1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:04,890 --> 00:00:08,200 So shall I start ? All right ladies and 3 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:11,700 gentlemen dear medium . Uh This is 4 00:00:11,700 --> 00:00:15,170 a second day of a two day visit of um 5 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:18,580 Secretary of Defense of United States 6 00:00:18,860 --> 00:00:20,640 Austin I would say not only my 7 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:22,751 colleague but already also a friend . 8 00:00:23,240 --> 00:00:26,230 Um We had quite a lot of meetings and 9 00:00:26,230 --> 00:00:29,010 discussions briefly before Madrid 10 00:00:29,010 --> 00:00:31,177 summit and of course during the Madrid 11 00:00:31,177 --> 00:00:33,280 summit and then he promised he will 12 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:36,600 visit us . And as you know americans 13 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:38,970 are always keeping their promises . Uh 14 00:00:38,980 --> 00:00:42,710 And this is not with Any jokes told 15 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:45,890 because we appreciate that 16 00:00:45,890 --> 00:00:49,070 longstanding friendship and support 17 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:51,700 during the 20th century during the very 18 00:00:51,700 --> 00:00:54,840 dark days of our occupation by soviet 19 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:57,410 union . And now during these two days 20 00:00:57,410 --> 00:00:59,299 we have been discussing of course 21 00:00:59,299 --> 00:01:02,450 number of issues . Uh First of all 22 00:01:02,460 --> 00:01:04,570 Russian aggression in Ukraine how we 23 00:01:04,570 --> 00:01:06,626 can support Ukraine . What we can do 24 00:01:06,626 --> 00:01:09,420 together we were discussing issues of 25 00:01:09,430 --> 00:01:12,660 our partnership within NATO and 26 00:01:12,670 --> 00:01:15,380 transatlantic union . We had also of 27 00:01:15,380 --> 00:01:17,269 course questions which we did not 28 00:01:17,269 --> 00:01:19,436 manage still to talk about but we will 29 00:01:19,436 --> 00:01:21,380 probably next time . And of course 30 00:01:21,380 --> 00:01:23,436 bilateral cooperation because United 31 00:01:23,436 --> 00:01:26,110 States is standing very close with 32 00:01:26,110 --> 00:01:27,943 Latvia with latvians with Baltic 33 00:01:27,943 --> 00:01:31,620 countries . Um There are also plans for 34 00:01:31,620 --> 00:01:34,380 even closer and deeper cooperation in a 35 00:01:34,380 --> 00:01:38,030 number of issues . So I would say 36 00:01:38,580 --> 00:01:41,840 it's just like when movie Casablanca 37 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:44,062 it's the beginning of good friendship . 38 00:01:44,062 --> 00:01:45,284 Thank you very much . 39 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:50,551 Oh good afternoon everyone . Minister 40 00:01:50,551 --> 00:01:53,930 roberts . Thanks for hosting me in this 41 00:01:53,930 --> 00:01:56,880 beautiful city . It is my first visit 42 00:01:56,880 --> 00:01:59,102 to riga as Secretary of Defense and I'm 43 00:01:59,102 --> 00:02:01,920 told the first visit of an american 44 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:04,087 Secretary of Defense to Latvia . Since 45 00:02:04,087 --> 00:02:07,480 you became a NATO ally but our 46 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,600 country's very old friends . In fact , 47 00:02:11,450 --> 00:02:15,280 President biden recently marked 100 48 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,850 years of US diplomatic relations with 49 00:02:18,850 --> 00:02:21,770 the Baltics . The United States remains 50 00:02:21,770 --> 00:02:23,714 steadfast in our commitment to the 51 00:02:23,714 --> 00:02:27,290 freedom and sovereignty of our Baltic 52 00:02:27,300 --> 00:02:30,460 allies and we stand united with you in 53 00:02:30,460 --> 00:02:33,750 defense of freedom , democracy and 54 00:02:33,750 --> 00:02:37,690 security . Now I'm visiting at a 55 00:02:37,690 --> 00:02:39,746 critical time for europe and for the 56 00:02:39,746 --> 00:02:43,000 world . As we stand here today , Russia 57 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,500 continues its cruel and unprovoked war 58 00:02:45,500 --> 00:02:47,850 of choice against Ukraine . 59 00:02:49,090 --> 00:02:51,130 Russian forces are indiscriminately 60 00:02:51,140 --> 00:02:53,440 killing civilians and destroying 61 00:02:53,450 --> 00:02:55,760 civilian infrastructure all over the 62 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:59,020 country . And as Ukrainian people fight 63 00:02:59,030 --> 00:03:01,540 historically heroically to defend 64 00:03:01,540 --> 00:03:04,000 themselves . They are showing that they 65 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:07,140 demand and deserve to live in freedom 66 00:03:07,990 --> 00:03:09,670 and not under Russia's boot . 67 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:13,967 A few weeks ago at the Madrid summit , 68 00:03:13,967 --> 00:03:16,133 NATO leaders including President Biden 69 00:03:16,133 --> 00:03:19,290 and President Levitz recognize Russian 70 00:03:19,290 --> 00:03:21,457 aggression as the most significant and 71 00:03:21,457 --> 00:03:24,620 direct threat to the security of our 72 00:03:24,620 --> 00:03:28,560 allies and to peace and stability in 73 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:31,770 europe , President Putin thought that 74 00:03:31,770 --> 00:03:34,470 he could divide the NATO alliance with 75 00:03:34,470 --> 00:03:37,070 his aggression . But in fact he 76 00:03:37,070 --> 00:03:40,460 achieved just the opposite . The NATO 77 00:03:40,460 --> 00:03:42,790 alliance is more more united and 78 00:03:42,790 --> 00:03:45,460 stronger than ever before . Just 79 00:03:45,460 --> 00:03:48,890 yesterday , President biden ratified 80 00:03:48,900 --> 00:03:51,420 Finland and Sweden's accession into the 81 00:03:51,420 --> 00:03:54,910 alliance and we encourage our remaining 82 00:03:54,910 --> 00:03:56,799 NATO allies to conclude their own 83 00:03:56,799 --> 00:03:58,840 ratification processes quickly 84 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:02,584 and I look forward to working with 85 00:04:02,584 --> 00:04:05,060 Sweden and Finland as members of the 86 00:04:05,060 --> 00:04:07,780 most powerful defensive alliance in 87 00:04:07,790 --> 00:04:11,020 history . As you heard today , the 88 00:04:11,020 --> 00:04:13,490 Minister and I had a highly productive 89 00:04:13,490 --> 00:04:15,460 discussion on strengthening our 90 00:04:15,470 --> 00:04:17,420 collective defense in response to 91 00:04:17,420 --> 00:04:19,910 Russia's reckless , a great aggression . 92 00:04:20,830 --> 00:04:22,941 The NATO is strengthening its forward 93 00:04:22,941 --> 00:04:25,510 defenses and enhancing its battle 94 00:04:25,510 --> 00:04:28,220 groups in the eastern part of the 95 00:04:28,220 --> 00:04:31,900 alliance up to brigade level . The 96 00:04:31,910 --> 00:04:34,660 United States is also enhancing its 97 00:04:34,660 --> 00:04:37,110 presence along the alliance . The 98 00:04:37,110 --> 00:04:40,250 alliance is east and we will maintain a 99 00:04:40,250 --> 00:04:42,460 persistent and rotational presence in 100 00:04:42,460 --> 00:04:44,460 the Baltic in the Baltics including 101 00:04:44,460 --> 00:04:48,060 Latvia . So let's be clear , we 102 00:04:48,060 --> 00:04:51,090 seek no confrontation and pose no 103 00:04:51,090 --> 00:04:54,130 threat to Russia . Our updated posture 104 00:04:54,130 --> 00:04:56,400 simply reflects our ongoing and solemn 105 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:59,940 commitment to Article five . An attack 106 00:04:59,940 --> 00:05:02,900 on one NATO ally is an attack on every 107 00:05:02,910 --> 00:05:05,930 NATO ally . In our new posture 108 00:05:05,940 --> 00:05:09,480 positions positions us to 109 00:05:09,490 --> 00:05:11,870 respond more swiftly and surely to 110 00:05:11,870 --> 00:05:13,926 security challenges today and in the 111 00:05:13,926 --> 00:05:17,700 years ahead now , Mr Minister , I know 112 00:05:17,700 --> 00:05:19,811 that we both stand in solidarity with 113 00:05:19,811 --> 00:05:21,780 the Ukrainian people and their 114 00:05:21,780 --> 00:05:24,340 democratically elected government . So 115 00:05:24,340 --> 00:05:26,600 we'll continue to work together to 116 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:28,489 provide Ukraine with the military 117 00:05:28,489 --> 00:05:30,378 equipment that it needs to defend 118 00:05:30,378 --> 00:05:32,820 itself and will continue to stand 119 00:05:32,820 --> 00:05:35,300 strong with our NATO allies and will 120 00:05:35,300 --> 00:05:37,133 continue to stand up to Russia's 121 00:05:37,133 --> 00:05:40,270 assault on democracy and sovereignty 122 00:05:40,280 --> 00:05:42,613 and the rules based international order . 123 00:05:42,750 --> 00:05:44,806 Thank you . And we're glad to take a 124 00:05:44,806 --> 00:05:46,028 couple of questions . 125 00:05:54,900 --> 00:05:57,440 My word , I'm supposed 126 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:04,100 what more could be 127 00:06:10,780 --> 00:06:12,970 the opinion of the security ? 128 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:17,856 So the first part of the question is 129 00:06:17,856 --> 00:06:20,078 what more can be done to help Ukraine ? 130 00:06:20,470 --> 00:06:24,200 I get that right . And the second part 131 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,740 of the question is uh what what are we 132 00:06:27,740 --> 00:06:29,450 doing to help 133 00:06:29,890 --> 00:06:36,660 correct ? 134 00:06:39,150 --> 00:06:41,300 Okay , so the first question is what 135 00:06:41,310 --> 00:06:44,560 what more can be done ? Um as you've 136 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:47,490 seen , we are doing a lot of 137 00:06:47,500 --> 00:06:51,180 our partners , our allies and 138 00:06:51,180 --> 00:06:53,670 countries around the globe actually are 139 00:06:53,670 --> 00:06:56,370 doing a lot . Uh we're not guessing as 140 00:06:56,370 --> 00:06:58,840 what what is needed because because 141 00:06:58,850 --> 00:07:01,800 every week , sometimes twice a week , 142 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:03,967 I'm talking to the Minister of Defense 143 00:07:03,967 --> 00:07:06,630 of Ukraine , Minister Reznikoff , uh 144 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:08,807 and we're talking about how the battle 145 00:07:08,807 --> 00:07:10,696 is evolving and uh and what their 146 00:07:10,696 --> 00:07:12,529 current needs are today and what 147 00:07:12,529 --> 00:07:15,190 they'll need uh in the future to to be 148 00:07:15,190 --> 00:07:17,580 successful and our focus is on helping 149 00:07:17,580 --> 00:07:19,600 them successfully defend their 150 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:22,590 sovereign territory . Uh So you've seen 151 00:07:22,590 --> 00:07:25,970 us um pull together a number of 152 00:07:25,970 --> 00:07:29,020 nations who are who are willing and 153 00:07:29,020 --> 00:07:31,490 able to help Ukraine by providing 154 00:07:31,490 --> 00:07:34,320 security assistance . We started out 155 00:07:34,330 --> 00:07:36,740 with some 40 nations , we're now up to 156 00:07:36,740 --> 00:07:39,720 50 We meet every month . We we we 157 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:43,430 discuss the needs of of Ukrainian armed 158 00:07:43,430 --> 00:07:46,730 Forces . Minister Resnick Aww uh 159 00:07:46,740 --> 00:07:49,110 participates in those sessions . Uh And 160 00:07:49,110 --> 00:07:50,943 so we have a real time . We have 161 00:07:50,943 --> 00:07:53,166 frequent and real time updates in terms 162 00:07:53,166 --> 00:07:55,332 of what they need and what we can do . 163 00:07:55,450 --> 00:07:59,290 And so you've seen us provide a number 164 00:07:59,290 --> 00:08:01,720 of systems that are very very relevant 165 00:08:01,730 --> 00:08:03,890 and effective in this fight and will 166 00:08:03,890 --> 00:08:06,090 continue to do that . Let me add that 167 00:08:06,090 --> 00:08:09,380 Latvia has played a key role in uh in 168 00:08:09,380 --> 00:08:12,200 helping its its neighbor uh and and 169 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:14,510 from the very beginning , uh you know , 170 00:08:14,510 --> 00:08:16,732 Latvia stepped up to the plate and said 171 00:08:16,732 --> 00:08:19,260 they will will will will help by 172 00:08:19,260 --> 00:08:22,970 donating some uh some weapons uh and 173 00:08:22,980 --> 00:08:25,510 air defense capability to to Ukraine . 174 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:27,576 And those were very effective in the 175 00:08:27,576 --> 00:08:29,631 early days of the fight . And uh and 176 00:08:29,631 --> 00:08:32,530 the Minister has remained engaged uh 177 00:08:32,540 --> 00:08:34,380 and and Latvia has continued to 178 00:08:34,380 --> 00:08:36,436 contribute to the overall effort and 179 00:08:36,436 --> 00:08:38,547 we're grateful for that . Uh In terms 180 00:08:38,547 --> 00:08:41,000 of Latvia's security , I can tell you 181 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:42,970 that your Minister is absolutely 182 00:08:42,970 --> 00:08:45,290 focused on that . He's working with 183 00:08:45,300 --> 00:08:47,980 neighboring Ministers of Defense . Uh 184 00:08:47,990 --> 00:08:50,910 He's communicating his needs to uh to 185 00:08:50,910 --> 00:08:54,800 NATO and uh and so I feel pretty good 186 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,340 about the fact that uh that he is uh he 187 00:08:57,340 --> 00:08:59,451 is absolutely focused on this and and 188 00:08:59,451 --> 00:09:03,260 forward looking Peter Baldor from the 189 00:09:03,260 --> 00:09:06,860 Associated Press uh for 190 00:09:06,870 --> 00:09:10,510 uh for the Minister , can you tell us 191 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:13,500 what your priority requests were from 192 00:09:13,500 --> 00:09:15,444 the United States ? What is it you 193 00:09:15,444 --> 00:09:17,444 would like to get ? Is it personnel 194 00:09:17,444 --> 00:09:20,760 training uh equipment or 195 00:09:20,770 --> 00:09:23,130 perhaps back for for equipment ? That 196 00:09:23,140 --> 00:09:26,040 you have said to Ukraine and for 197 00:09:26,050 --> 00:09:28,390 Secretary Austin , you talk about a lot 198 00:09:28,390 --> 00:09:30,334 over the last couple of days about 199 00:09:30,334 --> 00:09:33,220 enhancing rotations and intensifying 200 00:09:33,230 --> 00:09:35,690 training here . Can you give us a 201 00:09:35,690 --> 00:09:39,230 little more detail on whether or 202 00:09:39,230 --> 00:09:43,200 not you when the brigade will get to 203 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:45,311 Romania and be able to start rotating 204 00:09:45,311 --> 00:09:48,630 here into Latvia . And will there be uh 205 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:51,690 an increase of substantial increase in 206 00:09:51,690 --> 00:09:54,100 the number of U . S . Troops here . And 207 00:09:54,100 --> 00:09:55,770 will there be a persistent 208 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:03,880 okay . Um may I start um 209 00:10:04,450 --> 00:10:08,320 well , first of all I must stress 210 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,670 that our cooperation with the United 211 00:10:11,670 --> 00:10:14,930 States have been very good for years . 212 00:10:14,940 --> 00:10:17,510 And what I'm telling too many other 213 00:10:17,510 --> 00:10:20,130 countries , particularly in europe of 214 00:10:20,130 --> 00:10:22,840 course , is why don't you take an 215 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:25,760 example from United States as far as 216 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:28,520 the cooperation between NATO allies ? 217 00:10:28,530 --> 00:10:30,860 Because United States is a country 218 00:10:30,870 --> 00:10:34,400 which not only rotates its forces here 219 00:10:34,550 --> 00:10:38,370 but which also annually gives 220 00:10:38,380 --> 00:10:41,730 us a certain military and financial 221 00:10:41,730 --> 00:10:44,640 assistance . And we are appreciating 222 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:46,807 that very much because here we can see 223 00:10:46,807 --> 00:10:49,440 that this position in the White House 224 00:10:49,450 --> 00:10:52,560 in Congress and Senate uh in pentagon 225 00:10:52,570 --> 00:10:56,140 is the same . They understand our needs . 226 00:10:56,150 --> 00:10:59,600 Also my latest visit in Congress and 227 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:01,830 Senate just confirmed that . And we can 228 00:11:01,830 --> 00:11:04,190 see also a number of visits coming now 229 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:07,110 here to Latvia And what I'm saying to 230 00:11:07,110 --> 00:11:10,080 other allies . Uh look , I mean you 231 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:11,913 sometimes have this problem with 232 00:11:11,913 --> 00:11:14,000 reaching 2% and you maybe can't so 233 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,560 efficiently use those finances . But 234 00:11:16,560 --> 00:11:19,000 why don't you make this contribution 235 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:21,480 and collaboration with my country in 236 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:23,424 the same way like United States is 237 00:11:23,424 --> 00:11:25,536 doing so that's one part , the second 238 00:11:25,536 --> 00:11:27,758 part what we would like to see and what 239 00:11:27,758 --> 00:11:30,960 would be our wish . Of course I must 240 00:11:30,970 --> 00:11:33,600 not remind that we are a relatively 241 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:36,290 small country which is the border of 242 00:11:36,290 --> 00:11:38,870 NATO and european union . So in fact we 243 00:11:38,870 --> 00:11:41,200 are a litmus test for the imperial 244 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:43,640 ambition of Russia , but at the same 245 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:46,750 time , of course our military 246 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:50,310 capabilities and budget is relatively 247 00:11:50,310 --> 00:11:54,280 small . That would mean that my 248 00:11:54,290 --> 00:11:57,140 major request would consist of . First 249 00:11:57,140 --> 00:11:59,780 of all I would like to see here more 250 00:11:59,790 --> 00:12:03,240 United States enablers and more 251 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:05,870 frequent visits and trainings together . 252 00:12:05,870 --> 00:12:08,810 Because if you want uh to defend in 253 00:12:08,820 --> 00:12:11,770 hypothetical war situation , my country , 254 00:12:11,780 --> 00:12:14,460 Latvia and all the NATO alliance as a 255 00:12:14,460 --> 00:12:16,590 neighbor as a bordering country . We 256 00:12:16,590 --> 00:12:18,850 need also to have this nitty gritty 257 00:12:18,850 --> 00:12:21,970 trainings on a daily basis . Secondly , 258 00:12:21,980 --> 00:12:25,020 I would highly appreciate if that 259 00:12:25,030 --> 00:12:28,170 military financial assistance about 260 00:12:28,170 --> 00:12:30,226 what Congress Senate White House and 261 00:12:30,226 --> 00:12:32,392 pentagon is deciding would actually be 262 00:12:32,392 --> 00:12:36,260 larger because we need to purchase also 263 00:12:36,260 --> 00:12:39,260 new equipment for our military forces . 264 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:41,990 And our priorities is very clear . It's 265 00:12:41,990 --> 00:12:44,046 a rocket artillery , we can say it's 266 00:12:44,046 --> 00:12:46,180 used very well in defending Ukrainian 267 00:12:46,180 --> 00:12:48,291 sovereignty and freedom . It is their 268 00:12:48,291 --> 00:12:50,560 defense and of course coastal defense 269 00:12:50,570 --> 00:12:53,650 because we have a quite longer coastal 270 00:12:53,660 --> 00:12:55,940 territory so that that these are our 271 00:12:56,130 --> 00:12:58,241 priorities and we are looking forward 272 00:12:58,241 --> 00:13:00,340 for for cooperation with the United 273 00:13:00,340 --> 00:13:03,510 States and we are not one way nation . 274 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:05,830 We have a certain things about which 275 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,950 your um let's say institutions are 276 00:13:08,950 --> 00:13:11,210 informed how we can contribute to 277 00:13:11,210 --> 00:13:13,321 security and I will not name them now 278 00:13:13,321 --> 00:13:15,630 and here , but but we are doing a lot 279 00:13:15,630 --> 00:13:17,852 of things which are not only of latvian 280 00:13:17,852 --> 00:13:19,630 national interest but of common 281 00:13:19,630 --> 00:13:21,797 interest for peace and security in the 282 00:13:21,797 --> 00:13:25,220 region . So so lita 283 00:13:25,230 --> 00:13:28,040 um what you heard the president 284 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:31,010 announced uh following our at the 285 00:13:31,010 --> 00:13:33,232 Madrid summit was that we are committed 286 00:13:33,232 --> 00:13:35,530 to maintaining a rotational brigade in 287 00:13:35,530 --> 00:13:38,620 Poland , rotational brigade in Romania . 288 00:13:38,630 --> 00:13:42,110 Um 1/5 corps headquarters forward , 289 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:45,460 which is a smaller uh element of the 290 00:13:45,470 --> 00:13:47,400 larger headquarters , fifth Corps 291 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,930 headquarters that will be in Poland . 292 00:13:49,940 --> 00:13:52,720 We also committed to uh to uh to 293 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:55,080 surface combats to two warships that 294 00:13:55,080 --> 00:13:58,380 will be uh station in uh in spain as 295 00:13:58,380 --> 00:14:01,940 well . So that's a sizable commitment 296 00:14:01,940 --> 00:14:04,560 to all the things that we already have 297 00:14:04,570 --> 00:14:06,737 in europe europe . We started out with 298 00:14:06,737 --> 00:14:09,560 about 80,000 troops assigned to europe , 299 00:14:09,730 --> 00:14:12,820 Uh or you know , working in Europe at 300 00:14:12,820 --> 00:14:15,660 the time , and we're now at about 301 00:14:15,670 --> 00:14:19,500 100,000 or so . Um you've also heard 302 00:14:19,500 --> 00:14:23,440 me commit to maintaining a heel to toe 303 00:14:23,450 --> 00:14:26,980 rotation forces in the Baltics to 304 00:14:26,980 --> 00:14:29,510 include Latvia . And so we're going to 305 00:14:29,510 --> 00:14:32,390 do that . And sometimes we'll use 306 00:14:32,390 --> 00:14:35,750 forces from those brigades in Poland or 307 00:14:35,750 --> 00:14:37,750 Romania , but it's not dependent on 308 00:14:37,750 --> 00:14:40,140 that . Uh we we can rotate forces from 309 00:14:40,150 --> 00:14:42,261 other parts of europe , which we have 310 00:14:42,261 --> 00:14:44,483 done , continue to do , and we can also 311 00:14:44,483 --> 00:14:46,761 bring in forces from the United States . 312 00:14:46,761 --> 00:14:49,295 And so , you know , we have the ability 313 00:14:49,295 --> 00:14:52,175 to sustain this rotation and uh and and 314 00:14:52,175 --> 00:14:54,064 we're committed to doing that and 315 00:14:54,064 --> 00:14:56,365 Minister publics and I discuss this in 316 00:14:56,365 --> 00:14:59,845 detail back back during our last 317 00:14:59,845 --> 00:15:03,290 defense ministerial uh and so um 318 00:15:03,300 --> 00:15:05,340 they feel confident and we feel 319 00:15:05,340 --> 00:15:07,562 confident that we're gonna have a great 320 00:15:07,562 --> 00:15:09,673 relationship going forward based upon 321 00:15:09,673 --> 00:15:11,673 our ability to sustain us . I would 322 00:15:11,673 --> 00:15:13,840 also add leader that that we'll have a 323 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:16,062 number of exercises in the region . You 324 00:15:16,062 --> 00:15:18,007 saw us do that last year and those 325 00:15:18,007 --> 00:15:20,118 exercises can can bring in additional 326 00:15:20,118 --> 00:15:23,150 forces uh to to operate in the Baltics 327 00:15:23,150 --> 00:15:26,590 and also on the eastern flank regarding 328 00:15:26,590 --> 00:15:30,040 the S Fab . Fab brings a tremendous 329 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:33,350 capability to uh uh to our overall 330 00:15:33,350 --> 00:15:35,461 efforts . Uh You know , they have the 331 00:15:35,461 --> 00:15:37,890 ability to train forces very 332 00:15:37,900 --> 00:15:40,530 efficiently and uh and they were very 333 00:15:40,530 --> 00:15:42,752 very effective . And so I would look to 334 00:15:42,752 --> 00:15:45,480 sustain the F EB um effort in the 335 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:48,990 region going forward . You're 336 00:15:48,990 --> 00:15:51,740 discussing from effort ? Yeah . 337 00:15:54,910 --> 00:15:58,510 Um It seems to me that the United 338 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:01,370 States is uh fighting a 339 00:16:01,380 --> 00:16:04,410 proxy intensive land 340 00:16:04,420 --> 00:16:08,310 war by supplying all of this military 341 00:16:10,290 --> 00:16:13,310 Ukraine . Uh We signed a little larger 342 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:16,350 in the U . S . Defense industry . Okay . 343 00:16:20,660 --> 00:16:23,930 States has capacity to keep this up to 344 00:16:23,940 --> 00:16:25,720 keep some wind and rain , keep 345 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:29,120 supplying allies and to possibly face 346 00:16:29,130 --> 00:16:31,190 more trouble in the Far East 347 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:34,550 considering what's gone on in Taiwan . 348 00:16:35,990 --> 00:16:38,120 Well , thank you , I would just say 349 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:40,390 that the United States has done a 350 00:16:40,390 --> 00:16:43,590 significant amount in terms of 351 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:47,160 providing uh Ukraine security 352 00:16:47,170 --> 00:16:50,460 assistance . But we are one of a number 353 00:16:50,460 --> 00:16:52,460 of countries . And you heard me say 354 00:16:52,460 --> 00:16:54,182 earlier that there are some 50 355 00:16:54,182 --> 00:16:56,690 countries that are working together to 356 00:16:56,700 --> 00:16:58,910 find the means to continue to provide 357 00:16:58,910 --> 00:17:01,570 that support . Uh And we are committed 358 00:17:01,580 --> 00:17:05,270 to helping Ukraine uh um 359 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:07,391 providing Ukraine the equipment , the 360 00:17:07,391 --> 00:17:10,030 capability uh that enables them to 361 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:11,984 defend their sovereign territory ? 362 00:17:11,984 --> 00:17:14,040 You've also heard our leadership say 363 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:16,262 that uh you know , we'll do this for as 364 00:17:16,262 --> 00:17:19,100 long as it takes uh and again as I talk 365 00:17:19,100 --> 00:17:21,630 to Ministers of defense , not only in 366 00:17:21,630 --> 00:17:23,960 NATO but in other parts of the globe , 367 00:17:23,970 --> 00:17:26,740 uh they have the same outlet . They are 368 00:17:26,750 --> 00:17:29,060 committed to helping Ukraine who have 369 00:17:29,060 --> 00:17:32,170 fought a valiant fight today . Uh 370 00:17:32,180 --> 00:17:34,320 They're committed to helping them be 371 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:37,080 successful and for as long as it takes 372 00:17:37,090 --> 00:17:39,312 successful in defending their sovereign 373 00:17:39,312 --> 00:17:43,300 territory . Okay , 374 00:17:43,310 --> 00:17:46,050 Alex Horton from Washington Post . 375 00:17:47,210 --> 00:17:50,270 Uh Thanks mr uh first question for you , 376 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:52,391 uh you know , you share our work just 377 00:17:52,391 --> 00:17:55,020 rushing over the southern and as you 378 00:17:55,020 --> 00:17:57,242 know , they have allowed Russian forces 379 00:17:57,242 --> 00:17:59,464 to use their airspace to launch attacks 380 00:17:59,464 --> 00:18:01,820 and their uh their land borders for 381 00:18:01,820 --> 00:18:03,764 Russian forces to go in and out of 382 00:18:03,764 --> 00:18:06,030 Ukraine from the north . So what is 383 00:18:06,030 --> 00:18:08,840 your current assessment of your border 384 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:11,230 security picture with Belarus ? What is 385 00:18:11,230 --> 00:18:14,050 your assessment of Russia's ability to 386 00:18:14,060 --> 00:18:17,490 search forces through there to reach 387 00:18:17,490 --> 00:18:20,400 your sort of since february is the 388 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:23,660 updated assessment ? And for Mr 389 00:18:23,660 --> 00:18:26,140 Secretary , uh uh can you talk a little 390 00:18:26,140 --> 00:18:28,362 bit about your threat assessment to the 391 00:18:28,362 --> 00:18:30,529 politics in general , when it comes to 392 00:18:30,529 --> 00:18:32,900 Russia's reduced operational capacity 393 00:18:32,910 --> 00:18:34,799 from their losses ? What is their 394 00:18:34,799 --> 00:18:37,530 ability to uh to launch attacks in the 395 00:18:37,540 --> 00:18:40,320 politics ? Um just a little bit about 396 00:18:40,330 --> 00:18:42,770 um the involving fight there . Can you 397 00:18:42,770 --> 00:18:45,790 give any specific examples on some 398 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:48,920 perhaps lessons strategic observations 399 00:18:48,930 --> 00:18:51,590 they made with Russia that may be 400 00:18:51,600 --> 00:18:54,500 relevant to partners like to help them , 401 00:18:54,950 --> 00:18:56,910 you know , be strategic about 402 00:18:56,920 --> 00:18:59,810 protecting so , Alex , How many 403 00:18:59,810 --> 00:19:01,830 questions exactly was 404 00:19:02,420 --> 00:19:06,140 each comprehensive ? So shall 405 00:19:06,150 --> 00:19:08,840 shall I maybe about colors first ? 406 00:19:10,080 --> 00:19:13,550 Uh We already have been warning our 407 00:19:13,550 --> 00:19:16,650 allies for a number of years that 408 00:19:16,660 --> 00:19:19,840 Belarus is losing its sovereignity . 409 00:19:19,850 --> 00:19:23,330 Uh And uh looking from our 410 00:19:23,330 --> 00:19:26,080 military and security perspective , we 411 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:27,858 don't see Belarus anymore as an 412 00:19:27,858 --> 00:19:30,920 independent country . Uh and 413 00:19:30,930 --> 00:19:33,670 also as you mentioned , these examples 414 00:19:33,670 --> 00:19:35,726 of launching attacks against Ukraine 415 00:19:35,726 --> 00:19:37,970 from Belarussian territory simply shows 416 00:19:37,970 --> 00:19:40,980 that Belarus is a part of aggressor 417 00:19:40,990 --> 00:19:44,870 country . And from that perspective 418 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:47,160 it also should be treated like this . 419 00:19:47,170 --> 00:19:49,980 Belarus is not independent and it will 420 00:19:49,980 --> 00:19:52,690 be integrated within Russia when 421 00:19:52,690 --> 00:19:55,220 Russians will decide the time has come 422 00:19:55,740 --> 00:19:58,130 secondly , as far as our border 423 00:19:58,130 --> 00:20:01,120 security , we simply assume that 424 00:20:01,130 --> 00:20:03,241 Russian border and belarussian border 425 00:20:03,241 --> 00:20:05,463 at this moment is more or less the same 426 00:20:05,463 --> 00:20:08,420 while we are speaking , uh Lukashenko 427 00:20:08,420 --> 00:20:11,530 regime in Belarus is launching also uh 428 00:20:11,540 --> 00:20:14,320 this migrant attacks on our Baltic 429 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:16,487 borders , just like it was last year , 430 00:20:16,487 --> 00:20:18,598 it's not with such an intensity , but 431 00:20:18,598 --> 00:20:20,960 it might grow so we pay attention all 432 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,880 the time . Uh from our intelligence 433 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:26,690 perspective , this border is of very 434 00:20:26,690 --> 00:20:28,579 high importance and we are paying 435 00:20:28,579 --> 00:20:30,523 attention very much to this and of 436 00:20:30,523 --> 00:20:32,746 course we also do share our information 437 00:20:32,746 --> 00:20:34,801 with our partners , including United 438 00:20:34,801 --> 00:20:36,850 States as far as the general 439 00:20:36,850 --> 00:20:40,190 perspective , I should reiterate once 440 00:20:40,190 --> 00:20:43,410 more . Uh , the outcome of Russian 441 00:20:43,410 --> 00:20:46,910 invasion of Ukraine must have only one 442 00:20:46,920 --> 00:20:50,200 result , which means Russia must lose 443 00:20:50,210 --> 00:20:52,520 and Ukraine must win . And I heard some 444 00:20:52,520 --> 00:20:54,520 people maybe sometimes telling , we 445 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:56,853 shall not allow Ukrainians to lose . No , 446 00:20:56,853 --> 00:20:59,280 no , no , it's too less . Ukraine must 447 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:02,230 win because if Ukraine is not winning 448 00:21:02,230 --> 00:21:04,620 this war with our assistance , then 449 00:21:04,630 --> 00:21:07,380 earlier or later the stress will come 450 00:21:07,390 --> 00:21:09,501 and the war might come at our borders 451 00:21:09,501 --> 00:21:11,168 and we don't want that . So , 452 00:21:11,168 --> 00:21:13,057 Ukrainians are fighting our war . 453 00:21:13,057 --> 00:21:15,279 Unfortunately , Russians are doing this 454 00:21:15,279 --> 00:21:17,390 together with Belarus and we must use 455 00:21:17,390 --> 00:21:19,390 all the means , economic , social , 456 00:21:19,390 --> 00:21:21,557 diplomatic , political and military to 457 00:21:21,557 --> 00:21:24,540 stop this aggressor . So , Alex , in 458 00:21:24,540 --> 00:21:26,970 terms of the assessment of Russia's 459 00:21:26,970 --> 00:21:29,650 capabilities going forward and their 460 00:21:29,650 --> 00:21:33,310 ability to threaten Latvia . Um 461 00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:37,050 there's no question that Russia 462 00:21:37,060 --> 00:21:40,770 committed a significant portion of its 463 00:21:40,770 --> 00:21:43,170 most capable forces to the Ukraine 464 00:21:43,170 --> 00:21:47,010 effort . And as a result , uh they have 465 00:21:47,010 --> 00:21:50,830 lost uh quite a bit of uh important 466 00:21:50,830 --> 00:21:52,780 equipment , tanks , and mechanized 467 00:21:52,780 --> 00:21:55,980 vehicles . Uh they've also lost an 468 00:21:55,980 --> 00:21:59,920 enormous amount of people uh killed and 469 00:21:59,920 --> 00:22:03,700 wounded . Uh and so um they 470 00:22:03,700 --> 00:22:05,756 are from a ground perspective , they 471 00:22:05,756 --> 00:22:08,800 are less capable than they were before 472 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,080 this started obviously , but they still 473 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:13,370 have capability in in uh in their air 474 00:22:13,370 --> 00:22:16,200 forces and their maritime forces . Uh 475 00:22:16,210 --> 00:22:18,980 so uh we we don't ever want to lose 476 00:22:18,980 --> 00:22:22,800 sight of that . But again , um , 477 00:22:23,370 --> 00:22:25,481 you know , Russia would endeavor over 478 00:22:25,481 --> 00:22:28,840 the years to uh to re uh regenerate 479 00:22:28,850 --> 00:22:31,070 capability going forward , we expect 480 00:22:31,070 --> 00:22:33,292 that they try to do that . I want to do 481 00:22:33,292 --> 00:22:35,459 that again , the sanctions and some of 482 00:22:35,459 --> 00:22:37,700 the some of the trade restrictions will 483 00:22:37,700 --> 00:22:39,867 make that a bit more difficult than it 484 00:22:39,867 --> 00:22:42,510 would otherwise have been in terms of 485 00:22:42,510 --> 00:22:44,970 lessons learned . I think one key 486 00:22:44,970 --> 00:22:48,880 lesson learned here for the entire 487 00:22:48,890 --> 00:22:52,760 international community is the 488 00:22:52,770 --> 00:22:56,300 seriousness with which countries 489 00:22:56,310 --> 00:22:59,560 take the international rules based 490 00:22:59,570 --> 00:23:02,820 order . Uh and how how important that 491 00:23:02,820 --> 00:23:06,120 is because very quickly we saw 492 00:23:06,130 --> 00:23:09,770 NATO uh unify in 493 00:23:09,780 --> 00:23:13,440 uh in response to Putin's uh 494 00:23:13,450 --> 00:23:17,060 unprovoked aggression in in Ukraine . 495 00:23:17,370 --> 00:23:20,430 Uh and that unity has has has stood 496 00:23:20,430 --> 00:23:22,541 strong and we're going to endeavor to 497 00:23:22,541 --> 00:23:24,890 make sure that it remains that way that 498 00:23:24,900 --> 00:23:28,170 way going forward . So uh this is 499 00:23:28,170 --> 00:23:30,600 important not just to the NATO alliance , 500 00:23:30,610 --> 00:23:32,730 it's important to the world , as we 501 00:23:32,730 --> 00:23:34,563 said , so many times , NATO is a 502 00:23:34,563 --> 00:23:36,960 defensive alliance . Uh We're focused 503 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:39,440 on protecting the sovereign territory 504 00:23:39,450 --> 00:23:42,860 of all of the NATO members . Uh And uh 505 00:23:42,870 --> 00:23:45,480 and so as we look at continuing to 506 00:23:45,490 --> 00:23:47,379 operate with great countries like 507 00:23:47,379 --> 00:23:50,760 Latvia uh and others in the region , 508 00:23:50,770 --> 00:23:52,870 what we want to do is increase 509 00:23:52,870 --> 00:23:56,010 interoperability and make sure that we 510 00:23:56,020 --> 00:23:59,220 uh no question have the ability to 511 00:23:59,220 --> 00:24:01,820 protect their sovereign territory . Uh 512 00:24:01,830 --> 00:24:04,200 And so these rotations in and out are 513 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:06,422 beneficial to Latvia , but they're also 514 00:24:06,422 --> 00:24:10,390 beneficial to us as well as we uh as we 515 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:13,240 uh streamline processes and procedures 516 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:16,080 and how we would conduct operations in 517 00:24:16,080 --> 00:24:17,802 the future . But thanks Alex . 518 00:24:19,870 --> 00:24:23,040 Thank you very much . Thank you . Lord , 519 00:24:25,130 --> 00:24:25,940 correct . 520 00:24:33,170 --> 00:24:35,450 What for ? Thank you .