,240 that they might appreciate having 611 00:23:11,250 --> 00:23:14,050 availability to in this time between 612 00:23:14,340 --> 00:23:16,830 application in a session and we just 613 00:23:16,830 --> 00:23:20,450 haven't uh those discussions are are 614 00:23:20,450 --> 00:23:22,672 ongoing and we just haven't come to any 615 00:23:22,672 --> 00:23:24,900 final conclusions about that . But I 616 00:23:24,900 --> 00:23:27,178 would just again make two points . One , 617 00:23:27,178 --> 00:23:29,370 we certainly strongly support their 618 00:23:29,370 --> 00:23:32,040 session in the alliance and as I said 619 00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:34,096 before these are two militaries . We 620 00:23:34,096 --> 00:23:36,318 know very well and we're confident that 621 00:23:36,318 --> 00:23:38,484 should there be specific assurances or 622 00:23:38,484 --> 00:23:40,707 capabilities that they need that we can 623 00:23:40,707 --> 00:23:42,762 provide will be able to do that . We 624 00:23:42,762 --> 00:23:44,373 just haven't completed those 625 00:23:44,373 --> 00:23:46,373 conversations right now so I really 626 00:23:46,373 --> 00:23:46,250 don't have anything specific to talk to 627 00:23:46,250 --> 00:23:48,139 right at this point in the back . 628 00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:50,218 Thanks john I was gonna ask two 629 00:23:50,218 --> 00:23:52,162 questions quick one on Finland and 630 00:23:52,162 --> 00:23:54,329 Sweden we heard from Moscow many times 631 00:23:54,329 --> 00:23:56,384 that it would be a scorched earth if 632 00:23:56,384 --> 00:23:58,551 they were to join NATO is the Pentagon 633 00:23:58,551 --> 00:24:00,773 worried that this may be the last straw 634 00:24:00,773 --> 00:24:02,773 that pushes Putin over the edge and 635 00:24:02,773 --> 00:24:04,829 head to world War . I can't possibly 636 00:24:04,829 --> 00:24:06,996 get inside . Mr Putin ted to determine 637 00:24:06,996 --> 00:24:06,730 what he will or won't do . I mean he 638 00:24:06,730 --> 00:24:09,100 did make comments earlier this week 639 00:24:09,110 --> 00:24:11,540 that that he was not overly 640 00:24:12,740 --> 00:24:15,140 concern . Um I don't I don't I don't 641 00:24:15,140 --> 00:24:17,362 have the exact words but the impression 642 00:24:17,362 --> 00:24:19,251 he left was that that their their 643 00:24:19,251 --> 00:24:21,400 session into NATO itself uh wasn't a 644 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:23,860 matter for a for a great concern to 645 00:24:23,860 --> 00:24:27,020 Russia but I'll let Mr Putin speak for 646 00:24:27,020 --> 00:24:30,370 himself in terms of of of how he 647 00:24:30,380 --> 00:24:32,602 intends to react to this . I would just 648 00:24:32,602 --> 00:24:34,500 remind and it's important to keep 649 00:24:34,510 --> 00:24:36,820 reminding this NATO is a defensive 650 00:24:36,820 --> 00:24:38,570 alliance . It does not pose an 651 00:24:38,570 --> 00:24:40,626 offensive threat to any other nation 652 00:24:40,626 --> 00:24:42,880 and never has that's not the purpose of 653 00:24:42,880 --> 00:24:45,430 it . It's a defensive alliance . And um 654 00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:49,070 and again , we welcome Sweden and 655 00:24:49,070 --> 00:24:51,014 Finland's application . The United 656 00:24:51,014 --> 00:24:53,070 States looks forward to working with 657 00:24:53,070 --> 00:24:55,800 him through the a session process . Um , 658 00:24:55,810 --> 00:24:57,977 and uh , we're confident and you heard 659 00:24:57,977 --> 00:25:00,199 the secretary say this yesterday and is 660 00:25:00,199 --> 00:25:02,032 meeting with the Swedish defense 661 00:25:02,032 --> 00:25:04,254 minister that that they will be nothing 662 00:25:04,254 --> 00:25:06,760 but additive capability to the NATO to 663 00:25:06,760 --> 00:25:08,871 NATO's defensive capabilities because 664 00:25:08,871 --> 00:25:11,380 they are uh , you know , very modern um , 665 00:25:11,390 --> 00:25:14,200 and very capable military . So we we 666 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:16,420 welcome their eventual accession into 667 00:25:16,420 --> 00:25:20,080 NATO . It's legislation , the deal that 668 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:22,191 was reached in the Senate and they're 669 00:25:22,191 --> 00:25:24,413 poised to get this done . Finally , can 670 00:25:24,413 --> 00:25:26,580 you tell us how the pentagon will help 671 00:25:26,580 --> 00:25:26,440 the V . A . And identifying soldiers 672 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:28,440 and those who have been affected by 673 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:30,662 burn pits and then get them that help . 674 00:25:30,662 --> 00:25:32,718 I don't want to get ahead of pending 675 00:25:32,718 --> 00:25:34,773 legislation here . And we try not to 676 00:25:34,773 --> 00:25:36,996 comment on that . But I do want to make 677 00:25:36,996 --> 00:25:39,218 clear how seriously the secretary takes 678 00:25:39,218 --> 00:25:41,273 this issue having being a veteran of 679 00:25:41,273 --> 00:25:43,384 Iraq and Afghanistan . Um It's it's a 680 00:25:43,384 --> 00:25:45,551 it's a personal thing for him to uh he 681 00:25:45,551 --> 00:25:47,718 takes this very seriously . And he and 682 00:25:47,718 --> 00:25:49,829 Secretary McDonough have talked about 683 00:25:49,829 --> 00:25:52,051 this issue specifically many times . Um 684 00:25:52,051 --> 00:25:53,940 and he is absolutely committed to 685 00:25:53,940 --> 00:25:56,107 working directly and very closely with 686 00:25:56,107 --> 00:25:59,590 the V . A . On helping uh address 687 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:03,010 analyze and deal with burn pit 688 00:26:03,020 --> 00:26:06,750 after facts and injuries uh and 689 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:09,390 and uh and medical treatment that's 690 00:26:09,390 --> 00:26:12,460 required for for exposure to to to burn 691 00:26:12,460 --> 00:26:14,404 pits . It's a serious issue . He's 692 00:26:14,404 --> 00:26:16,627 taken it seriously . And again , he and 693 00:26:16,627 --> 00:26:18,660 uh , Secretary McDonough are , are 694 00:26:18,660 --> 00:26:20,660 lashed up very , very tight on this 695 00:26:20,660 --> 00:26:22,493 again . I I won't talk about the 696 00:26:22,493 --> 00:26:24,660 pending legislation specifically , but 697 00:26:24,660 --> 00:26:26,882 I can assure you it's definitely on the 698 00:26:26,882 --> 00:26:29,070 secretary's mind . Yeah . Thanks sir . 699 00:26:29,700 --> 00:26:32,890 To questions one on Afghanistan , one 700 00:26:32,890 --> 00:26:35,112 on Sri Lanka . As far as Afghanistan is 701 00:26:35,112 --> 00:26:38,370 concerned , you think the Taliban's are 702 00:26:38,370 --> 00:26:41,170 living up to their promises they made 703 00:26:41,170 --> 00:26:43,003 to the U . S . And to the global 704 00:26:43,003 --> 00:26:45,250 community because in recent days there 705 00:26:45,250 --> 00:26:49,200 were bombings at girls schools and 706 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:51,850 also women's are now being forced to 707 00:26:53,140 --> 00:26:55,251 many things which they said they will 708 00:26:55,251 --> 00:26:57,196 not go through . Yeah , I think my 709 00:26:57,196 --> 00:26:59,418 State Department colleagues have talked 710 00:26:59,418 --> 00:27:01,473 about this and uh , I'll leave it to 711 00:27:01,473 --> 00:27:04,110 them to to to speak to uh , to issues 712 00:27:04,110 --> 00:27:06,880 like that going , we're focused here at 713 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:08,936 the Department of Defense and making 714 00:27:08,936 --> 00:27:11,060 sure that another 9 11 type attack 715 00:27:11,060 --> 00:27:13,440 cannot occur from or emanate from 716 00:27:13,450 --> 00:27:15,450 Afghanistan . And that's what we're 717 00:27:15,450 --> 00:27:18,250 focused on . And Sri Lanka is in crisis 718 00:27:18,250 --> 00:27:21,270 politically and also militarily and 719 00:27:21,270 --> 00:27:25,100 also collapse of the government there . 720 00:27:25,110 --> 00:27:27,430 As far as this building is concerned , 721 00:27:27,440 --> 00:27:29,910 anybody is in touch with Siri Lankan 722 00:27:29,910 --> 00:27:32,800 government because of the heavy loans 723 00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:36,130 from china took this one family running 724 00:27:36,130 --> 00:27:38,190 the Siri Lanka and now they are in 725 00:27:38,190 --> 00:27:40,301 trouble . The whole community , whole 726 00:27:40,301 --> 00:27:42,468 region is in trouble because of that . 727 00:27:42,468 --> 00:27:44,523 I don't have an update here from the 728 00:27:44,523 --> 00:27:46,690 Defense Department on that . Again , I 729 00:27:46,690 --> 00:27:48,857 would refer you to my my colleagues at 730 00:27:48,857 --> 00:27:50,912 the State Department to speak to Sri 731 00:27:50,912 --> 00:27:53,079 Lanka . Let me go to the phones here , 732 00:27:53,079 --> 00:27:55,910 Sylvie . Hello . Um I have two 733 00:27:55,910 --> 00:27:59,820 questions um uh first about 734 00:27:59,830 --> 00:28:03,620 the Ukrainian fighters from 735 00:28:03,630 --> 00:28:06,580 Mariupol who just surrendered . I 736 00:28:06,580 --> 00:28:10,240 wanted to know if the U . S . Is 737 00:28:10,240 --> 00:28:13,970 trying to facilitate any um 738 00:28:13,980 --> 00:28:17,760 negotiation to help them to go 739 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,860 back to Ukraine . And my second 740 00:28:20,860 --> 00:28:24,360 question is about 741 00:28:24,740 --> 00:28:28,140 grain and grain exports , 742 00:28:28,150 --> 00:28:30,850 Are there any talks about creating a 743 00:28:30,850 --> 00:28:34,250 security arrangement so that Ukraine 744 00:28:34,260 --> 00:28:37,680 grain can be exported either from 745 00:28:37,680 --> 00:28:40,990 Odessa or elsewhere ? Yes . So we I 746 00:28:40,990 --> 00:28:43,046 mean obviously we understand we know 747 00:28:43,046 --> 00:28:45,212 that the that the Russians continue to 748 00:28:45,212 --> 00:28:48,070 uh to be able to blockade in the Black 749 00:28:48,070 --> 00:28:52,000 Sea and prevent uh exports of 750 00:28:52,010 --> 00:28:53,740 of grain from Ukraine . And we 751 00:28:53,740 --> 00:28:55,629 obviously understand the economic 752 00:28:55,629 --> 00:28:58,840 impact that not only to Ukraine but but 753 00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:00,951 to so many other countries around the 754 00:29:00,951 --> 00:29:03,062 world . I mean this is something that 755 00:29:03,062 --> 00:29:05,007 the administration is um is having 756 00:29:05,007 --> 00:29:06,951 discussions on from an interagency 757 00:29:06,951 --> 00:29:09,540 perspective . Excuse me . Um and I'm 758 00:29:09,540 --> 00:29:11,151 not gonna get ahead of those 759 00:29:11,151 --> 00:29:13,550 discussions . Um uh 760 00:29:15,340 --> 00:29:17,562 and then your other question was on the 761 00:29:17,562 --> 00:29:21,530 on the soldiers taken from uh as of 762 00:29:21,530 --> 00:29:25,360 stall plant . I mean look um 763 00:29:26,740 --> 00:29:29,330 the our expectation is just like just 764 00:29:29,330 --> 00:29:31,740 and we've said this before um is that 765 00:29:31,740 --> 00:29:33,962 all prisoners of war will be treated in 766 00:29:33,962 --> 00:29:36,073 accordance with the Geneva convention 767 00:29:36,073 --> 00:29:37,962 uh in the law of war . That's our 768 00:29:37,962 --> 00:29:40,920 expectation and will be uh clearly 769 00:29:40,930 --> 00:29:44,700 uh watching this uh closely with with 770 00:29:44,700 --> 00:29:46,867 that expectation ? But beyond that , I 771 00:29:46,867 --> 00:29:48,660 have nothing more to say . Um , 772 00:29:49,040 --> 00:29:50,040 Turcotte . 773 00:29:56,340 --> 00:29:58,670 Hi there . Thanks for taking this um 774 00:30:00,040 --> 00:30:02,490 with just getting back to the Marine 775 00:30:02,490 --> 00:30:05,770 security Detachment . Is there any 776 00:30:05,770 --> 00:30:07,714 possibility of a different type of 777 00:30:07,714 --> 00:30:09,714 security arrangement ? Like through 778 00:30:09,714 --> 00:30:11,826 contractors or something that's being 779 00:30:11,826 --> 00:30:14,048 considered ? Instead of actually having 780 00:30:14,048 --> 00:30:15,937 us boots , they're protecting the 781 00:30:15,937 --> 00:30:18,540 embassy . Thanks again , Tara , this is 782 00:30:18,540 --> 00:30:21,360 a this is a better question put to the 783 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:23,471 State Department , they are in charge 784 00:30:23,471 --> 00:30:26,630 of of security for determining what 785 00:30:26,630 --> 00:30:28,574 security footprint they want . And 786 00:30:28,574 --> 00:30:30,408 obviously , if the United States 787 00:30:30,408 --> 00:30:32,519 military can assist and you know , we 788 00:30:32,519 --> 00:30:32,420 have marine security guards at 789 00:30:32,610 --> 00:30:34,721 embassies around the world . I mean , 790 00:30:34,721 --> 00:30:36,721 it's not like we don't recognize we 791 00:30:36,721 --> 00:30:38,970 play a role here , but it isn't the 792 00:30:38,980 --> 00:30:41,091 footprint of that and what that looks 793 00:30:41,091 --> 00:30:43,313 like and how it's comprised is all done 794 00:30:43,313 --> 00:30:45,369 in close consultation with the State 795 00:30:45,369 --> 00:30:47,536 Department and I'm simply not going to 796 00:30:47,536 --> 00:30:49,758 get ahead of where they are in terms of 797 00:30:49,758 --> 00:30:51,813 their security protocols at Kiev . I 798 00:30:51,813 --> 00:30:53,980 mean , those are much better questions 799 00:30:53,980 --> 00:30:56,091 put to them at this time . Thanks for 800 00:30:56,091 --> 00:30:58,369 doing this . Two quick questions . One , 801 00:30:58,369 --> 00:31:00,536 is it just a coincidence timing of the 802 00:31:00,536 --> 00:31:01,536 new $100 million 803 00:31:01,536 --> 00:31:05,590 40 804 00:31:05,590 --> 00:31:07,868 billion . Just a coincidence of timing . 805 00:31:07,868 --> 00:31:10,090 I'm not aware that there was any direct 806 00:31:10,090 --> 00:31:13,670 linkage . I think we we we we have 807 00:31:13,940 --> 00:31:16,820 we have limited to no ability to to 808 00:31:16,820 --> 00:31:19,490 dictate on what schedule the congress 809 00:31:19,490 --> 00:31:22,470 passes , proposed legislation . My 810 00:31:22,470 --> 00:31:24,637 second question is , could you give us 811 00:31:24,637 --> 00:31:26,692 a little non security details on the 812 00:31:26,692 --> 00:31:28,859 calls today between General Miller and 813 00:31:28,859 --> 00:31:31,081 Gary small ? I don't have more than the 814 00:31:31,081 --> 00:31:33,303 readout . I mean , I'd encourage you to 815 00:31:33,303 --> 00:31:35,581 speak to General Milley staff for that . 816 00:31:35,581 --> 00:31:37,748 I will tell you the Secretary was glad 817 00:31:37,748 --> 00:31:39,970 to see that the conversation happened . 818 00:31:39,970 --> 00:31:42,137 Uh , because as , as we said , when he 819 00:31:42,137 --> 00:31:44,137 spoke to Minister Shoigu , uh , you 820 00:31:44,137 --> 00:31:46,137 know , a few days ago , I mean , we 821 00:31:46,137 --> 00:31:48,359 believe it's important for the lines of 822 00:31:48,359 --> 00:31:50,581 communication , uh , to to be open . So 823 00:31:50,581 --> 00:31:52,810 the fact that General Milley was for 824 00:31:52,810 --> 00:31:54,921 the first time since I think the 11th 825 00:31:54,921 --> 00:31:56,977 of february able to speak to General 826 00:31:56,977 --> 00:31:59,199 Gerasimov ? Uh , we certainly , uh , we 827 00:31:59,199 --> 00:32:01,450 certainly believe that's a good thing . 828 00:32:01,640 --> 00:32:03,862 You'd have to talk to the joint staff . 829 00:32:03,862 --> 00:32:06,260 I don't know . I mean , I do know that , 830 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:08,807 um , that General Milley and his staff 831 00:32:08,807 --> 00:32:11,029 had been trying , as we had been trying 832 00:32:11,029 --> 00:32:13,140 to reach Minister short . Do they had 833 00:32:13,140 --> 00:32:15,362 been trying to reach General Grass um , 834 00:32:15,362 --> 00:32:18,580 off But what , what transpired to lead 835 00:32:18,580 --> 00:32:20,802 to this particular phone call ? I'd ask 836 00:32:20,802 --> 00:32:23,024 you to speak to General Milley staff up 837 00:32:23,024 --> 00:32:25,191 super quick . Do you have any sense of 838 00:32:25,340 --> 00:32:27,173 in both cases , what has led the 839 00:32:27,173 --> 00:32:29,340 Russians to now be willing to talk ? 840 00:32:29,350 --> 00:32:31,294 What's changed their mind ? Do you 841 00:32:31,294 --> 00:32:33,294 assess that Putin would have had to 842 00:32:33,294 --> 00:32:35,294 have approved this . They would not 843 00:32:35,294 --> 00:32:37,294 have done it on their own . I don't 844 00:32:37,294 --> 00:32:39,294 know , bob , I don't think we could 845 00:32:39,294 --> 00:32:41,239 possibly know exactly what sort of 846 00:32:41,239 --> 00:32:43,183 internal deliberations they had in 847 00:32:43,183 --> 00:32:45,350 terms of accepting , finally accepting 848 00:32:45,350 --> 00:32:47,350 the invitation to call . That's not 849 00:32:47,350 --> 00:32:49,406 that and frankly , we're not worried 850 00:32:49,406 --> 00:32:51,572 about that . We're not concerned about 851 00:32:51,572 --> 00:32:53,794 why this time they both decided to pick 852 00:32:53,794 --> 00:32:55,794 up the phone . We're just glad that 853 00:32:55,794 --> 00:32:57,906 they did well , unless it indicated a 854 00:32:57,906 --> 00:32:57,470 shift in their position in some way . 855 00:32:57,470 --> 00:32:59,860 When I think if you just look at the uh , 856 00:32:59,870 --> 00:33:02,092 it's hard to look at what's going on on 857 00:33:02,092 --> 00:33:04,148 the ground and say that there's some 858 00:33:04,148 --> 00:33:06,203 sort of shift in uh , in the Russian 859 00:33:06,203 --> 00:33:06,050 position with respect to the war , they 860 00:33:06,050 --> 00:33:08,740 continue to try uh , to occupy the 861 00:33:08,740 --> 00:33:10,907 Donbas , they continue to fight in the 862 00:33:10,907 --> 00:33:14,880 south . They continue to uh , 863 00:33:14,890 --> 00:33:18,120 you know , to put forces on the ground . 864 00:33:18,130 --> 00:33:20,680 Um , so , I mean , the war continues 865 00:33:20,680 --> 00:33:22,847 and it's very real . So it's difficult 866 00:33:22,847 --> 00:33:25,069 to look at events on the ground and say 867 00:33:25,069 --> 00:33:27,530 that there's some Eureka moment for for 868 00:33:27,530 --> 00:33:29,752 Russia with respect to their activities 869 00:33:29,752 --> 00:33:33,600 in Ukraine ? Yeah , Joe . Reuters 870 00:33:33,600 --> 00:33:35,767 reported today that the administration 871 00:33:35,767 --> 00:33:38,120 is working to put advanced anti ship 872 00:33:38,120 --> 00:33:40,064 missiles in the hands of Ukrainian 873 00:33:40,064 --> 00:33:42,850 forces . Can you confirm that report 874 00:33:42,850 --> 00:33:45,990 one and two , given the danger of a 875 00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:49,770 global famine is helping defeat 876 00:33:49,780 --> 00:33:52,060 Russia's naval blockade a priority here 877 00:33:52,540 --> 00:33:55,250 Or is that outweighed by concerns about 878 00:33:55,260 --> 00:33:57,740 sinking Russian warships and and the 879 00:33:57,750 --> 00:33:59,972 potential for escalating the conflict . 880 00:33:59,972 --> 00:34:02,083 Yeah . Again , joe , I'll tell you as 881 00:34:02,083 --> 00:34:04,306 we continue to talk to Ukrainians about 882 00:34:04,306 --> 00:34:06,528 what their needs are and we do the best 883 00:34:06,528 --> 00:34:08,694 we can to meet those needs . And if we 884 00:34:08,694 --> 00:34:08,070 can't , we're certainly working with 885 00:34:08,070 --> 00:34:10,181 allies and partners who can , I'm not 886 00:34:10,181 --> 00:34:13,330 going to speculate about systems that 887 00:34:13,330 --> 00:34:15,630 haven't been sent or approved to be 888 00:34:15,630 --> 00:34:18,070 sent yet . We'll tell you what we can 889 00:34:18,070 --> 00:34:20,126 when we when we made these decisions 890 00:34:20,126 --> 00:34:22,403 and that's where I think we need to be . 891 00:34:22,403 --> 00:34:25,210 Um , and look on the on the blockade . 892 00:34:25,220 --> 00:34:27,109 Again , we recognize the economic 893 00:34:27,109 --> 00:34:29,950 impact this is having . Um uh and it is 894 00:34:29,950 --> 00:34:31,839 a it's an issue that not only the 895 00:34:31,839 --> 00:34:34,006 interagency is talking about , but the 896 00:34:34,006 --> 00:34:36,172 world community is talking about and I 897 00:34:36,172 --> 00:34:38,394 just don't think it's helpful for me to 898 00:34:38,394 --> 00:34:40,617 speculate beyond that the president has 899 00:34:40,617 --> 00:34:42,450 made clear us forces will not be 900 00:34:42,450 --> 00:34:44,394 fighting in Ukraine . That has not 901 00:34:44,394 --> 00:34:46,728 changed . Yeah , I already got you know , 902 00:34:46,728 --> 00:34:48,839 No , I already got you go in the back 903 00:34:48,839 --> 00:34:52,500 there . Good thanks . Yeah , not him . 904 00:34:52,510 --> 00:34:54,232 He only had his question was a 905 00:34:54,232 --> 00:34:56,288 different topic . It was a different 906 00:34:56,288 --> 00:34:58,288 topic . I'm sure it was , we'll get 907 00:34:58,288 --> 00:35:00,343 back is the U . S . Open to training 908 00:35:00,343 --> 00:35:02,454 more Ukrainians on U . S . Soil . All 909 00:35:02,454 --> 00:35:04,510 the training being done right now is 910 00:35:04,510 --> 00:35:06,677 being done outside of Ukraine , but in 911 00:35:06,677 --> 00:35:08,788 europe . Um and we think that's quite 912 00:35:08,788 --> 00:35:11,010 frankly the best option because you can 913 00:35:11,010 --> 00:35:13,177 take a small number of fighters out of 914 00:35:13,177 --> 00:35:15,399 the fight , get them trained up they'll 915 00:35:15,399 --> 00:35:15,300 go back in and train their teammates 916 00:35:15,310 --> 00:35:18,090 and having them outside Ukraine . But 917 00:35:18,090 --> 00:35:20,257 in europe , I think allows for that to 918 00:35:20,257 --> 00:35:22,146 happen a lot faster . And I think 919 00:35:22,146 --> 00:35:24,257 that's where our focus is right now . 920 00:35:24,257 --> 00:35:23,910 And follow up on a completely different 921 00:35:23,910 --> 00:35:26,440 topic . Can you speak to any security 922 00:35:26,440 --> 00:35:30,430 concerns in us pay calm given biden's 923 00:35:30,430 --> 00:35:33,350 visit in upcoming days , any increased 924 00:35:33,360 --> 00:35:36,850 coordination with US allies ? Um , 925 00:35:37,540 --> 00:35:39,762 CNN Barbara's done some great reporting 926 00:35:39,762 --> 00:35:43,490 on , um , possible test that you could 927 00:35:43,490 --> 00:35:45,657 do . Your jake . Sullivan talked about 928 00:35:45,657 --> 00:35:48,920 the fact that we were monitoring and , 929 00:35:48,930 --> 00:35:50,986 and perhaps even expecting the north 930 00:35:50,986 --> 00:35:53,152 Koreans to do something , whether it's 931 00:35:53,152 --> 00:35:55,319 a launch or nuclear test perhaps while 932 00:35:55,319 --> 00:35:57,319 the president's in theater . And he 933 00:35:57,319 --> 00:35:59,597 also said very clearly that , you know , 934 00:35:59,597 --> 00:36:01,763 should that happen ? Will , uh , we'll 935 00:36:01,763 --> 00:36:03,986 take a look at our own security posture 936 00:36:03,986 --> 00:36:06,041 and footprint as appropriate . But I 937 00:36:06,041 --> 00:36:05,600 don't think we want to get ahead of 938 00:36:05,610 --> 00:36:07,721 ourselves right now and certainly not 939 00:36:07,721 --> 00:36:09,943 going to telegraph that , um , any time 940 00:36:09,943 --> 00:36:12,054 that the president travels overseas . 941 00:36:12,054 --> 00:36:14,332 Securities are concerned quite frankly . 942 00:36:14,332 --> 00:36:16,499 Uh , security in the indo pacific is a 943 00:36:16,499 --> 00:36:18,554 longstanding concern . That's why we 944 00:36:18,554 --> 00:36:20,666 have considered uh , china are number 945 00:36:20,666 --> 00:36:20,650 one pacing challenge . That's why we 946 00:36:20,650 --> 00:36:22,930 have talked about already even before 947 00:36:22,930 --> 00:36:25,500 this trip , making sure that we , uh , 948 00:36:25,510 --> 00:36:27,399 that we had a nimble posture with 949 00:36:27,399 --> 00:36:29,950 respect to north Korea and their future 950 00:36:29,960 --> 00:36:31,570 past and potentially future 951 00:36:31,570 --> 00:36:33,514 provocations . But I wouldn't talk 952 00:36:33,514 --> 00:36:35,681 about it in more detail than that . Go 953 00:36:35,681 --> 00:36:37,848 ahead . The Saudi Defense Minister was 954 00:36:37,848 --> 00:36:39,848 here over the past couple of days . 955 00:36:39,848 --> 00:36:42,940 Deputy Deputy ? Yes . Yes . Obviously 956 00:36:42,940 --> 00:36:45,162 this trip coincided overlapped at least 957 00:36:45,162 --> 00:36:47,273 with the Israeli one . And we noticed 958 00:36:47,273 --> 00:36:49,107 in the read out that there was a 959 00:36:49,107 --> 00:36:51,107 commendation that Israel's widening 960 00:36:51,107 --> 00:36:53,273 cooperation with regional allies . Did 961 00:36:53,273 --> 00:36:55,496 those two meats by any chance ? I don't 962 00:36:55,496 --> 00:36:57,662 know you'd have to talk to them . They 963 00:36:57,662 --> 00:36:59,718 didn't , there was no meeting of the 964 00:36:59,718 --> 00:37:01,920 two here . Trilateral . No , but 965 00:37:01,930 --> 00:37:03,670 whether they're meeting on the 966 00:37:03,670 --> 00:37:06,003 sidelines because they're both in D . C . 967 00:37:06,003 --> 00:37:08,170 At the same time , I think you have to 968 00:37:08,170 --> 00:37:10,337 talk to either one of them . Let me go 969 00:37:10,337 --> 00:37:12,114 back to the phones here uh Lara 970 00:37:12,114 --> 00:37:15,860 Seligman politico hey john um I wanted 971 00:37:15,860 --> 00:37:19,620 to go back to Sweden and Finland um is 972 00:37:19,620 --> 00:37:22,200 the US considering a larger U . S . 973 00:37:22,200 --> 00:37:24,410 Naval presence in the Baltic sea as 974 00:37:24,410 --> 00:37:26,820 Sweden has requested ? And what would 975 00:37:26,820 --> 00:37:29,200 that potentially look like ? I'm just 976 00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:31,367 not going to get ahead of where we are 977 00:37:31,367 --> 00:37:33,422 right now , we're having staff talks 978 00:37:33,422 --> 00:37:35,422 with these uh , these two countries 979 00:37:35,422 --> 00:37:37,089 about about whatever security 980 00:37:37,089 --> 00:37:39,367 assurances they might require . And uh , 981 00:37:39,367 --> 00:37:41,478 and what we could work with them on . 982 00:37:41,478 --> 00:37:43,478 And uh , you know , we just haven't 983 00:37:43,478 --> 00:37:45,589 come to conclusions on anything and I 984 00:37:45,589 --> 00:37:45,510 just don't want to get ahead of where 985 00:37:45,510 --> 00:37:46,510 we are . 986 00:37:48,910 --> 00:37:52,230 Thank you . My colleague asked you if 987 00:37:52,230 --> 00:37:55,050 the US is open to training Ukrainians 988 00:37:55,050 --> 00:37:57,217 on US soil . And . And you responded , 989 00:37:57,217 --> 00:37:59,272 we think train paraphrasing slightly 990 00:37:59,272 --> 00:38:01,439 that training is best done in europe , 991 00:38:01,620 --> 00:38:04,010 but is the U . S . Open to the idea 992 00:38:04,010 --> 00:38:06,010 that we already have ? I mean , the 993 00:38:06,010 --> 00:38:08,232 first batch of switchblade training was 994 00:38:08,232 --> 00:38:10,890 done with a small number of Ukrainian 995 00:38:12,120 --> 00:38:14,009 soldiers . Excuse me , that we're 996 00:38:14,009 --> 00:38:16,009 already here in the states for some 997 00:38:16,009 --> 00:38:18,176 other program . I mean , it's not like 998 00:38:18,176 --> 00:38:17,530 it's not like there's a prohibition on 999 00:38:17,530 --> 00:38:20,060 it . Um , we've done it in the past and 1000 00:38:20,060 --> 00:38:22,116 I can assure you tom that if at some 1001 00:38:22,116 --> 00:38:24,730 point , um we felt that that was the 1002 00:38:24,730 --> 00:38:27,100 best way to work on improving their 1003 00:38:27,100 --> 00:38:29,156 capabilities with the system we were 1004 00:38:29,156 --> 00:38:31,100 providing , we would do that . But 1005 00:38:31,100 --> 00:38:33,267 right now , given where we are , where 1006 00:38:33,267 --> 00:38:35,433 they are in the fight and what's being 1007 00:38:35,433 --> 00:38:37,489 sent to them , we still believe that 1008 00:38:37,489 --> 00:38:39,600 the most efficient way is to do it in 1009 00:38:39,600 --> 00:38:41,489 the region nearby . Yeah . Okay . 1010 00:38:42,020 --> 00:38:44,880 That's pretty Another one . Just 1011 00:38:44,880 --> 00:38:47,390 wondering when , you know , when we're 1012 00:38:47,390 --> 00:38:49,279 gonna get a public release of the 1013 00:38:49,279 --> 00:38:51,279 National Defense strategy , uh , no 1014 00:38:51,279 --> 00:38:53,557 updates for you right now . We're well , 1015 00:38:53,557 --> 00:38:55,557 we're still working our way through 1016 00:38:55,557 --> 00:38:57,723 that . Um , uh , but when , you know , 1017 00:38:57,723 --> 00:38:59,946 when we're able to have more on that in 1018 00:38:59,946 --> 00:39:01,779 terms of what uh , you know , an 1019 00:39:01,779 --> 00:39:03,946 unclassified release of it , we will , 1020 00:39:03,946 --> 00:39:03,810 we'll let you know , but I don't have 1021 00:39:03,810 --> 00:39:05,588 an update today . Okay . Thanks 1022 00:39:05,588 --> 00:39:06,340 everybody . Thank you