1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:02,880 Welcome you all this morning for the 2 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:05,550 Ukraine Defense Contact group meeting . 3 00:00:06,740 --> 00:00:09,430 I very much want to extend a warm 4 00:00:09,430 --> 00:00:11,597 welcome to our Distinguished Ministers 5 00:00:11,597 --> 00:00:13,900 and Chiefs of Defense . Thank you for 6 00:00:13,900 --> 00:00:15,844 joining us today . This is the 4th 7 00:00:15,844 --> 00:00:19,310 meeting of the UDCG . I'm celeste 8 00:00:19,310 --> 00:00:21,254 Wallander , Assistant Secretary of 9 00:00:21,254 --> 00:00:23,199 Defense for International Security 10 00:00:23,199 --> 00:00:25,421 Affairs and I'll serve as a facilitator 11 00:00:25,421 --> 00:00:28,020 for today's contact group . I would 12 00:00:28,020 --> 00:00:30,187 especially like to extend a warm thank 13 00:00:30,187 --> 00:00:32,370 you to Ukraine's Minister of Defense , 14 00:00:32,380 --> 00:00:34,590 Alexey Reznikoff for joining us 15 00:00:34,590 --> 00:00:37,380 virtually today . From Ukraine , we 16 00:00:37,380 --> 00:00:39,491 deeply value your presence and we are 17 00:00:39,491 --> 00:00:41,269 looking forward to hearing your 18 00:00:41,269 --> 00:00:43,570 thoughts here shortly . But first 19 00:00:43,580 --> 00:00:45,770 please let me introduce Secretary of 20 00:00:45,770 --> 00:00:48,260 Defense Lloyd Austin to deliver opening 21 00:00:48,270 --> 00:00:50,940 remarks . Mr Secretary . Thanks 22 00:00:50,940 --> 00:00:53,370 Secretary waldner and good morning , 23 00:00:53,380 --> 00:00:55,436 it's great to see everyone on screen 24 00:00:55,436 --> 00:00:58,340 today . Welcome to our 4th meeting of 25 00:00:58,340 --> 00:01:01,250 the Ukraine Defense Contact Group . 26 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:05,330 We're meeting as Ukraine is about to 27 00:01:05,330 --> 00:01:08,760 enter the six month in its fight 28 00:01:09,140 --> 00:01:11,760 against Russia's cruel and unprovoked 29 00:01:11,770 --> 00:01:14,800 invasion . And it's an important forum 30 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:16,967 for discussing the urgent requirements 31 00:01:16,967 --> 00:01:19,078 that Ukraine needs to defend itself , 32 00:01:19,540 --> 00:01:21,940 its citizens and its sovereign 33 00:01:21,940 --> 00:01:25,750 territory . Our assistance is making a 34 00:01:25,750 --> 00:01:28,530 real difference on the ground . But 35 00:01:28,530 --> 00:01:30,641 let's start by taking a step back and 36 00:01:30,641 --> 00:01:32,970 remembering how we got to this .6 37 00:01:32,970 --> 00:01:36,050 months into a war of choice that the 38 00:01:36,050 --> 00:01:38,460 Kremlin thought would be over in days . 39 00:01:39,940 --> 00:01:42,120 on 24th February Russia deployed a 40 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,840 massive invasion force to counter the 41 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,030 entire country to conquer the entire 42 00:01:47,030 --> 00:01:49,760 country of Ukraine and they failed . 43 00:01:51,140 --> 00:01:53,720 Russia poured its troops and steel in 44 00:01:53,730 --> 00:01:57,350 into taking Kiev and they failed . 45 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,440 Russia tried to topple the 46 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:02,496 democratically elected government of 47 00:02:02,496 --> 00:02:05,460 Ukraine and they failed 48 00:02:06,940 --> 00:02:09,010 and then Russia retooled and and 49 00:02:09,010 --> 00:02:10,843 thought it could easily sees the 50 00:02:10,843 --> 00:02:14,780 Donbass . They failed and 51 00:02:14,780 --> 00:02:16,891 throughout Russia trying to crush the 52 00:02:16,891 --> 00:02:19,560 spirit of the free people of Ukraine 53 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:24,830 and they failed . And as we have seen 54 00:02:24,830 --> 00:02:26,941 time and again over these past months 55 00:02:26,941 --> 00:02:29,600 of war , Ukrainian forces are 56 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:32,130 frustrating Moscow's combat objectives 57 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:35,260 and they are defending their democracy 58 00:02:35,270 --> 00:02:38,150 in their homeland with bravery , 59 00:02:38,640 --> 00:02:42,420 resolve and valor . We're all here 60 00:02:42,420 --> 00:02:44,650 because we understand the grave threat 61 00:02:44,660 --> 00:02:48,160 that Ukraine still faces . But let's 62 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:49,820 also remember that Putin has 63 00:02:49,820 --> 00:02:53,720 consistently overestimated Russia's 64 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:56,790 military prowess and he has 65 00:02:56,790 --> 00:03:00,050 consistently underestimated the power 66 00:03:00,050 --> 00:03:02,380 of a free people fighting to defend 67 00:03:02,380 --> 00:03:05,280 their homeland and the will of the 68 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,420 international community to stand with 69 00:03:07,420 --> 00:03:11,050 them . And so as this fight rages 70 00:03:11,050 --> 00:03:12,910 on , the contact group will keep 71 00:03:12,910 --> 00:03:16,710 finding innovative ways to sustain our 72 00:03:16,710 --> 00:03:19,550 long term support for the brave men and 73 00:03:19,550 --> 00:03:21,860 women of the Ukrainian armed forces 74 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,496 and we will tailor our assistance to 75 00:03:25,496 --> 00:03:28,760 ensure that Ukraine has a technology , 76 00:03:29,540 --> 00:03:33,030 the ammunition and the sheer firepower 77 00:03:33,030 --> 00:03:36,840 to defend itself . You know , this is a 78 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:39,760 critical phase of the , of the conflict 79 00:03:40,940 --> 00:03:43,290 and so our collective support for 80 00:03:43,290 --> 00:03:46,060 Ukraine is vital and urgent 81 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:50,040 Russia thinks that it can outlast 82 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:53,840 Ukraine and outlast us . But that's 83 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:56,100 just the latest in Russia's string of 84 00:03:56,100 --> 00:04:00,030 miscalculations . We stand united 85 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:03,840 in our support . We stand firm in our 86 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:05,840 commitment and we will rise to this 87 00:04:05,840 --> 00:04:09,540 occasion . Now , one month ago , in 88 00:04:09,540 --> 00:04:11,707 brussels , this group met in person to 89 00:04:11,707 --> 00:04:14,370 reaffirm our dedication to Ukraine self 90 00:04:14,370 --> 00:04:17,310 defense . And we heard from many 91 00:04:17,310 --> 00:04:19,560 countries undertaking important new 92 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:22,630 initiatives In more than 30 countries 93 00:04:22,630 --> 00:04:24,310 have now sent lethal military 94 00:04:24,310 --> 00:04:26,730 assistance to Ukraine in its hour of 95 00:04:26,730 --> 00:04:29,660 crisis . And we continue to make 96 00:04:29,660 --> 00:04:32,670 important headway and we're seeing the 97 00:04:32,670 --> 00:04:35,560 results on the ground From our meeting 98 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:37,616 in Brussels . Until now , the United 99 00:04:37,616 --> 00:04:40,220 States has committed more than $2.6 100 00:04:40,220 --> 00:04:42,387 billion dollars in security assistance 101 00:04:42,387 --> 00:04:45,820 to Ukraine . Our assistance includes a 102 00:04:45,820 --> 00:04:48,260 total of 12 High Mars multiple launch 103 00:04:48,260 --> 00:04:50,620 rocket systems to further strengthen 104 00:04:50,620 --> 00:04:52,910 Ukraine's long range fires capability . 105 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,130 And I want to underscore the impact 106 00:04:56,140 --> 00:04:59,280 that they've made . We've also 107 00:04:59,280 --> 00:05:01,820 committed to Nissan's air defense 108 00:05:01,820 --> 00:05:05,080 systems to help Ukraine protect its 109 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:07,210 forces and its civilians against 110 00:05:07,250 --> 00:05:10,560 Russian missile attacks . The United 111 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:12,560 States is also committed to sending 112 00:05:12,750 --> 00:05:15,980 more high MARS munitions , precision 113 00:05:15,980 --> 00:05:19,120 guided artillery , ammunition and 114 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:21,510 tactical vehicles and other urgently 115 00:05:21,510 --> 00:05:24,400 needed support . And we'll continue to 116 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:26,570 provide historic levels of security 117 00:05:26,570 --> 00:05:28,459 assistance to help Ukraine defend 118 00:05:28,459 --> 00:05:31,810 itself . And later this week we'll roll 119 00:05:31,810 --> 00:05:34,010 out our next presidential drawdown 120 00:05:34,010 --> 00:05:36,360 package of weapons , ammunition and 121 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:39,560 equipment for Ukraine . It will be our 122 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:43,510 16th drawdown of equipment from D . O . 123 00:05:43,510 --> 00:05:46,460 D Inventory since August 2021 . 124 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:49,640 It will include four more high mars 125 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:51,960 advanced rocket systems which the 126 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:54,100 Ukrainians have been using so 127 00:05:54,100 --> 00:05:56,480 effectively and which have made such a 128 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:59,230 difference on the battlefield and it 129 00:05:59,230 --> 00:06:01,860 will include more rounds of MlRS and 130 00:06:01,860 --> 00:06:05,380 artillery ammunition in other countries 131 00:06:05,380 --> 00:06:07,602 have continued to step up their support 132 00:06:07,602 --> 00:06:09,880 as well , including the important area , 133 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:12,350 any important area of long range fires . 134 00:06:13,340 --> 00:06:17,150 The UK is uh M 2 70 M . R . S systems 135 00:06:17,150 --> 00:06:19,540 are now in the fight and Germany 136 00:06:19,540 --> 00:06:21,762 systems will soon be on the battlefield 137 00:06:21,762 --> 00:06:25,010 as well . And Poland has also recently 138 00:06:25,010 --> 00:06:28,440 transferred three battalions of 155 139 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:30,662 millimeters self propelled howitzers to 140 00:06:30,662 --> 00:06:32,950 Ukraine , which are already making a 141 00:06:32,950 --> 00:06:35,870 difference on the front lines . And I 142 00:06:35,870 --> 00:06:38,210 want to especially thank Norway for its 143 00:06:38,210 --> 00:06:40,099 close cooperation with the United 144 00:06:40,099 --> 00:06:42,560 States . On our nice sam's transfer , 145 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:46,550 Ukrainian armed forces have repeatedly 146 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:49,380 repeatedly demonstrated their skill in 147 00:06:49,380 --> 00:06:53,310 operating high mars In them to 70 and 148 00:06:53,310 --> 00:06:56,440 155 millimeter howitzers and those 149 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:58,551 capabilities have been crucial in the 150 00:06:58,551 --> 00:07:02,390 Donbas fight . Ukraine has also 151 00:07:02,510 --> 00:07:04,460 made real gains on the ground with 152 00:07:04,840 --> 00:07:06,896 other equipment that members of this 153 00:07:06,896 --> 00:07:08,960 contact group have provided . For 154 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:10,793 example , Ukraine has definitely 155 00:07:10,793 --> 00:07:13,470 employed donated harpoon systems 156 00:07:13,470 --> 00:07:15,692 against Russia's navy and the Black Sea 157 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:19,080 and those systems help Ukraine reclaim 158 00:07:19,090 --> 00:07:22,170 Snake Island . So I look forward to 159 00:07:22,170 --> 00:07:24,003 today's discussion on how we can 160 00:07:24,003 --> 00:07:26,850 continue to rush Ukraine more critical 161 00:07:26,850 --> 00:07:29,030 capabilities and urgently urgently 162 00:07:29,030 --> 00:07:31,930 needed ammunition and here to help us 163 00:07:31,930 --> 00:07:34,097 understand those critical requirements 164 00:07:34,540 --> 00:07:36,660 are my close friends and colleagues . 165 00:07:37,940 --> 00:07:40,530 Ukrainian Minister of Defense Olexiy 166 00:07:40,530 --> 00:07:44,240 Reznikoff and Deputy Chief of Defense 167 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:47,460 Lieutenant General moisture . Mr 168 00:07:47,460 --> 00:07:49,720 Reznikoff and I have been in close and 169 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:51,940 ongoing touch about Ukraine's combat 170 00:07:51,940 --> 00:07:54,780 requirements in progress since our last 171 00:07:54,790 --> 00:07:57,230 in person meeting in brussels and 172 00:07:57,230 --> 00:07:59,230 gentlemen , I want to thank you and 173 00:07:59,230 --> 00:08:01,700 your teams for joining us . In today's 174 00:08:01,700 --> 00:08:03,830 meeting . We deeply admire your 175 00:08:04,070 --> 00:08:06,181 tireless commitment to your country's 176 00:08:06,181 --> 00:08:08,790 defense and we deeply appreciate your 177 00:08:08,790 --> 00:08:10,970 close cooperation over these past few 178 00:08:10,970 --> 00:08:13,880 months . I'm also honored to be joined 179 00:08:13,890 --> 00:08:16,090 again by ministers and chiefs of 180 00:08:16,090 --> 00:08:19,100 defense from some 50 countries . The 181 00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:21,322 contract group continues to make a real 182 00:08:21,322 --> 00:08:24,140 difference in real time and that's a 183 00:08:24,140 --> 00:08:26,820 testament to our collective resolve to 184 00:08:26,820 --> 00:08:28,598 stand up to Russia's assault on 185 00:08:28,598 --> 00:08:31,070 democracy , sovereignty and the rules 186 00:08:31,070 --> 00:08:33,380 based international order that keeps us 187 00:08:33,380 --> 00:08:36,130 all secure . So let me thank everyone 188 00:08:36,130 --> 00:08:38,074 for joining us . And now we'll say 189 00:08:38,074 --> 00:08:40,186 goodbye to our friends from the media 190 00:08:40,186 --> 00:08:42,130 and following the departure of the 191 00:08:42,130 --> 00:08:44,241 media , I'll turn the microphone over 192 00:08:44,241 --> 00:08:46,519 to my dear friend , Minister Reznikoff . 193 00:08:46,519 --> 00:08:46,850 Thank you very much .