1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:02,549 And the third secretary will deliver 2 00:00:02,559 --> 00:00:04,726 opening remarks and then have time for 3 00:00:04,726 --> 00:00:06,781 a few questions . Please note I will 4 00:00:06,781 --> 00:00:08,837 moderate and call on journalists . I 5 00:00:08,837 --> 00:00:10,892 would ask that you limit your follow 6 00:00:10,892 --> 00:00:12,837 ups due to our available time . Mr 7 00:00:12,837 --> 00:00:15,003 Secretary . You sir , thanks Patrick . 8 00:00:15,003 --> 00:00:17,226 All right , good afternoon , everyone . 9 00:00:17,226 --> 00:00:19,392 It's great to be back at . I'd like to 10 00:00:19,392 --> 00:00:21,170 thank the Secretary General for 11 00:00:21,170 --> 00:00:22,840 gathering us here today . His 12 00:00:22,850 --> 00:00:25,360 leadership has helped NATO navigate 13 00:00:25,370 --> 00:00:28,920 turbulent times with unity and resolve . 14 00:00:29,799 --> 00:00:32,139 So let me start with just a few words 15 00:00:32,150 --> 00:00:34,206 about recent developments in Ukraine 16 00:00:35,090 --> 00:00:37,689 for nearly 16 months . Russia has been 17 00:00:37,700 --> 00:00:40,709 waging a cruel in reckless war of 18 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:43,130 choice against its peaceful and 19 00:00:43,139 --> 00:00:45,869 democratic neighbor . Putin's invasion 20 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:48,169 has caused the worst crisis in European 21 00:00:48,180 --> 00:00:51,180 security since the end of World War II . 22 00:00:52,569 --> 00:00:54,680 But the people of Ukraine continue to 23 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:57,040 inspire the world with their resilience 24 00:00:57,049 --> 00:01:00,049 and their courage . Ukraine's brave 25 00:01:00,060 --> 00:01:02,060 defenders have now started the next 26 00:01:02,060 --> 00:01:04,227 phase in their fight to liberate their 27 00:01:04,227 --> 00:01:06,209 country's sovereign territory from 28 00:01:06,220 --> 00:01:09,510 Russian occupation . The United States 29 00:01:09,519 --> 00:01:11,900 is proud to join some 50 nations of 30 00:01:11,910 --> 00:01:15,860 goodwill around the world in providing 31 00:01:15,870 --> 00:01:18,300 Ukraine with vital training and 32 00:01:18,309 --> 00:01:21,250 security assistance and we must be 33 00:01:21,260 --> 00:01:23,339 patient as the Ukrainians wage this 34 00:01:23,349 --> 00:01:26,319 important campaign . President Biden 35 00:01:26,330 --> 00:01:29,110 has repeatedly said we will stand with 36 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:32,639 Ukraine for the long haul . Now 37 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:35,056 let me turn to some of our important 38 00:01:35,056 --> 00:01:38,559 business at this NATO ministerial . In 39 00:01:38,569 --> 00:01:41,000 just a few weeks , our leaders will 40 00:01:41,010 --> 00:01:44,580 gather for nato's Vilnius summit . As 41 00:01:44,589 --> 00:01:46,533 I've noted , they'll be meeting in 42 00:01:46,533 --> 00:01:49,120 challenging times and the summit will 43 00:01:49,129 --> 00:01:52,029 be an important opportunity to discuss 44 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:54,290 how NATO will continue to meet this 45 00:01:54,300 --> 00:01:57,879 moment . In Vilnius , NATO will have 46 00:01:57,889 --> 00:02:00,940 the opportunity to expand its practical 47 00:02:00,949 --> 00:02:03,510 non lethal support for Ukraine's 48 00:02:03,519 --> 00:02:06,500 current fight . And that will also be a 49 00:02:06,510 --> 00:02:09,110 chance to lay the foundations for 50 00:02:09,119 --> 00:02:11,490 modernizing and reforming Ukraine's 51 00:02:11,500 --> 00:02:14,320 defense institutions and making the 52 00:02:14,330 --> 00:02:16,580 transition to NATO standard equipment . 53 00:02:17,649 --> 00:02:19,770 Now , I'm proud that Finland will 54 00:02:19,779 --> 00:02:22,139 participate in this year's summit for 55 00:02:22,149 --> 00:02:25,470 the first time as a NATO ally . And let 56 00:02:25,479 --> 00:02:28,070 me urge all of our allies to support 57 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:30,860 the immediate accession of Sweden , 58 00:02:31,169 --> 00:02:34,250 another proud democracy and highly 59 00:02:34,259 --> 00:02:37,729 capable defense partner . Also in 60 00:02:37,740 --> 00:02:40,309 Vilnius , our leaders will agree on an 61 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:43,800 updated defense investment pledge . It 62 00:02:43,809 --> 00:02:45,865 will affirm our shared commitment to 63 00:02:45,865 --> 00:02:49,630 spend at least 2% of national GDP on 64 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,309 defense with the aim of spending more 65 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:55,369 than 2% more than 2% to meet the 66 00:02:55,380 --> 00:02:59,089 alliance's defense needs . As I've said 67 00:02:59,100 --> 00:03:01,809 before , 2% is a floor and not a 68 00:03:01,820 --> 00:03:04,330 ceiling and we need this increased 69 00:03:04,339 --> 00:03:06,850 investment to ensure our credible 70 00:03:06,860 --> 00:03:09,440 collective defense and to continue to 71 00:03:09,449 --> 00:03:11,960 modernize the alliance's capabilities . 72 00:03:13,210 --> 00:03:15,309 Our new pledge will also help us to 73 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:17,949 strengthen our defense industrial base 74 00:03:18,500 --> 00:03:21,500 and to standardize critical munitions 75 00:03:21,809 --> 00:03:24,339 and improve NATO interoperability . 76 00:03:25,690 --> 00:03:28,259 All of this work is part of the 77 00:03:28,270 --> 00:03:30,492 fundamental shift in collective defense 78 00:03:30,492 --> 00:03:32,720 and deterrence that nato's leaders 79 00:03:32,729 --> 00:03:34,951 agreed on . At the Madrid summit . Last 80 00:03:34,951 --> 00:03:37,699 year , our updated defense plans will 81 00:03:37,710 --> 00:03:40,380 place more forces at higher levels of 82 00:03:40,389 --> 00:03:43,179 readiness that will deter aggression 83 00:03:43,570 --> 00:03:45,792 and allow us to respond more quickly to 84 00:03:45,792 --> 00:03:47,880 any challenge to our collective 85 00:03:47,889 --> 00:03:51,100 security . And as we update our defense 86 00:03:51,110 --> 00:03:53,277 plans , we are also continuing to move 87 00:03:53,277 --> 00:03:56,949 forward to adapt NATO nuclear 88 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:00,419 deterrents to our shifting threat 89 00:04:00,429 --> 00:04:03,410 environment . NATO is also deepening 90 00:04:03,419 --> 00:04:05,475 its cooperation with partners in the 91 00:04:05,475 --> 00:04:08,070 Indo Pacific , especially on protecting 92 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:10,330 critical infrastructure and cyberspace 93 00:04:11,199 --> 00:04:13,255 in our work together with the , with 94 00:04:13,255 --> 00:04:15,421 Indo Pacific partners . It's vital for 95 00:04:15,421 --> 00:04:18,970 protecting the rules , rights and norms 96 00:04:18,980 --> 00:04:21,529 that make us all safer . So I'm 97 00:04:21,540 --> 00:04:23,596 enormously proud of all the progress 98 00:04:23,596 --> 00:04:25,707 that NATO has made since we last came 99 00:04:25,707 --> 00:04:28,679 together , the alliance faces faces 100 00:04:28,690 --> 00:04:31,309 historic challenges , but we're meeting 101 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:33,510 those challenges with confidence and 102 00:04:33,519 --> 00:04:37,170 above all with unity , make no mistake . 103 00:04:37,679 --> 00:04:40,119 We will not be drawn into Putin's war 104 00:04:40,130 --> 00:04:43,059 of choice , but we will strengthen 105 00:04:43,070 --> 00:04:45,929 nato's defense and deterrence and we 106 00:04:45,940 --> 00:04:47,850 will defend every inch of NATO 107 00:04:47,859 --> 00:04:50,779 territory and we will continue to 108 00:04:50,790 --> 00:04:53,540 defend the open world of rules and 109 00:04:53,549 --> 00:04:56,220 rights that NATO has so proudly 110 00:04:56,230 --> 00:04:59,619 supported for nearly 75 years . So 111 00:04:59,630 --> 00:05:01,852 thank you very much and I'll be glad to 112 00:05:01,852 --> 00:05:04,130 take a couple of questions . Thank you , 113 00:05:04,130 --> 00:05:06,241 Mr Secretary . First question will go 114 00:05:06,241 --> 00:05:08,241 to Christopher Gordon Air and Space 115 00:05:08,241 --> 00:05:11,160 Forces magazine . Thank you uh Mr 116 00:05:11,170 --> 00:05:14,079 Secretary . In what ways would nato's 117 00:05:14,089 --> 00:05:16,380 security be strengthened if Sweden uh 118 00:05:16,390 --> 00:05:18,929 were to become a member of the alliance 119 00:05:18,940 --> 00:05:20,551 in the upcoming months ? How 120 00:05:20,551 --> 00:05:22,662 specifically would such a development 121 00:05:22,662 --> 00:05:24,662 enhance the alliance's military and 122 00:05:24,662 --> 00:05:26,773 deterrence capabilities in the Nordic 123 00:05:26,773 --> 00:05:28,779 region ? And generally , why is it 124 00:05:28,790 --> 00:05:31,160 important ? And if Sweden is not 125 00:05:31,170 --> 00:05:33,339 admitted into the alliance soon , what 126 00:05:33,350 --> 00:05:36,299 specific steps will the US take to 127 00:05:36,309 --> 00:05:38,579 safeguard Sweden's security ? In the 128 00:05:38,589 --> 00:05:40,811 meantime , would there be more military 129 00:05:40,811 --> 00:05:42,867 deployments , exercises , training , 130 00:05:42,867 --> 00:05:45,619 planning ? What will the US do to 131 00:05:45,630 --> 00:05:48,350 prepare the way for Sweden's eventual 132 00:05:48,359 --> 00:05:50,660 integration into NATO and protect in 133 00:05:50,670 --> 00:05:52,559 the meantime ? And if I may ask a 134 00:05:52,559 --> 00:05:54,670 related question , sir , did you make 135 00:05:54,670 --> 00:05:56,892 any headway in your meeting with Turkey 136 00:05:56,892 --> 00:05:59,309 today ? Uh on winning support for 137 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,649 Sweden's uh accession to NATO ? And 138 00:06:03,049 --> 00:06:06,390 can the uh provision of F-16s to 139 00:06:06,399 --> 00:06:09,390 Turkey ? Go ahead if Turkey does not 140 00:06:09,399 --> 00:06:12,070 agree to Sweden's accession into NATO ? 141 00:06:15,679 --> 00:06:17,735 Hey , Chris , I , I uh I lost you on 142 00:06:17,735 --> 00:06:19,846 about the 10th question there . But , 143 00:06:20,209 --> 00:06:22,519 but uh we'll uh we'll try to catch up 144 00:06:22,529 --> 00:06:25,649 here . Uh First of all , um 145 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:29,380 in terms of the value that Sweden 146 00:06:29,390 --> 00:06:32,350 brings to uh to NATO as you know , 147 00:06:32,359 --> 00:06:35,480 Chris Sweden is a strong democracy and 148 00:06:35,489 --> 00:06:37,711 it , and it's , and it's a country with 149 00:06:37,711 --> 00:06:41,079 a substantial military capability . Uh 150 00:06:41,089 --> 00:06:43,033 They've invested over the years in 151 00:06:43,033 --> 00:06:45,540 modernization , we have trained with 152 00:06:45,549 --> 00:06:48,279 them uh in a number of cases . And , 153 00:06:48,679 --> 00:06:50,380 and so , uh 154 00:06:52,290 --> 00:06:54,809 being interoperable in a very short 155 00:06:54,820 --> 00:06:56,598 period of time . It would be no 156 00:06:56,598 --> 00:06:59,100 challenge with , with Sweden and I was 157 00:06:59,109 --> 00:07:01,165 just in Sweden a couple of couple of 158 00:07:01,165 --> 00:07:03,820 weeks ago , as you may know , and I had 159 00:07:03,829 --> 00:07:06,051 the opportunity to spend some time with 160 00:07:06,051 --> 00:07:08,162 the uh with the Minister of Defense . 161 00:07:08,162 --> 00:07:10,589 And I also got a chance to look at some 162 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:12,899 of their capabilities , very impressed 163 00:07:12,910 --> 00:07:14,910 with the leadership in the , in our 164 00:07:14,910 --> 00:07:18,170 military and , and , and the enthusiasm 165 00:07:18,179 --> 00:07:21,730 and commitment of their troops . So 166 00:07:21,980 --> 00:07:24,720 what they bring is again , 167 00:07:24,730 --> 00:07:28,549 substantial military capability , a 168 00:07:28,559 --> 00:07:31,339 modern force and they've invested a lot 169 00:07:31,350 --> 00:07:34,839 in their force . I was also 170 00:07:34,850 --> 00:07:37,140 impressed by their Domain awareness , 171 00:07:37,149 --> 00:07:40,980 maritime Domain awareness and uh in the 172 00:07:41,369 --> 00:07:44,209 uh uh awareness of what's going on in 173 00:07:44,220 --> 00:07:46,387 the , in the skies around them as well 174 00:07:46,387 --> 00:07:48,989 and in the region . Uh So they bring uh 175 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:51,640 that with the uh to the , to NATO as 176 00:07:51,649 --> 00:07:54,519 well . It will enhance our ability uh 177 00:07:54,529 --> 00:07:56,940 to uh to be aware of what's going on in 178 00:07:56,950 --> 00:07:58,839 the maritime and , and the aerial 179 00:07:58,839 --> 00:08:02,450 domains . Um You ask 180 00:08:02,459 --> 00:08:05,859 about uh increasing activity with uh 181 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:08,380 with Sweden . We've done that already . 182 00:08:08,390 --> 00:08:10,223 We've increased the number of uh 183 00:08:10,223 --> 00:08:13,950 exercises and , and uh ship visits and 184 00:08:13,959 --> 00:08:16,126 a number of other things with Sweden . 185 00:08:16,126 --> 00:08:19,269 And so , uh you know , I , I think uh I 186 00:08:19,279 --> 00:08:21,390 think we've made , we've continued to 187 00:08:21,390 --> 00:08:23,809 make progress uh and , and increased 188 00:08:23,820 --> 00:08:26,859 our opportunities to uh to work towards 189 00:08:26,869 --> 00:08:30,000 greater interoperability . So very uh I 190 00:08:30,010 --> 00:08:31,880 think very encouraging now you 191 00:08:31,890 --> 00:08:34,729 mentioned my interaction with uh my 192 00:08:34,739 --> 00:08:38,539 Turkish uh colleague . Uh 193 00:08:38,549 --> 00:08:40,605 you know , he's a , he's a brand new 194 00:08:40,605 --> 00:08:42,859 minister recently installed . So my 195 00:08:42,869 --> 00:08:45,190 purpose in meeting him today was to uh 196 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:48,549 just in a an introductory meeting just 197 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:50,726 to congratulate him on being installed 198 00:08:50,726 --> 00:08:53,003 as Minister of Defense . And of course , 199 00:08:53,890 --> 00:08:57,200 seize every opportunity to encourage 200 00:08:57,210 --> 00:09:00,719 him to , to move forward and approve 201 00:09:00,729 --> 00:09:04,250 the the accession of uh of Sweden . So , 202 00:09:04,260 --> 00:09:06,427 but it's a very short meeting and uh I 203 00:09:06,427 --> 00:09:08,593 don't have anything to report out from 204 00:09:08,593 --> 00:09:10,760 that from that encounter . Thank you , 205 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:12,982 sir . Next question . Go to Politico Eu 206 00:09:16,489 --> 00:09:18,656 Thank you very much . I have two brief 207 00:09:18,656 --> 00:09:20,878 questions . The first is , what is your 208 00:09:20,878 --> 00:09:22,878 message to allies who still haven't 209 00:09:22,878 --> 00:09:25,100 made concrete plans on how to reach the 210 00:09:25,100 --> 00:09:27,580 2% defense investment target in 211 00:09:27,590 --> 00:09:30,330 particular Canada and Luxembourg . And 212 00:09:30,340 --> 00:09:32,562 my second question would be , there are 213 00:09:32,562 --> 00:09:34,729 reports that the US is now in favor of 214 00:09:34,729 --> 00:09:36,905 waiving the membership action plan for 215 00:09:36,914 --> 00:09:39,136 Ukraine . Do you think that such a move 216 00:09:39,136 --> 00:09:40,914 would be sufficient to meet the 217 00:09:40,914 --> 00:09:43,081 expectations of all allies , including 218 00:09:43,081 --> 00:09:45,224 those allies who want a clearer path 219 00:09:45,234 --> 00:09:47,401 toward membership for Ukraine at the V 220 00:09:47,554 --> 00:09:50,590 summit ? Thank you . Yeah , in terms of 221 00:09:50,599 --> 00:09:53,590 the action plan , I'll let uh uh 222 00:09:55,599 --> 00:09:57,570 the Secretary General speak 223 00:09:57,580 --> 00:10:00,770 specifically about that , but 224 00:10:05,070 --> 00:10:08,440 I think we're at a point in time 225 00:10:08,450 --> 00:10:10,617 where , you know , you've heard me say 226 00:10:10,617 --> 00:10:12,510 that we're confronting historic 227 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,599 challenges and so what we've learned 228 00:10:15,609 --> 00:10:18,780 over the last many months as we've 229 00:10:18,789 --> 00:10:22,479 watched this unprovoked and 230 00:10:22,489 --> 00:10:26,059 illegal invasion of Russia into 231 00:10:26,070 --> 00:10:28,929 Ukraine . What we've learned is that , 232 00:10:29,179 --> 00:10:32,030 you know , countries have to invest in 233 00:10:32,039 --> 00:10:34,206 their , in their defense . And I think 234 00:10:34,206 --> 00:10:36,510 I say we , I think we know that already 235 00:10:36,789 --> 00:10:39,011 and most everybody knows that already , 236 00:10:39,011 --> 00:10:40,900 but it became real as we saw this 237 00:10:40,900 --> 00:10:42,940 unfold and so countries are leaning 238 00:10:42,950 --> 00:10:45,820 forward and , and more than willing to 239 00:10:45,830 --> 00:10:49,219 invest in their defense . And as 240 00:10:49,229 --> 00:10:52,369 we continue to discuss this , I think 241 00:10:52,380 --> 00:10:55,340 there is broad agreement that the 2% 242 00:10:55,349 --> 00:10:57,609 investment , 2% of GDP investment 243 00:10:57,619 --> 00:11:00,380 should be a floor and not a ceiling . 244 00:11:00,549 --> 00:11:03,869 And there are many countries that are 245 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,780 anxious to exceed the 2% . And there 246 00:11:06,789 --> 00:11:08,840 are many countries that are on the 247 00:11:08,849 --> 00:11:11,460 glide path to get there in a reasonable 248 00:11:11,469 --> 00:11:14,530 amount of time in terms of the specific 249 00:11:14,539 --> 00:11:17,159 countries that have not yet made it 250 00:11:17,169 --> 00:11:21,080 there . I would defer to them to 251 00:11:21,090 --> 00:11:24,010 talk about their plan to get there . 252 00:11:24,020 --> 00:11:26,280 But you know , I see broad broad 253 00:11:26,289 --> 00:11:30,010 agreement that this is a goal highly 254 00:11:30,020 --> 00:11:32,479 worth pursuing . So we will continue to 255 00:11:32,489 --> 00:11:35,559 encourage our allies to meet that goal 256 00:11:35,570 --> 00:11:37,848 because it's really , really important . 257 00:11:37,848 --> 00:11:39,681 We have to continue to invest in 258 00:11:39,681 --> 00:11:43,659 weapons and munitions and replace the 259 00:11:43,669 --> 00:11:45,836 weapons and munitions that we provided 260 00:11:45,836 --> 00:11:49,590 to Ukraine in many cases . And it's 261 00:11:49,599 --> 00:11:52,020 going to take increased investment to 262 00:11:52,030 --> 00:11:54,330 make sure that we are where we need to 263 00:11:54,340 --> 00:11:56,929 be across the board . With NATO . We 264 00:11:56,940 --> 00:11:59,820 also have to standardize munitions . 265 00:12:00,010 --> 00:12:03,500 We've learned a lot there as well and , 266 00:12:03,830 --> 00:12:06,330 and so our armaments directors are 267 00:12:06,340 --> 00:12:08,640 working together to make sure that you 268 00:12:08,679 --> 00:12:12,059 know , where possible we're engaging in 269 00:12:12,570 --> 00:12:16,349 and um joint procurement 270 00:12:16,359 --> 00:12:19,530 activities . And uh and , and so a 271 00:12:19,539 --> 00:12:21,761 number of things that are really good , 272 00:12:21,761 --> 00:12:23,872 things have transpired as a result of 273 00:12:23,872 --> 00:12:26,039 our efforts here . But a lot of that's 274 00:12:26,039 --> 00:12:28,261 taken place in the under the auspice of 275 00:12:28,261 --> 00:12:31,549 the auspices of the U DC G . Let's go 276 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:34,929 to L A CBS News . Thank you for doing 277 00:12:34,940 --> 00:12:36,940 this . Um As you know , Secretary 278 00:12:36,950 --> 00:12:39,006 Blinken is traveling to Beijing this 279 00:12:39,006 --> 00:12:41,172 weekend and one of his stated goals is 280 00:12:41,172 --> 00:12:43,228 to improve military communications . 281 00:12:43,228 --> 00:12:45,450 How would you describe the current Mill 282 00:12:45,450 --> 00:12:47,672 to Mill communications with China ? And 283 00:12:47,672 --> 00:12:47,280 have you reached out for a meeting with 284 00:12:47,289 --> 00:12:49,650 your counterpart since Singapore ? 285 00:12:51,780 --> 00:12:54,340 Well , well , thanks Ellie . Um as you 286 00:12:54,349 --> 00:12:58,289 know , um I have uh uh made an effort 287 00:12:58,299 --> 00:13:00,410 prior to going to Singapore and while 288 00:13:00,410 --> 00:13:03,229 at Singapore to uh uh to engage my 289 00:13:03,239 --> 00:13:05,461 counterpart and I'm confident that over 290 00:13:05,461 --> 00:13:07,729 time , uh that's gonna happen . We're 291 00:13:07,739 --> 00:13:09,906 gonna , we're gonna meet at some point 292 00:13:09,906 --> 00:13:12,128 in time , but we're not there yet . Not 293 00:13:12,128 --> 00:13:14,183 because we're not , we didn't try to 294 00:13:14,183 --> 00:13:16,517 and we uh that we won't continue to try . 295 00:13:16,517 --> 00:13:18,919 Um As you know , I was in Singapore a 296 00:13:18,929 --> 00:13:21,096 week and a half ago , I've been on the 297 00:13:21,096 --> 00:13:23,669 road quite a bit . And uh and so I've 298 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:26,130 not , I've not reached out since , but 299 00:13:26,140 --> 00:13:28,619 again , the door is open and uh my 300 00:13:28,630 --> 00:13:31,309 phone is uh my phone line is open and 301 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:34,020 so uh they can pick up the phone and 302 00:13:34,030 --> 00:13:35,969 call at any time and uh we will 303 00:13:35,979 --> 00:13:38,900 continue to work to make sure that we 304 00:13:38,909 --> 00:13:41,187 uh we have open lines of communication . 305 00:13:41,187 --> 00:13:43,242 L eu you've heard me say a number of 306 00:13:43,242 --> 00:13:45,242 times , I think it's important that 307 00:13:45,242 --> 00:13:48,960 countries with significant military 308 00:13:48,969 --> 00:13:51,890 capacity and capabilities have the 309 00:13:51,900 --> 00:13:54,900 means to talk to each other so that we 310 00:13:54,909 --> 00:13:58,330 can , we can manage potential 311 00:13:58,340 --> 00:14:02,049 crises and you know , make sure that , 312 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:06,299 you know , things aren't allowed to 313 00:14:06,309 --> 00:14:08,559 unnecessarily spiral out of control . 314 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:10,571 Um You know , we the kind of 315 00:14:10,571 --> 00:14:12,738 relationship that we want to have with 316 00:14:12,738 --> 00:14:15,140 China is , is a , is one of competition 317 00:14:15,150 --> 00:14:17,372 and not , we're not one of contention . 318 00:14:17,372 --> 00:14:19,539 So we'll continue to work to make sure 319 00:14:19,539 --> 00:14:21,929 that uh where , where and when possible , 320 00:14:21,940 --> 00:14:24,820 you know , we uh we uh open those lines 321 00:14:24,830 --> 00:14:27,140 of communication . We have time for one 322 00:14:27,150 --> 00:14:29,317 more question . Let's go to Elena from 323 00:14:29,317 --> 00:14:33,210 Ukraine , Secretary Austin . 324 00:14:33,219 --> 00:14:35,309 Thank you very much . First of all , 325 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:37,487 recently , it was the information that 326 00:14:37,487 --> 00:14:39,431 appeared in the New York Times and 327 00:14:39,431 --> 00:14:41,487 several in other American media that 328 00:14:41,487 --> 00:14:43,709 the US may offer Ukraine some so called 329 00:14:43,709 --> 00:14:45,542 Israeli security model . Can you 330 00:14:45,542 --> 00:14:47,653 explain in more detail ? What exactly 331 00:14:47,653 --> 00:14:49,876 does it mean ? And do you think it is a 332 00:14:49,876 --> 00:14:51,931 viable idea and it will be available 333 00:14:51,931 --> 00:14:53,987 for Ukraine as some kind of security 334 00:14:53,987 --> 00:14:55,987 guarantees ? Although I guess , you 335 00:14:55,987 --> 00:14:58,042 know that it's not the same security 336 00:14:58,042 --> 00:15:00,209 guarantees as the Ukrainian side would 337 00:15:00,209 --> 00:15:03,440 like to receive Elena . I won't speak 338 00:15:03,450 --> 00:15:06,260 to any type of security 339 00:15:07,020 --> 00:15:09,989 arrangement at this point in time . 340 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:12,222 What I've been focused on what I remain 341 00:15:12,222 --> 00:15:14,280 focused on is making sure that we're 342 00:15:14,289 --> 00:15:16,440 providing Ukraine the security 343 00:15:16,450 --> 00:15:18,172 assistance that it needs to be 344 00:15:18,172 --> 00:15:20,609 successful in this fight , Elena . And 345 00:15:21,380 --> 00:15:24,809 it's really important that we and our 346 00:15:24,820 --> 00:15:26,876 partners that are fighting the fight 347 00:15:26,876 --> 00:15:30,000 remain focused on this . And , you know , 348 00:15:30,010 --> 00:15:33,520 we'll have a bilateral relationship 349 00:15:33,530 --> 00:15:35,989 with , with Ukraine going forward . As 350 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:39,030 you would imagine , that's , you know , 351 00:15:40,549 --> 00:15:42,650 the people who will hammer out those 352 00:15:42,659 --> 00:15:45,039 kinds of arrangements are talking to 353 00:15:45,049 --> 00:15:47,280 each other . But again , my focus 354 00:15:47,289 --> 00:15:49,859 remains on making sure we get the right 355 00:15:49,869 --> 00:15:52,539 kinds of security assistance to Ukraine 356 00:15:52,700 --> 00:15:55,030 so they can be successful . And I think 357 00:15:55,039 --> 00:15:58,260 this is a really critical time in point 358 00:15:58,270 --> 00:16:00,789 in time on the battlefield . But , but 359 00:16:00,799 --> 00:16:02,910 thanks for the question . Thank you , 360 00:16:02,910 --> 00:16:05,021 Mr Secretary , ladies and gentlemen , 361 00:16:05,021 --> 00:16:04,960 that's all the time we have for today . 362 00:16:04,969 --> 00:16:05,719 Thank you for coming .