1 00:00:02,490 --> 00:00:05,530 All right . Good afternoon everybody . 2 00:00:07,810 --> 00:00:09,921 So thank you very much for being here 3 00:00:09,921 --> 00:00:12,143 today . I have several items to provide 4 00:00:12,143 --> 00:00:14,254 at the top and then we'll be happy to 5 00:00:14,254 --> 00:00:16,143 take your questions . Uh First as 6 00:00:16,143 --> 00:00:18,143 you're aware , Secretary Austin and 7 00:00:18,143 --> 00:00:20,088 General Milley participated in the 8 00:00:20,088 --> 00:00:22,088 fifth Ukraine Defense Contact Group 9 00:00:22,088 --> 00:00:24,254 meeting at Ramstein Air base last week 10 00:00:24,254 --> 00:00:26,520 along with senior defense leaders from 11 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:28,520 nearly 50 countries from around the 12 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:30,742 world . As Secretary Austin highlighted 13 00:00:30,742 --> 00:00:32,853 these international leaders came into 14 00:00:32,853 --> 00:00:35,020 the meeting with a lot of momentum and 15 00:00:35,020 --> 00:00:37,187 concluded the session even more united 16 00:00:37,187 --> 00:00:39,131 And resolved to keep up the shared 17 00:00:39,131 --> 00:00:41,242 support for Ukraine's right to defend 18 00:00:41,242 --> 00:00:43,464 itself . During the meeting , Secretary 19 00:00:43,464 --> 00:00:45,687 Austin also announced the authorization 20 00:00:45,687 --> 00:00:47,853 of a presidential drawdown of security 21 00:00:47,853 --> 00:00:50,076 assistance valued at up to $675 million 22 00:00:50,076 --> 00:00:54,490 US 23 00:00:54,490 --> 00:00:57,770 security assistance to 17.2 billion 24 00:00:57,770 --> 00:01:00,940 since 2014 . And as we've seen this 25 00:01:00,940 --> 00:01:03,340 week , Ukraine continues to use this 26 00:01:03,340 --> 00:01:05,320 aid and that provided by other 27 00:01:05,320 --> 00:01:07,487 international partners to great effect 28 00:01:07,487 --> 00:01:09,598 on the battlefield and their fight to 29 00:01:09,598 --> 00:01:11,764 defend their country uh separately , I 30 00:01:11,764 --> 00:01:13,431 want to highlight a couple of 31 00:01:13,431 --> 00:01:15,153 operations related items . The 32 00:01:15,153 --> 00:01:17,320 Department of Defense is in support of 33 00:01:17,320 --> 00:01:19,376 the U . S . Agency for International 34 00:01:19,376 --> 00:01:21,209 Development's efforts to provide 35 00:01:21,209 --> 00:01:21,130 assistance to Pakistan in the wake of 36 00:01:21,130 --> 00:01:23,440 massive flooding and the humanitarian 37 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:25,790 assistance crisis there and our 38 00:01:25,790 --> 00:01:27,901 condolences certainly go out to those 39 00:01:27,901 --> 00:01:30,123 who have been impacted by this terrible 40 00:01:30,123 --> 00:01:32,401 natural disaster . To date . The D . O . 41 00:01:32,401 --> 00:01:34,068 D . Has supported the U . S . 42 00:01:34,068 --> 00:01:36,179 Government's UsA I . D . Led response 43 00:01:36,179 --> 00:01:38,068 by providing critical airlift and 44 00:01:38,068 --> 00:01:40,400 staging support , US Air Force C 17 and 45 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:42,670 C 1 30 aircraft assigned to US Air 46 00:01:42,670 --> 00:01:45,050 Forces . Central Command have so far 47 00:01:45,050 --> 00:01:46,939 flown 10 missions into Pakistan , 48 00:01:46,939 --> 00:01:49,680 delivering over £1 million of critical 49 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:52,130 humanitarian supplies and equipment to 50 00:01:52,130 --> 00:01:54,110 aid the Pakistani people . And we 51 00:01:54,110 --> 00:01:56,221 expect this pace to continue over the 52 00:01:56,221 --> 00:01:58,443 next several days . Humanitarian relief 53 00:01:58,443 --> 00:02:00,388 supplies being transported include 54 00:02:00,388 --> 00:02:02,400 emergency food , drinking water , 55 00:02:02,420 --> 00:02:04,500 sanitation supplies and equipment , 56 00:02:04,510 --> 00:02:06,621 portable shelters , bedding , hygiene 57 00:02:06,621 --> 00:02:09,590 supplies and kitchen sets . Also on the 58 00:02:09,590 --> 00:02:11,590 D . O . D . Operations and exercise 59 00:02:11,590 --> 00:02:13,540 front the North American Aerospace 60 00:02:13,540 --> 00:02:15,596 Defense Command and U . S . Northern 61 00:02:15,596 --> 00:02:17,762 Command are conducting Operation Noble 62 00:02:17,762 --> 00:02:19,929 Defender this week from september 12th 63 00:02:19,929 --> 00:02:21,762 through the 14th over Alaska and 64 00:02:21,762 --> 00:02:23,873 Canada's Northwest territories . This 65 00:02:23,873 --> 00:02:25,984 iteration of Noble Defender is a long 66 00:02:25,984 --> 00:02:27,929 planned arctic operation that will 67 00:02:27,929 --> 00:02:30,151 demonstrate the ability of Canadian U . 68 00:02:30,151 --> 00:02:32,207 S . Forces to integrate with defense 69 00:02:32,207 --> 00:02:34,262 and security partners for a holistic 70 00:02:34,262 --> 00:02:36,373 360 degree defense of North America . 71 00:02:36,430 --> 00:02:38,263 This exercise has been conducted 72 00:02:38,263 --> 00:02:41,220 quarterly since 2019 during the 73 00:02:41,220 --> 00:02:43,620 operation Nora aircraft and part , 74 00:02:43,630 --> 00:02:45,741 excuse me in partnership with U . S . 75 00:02:45,741 --> 00:02:47,463 Strategic Command will conduct 76 00:02:47,463 --> 00:02:49,630 defensive maneuvers to demonstrate the 77 00:02:49,630 --> 00:02:51,574 ability to rapidly deploy military 78 00:02:51,574 --> 00:02:53,850 assets and conduct operations in 79 00:02:53,850 --> 00:02:56,100 defense of North America's northern and 80 00:02:56,100 --> 00:02:58,550 western approaches . In addition , 81 00:02:58,550 --> 00:03:01,780 Unitas 63 began last week in Rio de 82 00:03:01,780 --> 00:03:04,590 janeiro . Unitas is the world's longest 83 00:03:04,590 --> 00:03:06,423 running maritime exercises which 84 00:03:06,423 --> 00:03:08,534 highlights our focus on strengthening 85 00:03:08,534 --> 00:03:10,701 our existing regional partnerships and 86 00:03:10,701 --> 00:03:12,757 encouraging the establishment of new 87 00:03:12,757 --> 00:03:14,868 relationships through the exchange of 88 00:03:14,868 --> 00:03:17,034 maritime mission focused knowledge and 89 00:03:17,034 --> 00:03:19,034 expertise . More than 5500 military 90 00:03:19,034 --> 00:03:20,923 personnel from 20 partner nations 91 00:03:20,923 --> 00:03:22,812 kicked off the exercise during an 92 00:03:22,812 --> 00:03:24,979 opening ceremony september 8th , which 93 00:03:24,979 --> 00:03:26,930 was hosted by brazil . This year's 94 00:03:26,930 --> 00:03:30,160 exercise includes 19 warships , vessels , 95 00:03:30,170 --> 00:03:32,370 one submarine and 21 aircraft . And is 96 00:03:32,370 --> 00:03:34,610 scheduled to run through September 22 97 00:03:35,380 --> 00:03:37,547 also here in Washington , D . C . This 98 00:03:37,547 --> 00:03:39,602 thursday as part of the US Air Force 99 00:03:39,602 --> 00:03:41,658 and Department of the Air Force 75th 100 00:03:41,658 --> 00:03:43,880 anniversary commemoration . The U . S . 101 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:46,047 Air Force will host a 75th anniversary 102 00:03:46,047 --> 00:03:48,269 tattoo at Audi field which will include 103 00:03:48,269 --> 00:03:50,213 a scheduled flyover of current and 104 00:03:50,213 --> 00:03:52,324 historical aircraft representative of 105 00:03:52,324 --> 00:03:54,436 our nation's air power advantage over 106 00:03:54,436 --> 00:03:56,658 time . Flyovers are scheduled between 6 107 00:03:56,658 --> 00:04:00,170 45 and 6 55 PM Eastern time and will 108 00:04:00,170 --> 00:04:01,837 include the U . S . Air Force 109 00:04:01,837 --> 00:04:03,948 Thunderbirds and a variety of 5th and 110 00:04:03,948 --> 00:04:06,003 4th generation aircraft craft , plus 111 00:04:06,003 --> 00:04:08,281 several historic planes to include a B . 112 00:04:08,281 --> 00:04:11,960 17 , B . 25 P 51 . And then 113 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:13,682 finally earlier this morning , 114 00:04:13,682 --> 00:04:15,738 Secretary Austin visited the british 115 00:04:15,738 --> 00:04:17,960 embassy here in Washington , D . C . To 116 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,016 sign a condolence book following the 117 00:04:20,016 --> 00:04:21,738 passing of her majesty . Queen 118 00:04:21,738 --> 00:04:23,960 Elizabeth the second . As the secretary 119 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:26,071 said in his statement last week . Our 120 00:04:26,071 --> 00:04:28,071 thoughts are with Queen Elizabeth's 121 00:04:28,071 --> 00:04:30,182 family . King Charles the third , all 122 00:04:30,182 --> 00:04:30,130 those who loved her and with our 123 00:04:30,130 --> 00:04:32,130 stalwart british allies during this 124 00:04:32,130 --> 00:04:34,090 difficult time and with that , I'm 125 00:04:34,090 --> 00:04:36,146 happy to take your questions . We'll 126 00:04:36,146 --> 00:04:38,920 start with lita . Thanks Pat . Um Two 127 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:42,660 things one on the knee , Sam's , 128 00:04:42,820 --> 00:04:45,640 can you uh my understanding was that 129 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:47,973 none have been delivered yet to Ukraine . 130 00:04:47,973 --> 00:04:49,973 Is that still accurate ? And do you 131 00:04:49,973 --> 00:04:51,973 have any sort of E . T . A . On how 132 00:04:51,973 --> 00:04:54,196 long it will take before they get their 133 00:04:54,196 --> 00:04:56,029 first one ? And then second this 134 00:04:56,029 --> 00:04:57,640 question has come up sort of 135 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:01,210 intermittently over time . Um the 136 00:05:01,220 --> 00:05:05,140 Russian battalion tactical groups that 137 00:05:05,140 --> 00:05:08,510 are in Ukraine , we've heard over time 138 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:10,810 they got up to over 100 that were in 139 00:05:10,810 --> 00:05:13,410 Ukraine . And I'm wondering , um even 140 00:05:13,410 --> 00:05:15,466 if you can't give us a very specific 141 00:05:15,466 --> 00:05:18,170 total , can you give us a sense of the 142 00:05:18,170 --> 00:05:21,100 number of Russian battalion groups or 143 00:05:21,100 --> 00:05:23,267 whatever that the U . S . Believes are 144 00:05:23,267 --> 00:05:26,070 still in Ukraine . Considering the 145 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:29,020 reports that obviously some have left 146 00:05:29,030 --> 00:05:32,180 gone back . Sure . Uh , your first 147 00:05:32,180 --> 00:05:34,013 question on the , I don't have a 148 00:05:34,013 --> 00:05:36,400 delivery time . Uh , you know , as part 149 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:40,110 of the USA i um process 150 00:05:40,110 --> 00:05:42,054 working with industry to have them 151 00:05:42,054 --> 00:05:44,277 manufacture that capability and provide 152 00:05:44,277 --> 00:05:46,443 it to Ukraine . So certainly will keep 153 00:05:46,443 --> 00:05:48,443 you updated on that front . Um , in 154 00:05:48,443 --> 00:05:50,880 terms of the number of Russian 155 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:53,430 battalions and forces in Ukraine , I'm 156 00:05:53,430 --> 00:05:57,070 not going to have a high level of 157 00:05:57,070 --> 00:05:58,959 granularity provide here from the 158 00:05:58,959 --> 00:06:01,014 podium other than to say , obviously 159 00:06:01,014 --> 00:06:03,370 Russian forces do exist in mass in 160 00:06:03,370 --> 00:06:05,420 Ukraine . Certainly this week we've 161 00:06:05,420 --> 00:06:07,830 seen a number of Russian forces uh , 162 00:06:07,840 --> 00:06:10,520 especially in the Northeast in the 163 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:12,687 Kharkiv region , Cross over the border 164 00:06:12,687 --> 00:06:15,720 back into Russia as they retreated from 165 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:18,790 the Ukrainian counter offensive . But 166 00:06:18,790 --> 00:06:20,957 in terms of specific numbers , I'm not 167 00:06:20,957 --> 00:06:23,290 going to be able to provide that . Well , 168 00:06:23,290 --> 00:06:25,401 he says , do you have a sense that is 169 00:06:25,401 --> 00:06:27,623 this three years down the road or is it 170 00:06:27,623 --> 00:06:30,210 maybe sometime even a general idea ? 171 00:06:30,220 --> 00:06:32,276 Yeah , I don't I don't want to put a 172 00:06:32,276 --> 00:06:34,220 timeline on it . I know that it is 173 00:06:34,220 --> 00:06:36,442 certainly a priority , uh , but I don't 174 00:06:36,442 --> 00:06:38,498 want to put a timeline on it . Thank 175 00:06:38,498 --> 00:06:41,650 you . Any evidence that Russia has now 176 00:06:41,650 --> 00:06:44,030 used Iranian drones in Ukraine ? Uh , 177 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:46,680 we've seen the press reporting and 178 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:48,736 certainly seen comments by Ukrainian 179 00:06:48,736 --> 00:06:50,569 officials , but I don't have any 180 00:06:50,569 --> 00:06:52,402 information with me right now to 181 00:06:52,402 --> 00:06:54,291 corroborate those reports and the 182 00:06:54,291 --> 00:06:57,730 counter offensive . Would you describe 183 00:06:57,740 --> 00:07:00,000 sort of the pace of the counter 184 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:02,750 offensive as something the department 185 00:07:02,750 --> 00:07:05,190 found surprising and unexpected ? Or is 186 00:07:05,190 --> 00:07:07,340 this the timeline you expected ? It 187 00:07:07,350 --> 00:07:09,410 would sort of play out on well , 188 00:07:09,410 --> 00:07:12,320 certainly since the beginning of 189 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:15,760 Russia's invasion into Ukraine , we've 190 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:18,690 seen the Ukrainians demonstrate a 191 00:07:18,690 --> 00:07:21,420 remarkable adaptability and their uh , 192 00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:23,913 ability to use their warfighting 193 00:07:23,913 --> 00:07:26,470 capabilities to great effect . Uh , so , 194 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:28,730 um , it's not surprising to us that 195 00:07:28,730 --> 00:07:30,780 they have pushed , uh as quickly as 196 00:07:30,780 --> 00:07:32,947 they have , they've also again shown a 197 00:07:32,947 --> 00:07:35,460 remarkable ability to take advantage of 198 00:07:35,460 --> 00:07:37,182 the opportunities that present 199 00:07:37,182 --> 00:07:39,460 themselves on the battlefield and the 200 00:07:39,460 --> 00:07:43,320 current counter offensive in Kharkiv is 201 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:45,350 no exception to that . I think if 202 00:07:45,350 --> 00:07:47,517 anyone was surprised just based on the 203 00:07:47,517 --> 00:07:49,739 reports that we've seen in terms of the 204 00:07:49,739 --> 00:07:51,794 Russian military's response . It was 205 00:07:51,794 --> 00:07:53,128 probably the Russians , 206 00:07:55,140 --> 00:07:57,570 uh , Navy has opened an investigation 207 00:07:57,570 --> 00:08:00,510 into the navy seals buds training , um , 208 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:02,520 and new york times reported on this 209 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:04,576 last this past friday . Um , can you 210 00:08:04,576 --> 00:08:07,410 speak to Navy seals training , um , if 211 00:08:07,410 --> 00:08:10,240 there's any sort of culture problem um , 212 00:08:10,250 --> 00:08:12,880 you've seen or heard about , um , and 213 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:15,047 if there's any evidence of performance 214 00:08:15,047 --> 00:08:17,490 enhancing drugs being used . So , in 215 00:08:17,490 --> 00:08:19,960 terms of the Navy and the seals , I'd 216 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:21,904 refer you to them . I know they've 217 00:08:21,904 --> 00:08:24,400 opened an investigation and are looking 218 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:27,470 into that , uh , to to address your 219 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,702 last question . You know , more broadly 220 00:08:29,702 --> 00:08:31,869 speaking , if if you're asking whether 221 00:08:31,869 --> 00:08:33,813 there's indications that this is a 222 00:08:33,813 --> 00:08:35,980 broader problem , I would say , across 223 00:08:35,980 --> 00:08:38,091 the Department of Defense . No . Uh , 224 00:08:38,091 --> 00:08:39,980 Secretary Austin certainly , uh , 225 00:08:39,980 --> 00:08:42,202 believes that the health and welfare of 226 00:08:42,202 --> 00:08:44,369 our military members is a top priority 227 00:08:44,369 --> 00:08:46,536 and has confidence that our commanders 228 00:08:46,536 --> 00:08:48,830 will also have that same approach . But 229 00:08:48,830 --> 00:08:50,830 in terms of that particular issue , 230 00:08:50,830 --> 00:08:53,052 again , I'd have to for you to the Navy 231 00:08:53,052 --> 00:08:54,941 on that and there is an increased 232 00:08:54,941 --> 00:08:56,997 number of reported deaths associated 233 00:08:56,997 --> 00:08:58,830 with the training . Um , are you 234 00:08:58,830 --> 00:09:00,997 confident in the investigation into it 235 00:09:00,997 --> 00:09:02,719 that it will be solved ? We're 236 00:09:02,719 --> 00:09:04,886 confident that Navy leaders are taking 237 00:09:04,886 --> 00:09:06,830 it seriously and looking into it . 238 00:09:06,830 --> 00:09:09,110 Thank you . Yeah . Um , Ukraine's 239 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:12,140 ongoing offensive , make the case to 240 00:09:12,150 --> 00:09:14,980 step up the speed and scale of the 241 00:09:14,990 --> 00:09:17,323 ongoing weapons delivery from the U . S . 242 00:09:17,323 --> 00:09:19,434 But also from its partners . Well , I 243 00:09:19,434 --> 00:09:21,434 think from the very beginning , you 244 00:09:21,434 --> 00:09:23,434 know , as highlighted in my opening 245 00:09:23,434 --> 00:09:25,434 remarks , we have been working very 246 00:09:25,434 --> 00:09:27,046 closely with Ukraine and the 247 00:09:27,046 --> 00:09:29,157 international community to get aid to 248 00:09:29,157 --> 00:09:31,379 Ukraine as quickly as we can . And so I 249 00:09:31,379 --> 00:09:33,940 do not anticipate that we will let up 250 00:09:33,940 --> 00:09:37,120 on the throttle . Um 251 00:09:37,130 --> 00:09:40,750 the uh Lithuanian Foreign 252 00:09:40,750 --> 00:09:44,580 Minister tweeted some harsh 253 00:09:44,580 --> 00:09:48,350 critics to uh to other US 254 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:51,240 recently . He said that Ukraine could 255 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:54,670 have thrown Russia out months ago if 256 00:09:54,670 --> 00:09:57,030 they had been provided the right 257 00:09:57,030 --> 00:10:00,430 equipment right away . And he said 258 00:10:00,430 --> 00:10:03,510 that now uh 259 00:10:04,170 --> 00:10:07,640 US and the West in general 260 00:10:07,650 --> 00:10:11,500 should send them as fast as possible . 261 00:10:11,510 --> 00:10:15,200 All the the stockpiles of attack 262 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:17,660 comes and fighter jets , do you agree 263 00:10:17,660 --> 00:10:19,604 with that assessment ? Certainly I 264 00:10:19,604 --> 00:10:21,716 don't I don't have anything to say in 265 00:10:21,716 --> 00:10:25,150 regards to the minister's particular 266 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:28,330 comments . Uh I will say that Secretary 267 00:10:28,330 --> 00:10:31,860 Austin and other US government leaders 268 00:10:31,870 --> 00:10:34,290 continue to regularly engage with our 269 00:10:34,290 --> 00:10:36,640 Ukrainian counterparts . I think last 270 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:40,020 week's meeting at at Ramstein is a good 271 00:10:40,020 --> 00:10:42,220 example of how seriously we're taking 272 00:10:42,220 --> 00:10:45,190 this uh and that we are constantly 273 00:10:45,190 --> 00:10:47,550 engaged in a dialogue to determine what 274 00:10:47,550 --> 00:10:50,200 are the needs of our Ukrainian partners 275 00:10:50,490 --> 00:10:52,712 based on the conditions on the ground . 276 00:10:52,712 --> 00:10:54,934 And as we've seen , and as as evidenced 277 00:10:54,934 --> 00:10:56,990 by this counter offensive , they are 278 00:10:56,990 --> 00:10:58,934 using the equipment . They have to 279 00:10:58,934 --> 00:11:01,101 great effect to change the dynamics on 280 00:11:01,101 --> 00:11:04,720 the battlefield and will continue to 281 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:06,831 have those conversations with them to 282 00:11:06,831 --> 00:11:08,998 look at what they need immediately and 283 00:11:08,998 --> 00:11:12,090 into the long term . Yeah , all on on 284 00:11:12,090 --> 00:11:14,950 that a little bit of . So it's been six 285 00:11:14,950 --> 00:11:17,160 months since these weapons shipments 286 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:20,070 have come on . We've been going in and 287 00:11:20,070 --> 00:11:22,181 the Ukrainians seem to be getting far 288 00:11:22,181 --> 00:11:24,110 better at the use and in like the 289 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:26,260 combined use of that . Is that the 290 00:11:26,270 --> 00:11:29,360 feeling you got when you were in in Ram 291 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:32,230 side ? Well again um since the 292 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:34,296 beginning , I mean if you go back in 293 00:11:34,296 --> 00:11:36,518 time and you look at the situation that 294 00:11:36,518 --> 00:11:38,462 the Ukrainians found themselves in 295 00:11:38,462 --> 00:11:40,240 february uh and you look at the 296 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:42,407 situation that they find themselves in 297 00:11:42,407 --> 00:11:44,590 today . Uh It is just that remarkable 298 00:11:44,590 --> 00:11:46,701 adaptability on the battlefield to be 299 00:11:46,701 --> 00:11:48,368 able to take advantage of the 300 00:11:48,368 --> 00:11:50,660 opportunities that exist to use not 301 00:11:50,660 --> 00:11:52,882 only equipment that they've already had 302 00:11:52,882 --> 00:11:54,938 in their inventory but the equipment 303 00:11:54,938 --> 00:11:57,271 that has been provided to them by the U . 304 00:11:57,271 --> 00:11:59,438 S . And other international partners . 305 00:11:59,438 --> 00:12:01,604 Uh And so it is very evident that they 306 00:12:01,604 --> 00:12:05,040 continue to figure out ways to uh to 307 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:07,970 fight uh and to do it . Well thank you . 308 00:12:07,980 --> 00:12:10,460 Yes sir . So it's been reported that 309 00:12:10,470 --> 00:12:13,610 Ukraine to see seized several 1000 310 00:12:13,610 --> 00:12:15,332 square kilometers of territory 311 00:12:15,332 --> 00:12:17,680 previously held by the Russians um Is 312 00:12:17,680 --> 00:12:19,791 the D . D . However concerned that if 313 00:12:19,791 --> 00:12:22,060 there is not a decisive victory by the 314 00:12:22,060 --> 00:12:24,116 Ukrainians in this counter offensive 315 00:12:24,116 --> 00:12:26,282 that Russia might seek to escalate the 316 00:12:26,282 --> 00:12:29,480 conflict namely by declaring a war and 317 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:32,430 mobilizing its forces fully . Yeah so 318 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:34,560 um I don't want to speculate on what 319 00:12:34,570 --> 00:12:37,370 Russia might do next . Clearly they've 320 00:12:37,380 --> 00:12:39,380 demonstrated their intent to keep 321 00:12:39,390 --> 00:12:42,430 fighting uh in in Ukraine and to 322 00:12:42,430 --> 00:12:46,030 prolong their illegal occupation . Um 323 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:48,151 we obviously on our end will continue 324 00:12:48,151 --> 00:12:50,318 to monitor the situation and our focus 325 00:12:50,318 --> 00:12:52,540 will continue to be on working with the 326 00:12:52,540 --> 00:12:54,373 Ukrainians and the international 327 00:12:54,373 --> 00:12:56,318 community to provide them with the 328 00:12:56,318 --> 00:12:58,484 support that they need . Um but I will 329 00:12:58,484 --> 00:13:01,340 highlight that it is um you know , that 330 00:13:01,340 --> 00:13:03,396 President Putin could deescalate the 331 00:13:03,396 --> 00:13:05,870 situation tomorrow by withdrawing 332 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:08,620 Russian forces . But as long as that 333 00:13:08,620 --> 00:13:10,842 doesn't happen , will continue to stand 334 00:13:10,842 --> 00:13:14,700 behind Ukraine on the shipment that was 335 00:13:14,710 --> 00:13:17,240 discussed . Um So specifically on those 336 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:20,190 longer range munitions , has the 337 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,422 successes that Ukraine has seen in this 338 00:13:22,422 --> 00:13:24,200 kind of offensive , changed any 339 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:26,256 perspectives within this building on 340 00:13:26,256 --> 00:13:28,110 what Ukraine might need for the 341 00:13:28,650 --> 00:13:30,960 successive offensives . Well , I think 342 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:33,293 it's a it's an ongoing dialogue , right ? 343 00:13:33,293 --> 00:13:35,516 And uh you know , a couple of weeks ago 344 00:13:35,516 --> 00:13:37,682 we had dr Colin here who talked to the 345 00:13:37,682 --> 00:13:39,904 fact that part of those discussions are 346 00:13:39,904 --> 00:13:42,127 looking at the medium and long term for 347 00:13:42,127 --> 00:13:44,238 the for the needs that the Ukrainians 348 00:13:44,238 --> 00:13:46,182 will have in order to defend their 349 00:13:46,182 --> 00:13:48,238 territory and their sovereignty long 350 00:13:48,238 --> 00:13:50,349 term . And so so that will be an area 351 00:13:50,349 --> 00:13:52,349 that will just continue having that 352 00:13:52,349 --> 00:13:54,349 dialogue in terms of what does that 353 00:13:54,349 --> 00:13:56,349 include and how best can we support 354 00:13:56,349 --> 00:13:58,182 them ? Yes , ma'am , thank you , 355 00:13:58,182 --> 00:14:01,780 general uh on North Korea . North 356 00:14:01,780 --> 00:14:04,720 korean leader , kim jong un adopted 357 00:14:04,730 --> 00:14:07,940 nuclear force policy as 358 00:14:08,980 --> 00:14:12,550 and he also declared that he would 359 00:14:12,560 --> 00:14:15,820 never give up their nuclear weapons and 360 00:14:15,830 --> 00:14:19,580 that he could use a preemptive 361 00:14:19,620 --> 00:14:22,870 nuclear strike against the United 362 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:26,580 States and its allies ? Do you think 363 00:14:26,590 --> 00:14:30,330 the United States and its allies ? 364 00:14:30,340 --> 00:14:33,910 South Korea prepared for the 365 00:14:34,070 --> 00:14:37,950 preemptive nuclear strike against North 366 00:14:37,950 --> 00:14:41,940 Korea in case of emergency ? Sure , 367 00:14:41,950 --> 00:14:44,860 certainly seen the reports on that . Um 368 00:14:44,860 --> 00:14:46,638 and it's just indicative of the 369 00:14:46,638 --> 00:14:49,720 unhelpful uh and destabilizing comments 370 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:51,831 that we've seen come from North Korea 371 00:14:51,831 --> 00:14:53,942 in the past . Certainly when it comes 372 00:14:53,942 --> 00:14:57,590 to nuclear deterrence , we have a tried 373 00:14:57,590 --> 00:15:00,560 and true policy and process which 374 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:02,727 includes working very closely with our 375 00:15:02,727 --> 00:15:05,590 international allies . And so I'll just 376 00:15:05,590 --> 00:15:07,646 leave it at that . Thank you . North 377 00:15:07,646 --> 00:15:10,990 Korea is strengthening its start eating 378 00:15:10,990 --> 00:15:14,835 nuclear weapons test and North 379 00:15:14,835 --> 00:15:17,925 Korea is the 7th nuclear test is 380 00:15:17,935 --> 00:15:21,385 showing side of imminence . 381 00:15:21,395 --> 00:15:24,265 Can you predict that 382 00:15:24,275 --> 00:15:27,985 strategic nuclear weapons test is 383 00:15:27,995 --> 00:15:31,505 also possible in these seventh nuclear 384 00:15:31,505 --> 00:15:33,790 tests ? Yeah , I'm not , I'm not gonna 385 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,022 talk about hypotheticals or speculate . 386 00:15:36,022 --> 00:15:38,133 But again , we'll continue to closely 387 00:15:38,133 --> 00:15:40,300 monitor and work with our partners and 388 00:15:40,300 --> 00:15:42,356 allies in the region . Thank you and 389 00:15:42,356 --> 00:15:44,356 let me go ahead and go to the phone 390 00:15:44,356 --> 00:15:46,578 here Tony from Bloomberg . Hi there , I 391 00:15:46,578 --> 00:15:48,633 had a non Ukraine question sir . The 392 00:15:48,633 --> 00:15:51,340 pentagon in its list of the O . M . B . 393 00:15:51,350 --> 00:15:53,072 For the upcoming congressional 394 00:15:53,072 --> 00:15:55,670 continuing resolution requested an 395 00:15:55,670 --> 00:15:57,890 extension to three years for for 396 00:15:57,890 --> 00:16:00,830 protection provided former D . O . D . 397 00:16:00,830 --> 00:16:02,886 Officials . Can you give a rationale 398 00:16:02,886 --> 00:16:04,830 for why the protection needs to be 399 00:16:04,830 --> 00:16:06,997 extended . Does it have anything to do 400 00:16:06,997 --> 00:16:09,052 with the Justice Department's claims 401 00:16:09,052 --> 00:16:11,400 that Iran tried to harm national 402 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:14,550 security adviser bolton . Yeah , thanks 403 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:16,930 Tony . What I would tell you is that 404 00:16:16,930 --> 00:16:19,960 we're constantly evaluating our 405 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,071 security policies in light of current 406 00:16:22,071 --> 00:16:24,404 intelligence and the security situation . 407 00:16:24,404 --> 00:16:26,460 But as I'm sure you can appreciate , 408 00:16:26,460 --> 00:16:28,349 we're not going to comment on the 409 00:16:28,349 --> 00:16:30,404 specifics of what those intelligence 410 00:16:30,404 --> 00:16:32,650 assessments uh or security assessments 411 00:16:32,660 --> 00:16:35,110 might be . Thank you . Let me do one 412 00:16:35,110 --> 00:16:37,277 more from the phone here , Jeff Seldin 413 00:16:37,277 --> 00:16:40,670 V O A Hi , thank you very much . Two 414 00:16:40,670 --> 00:16:42,781 questions . One on Ukraine and one on 415 00:16:42,781 --> 00:16:44,837 Afghanistan on Ukraine . We've heard 416 00:16:44,837 --> 00:16:46,726 from a number of senior Ukrainian 417 00:16:46,726 --> 00:16:48,837 officials warning Russia is likely to 418 00:16:48,837 --> 00:16:50,837 launch a new wave of cyberattacks . 419 00:16:50,837 --> 00:16:52,892 Again , going after Ukraine's energy 420 00:16:52,892 --> 00:16:54,837 sector , financial sector and that 421 00:16:54,837 --> 00:16:56,781 Russia is preparing some new cyber 422 00:16:56,781 --> 00:16:58,670 weapons that could be used beyond 423 00:16:58,670 --> 00:17:00,614 Ukraine , wondering what the US is 424 00:17:00,614 --> 00:17:02,570 seeing on this front , in what the 425 00:17:02,570 --> 00:17:04,459 pentagon is doing to support both 426 00:17:04,459 --> 00:17:06,403 Ukraine and other allies who might 427 00:17:06,403 --> 00:17:09,660 become targets on Afghanistan centcom 428 00:17:09,660 --> 00:17:11,438 earlier put out a release about 429 00:17:11,438 --> 00:17:14,040 exercise eager lion 22 noted 430 00:17:14,050 --> 00:17:16,106 participation troops from Kazakhstan 431 00:17:16,106 --> 00:17:17,990 wondering have there been any 432 00:17:17,990 --> 00:17:20,101 developments in the negotiations ? We 433 00:17:20,101 --> 00:17:22,157 heard about so long ago with Central 434 00:17:22,157 --> 00:17:24,680 asian nations to for possible basing 435 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:27,020 agreements or permissions to help the U . 436 00:17:27,020 --> 00:17:29,242 S . Counterterrorism mission . Now that 437 00:17:29,242 --> 00:17:31,353 troops are no longer in Afghanistan , 438 00:17:31,353 --> 00:17:33,520 Jeff on on your second question ? I'll 439 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:35,687 come back to it because I was having a 440 00:17:35,687 --> 00:17:37,909 hard time hearing specifically what you 441 00:17:37,909 --> 00:17:37,840 were asking about on on your first 442 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:41,460 question in terms of uh Russian tactics 443 00:17:41,470 --> 00:17:45,410 in Ukraine . Um you know , beyond what 444 00:17:45,410 --> 00:17:49,350 we've already seen um both in Ukraine 445 00:17:49,350 --> 00:17:52,500 and elsewhere . Uh certainly Cyber is a 446 00:17:52,500 --> 00:17:55,570 capability that that Russia maintains . 447 00:17:55,580 --> 00:17:57,780 Um I don't have any specifics to 448 00:17:57,780 --> 00:17:59,780 provide from the podium in terms of 449 00:17:59,780 --> 00:18:01,613 what exactly we're seeing on the 450 00:18:01,613 --> 00:18:04,360 battlefield in Ukraine other than to 451 00:18:04,360 --> 00:18:07,410 stay . Um you know that they have that 452 00:18:07,410 --> 00:18:09,620 is a T . T . P . That they've employed 453 00:18:09,620 --> 00:18:12,080 as you well know . Um and then I'm 454 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:14,480 sorry , your second question um about 455 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:16,480 Afghanistan . What was the specific 456 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:18,930 question I was just wondering , we 457 00:18:18,930 --> 00:18:22,550 heard a lot while ago um prior to the 458 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:24,504 withdrawal of U . S . Troops about 459 00:18:24,504 --> 00:18:26,504 negotiations and talks with Central 460 00:18:26,504 --> 00:18:29,460 asian countries for basing options so 461 00:18:29,460 --> 00:18:31,460 that the U . S . Could continue its 462 00:18:31,460 --> 00:18:33,404 counterterrorism mission after the 463 00:18:33,404 --> 00:18:35,240 withdrawal . I noticed that 464 00:18:35,250 --> 00:18:37,170 Kazakhstan's participating in an 465 00:18:37,170 --> 00:18:40,910 exercise with Centcom wondering if that 466 00:18:40,910 --> 00:18:43,132 means that there's been any progress or 467 00:18:43,132 --> 00:18:45,188 if there's otherwise any progress on 468 00:18:45,188 --> 00:18:47,530 that front . Okay . Um so I don't have 469 00:18:47,530 --> 00:18:50,220 anything to announce today . Clearly we 470 00:18:50,220 --> 00:18:53,360 maintain a counterterrorism capability 471 00:18:53,360 --> 00:18:55,527 in the U . S . Central command area of 472 00:18:55,527 --> 00:18:58,280 responsibility um in terms of our 473 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:01,230 partnerships with individual countries 474 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:03,160 um Again I don't have any new 475 00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:05,382 announcements to make other than to say 476 00:19:05,382 --> 00:19:08,750 that it is a it is a robust series of 477 00:19:08,750 --> 00:19:11,140 partnerships uh and we have 478 00:19:11,150 --> 00:19:13,261 capabilities throughout the region to 479 00:19:13,261 --> 00:19:15,372 be able to provide a counterterrorism 480 00:19:15,372 --> 00:19:17,483 counterterrorism response . Should we 481 00:19:17,483 --> 00:19:19,594 need to thank you . Let me go back to 482 00:19:19,594 --> 00:19:21,594 the room here , sir . Thanks Travis 483 00:19:21,594 --> 00:19:23,706 triton with military dot com . Um The 484 00:19:23,706 --> 00:19:25,761 Anti defamation League recently came 485 00:19:25,761 --> 00:19:27,761 out with an analysis of a data dump 486 00:19:27,761 --> 00:19:29,928 from the oath keepers group , which is 487 00:19:29,928 --> 00:19:32,094 an extremist militia . So leaders were 488 00:19:32,094 --> 00:19:34,094 charged for seditious conspiracy in 489 00:19:34,094 --> 00:19:36,850 january 6th , um and they found that 490 00:19:36,860 --> 00:19:40,740 about 100 and 28 members or people who 491 00:19:40,740 --> 00:19:43,630 were involved in the group appeared to 492 00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:46,880 be uh in the U . S . Military . I'm 493 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:48,936 wondering if membership and the oath 494 00:19:48,936 --> 00:19:51,600 keepers would be considered extremist 495 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:54,070 activity by the military and would be 496 00:19:54,070 --> 00:19:56,340 troops or troops prohibited from 497 00:19:56,350 --> 00:19:59,220 joining the oath keepers or a group 498 00:19:59,220 --> 00:20:01,164 like the oath keepers ? Yes , so I 499 00:20:01,164 --> 00:20:03,700 don't I don't have any specifics on the 500 00:20:03,710 --> 00:20:05,488 particular incident that you're 501 00:20:05,488 --> 00:20:07,821 describing other than to say , You know , 502 00:20:07,821 --> 00:20:09,988 D . O . D . Policy is clear you cannot 503 00:20:09,988 --> 00:20:11,932 be an active member of a extremist 504 00:20:11,932 --> 00:20:14,043 group . And certainly where there are 505 00:20:14,043 --> 00:20:16,099 indications of that , you know , the 506 00:20:16,099 --> 00:20:17,877 services is appropriate ? We'll 507 00:20:17,877 --> 00:20:20,170 investigate those . And so in in 508 00:20:20,170 --> 00:20:22,590 regards to those particular members , I 509 00:20:22,590 --> 00:20:24,868 would refer you to the services to see , 510 00:20:24,868 --> 00:20:27,090 you know , what what if any statuses on 511 00:20:27,090 --> 00:20:28,812 those individuals , is there a 512 00:20:28,812 --> 00:20:30,479 consensus on which groups are 513 00:20:30,479 --> 00:20:32,534 considered extremist groups we would 514 00:20:32,534 --> 00:20:34,368 like , for example , is the oath 515 00:20:34,368 --> 00:20:36,479 keepers considered an extremist group 516 00:20:36,479 --> 00:20:38,646 by the Department of Defense . I think 517 00:20:38,646 --> 00:20:40,757 D . O . D . Policy is pretty clear on 518 00:20:40,757 --> 00:20:42,868 what constitutes an extremist group . 519 00:20:42,868 --> 00:20:44,701 And so any group that meets that 520 00:20:44,701 --> 00:20:46,646 definition would fall within those 521 00:20:46,646 --> 00:20:47,450 boundaries . 522 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:53,151 Let me let me go back to you and look 523 00:20:53,151 --> 00:20:55,262 on that one specifically . We'll take 524 00:20:55,262 --> 00:20:57,980 that question . Thank you . First 525 00:20:58,940 --> 00:21:02,410 of the Ukrainian casualties and how 526 00:21:02,410 --> 00:21:04,466 much equipment they've lost . I know 527 00:21:04,466 --> 00:21:06,688 we've heard some some reports about how 528 00:21:06,688 --> 00:21:08,910 many casualties the Russians have had , 529 00:21:08,910 --> 00:21:10,854 but particularly interested in the 530 00:21:10,854 --> 00:21:12,854 Ukrainian side in this phase of the 531 00:21:12,854 --> 00:21:14,970 conflict . And then and then also my 532 00:21:14,970 --> 00:21:17,081 second question is can you comment on 533 00:21:17,081 --> 00:21:19,220 reports that Ukraine has captured 534 00:21:19,220 --> 00:21:22,590 several Russian generals ? Um so 535 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:25,120 um on your first question , no , I'm 536 00:21:25,130 --> 00:21:27,430 not going to be able to provide details 537 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:30,730 on Ukrainian casualty numbers nor lost 538 00:21:30,730 --> 00:21:32,786 equipment , especially while they're 539 00:21:32,786 --> 00:21:35,470 engaged in an active combat . Um nor 540 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:37,202 you know , as I'm sure you can 541 00:21:37,202 --> 00:21:39,313 appreciate um I don't want to provide 542 00:21:39,313 --> 00:21:41,730 an intelligent assessment from here . 543 00:21:41,740 --> 00:21:44,870 We have seen the reports uh you know in 544 00:21:44,870 --> 00:21:48,840 social media on in media about captured 545 00:21:48,850 --> 00:21:50,628 Russian generals . I don't have 546 00:21:50,628 --> 00:21:52,670 anything to provide . Again to 547 00:21:52,670 --> 00:21:54,948 corroborate that information from here . 548 00:21:54,948 --> 00:21:57,059 Thank you . Let me go to tom and then 549 00:21:57,059 --> 00:21:59,281 go back out to the phone . Thanks sir . 550 00:21:59,281 --> 00:22:01,392 Um Two questions . One is a follow up 551 00:22:01,392 --> 00:22:03,614 from a briefing yesterday , Laura asked 552 00:22:03,614 --> 00:22:05,690 the question regarding the pentagon 553 00:22:05,690 --> 00:22:07,523 Defense Department us support of 554 00:22:07,523 --> 00:22:09,930 Ukraine if they would go into Crimea . 555 00:22:09,930 --> 00:22:12,690 And the response was we support I'm 556 00:22:12,690 --> 00:22:15,150 paraphrasing slightly , we support any 557 00:22:15,150 --> 00:22:17,470 areas in the sovereignty of Ukraine . I 558 00:22:17,470 --> 00:22:20,320 just want to make sure that Ukraine , 559 00:22:20,330 --> 00:22:22,330 I'm sorry that Crimea is considered 560 00:22:22,330 --> 00:22:26,010 sovereign Ukraine ? Well , again , Yeah , 561 00:22:26,020 --> 00:22:29,050 so I mean Crimea was part of the part 562 00:22:29,050 --> 00:22:31,161 of Ukraine that was invaded by Russia 563 00:22:31,161 --> 00:22:33,840 back in 2014 . So certainly Crimea is 564 00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:36,790 part of Ukraine . Uh I just want to 565 00:22:36,790 --> 00:22:38,957 make sure because that's what has been 566 00:22:38,957 --> 00:22:41,068 said before . So , so thanks for that 567 00:22:41,068 --> 00:22:43,234 clarification . My my primary question 568 00:22:43,234 --> 00:22:45,730 is also off Ukraine . Um what's the 569 00:22:45,730 --> 00:22:48,770 level of concern or for mixing or 570 00:22:48,770 --> 00:22:50,826 whatever word you like among defense 571 00:22:50,826 --> 00:22:53,510 officials as to how Prime Minister modi 572 00:22:53,520 --> 00:22:56,390 of India seems to be trending to become 573 00:22:56,400 --> 00:22:59,470 the of South Asia . I don't have a 574 00:22:59,470 --> 00:23:02,670 comment on that time . You know , we 575 00:23:02,670 --> 00:23:05,030 have a very close partnership and 576 00:23:05,030 --> 00:23:07,197 relationship defense relationship with 577 00:23:07,197 --> 00:23:09,370 India . We obviously will continue to 578 00:23:09,370 --> 00:23:11,370 work with India and further develop 579 00:23:11,370 --> 00:23:14,140 that relationship but participated in 580 00:23:14,140 --> 00:23:16,473 games , war games with Russia and china , 581 00:23:16,473 --> 00:23:18,800 which seems a little bit troubling to 582 00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:21,580 some people Again , India is a 583 00:23:21,580 --> 00:23:23,747 sovereign nation . They can make their 584 00:23:23,747 --> 00:23:25,858 own decisions in terms of who they're 585 00:23:25,858 --> 00:23:27,747 going to conduct exercises with . 586 00:23:27,747 --> 00:23:29,636 Certainly we have appreciated our 587 00:23:29,636 --> 00:23:31,858 partnership with India and the region . 588 00:23:31,858 --> 00:23:34,080 They're important partner as you know , 589 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:36,302 and we'll continue to work closely with 590 00:23:36,302 --> 00:23:38,413 them . Thanks tom . All right . We've 591 00:23:38,413 --> 00:23:38,030 got time for a couple more . Yes sir . 592 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:41,610 Uh the Japanese Ministry of Defense 593 00:23:41,620 --> 00:23:44,120 announced the Japanese Defense Minister . 594 00:23:44,130 --> 00:23:46,720 Hamada will meet the secretary posting 595 00:23:46,730 --> 00:23:48,841 at the Pentagon tomorrow . So , could 596 00:23:48,841 --> 00:23:51,080 you tell us a little bit about agenda 597 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:53,191 over the meeting because they discuss 598 00:23:53,191 --> 00:23:54,858 the response to the potential 599 00:23:54,858 --> 00:23:57,520 contingency in the Taiwan strait sure , 600 00:23:57,530 --> 00:23:59,252 the Secretary looks forward to 601 00:23:59,252 --> 00:24:01,560 welcoming the Minister to the pentagon 602 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:03,616 tomorrow . We look forward to a very 603 00:24:03,616 --> 00:24:05,782 fruitful discussion and will provide a 604 00:24:05,782 --> 00:24:07,893 readout afterwards . But I don't have 605 00:24:07,893 --> 00:24:10,116 any previews to provide from here . Let 606 00:24:10,116 --> 00:24:10,110 me do two more . Let me go to Orange . 607 00:24:10,110 --> 00:24:12,560 And then to over the course of the past 608 00:24:12,570 --> 00:24:14,570 six months we've seen on occasion a 609 00:24:14,570 --> 00:24:16,348 reshuffling of Russian military 610 00:24:16,348 --> 00:24:18,459 leadership in Ukraine , for example , 611 00:24:18,459 --> 00:24:20,514 General alexander Bortnikov was made 612 00:24:20,514 --> 00:24:22,626 the theater Commander a couple months 613 00:24:22,626 --> 00:24:22,550 ago . Give or take . I was wondering 614 00:24:22,550 --> 00:24:24,328 First , is he still the theater 615 00:24:24,328 --> 00:24:26,494 commander ? And second , have you seen 616 00:24:26,494 --> 00:24:28,328 continued or more reshuffling of 617 00:24:28,328 --> 00:24:30,550 leadership as Russia tries to figure it 618 00:24:30,550 --> 00:24:33,720 out or or improve its battlefield ? Uh 619 00:24:33,730 --> 00:24:35,674 success or tactics ? Yeah . Thanks 620 00:24:35,674 --> 00:24:37,452 Orange . So as I'm sure you can 621 00:24:37,452 --> 00:24:39,563 appreciate , I'm not going to discuss 622 00:24:39,563 --> 00:24:42,130 uh the chain of command of Ukraine here , 623 00:24:42,140 --> 00:24:44,307 I think that's really more appropriate 624 00:24:44,307 --> 00:24:46,418 for . I'm sorry for Russia , the same 625 00:24:46,418 --> 00:24:48,640 thing , I'd refer you to Russia to talk 626 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:50,860 about their military and their staff 627 00:24:50,870 --> 00:24:54,060 and how they choose to organize . But 628 00:24:54,070 --> 00:24:57,300 thank you . Ok , Tara , thank you . Um 629 00:24:57,310 --> 00:24:59,860 if Ukraine maintains this kind of shift 630 00:24:59,860 --> 00:25:02,450 in momentum and stays on the offensive , 631 00:25:02,460 --> 00:25:04,820 does that change the equation as to 632 00:25:04,820 --> 00:25:06,890 what types of weapons the US might 633 00:25:06,900 --> 00:25:09,720 offer in future rounds . Uh and what 634 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:11,609 types of weapons would that maybe 635 00:25:11,609 --> 00:25:14,360 expand to ? Yeah . So , you know , I'm 636 00:25:14,360 --> 00:25:17,180 not gonna speculate , but certainly we 637 00:25:17,180 --> 00:25:19,420 will continue to have that open 638 00:25:19,420 --> 00:25:21,690 dialogue with Ukraine in terms of what 639 00:25:21,690 --> 00:25:23,746 their needs are . And so certainly I 640 00:25:23,746 --> 00:25:25,857 think I don't think it's unreasonable 641 00:25:25,857 --> 00:25:27,968 to think that as the situation on the 642 00:25:27,968 --> 00:25:30,370 ground changes and and you know , on 643 00:25:30,370 --> 00:25:33,900 that point um Ukraine has made some 644 00:25:33,900 --> 00:25:36,080 progress , but there's still a very 645 00:25:36,080 --> 00:25:38,610 tough fight uh and a tough fight ahead . 646 00:25:38,620 --> 00:25:40,842 So I think we also need to keep that in 647 00:25:40,842 --> 00:25:43,330 mind . But to answer your question , I 648 00:25:43,330 --> 00:25:45,330 think it is reasonable over time to 649 00:25:45,330 --> 00:25:48,600 continue as we have that dialogue to to 650 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:50,767 hear what their needs are to work with 651 00:25:50,767 --> 00:25:52,878 the international community . Because 652 00:25:52,878 --> 00:25:54,878 again , it's not just the US that's 653 00:25:54,878 --> 00:25:57,044 providing assistance to make sure that 654 00:25:57,044 --> 00:25:59,211 they have what they need , not only in 655 00:25:59,211 --> 00:26:01,322 the immediate term , but also the the 656 00:26:01,322 --> 00:26:03,544 middle and the long term . So give us a 657 00:26:03,544 --> 00:26:05,544 sense of what types of weapons that 658 00:26:05,544 --> 00:26:07,656 include , that possibly tanks or what 659 00:26:07,656 --> 00:26:09,600 other types of weapons ? Again , I 660 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:11,850 don't want to do that from the podium 661 00:26:11,850 --> 00:26:14,072 right now , other than to say that will 662 00:26:14,072 --> 00:26:16,128 be uh an area for continued dialogue 663 00:26:16,128 --> 00:26:18,239 and as we have updates will make sure 664 00:26:18,239 --> 00:26:20,406 to to provide those . So okay , well , 665 00:26:20,406 --> 00:26:22,461 you know what it's let me take a few 666 00:26:22,461 --> 00:26:24,517 more . Alright , okay , let me go to 667 00:26:24,517 --> 00:26:26,683 louis and then we'll go to the back of 668 00:26:26,683 --> 00:26:28,850 the room here . Thank you sir . Um can 669 00:26:28,850 --> 00:26:31,072 you confirm that the United States held 670 00:26:31,072 --> 00:26:33,183 tabletop exercises with the Ukrainian 671 00:26:33,183 --> 00:26:35,910 military , about this counter counter 672 00:26:35,910 --> 00:26:38,077 offensive over the summer and provided 673 00:26:38,077 --> 00:26:40,299 some input about what would work , what 674 00:26:40,299 --> 00:26:42,466 would not work ? And also with regards 675 00:26:42,466 --> 00:26:45,470 to the current situation on the ground , 676 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:48,270 is it the the assessment that the 677 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:50,502 Ukrainians would need a larger force in 678 00:26:50,502 --> 00:26:53,130 order to retain the gains that they 679 00:26:53,140 --> 00:26:55,251 made territorially in the Northeast ? 680 00:26:55,251 --> 00:26:57,940 So on the first question , um what I 681 00:26:57,940 --> 00:26:59,884 would tell you louis is that we do 682 00:26:59,884 --> 00:27:02,420 engage with the Ukrainians uh you know , 683 00:27:02,420 --> 00:27:04,253 at at a variety of levels on the 684 00:27:04,253 --> 00:27:06,410 military side . Um as we've said 685 00:27:06,410 --> 00:27:08,220 previously , we do provide time 686 00:27:08,220 --> 00:27:11,020 sensitive information to enable them to 687 00:27:11,030 --> 00:27:13,400 conduct operations and defend their 688 00:27:13,410 --> 00:27:15,466 homeland . I'm not going to get into 689 00:27:15,466 --> 00:27:18,040 the specifics of what that might look 690 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:21,850 like um in terms of um the Ukrainians 691 00:27:21,850 --> 00:27:24,540 and their ability to hold the territory 692 00:27:24,540 --> 00:27:26,484 that they've taken ? Uh you know , 693 00:27:26,484 --> 00:27:28,540 certainly that is a question for the 694 00:27:28,540 --> 00:27:30,680 Ukrainians . I will say um that the 695 00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:32,880 battlefield , as always , any 696 00:27:32,880 --> 00:27:34,950 battlefield is a dynamic and fluid 697 00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:38,510 place will continue to to monitor from 698 00:27:38,510 --> 00:27:40,677 our end and continue to keep our focus 699 00:27:40,677 --> 00:27:42,732 on supporting them . In terms of the 700 00:27:42,732 --> 00:27:44,843 equipment and the resources that they 701 00:27:44,843 --> 00:27:47,380 need . Um but really they should be the 702 00:27:47,380 --> 00:27:49,602 ones to talk about what their game plan 703 00:27:49,602 --> 00:27:51,602 is to secure and hold the territory 704 00:27:51,602 --> 00:27:53,970 that they've gained . Okay . Yes , sir , 705 00:27:56,350 --> 00:27:58,461 debate , there's a debate going on as 706 00:27:58,461 --> 00:28:00,960 far as who is winner and who's a loser 707 00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:04,630 in Ukraine . But my question is that 708 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:07,420 always innocent people , whether 709 00:28:07,420 --> 00:28:09,560 they're military or civilians are the 710 00:28:09,560 --> 00:28:12,690 losers always and they pay the price 711 00:28:12,700 --> 00:28:15,500 like here , thousands have been killed 712 00:28:15,510 --> 00:28:18,310 and millions are now homeless . So what 713 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:21,570 do we learn as in the future if a 714 00:28:21,580 --> 00:28:25,180 superpower like Russia invades a 715 00:28:25,180 --> 00:28:27,420 smaller tiny nation ? 716 00:28:29,140 --> 00:28:31,560 So where do where do we go or what we 717 00:28:31,560 --> 00:28:33,780 learn ? What is the message ? Well , 718 00:28:33,790 --> 00:28:37,020 certainly , uh as in the case of 719 00:28:37,020 --> 00:28:40,710 Ukraine , um , as has been said by many , 720 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:44,190 this invasion was unprovoked illegal . 721 00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:47,330 Uh , and to your point , many innocent 722 00:28:47,340 --> 00:28:49,930 people have died . Uh and and that's a 723 00:28:49,930 --> 00:28:52,090 tragedy . And so again , from a 724 00:28:52,090 --> 00:28:54,201 Department of Defense standpoint will 725 00:28:54,201 --> 00:28:56,257 continue to do our part to work with 726 00:28:56,257 --> 00:28:58,201 our international partners and our 727 00:28:58,201 --> 00:29:00,146 allies to support Ukraine in their 728 00:29:00,146 --> 00:29:02,620 fight to defend their country . Uh and 729 00:29:02,630 --> 00:29:05,210 as I mentioned before , uh President 730 00:29:05,210 --> 00:29:07,099 Putin has the ability to end this 731 00:29:07,099 --> 00:29:09,154 conflict tomorrow by withdrawing his 732 00:29:09,154 --> 00:29:12,560 forces . But if he chooses not to , 733 00:29:12,570 --> 00:29:14,800 then we'll continue to support Ukraine 734 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:18,310 for as long as it takes . Okay , Last 735 00:29:18,310 --> 00:29:21,920 one . Thank you . As our own 736 00:29:21,930 --> 00:29:24,420 tragedy , terrible tragedy , 21 years 737 00:29:24,420 --> 00:29:28,040 ago , 9 11 , what do we learn ? And 738 00:29:28,040 --> 00:29:29,984 what's the message ? Because still 739 00:29:29,984 --> 00:29:32,096 terrorists are still moving around in 740 00:29:32,096 --> 00:29:34,151 the region . And what is the message 741 00:29:34,151 --> 00:29:36,262 that you have to give our secretary ? 742 00:29:37,840 --> 00:29:41,530 Well , I think , uh , you know , 9 11 743 00:29:41,540 --> 00:29:43,818 demonstrated , you know , first of all , 744 00:29:43,818 --> 00:29:46,740 it was a very uh terrible day . I mean , 745 00:29:46,740 --> 00:29:49,020 on a personal level I was I was not 746 00:29:49,020 --> 00:29:51,131 physically in the pentagon that day , 747 00:29:51,131 --> 00:29:53,353 but I was assigned to the pentagon . Um 748 00:29:53,353 --> 00:29:55,900 and you know , not to necessarily drag 749 00:29:55,910 --> 00:29:58,132 this out with personal stories , but it 750 00:29:58,132 --> 00:30:00,243 was a tough time for for many of us . 751 00:30:00,243 --> 00:30:02,466 So it's a very real thing . And I think 752 00:30:02,466 --> 00:30:04,688 the last 20 years demonstrated that the 753 00:30:04,688 --> 00:30:06,799 US military and the US government and 754 00:30:06,799 --> 00:30:08,577 in fact the world international 755 00:30:08,577 --> 00:30:10,950 coalition uh can address effectively 756 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:13,330 the issue of terrorism to your point . 757 00:30:13,340 --> 00:30:16,030 We still have a lot of work to do . Um 758 00:30:16,040 --> 00:30:19,360 you know , history tells you that that 759 00:30:19,370 --> 00:30:21,750 terrorism isn't gonna go away . But I 760 00:30:21,750 --> 00:30:25,050 do think that over that time as someone 761 00:30:25,050 --> 00:30:27,050 who grew up in the U . S . Military 762 00:30:27,050 --> 00:30:29,106 during that time , we've developed a 763 00:30:29,106 --> 00:30:31,050 counterterrorism capability that's 764 00:30:31,050 --> 00:30:33,106 second to none . Uh and if there's a 765 00:30:33,106 --> 00:30:35,161 threat against the U . S . People or 766 00:30:35,161 --> 00:30:37,217 partners or allies , um we will find 767 00:30:37,217 --> 00:30:40,710 you and we will eliminate you . So we 768 00:30:40,710 --> 00:30:42,932 will continue to take counter terrorism 769 00:30:42,932 --> 00:30:45,830 very seriously . Okay . Thank you very 770 00:30:45,830 --> 00:30:47,886 much everybody On that note , I hope 771 00:30:47,886 --> 00:30:49,470 you have a fantastic rest of your day .