1 00:00:00,610 --> 00:00:01,610 You . 2 00:00:05,860 --> 00:00:08,082 All right , good afternoon , everyone . 3 00:00:08,082 --> 00:00:10,193 A few things at the top and then I'll 4 00:00:10,193 --> 00:00:13,000 get right to your questions . All right . 5 00:00:13,010 --> 00:00:15,350 First up front , I know many of you 6 00:00:15,359 --> 00:00:17,489 continue to have questions about what 7 00:00:17,500 --> 00:00:19,840 happened in Russia over the weekend . 8 00:00:19,899 --> 00:00:21,955 And I know that you're aware of what 9 00:00:21,955 --> 00:00:23,955 the White House has already said on 10 00:00:23,955 --> 00:00:26,177 this matter . So I I won't retread that 11 00:00:26,177 --> 00:00:28,232 ground other than to provide a brief 12 00:00:28,232 --> 00:00:30,270 overview of Secretary Austin's 13 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:33,000 engagement during the weekend . On 14 00:00:33,009 --> 00:00:35,409 Saturday morning , Secretary Austin and 15 00:00:35,419 --> 00:00:37,252 General Milley participated in a 16 00:00:37,252 --> 00:00:39,369 briefing with President Biden , the 17 00:00:39,380 --> 00:00:41,720 vice president and other principals to 18 00:00:41,729 --> 00:00:43,560 discuss the situation in Russia 19 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:46,144 throughout the day . On Saturday , 20 00:00:46,144 --> 00:00:48,033 Secretary Austin received regular 21 00:00:48,033 --> 00:00:49,867 updates from senior civilian and 22 00:00:49,867 --> 00:00:52,089 military officials at the Pentagon . He 23 00:00:52,089 --> 00:00:54,144 also actively engaged key allies and 24 00:00:54,144 --> 00:00:56,200 partners to share information on the 25 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:58,479 developments taking place in Russia and 26 00:00:58,490 --> 00:01:00,712 made clear that the US was not involved 27 00:01:00,712 --> 00:01:02,823 and that we would not get involved in 28 00:01:02,823 --> 00:01:04,990 these events . And as you've heard the 29 00:01:04,990 --> 00:01:07,212 White House and State Department say we 30 00:01:07,212 --> 00:01:09,323 view the security situation in Russia 31 00:01:09,323 --> 00:01:11,580 as an internal Russian matter . During 32 00:01:11,589 --> 00:01:13,879 his calls , Secretary Austin also 33 00:01:13,889 --> 00:01:16,279 reiterated that support by the United 34 00:01:16,290 --> 00:01:18,839 States for Ukraine will not change and 35 00:01:18,849 --> 00:01:21,410 that remains our focus . And to that 36 00:01:21,419 --> 00:01:23,197 end , the Department of Defense 37 00:01:23,197 --> 00:01:25,252 announced earlier today , additional 38 00:01:25,252 --> 00:01:27,363 security assistance to meet Ukraine's 39 00:01:27,363 --> 00:01:29,475 critical security and defense needs . 40 00:01:29,529 --> 00:01:32,260 This is the 41st drawdown of equipment 41 00:01:32,269 --> 00:01:35,319 from DD inventories for Ukraine since 42 00:01:35,330 --> 00:01:37,959 August 2021 and includes key 43 00:01:37,970 --> 00:01:40,190 capabilities to support Ukraine's air 44 00:01:40,199 --> 00:01:42,250 defense requirements , as well as 45 00:01:42,260 --> 00:01:44,204 additional armored vehicles , anti 46 00:01:44,204 --> 00:01:46,419 armor systems , munitions and other 47 00:01:46,430 --> 00:01:49,529 equipment valued up to $500 million to 48 00:01:49,540 --> 00:01:51,596 help Ukraine defend their nation and 49 00:01:51,596 --> 00:01:54,010 take back sovereign territory . And as 50 00:01:54,019 --> 00:01:56,241 we have since the beginning of Russia's 51 00:01:56,241 --> 00:01:58,352 illegal and unprovoked invasion , the 52 00:01:58,352 --> 00:02:00,241 US will continue to work with our 53 00:02:00,241 --> 00:02:02,408 allies and partners to provide Ukraine 54 00:02:02,408 --> 00:02:04,630 with capabilities to meet its immediate 55 00:02:04,630 --> 00:02:06,519 battlefield needs and longer term 56 00:02:06,519 --> 00:02:08,463 security assistance requirements . 57 00:02:08,463 --> 00:02:10,759 Additional details regarding the PD are 58 00:02:10,770 --> 00:02:12,826 currently available on the website . 59 00:02:13,630 --> 00:02:15,759 Separately , Secretary Austin also 60 00:02:15,770 --> 00:02:17,929 spoke on the phone today with Qatar 61 00:02:17,940 --> 00:02:20,107 Minister of State of State for Defense 62 00:02:20,107 --> 00:02:22,139 Affairs . His excellency , Doctor 63 00:02:22,149 --> 00:02:24,619 Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Attiyah to 64 00:02:24,630 --> 00:02:26,779 reaffirm the strength of the US Qatar 65 00:02:26,789 --> 00:02:28,900 Defense Partnership and us commitment 66 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:31,029 to continued security cooperation in 67 00:02:31,039 --> 00:02:33,095 the interests of peace and stability 68 00:02:33,570 --> 00:02:35,681 Secretary Austin , thank the Minister 69 00:02:35,681 --> 00:02:37,800 for Qatar's continued support for 70 00:02:37,809 --> 00:02:40,031 regional stability and security and for 71 00:02:40,031 --> 00:02:42,539 Qatar's continued hosting of US forces 72 00:02:42,550 --> 00:02:45,270 at UD air base readout of the call will 73 00:02:45,279 --> 00:02:47,339 be posted on the DOD website this 74 00:02:47,350 --> 00:02:50,130 afternoon tomorrow , Secretary Austin 75 00:02:50,139 --> 00:02:52,361 will welcome Germany's Federal Minister 76 00:02:52,361 --> 00:02:54,195 of Defense Boris Pistorius for a 77 00:02:54,195 --> 00:02:56,472 bilateral meeting here at the Pentagon . 78 00:02:56,472 --> 00:02:58,583 The leaders are expected to discuss a 79 00:02:58,583 --> 00:03:00,750 variety of topics to include Germany's 80 00:03:00,750 --> 00:03:02,806 support to bolstering nato's Eastern 81 00:03:02,806 --> 00:03:04,861 Flank and their significant security 82 00:03:04,861 --> 00:03:07,083 assistance . Contributions to Ukraine . 83 00:03:07,083 --> 00:03:09,100 A full readout will be posted on 84 00:03:09,110 --> 00:03:11,443 defense dot gov . Following the meeting . 85 00:03:11,570 --> 00:03:13,830 Finally , us Naval Forces , Central 86 00:03:13,839 --> 00:03:16,006 Command and the Department of State co 87 00:03:16,006 --> 00:03:18,172 hosted a two day multilateral maritime 88 00:03:18,172 --> 00:03:21,149 security meeting in Bahrain , June 25 89 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:24,070 through 26 for 90 senior military 90 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:26,869 officers and diplomats from 22 nations . 91 00:03:27,169 --> 00:03:29,336 As well as senior representatives from 92 00:03:29,336 --> 00:03:31,470 the Gulf Cooperation Council , senior 93 00:03:31,479 --> 00:03:33,368 government officials representing 94 00:03:33,368 --> 00:03:35,423 Europe , the Indo Pacific and Middle 95 00:03:35,423 --> 00:03:37,646 East came together at the invitation of 96 00:03:37,646 --> 00:03:39,830 the United States to address a recent 97 00:03:39,839 --> 00:03:41,950 uptick of threats within the maritime 98 00:03:41,950 --> 00:03:44,006 domain in the Persian Gulf Strait of 99 00:03:44,006 --> 00:03:46,669 Hormuz and Gulf of Oman . Participants 100 00:03:46,679 --> 00:03:48,401 reiterated their commitment to 101 00:03:48,401 --> 00:03:50,179 upholding international law and 102 00:03:50,179 --> 00:03:52,346 pursuing collective efforts to prevent 103 00:03:52,346 --> 00:03:54,346 threats to vessels traveling across 104 00:03:54,346 --> 00:03:56,580 these critical regional waterways . A 105 00:03:56,589 --> 00:03:58,229 joint statement from the 22 106 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:00,184 participating nations and the Gulf 107 00:04:00,184 --> 00:04:02,619 Cooperation Council is available on the 108 00:04:02,630 --> 00:04:04,519 US Naval Forces Central Command's 109 00:04:04,519 --> 00:04:06,297 website . And on that note , in 110 00:04:06,297 --> 00:04:08,408 addition to the joint statement , I'd 111 00:04:08,408 --> 00:04:11,130 also refer you back to the July 2022 112 00:04:11,139 --> 00:04:13,195 Jeddah communique between the US and 113 00:04:13,195 --> 00:04:15,330 Saudi Arabia , which emphasized the 114 00:04:15,339 --> 00:04:17,506 importance of preserving the free flow 115 00:04:17,506 --> 00:04:19,839 of commerce through strategic waterways . 116 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:22,006 This most recent engagement in Bahrain 117 00:04:22,006 --> 00:04:24,117 reaffirms the sustained commitment of 118 00:04:24,117 --> 00:04:26,117 the United States to achieving that 119 00:04:26,117 --> 00:04:28,283 goal and serves as an example of Dod S 120 00:04:28,283 --> 00:04:30,589 National defense strategy driven 121 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:32,559 partnered approach in action . And 122 00:04:32,570 --> 00:04:34,792 before I conclude , I'd also like to do 123 00:04:34,792 --> 00:04:36,459 a quick shout out and show of 124 00:04:36,459 --> 00:04:38,459 appreciation for Secretary Austin's 125 00:04:38,459 --> 00:04:40,459 Deputy Chief of staff , Mela Louise 126 00:04:40,459 --> 00:04:42,292 Norman , whose last day with the 127 00:04:42,292 --> 00:04:44,181 department is tomorrow during her 128 00:04:44,181 --> 00:04:46,600 tenure , Mela has had an incredible 129 00:04:46,609 --> 00:04:48,920 impact across dod from our new office 130 00:04:48,929 --> 00:04:51,200 of Strategic Capital to the secret 131 00:04:51,209 --> 00:04:53,320 taking care of people initiative . Uh 132 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,630 She's made a tremendous difference uh 133 00:04:55,640 --> 00:04:58,489 across the dod addressing some of our 134 00:04:58,500 --> 00:05:00,722 most complex issues . So , on behalf of 135 00:05:00,722 --> 00:05:02,980 Secretary Austin and the entire office 136 00:05:02,989 --> 00:05:05,100 of the Secretary of Defense team , we 137 00:05:05,100 --> 00:05:07,045 extend our sincere thanks and best 138 00:05:07,045 --> 00:05:09,600 wishes uh in her next chapter . And 139 00:05:09,609 --> 00:05:11,498 with that , be happy to take your 140 00:05:11,498 --> 00:05:13,450 questions . We'll start with a PC 141 00:05:14,489 --> 00:05:17,920 general in the aftermath of this 142 00:05:17,929 --> 00:05:19,651 weekend's revolt . What is the 143 00:05:19,651 --> 00:05:22,130 building's assessment on Putin's hold 144 00:05:22,140 --> 00:05:24,869 to power ? Has he been destabilized ? 145 00:05:25,260 --> 00:05:27,149 And regarding the aid packages to 146 00:05:27,149 --> 00:05:29,260 Ukraine where he said there's been no 147 00:05:29,260 --> 00:05:31,371 change in us support ? Were there any 148 00:05:31,371 --> 00:05:33,316 considerations under way that this 149 00:05:33,316 --> 00:05:35,260 might have been an optimal time to 150 00:05:35,260 --> 00:05:37,482 increase military support to Ukraine so 151 00:05:37,482 --> 00:05:39,790 they could capitalize on this event ? 152 00:05:40,369 --> 00:05:42,702 Yeah , sure . Uh On your first question , 153 00:05:42,702 --> 00:05:44,758 as I highlighted at the top , uh the 154 00:05:44,758 --> 00:05:46,980 the security situation inside Russia is 155 00:05:46,980 --> 00:05:49,147 really an internal uh Russian matter . 156 00:05:49,147 --> 00:05:51,540 So I , I'm not gonna have any comments 157 00:05:51,549 --> 00:05:54,079 uh nor am I going to speculate on that 158 00:05:54,299 --> 00:05:57,799 as it relates to Ukraine ? The war 159 00:05:57,809 --> 00:06:00,200 there continues Russia's illegal 160 00:06:00,209 --> 00:06:02,920 occupation continues . And so we are 161 00:06:02,929 --> 00:06:04,985 not going to lose sight of that fact 162 00:06:04,985 --> 00:06:06,985 and we're going to continue to work 163 00:06:06,985 --> 00:06:09,151 closely with them to provide them with 164 00:06:09,151 --> 00:06:08,839 the kinds of capabilities that they 165 00:06:08,850 --> 00:06:11,549 need to execute the operation that they 166 00:06:11,559 --> 00:06:14,079 planned and that they're conducting in 167 00:06:14,089 --> 00:06:16,170 today's PD A . You see important 168 00:06:16,179 --> 00:06:18,799 capabilities that contribute to that 169 00:06:18,809 --> 00:06:21,570 effort . As , as their troops make 170 00:06:21,579 --> 00:06:23,450 contact with Russian forces and 171 00:06:23,459 --> 00:06:26,040 encounter Russian defenses . Clearly , 172 00:06:26,049 --> 00:06:28,382 there will be equipment that is damaged , 173 00:06:28,382 --> 00:06:30,605 there will be requirements to help them 174 00:06:30,605 --> 00:06:32,549 sustain the fight . And so you see 175 00:06:32,549 --> 00:06:34,549 things like ammunition , additional 176 00:06:34,549 --> 00:06:36,605 armored capabilities , uh capability 177 00:06:36,605 --> 00:06:38,493 that can be employed in breaching 178 00:06:38,493 --> 00:06:40,660 operations . But the bigger point here 179 00:06:40,660 --> 00:06:43,510 being is that regardless of the 180 00:06:43,519 --> 00:06:46,250 situation , the security situation 181 00:06:46,260 --> 00:06:48,427 inside of Russia , again , which is an 182 00:06:48,427 --> 00:06:50,538 internal matter for them to address , 183 00:06:50,538 --> 00:06:52,920 we're going to stay focused on giving 184 00:06:52,929 --> 00:06:55,151 Ukraine what they need to be successful 185 00:06:55,151 --> 00:06:57,262 in defending their country and taking 186 00:06:57,262 --> 00:06:59,262 back sovereign territory . But were 187 00:06:59,262 --> 00:07:01,262 there any considerations inside the 188 00:07:01,262 --> 00:07:03,373 building to perhaps give Ukraine more 189 00:07:03,373 --> 00:07:05,429 so that they could take advantage of 190 00:07:05,429 --> 00:07:08,600 this particular unstable moment ? Uh 191 00:07:08,609 --> 00:07:11,410 Again , when , when you look at the 192 00:07:11,420 --> 00:07:13,309 situation over the weekend , as I 193 00:07:13,309 --> 00:07:15,031 highlighted , our focus was on 194 00:07:15,031 --> 00:07:17,142 communicating with our allies and our 195 00:07:17,142 --> 00:07:19,500 partners uh to make sure that we uh had 196 00:07:19,510 --> 00:07:22,609 a , a uh thorough understanding of what 197 00:07:22,619 --> 00:07:24,820 was happening . But when it comes to 198 00:07:24,829 --> 00:07:26,885 Ukraine , we're going to continue to 199 00:07:26,885 --> 00:07:29,051 take the same approach that we've been 200 00:07:29,051 --> 00:07:31,218 taking . Let me go to Jennifer General 201 00:07:31,218 --> 00:07:33,218 Rider . Just to follow up on Tara's 202 00:07:33,218 --> 00:07:35,670 question was there was this pre planned 203 00:07:35,679 --> 00:07:37,859 that you would announce this $500 204 00:07:37,869 --> 00:07:40,440 million weapons package this week , 205 00:07:40,450 --> 00:07:43,989 this amount or was it expedited to be 206 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,739 announced in the wake of the Russian 207 00:07:48,190 --> 00:07:51,660 failed ? There was no linkage to any 208 00:07:51,670 --> 00:07:53,726 connection . Was there any change to 209 00:07:53,726 --> 00:07:56,250 the amount based on what had happened 210 00:07:56,260 --> 00:08:00,100 in Russia ? This bottom line is no , 211 00:08:00,109 --> 00:08:02,290 we have a process that we've been 212 00:08:02,299 --> 00:08:04,521 employing for a while now . And so this 213 00:08:04,521 --> 00:08:07,250 is part of that process , if any Wagner 214 00:08:07,260 --> 00:08:09,899 troops remain in Ukraine or have they 215 00:08:09,910 --> 00:08:12,260 all pulled out ? So I'm not going to 216 00:08:12,269 --> 00:08:15,440 get into specific intelligence other 217 00:08:15,450 --> 00:08:17,506 than to say that , you know , we are 218 00:08:17,506 --> 00:08:19,506 aware of Wagner troops being inside 219 00:08:19,506 --> 00:08:21,283 Ukraine , but in terms of their 220 00:08:21,283 --> 00:08:23,394 specific disposition and whether they 221 00:08:23,394 --> 00:08:25,339 may or may not be moving , I'm not 222 00:08:25,339 --> 00:08:27,672 going to speculate on that , Jamie here . 223 00:08:27,672 --> 00:08:29,617 Thank you . I have two occasions . 224 00:08:30,130 --> 00:08:32,549 Korean leader Kim jong-un recently said 225 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:35,340 that the nuclear war has reached the 226 00:08:35,349 --> 00:08:38,979 handover point . How do you view the 227 00:08:38,989 --> 00:08:41,929 possibility of North Korea using 228 00:08:42,049 --> 00:08:45,219 nuclear weapons in the Korean Peninsula ? 229 00:08:45,869 --> 00:08:48,969 Yeah , thanks Jenny . Um So , 230 00:08:50,210 --> 00:08:52,799 rhetoric aside , again , our focus is 231 00:08:52,809 --> 00:08:55,059 on working with our allies and our 232 00:08:55,070 --> 00:08:57,409 partners in the region to ensure 233 00:08:57,419 --> 00:09:00,989 strategic stability , peace that 234 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,950 includes extended deterrence . And so 235 00:09:03,979 --> 00:09:06,035 when it comes to things like nuclear 236 00:09:06,035 --> 00:09:08,201 testing , we've known for a while , as 237 00:09:08,201 --> 00:09:10,423 you've heard us say that North Korea at 238 00:09:10,423 --> 00:09:13,099 some point will conduct a nuclear test . 239 00:09:13,380 --> 00:09:15,491 I don't have anything to announce nor 240 00:09:15,491 --> 00:09:17,969 would I in terms of when that might be . 241 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:20,511 So , again , our focus is going to be 242 00:09:20,511 --> 00:09:22,622 on continuing to work with our allies 243 00:09:22,622 --> 00:09:25,099 to include the Republic of Korea and 244 00:09:25,109 --> 00:09:28,880 Japan to deter potential aggression and 245 00:09:28,890 --> 00:09:32,710 destabilizing acts . The 246 00:09:32,719 --> 00:09:35,840 United States allocated pen air force 247 00:09:35,849 --> 00:09:39,090 joint exercise is currently under 248 00:09:39,099 --> 00:09:42,960 way in the US . The training name is 249 00:09:42,969 --> 00:09:46,130 called the flag . Do you have any more 250 00:09:46,140 --> 00:09:48,549 detail about this training ? I , I 251 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:51,080 don't , I refer you to us FK they can 252 00:09:51,090 --> 00:09:53,201 get you some additional information . 253 00:09:53,770 --> 00:09:55,881 Let me ask you something more because 254 00:09:55,881 --> 00:09:59,140 there are so many uh exercises on going 255 00:09:59,150 --> 00:10:02,239 on between you and so I just don't have 256 00:10:02,250 --> 00:10:04,306 the details of that particular one , 257 00:10:04,306 --> 00:10:06,417 but to your point , we do do a lot of 258 00:10:06,417 --> 00:10:08,583 exercises because again , uh our , our 259 00:10:08,583 --> 00:10:10,639 alliances and our partnerships are a 260 00:10:10,639 --> 00:10:12,500 critical strategic advantage and 261 00:10:12,510 --> 00:10:16,169 capability . Uh And , and the , the way 262 00:10:16,179 --> 00:10:18,179 that we approach , trying to ensure 263 00:10:18,179 --> 00:10:21,640 that we can um preserve a free and open 264 00:10:21,650 --> 00:10:23,650 Indo Pacific . And so , but on that 265 00:10:23,650 --> 00:10:25,761 particular exercise , I'd , I'd refer 266 00:10:25,761 --> 00:10:27,872 you to us FK . Let me go over here to 267 00:10:27,872 --> 00:10:30,039 that gentleman back here . Yes , sir . 268 00:10:31,530 --> 00:10:33,659 Um Just to follow up on the line of 269 00:10:33,669 --> 00:10:36,580 questioning regarding um the weekend's 270 00:10:36,590 --> 00:10:38,789 events . Did , were there any changes 271 00:10:38,799 --> 00:10:41,849 in troop posture or did we move any US 272 00:10:41,859 --> 00:10:44,820 troops in reaction to the events this 273 00:10:44,830 --> 00:10:47,380 weekend in Russia ? Uh We , we did not 274 00:10:47,390 --> 00:10:49,390 uh at this time again , we have not 275 00:10:49,390 --> 00:10:52,900 seen anything that would uh um from our 276 00:10:52,909 --> 00:10:55,330 perspective require us to make any type 277 00:10:55,340 --> 00:10:57,969 of uh force posture adjustments . So 278 00:10:58,250 --> 00:11:00,472 you had a question , ma'am . Yes . Oh , 279 00:11:00,472 --> 00:11:03,239 thank you , general . So as we know , 280 00:11:03,250 --> 00:11:06,130 uh the Wagner groups are including at 281 00:11:06,210 --> 00:11:09,440 least eight countries in Africa . So 282 00:11:09,450 --> 00:11:12,049 can you give us an overview in terms of 283 00:11:12,059 --> 00:11:15,830 military capability , how danger this 284 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:17,951 Wagner group can represent to African 285 00:11:17,951 --> 00:11:20,719 nations ? Uh Well , Wagner group , you 286 00:11:20,729 --> 00:11:22,896 know , we , we've been saying this for 287 00:11:22,896 --> 00:11:25,007 a very long time , it's , it's a very 288 00:11:25,007 --> 00:11:27,007 dangerous organization and wherever 289 00:11:27,007 --> 00:11:29,770 they operate , uh they bring with them 290 00:11:30,059 --> 00:11:32,590 uh death , destruction , deceit , uh 291 00:11:32,599 --> 00:11:35,400 criminal activity . Uh This is why the 292 00:11:35,409 --> 00:11:37,576 United States has designated them as a 293 00:11:37,576 --> 00:11:40,219 transnational criminal organization and 294 00:11:40,409 --> 00:11:42,739 the US government has imposed 295 00:11:42,750 --> 00:11:46,320 significant sanctions on Wagner actors 296 00:11:46,330 --> 00:11:48,219 and , and facilitators to include 297 00:11:48,219 --> 00:11:50,640 Africa uh in terms of what the 298 00:11:50,650 --> 00:11:53,419 implications are for what we saw happen 299 00:11:53,729 --> 00:11:56,059 uh over the weekend as it pertains to 300 00:11:56,070 --> 00:11:58,609 Wagner in places like Africa uh time 301 00:11:58,619 --> 00:12:00,563 will tell . Uh I , I don't have an 302 00:12:00,563 --> 00:12:02,730 answer to that question right now . Um 303 00:12:02,730 --> 00:12:04,880 But again , the , the key point being 304 00:12:04,890 --> 00:12:06,890 the key point here being is that uh 305 00:12:06,890 --> 00:12:09,669 Wagner has been a significant uh and 306 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:11,969 dangerous actor for , for a while . So 307 00:12:12,020 --> 00:12:15,840 is the African command in basically in 308 00:12:15,849 --> 00:12:18,890 Africa working some way with those 309 00:12:18,900 --> 00:12:21,520 African nations that the Wagner group 310 00:12:21,530 --> 00:12:25,289 are uh to help those countries . Um so 311 00:12:25,299 --> 00:12:27,021 broadly speaking , like we are 312 00:12:27,021 --> 00:12:28,855 elsewhere in the World Us Africa 313 00:12:28,855 --> 00:12:31,077 Command is working closely with nations 314 00:12:31,077 --> 00:12:33,469 in Africa to focus on security and 315 00:12:33,479 --> 00:12:36,210 stability efforts . Um you know , and , 316 00:12:36,219 --> 00:12:39,409 and so that uh entails a lot of 317 00:12:39,419 --> 00:12:41,530 different aspects whether or not it's 318 00:12:41,530 --> 00:12:43,697 training indigenous security forces to 319 00:12:43,697 --> 00:12:45,808 deal with counter terrorism threats . 320 00:12:45,808 --> 00:12:47,929 Uh Whether it's working with local 321 00:12:47,940 --> 00:12:50,840 leaders to uh to give them the kind of 322 00:12:50,849 --> 00:12:52,738 resources that they would need to 323 00:12:52,738 --> 00:12:55,719 defend themselves from potential actors 324 00:12:55,729 --> 00:12:57,729 like Wagner group or others . Al 325 00:12:57,739 --> 00:13:00,030 Shabaab , for example , in Somalia . Uh 326 00:13:00,039 --> 00:13:02,349 and so , uh there's a variety of 327 00:13:02,359 --> 00:13:05,150 challenges uh in Africa uh that are 328 00:13:05,159 --> 00:13:08,119 well known . Uh and African leaders are 329 00:13:08,130 --> 00:13:10,408 working very hard to defend , you know , 330 00:13:10,408 --> 00:13:12,519 defend their , their people and their 331 00:13:12,519 --> 00:13:14,574 societies . And so , uh we obviously 332 00:13:14,574 --> 00:13:17,599 want to work closely with nations that 333 00:13:17,609 --> 00:13:19,559 have similar values and shared 334 00:13:19,570 --> 00:13:21,849 interests to ensure that uh we can 335 00:13:21,859 --> 00:13:23,915 counter those kinds of threats . And 336 00:13:23,915 --> 00:13:26,192 let me move on to some other questions . 337 00:13:26,192 --> 00:13:28,303 I'll come back to you . Yes , ma'am . 338 00:13:28,303 --> 00:13:30,137 With regard to the Russian Force 339 00:13:30,137 --> 00:13:32,303 Posture inside Ukraine , have you seen 340 00:13:32,303 --> 00:13:34,137 any significant changes to maybe 341 00:13:34,137 --> 00:13:36,359 compensate for , for Wagner pulling out 342 00:13:36,359 --> 00:13:38,669 in some areas ? And then with regard to 343 00:13:38,679 --> 00:13:40,979 F-16s , do you have any update on the 344 00:13:40,989 --> 00:13:43,211 training timeline for that ? You said , 345 00:13:43,211 --> 00:13:45,045 I believe that Denmark requested 346 00:13:45,045 --> 00:13:47,267 permission from the US to begin that in 347 00:13:47,267 --> 00:13:49,299 terms of , of Russian forces . I 348 00:13:49,309 --> 00:13:51,476 appreciate the question . I don't want 349 00:13:51,476 --> 00:13:53,531 to get into an intelligence briefing 350 00:13:53,531 --> 00:13:55,587 from the podium here . Other than to 351 00:13:55,587 --> 00:13:58,219 say Russia continues to occupy 352 00:13:58,229 --> 00:14:00,780 territory inside Ukraine . They 353 00:14:00,789 --> 00:14:03,700 continue to maintain defenses to try to 354 00:14:03,710 --> 00:14:05,877 prevent Ukraine from taking back their 355 00:14:05,877 --> 00:14:07,979 sovereign territory . And so no 356 00:14:07,989 --> 00:14:10,010 indication that they are willing to 357 00:14:10,020 --> 00:14:12,187 give up that fight and , and move back 358 00:14:12,187 --> 00:14:14,298 into Russia . So again , our emphasis 359 00:14:14,299 --> 00:14:16,309 will be on helping Ukraine have the 360 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:18,719 capabilities they need . On that note , 361 00:14:18,729 --> 00:14:20,785 on the , on the F-16s , I don't have 362 00:14:20,785 --> 00:14:23,007 any updates to provide . As I mentioned 363 00:14:23,007 --> 00:14:25,229 previously , uh Denmark has submitted a 364 00:14:25,229 --> 00:14:27,150 third party transfer request uh 365 00:14:27,159 --> 00:14:30,299 requesting permission to conduct F-16 366 00:14:30,309 --> 00:14:32,580 training for Ukrainians uh that has 367 00:14:32,590 --> 00:14:34,812 been received by the State Department . 368 00:14:34,812 --> 00:14:37,034 It's under review . Certainly , when we 369 00:14:37,034 --> 00:14:39,201 have uh an update to provide , we will 370 00:14:39,201 --> 00:14:41,830 um we are all committed to providing 371 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:44,062 Ukraine with the training that it needs 372 00:14:44,062 --> 00:14:46,396 both in the near term and the long term . 373 00:14:46,396 --> 00:14:48,507 Uh And so this will be something that 374 00:14:48,507 --> 00:14:47,979 will continue to keep you posted on how 375 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:50,056 long that will be under review , how 376 00:14:50,056 --> 00:14:52,278 long the process usually takes . Uh I I 377 00:14:52,278 --> 00:14:54,389 don't have that in front of me , so I 378 00:14:54,389 --> 00:14:56,500 don't want to speculate on that . Let 379 00:14:56,500 --> 00:14:58,722 me go to the phone here uh real quick . 380 00:14:58,722 --> 00:15:01,000 Uh Let me go to Howard Altman War Zone . 381 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:02,944 Thanks Pat a couple of questions . 382 00:15:02,944 --> 00:15:05,320 First on um Prego in Belarus . Is there 383 00:15:05,330 --> 00:15:08,729 any concern from the Pentagon that uh 384 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:12,140 uh Prego might uh create some kind of 385 00:15:12,150 --> 00:15:14,760 attack on Ukraine or create other 386 00:15:14,770 --> 00:15:17,979 trouble while he's in um Belarus ? The 387 00:15:17,989 --> 00:15:20,650 second question is on the on the armor . 388 00:15:20,659 --> 00:15:23,010 Is this uh additive , is it replacement ? 389 00:15:23,020 --> 00:15:25,187 And do you see any , have you seen any 390 00:15:25,187 --> 00:15:27,464 strikers destroyed in Ukraine ? Thanks . 391 00:15:27,729 --> 00:15:29,618 Yeah , thanks . So , just kind of 392 00:15:29,618 --> 00:15:31,840 working backwards there . Howard , what 393 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:33,896 I'm not gonna do is uh battle damage 394 00:15:33,896 --> 00:15:36,062 assessment for the Russian military uh 395 00:15:36,062 --> 00:15:38,285 from the , the podium here . So I'm not 396 00:15:38,285 --> 00:15:40,007 going to get into uh Ukrainian 397 00:15:40,007 --> 00:15:42,173 capabilities and , and their status on 398 00:15:42,173 --> 00:15:44,450 the battlefield , the capabilities that 399 00:15:44,460 --> 00:15:46,571 we are providing them . Uh We've said 400 00:15:46,580 --> 00:15:49,179 this before is that we're very focused 401 00:15:49,190 --> 00:15:52,390 on enabling their sustainment and their 402 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:55,289 maintenance of this fight . And so , uh 403 00:15:55,330 --> 00:15:58,429 as I highlighted earlier in the midst 404 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:01,059 of combat , one can expect that 405 00:16:01,070 --> 00:16:02,903 equipment will be damaged , that 406 00:16:02,903 --> 00:16:05,014 equipment will be destroyed . It is a 407 00:16:05,014 --> 00:16:07,739 fight uh and it is a hard fight . And 408 00:16:07,750 --> 00:16:10,960 so by us providing additional armor uh 409 00:16:10,989 --> 00:16:14,270 capabilities , uh additional ammunition , 410 00:16:14,650 --> 00:16:17,200 um additional breaching capabilities , 411 00:16:17,210 --> 00:16:19,154 that's all meant to enable them to 412 00:16:19,154 --> 00:16:21,409 sustain this fight uh that they find 413 00:16:21,419 --> 00:16:23,869 themselves in related to that . Uh 414 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:25,602 because it's also important to 415 00:16:25,602 --> 00:16:27,769 understand that just because something 416 00:16:27,769 --> 00:16:30,047 is damaged means it's out of the fight . 417 00:16:30,047 --> 00:16:32,213 Um We are very cognizant of uh working 418 00:16:32,213 --> 00:16:34,213 with our Ukrainian partners through 419 00:16:34,213 --> 00:16:36,436 things like tele maintenance uh to help 420 00:16:36,436 --> 00:16:38,700 them repair uh vehicles that may have 421 00:16:38,710 --> 00:16:40,654 been damaged on the battlefield or 422 00:16:40,654 --> 00:16:42,710 equipment that's been damaged on the 423 00:16:42,710 --> 00:16:44,877 battlefield . So that has been part of 424 00:16:44,877 --> 00:16:46,988 the effort all along it will continue 425 00:16:46,988 --> 00:16:49,154 to be part of the effort . Uh And then 426 00:16:49,154 --> 00:16:51,377 your first question , uh as it pertains 427 00:16:51,377 --> 00:16:54,580 to , uh , and Wagner group and , and 428 00:16:54,590 --> 00:16:56,423 will they do something inside of 429 00:16:56,423 --> 00:16:58,479 Ukraine ? Look again , I'm not gonna 430 00:16:58,479 --> 00:17:00,701 speculate . Um , obviously Wagner Group 431 00:17:00,701 --> 00:17:03,130 has already inflicted uh enough damage 432 00:17:03,140 --> 00:17:05,196 inside Ukraine . I think that's well 433 00:17:05,196 --> 00:17:07,196 known . Uh Just take a look at , at 434 00:17:07,196 --> 00:17:09,140 baku . Um But in terms of what the 435 00:17:09,140 --> 00:17:11,196 future pretends again , I'm just not 436 00:17:11,196 --> 00:17:13,140 going to get into hypotheticals or 437 00:17:13,140 --> 00:17:15,251 speculate . All right , let me do one 438 00:17:15,251 --> 00:17:17,473 more from the phone here , Jeff Shoogle 439 00:17:17,473 --> 00:17:19,640 task and purpose . Uh Thank you . Does 440 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:21,880 the pod know for a fact that Prego is 441 00:17:21,890 --> 00:17:24,520 still alive or , or are we in a weekend 442 00:17:24,530 --> 00:17:27,899 at Bernie's scenario right now ? Um I'm 443 00:17:27,909 --> 00:17:29,631 sorry , Jeff , I don't get the 444 00:17:29,631 --> 00:17:31,853 reference . I'm kidding . I'm kidding , 445 00:17:31,853 --> 00:17:34,198 Jen X are here at the podium . Ok . Um 446 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:38,339 So , uh again , uh Jeff , like you , 447 00:17:38,349 --> 00:17:40,571 you know , we're , we're watching the , 448 00:17:40,571 --> 00:17:42,627 the press reports out there . So I'm 449 00:17:42,627 --> 00:17:44,849 not gonna , uh I'm not gonna be able to 450 00:17:44,849 --> 00:17:46,960 provide a status update . I have many 451 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:49,127 responsibilities , but press secretary 452 00:17:49,127 --> 00:17:51,238 for Mr Pergo is not one , so I really 453 00:17:51,238 --> 00:17:53,516 can't comment on his uh current status . 454 00:17:53,516 --> 00:17:55,571 Thank you . Let me go to Tony here a 455 00:17:55,571 --> 00:17:57,627 few equipment . Questions . How soon 456 00:17:57,627 --> 00:17:59,793 might the Bradleys and strikers arrive 457 00:17:59,793 --> 00:18:01,849 in Ukraine ? Um Tony , I'm not gonna 458 00:18:01,849 --> 00:18:04,016 give a specific timeline other than to 459 00:18:04,016 --> 00:18:06,127 say , uh we will move equipment there 460 00:18:06,127 --> 00:18:08,349 as quickly as possible . Uh And I think 461 00:18:08,349 --> 00:18:10,460 our track record shows uh that , that 462 00:18:10,460 --> 00:18:12,738 we've been able to move things quickly . 463 00:18:12,738 --> 00:18:14,960 So uh we will never announce in advance 464 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:16,960 when specifically those things will 465 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,127 arrive . Um They , they will appear on 466 00:18:19,127 --> 00:18:22,989 the battlefield um quickly on the M one 467 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:25,280 A one for refurbishments . Can you give 468 00:18:25,290 --> 00:18:27,401 us a sense of how many of the 31 have 469 00:18:27,401 --> 00:18:29,623 been refurbished to date ? And is there 470 00:18:29,623 --> 00:18:31,679 a possibility they may arrive sooner 471 00:18:31,679 --> 00:18:34,449 than uh September ? Uh I cannot give a 472 00:18:34,459 --> 00:18:37,550 status update on individual uh tanks at 473 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:39,504 this time . Other than to say that 474 00:18:39,504 --> 00:18:41,727 again , we're committed to getting them 475 00:18:41,727 --> 00:18:43,782 there before the end of the year . I 476 00:18:43,782 --> 00:18:43,540 think we've talked about in the fall 477 00:18:43,550 --> 00:18:45,717 time frame uh to deliver those tanks . 478 00:18:45,717 --> 00:18:47,494 In the meantime , training does 479 00:18:47,494 --> 00:18:51,160 continue uh at uh and so , um 480 00:18:51,319 --> 00:18:53,652 again , we'll keep you posted one thing , 481 00:18:53,652 --> 00:18:55,708 we will not do kind of to my earlier 482 00:18:55,708 --> 00:18:57,819 comments , we will not announce , say 483 00:18:57,819 --> 00:18:59,819 the tanks are gonna be delivered on 484 00:18:59,819 --> 00:19:02,041 this date at this time as you know . Um 485 00:19:02,041 --> 00:19:04,152 So , but we , we understand there's a 486 00:19:04,152 --> 00:19:06,430 lot of interest in that . And so we'll , 487 00:19:06,430 --> 00:19:08,486 we'll keep you posted acceleration , 488 00:19:08,486 --> 00:19:07,959 you don't see them coming . This is 489 00:19:07,969 --> 00:19:09,969 already an accel an acceleration , 490 00:19:09,979 --> 00:19:12,219 right ? I mean , uh uh originally when 491 00:19:12,229 --> 00:19:14,140 we had announced the M one A two 492 00:19:14,150 --> 00:19:16,520 variant , uh we were looking at a , at 493 00:19:16,530 --> 00:19:19,569 a longer timeline . So by going uh this 494 00:19:19,579 --> 00:19:21,801 route with the M one A one refurbishing 495 00:19:21,801 --> 00:19:25,119 them , putting them into , into a 496 00:19:25,130 --> 00:19:27,369 variant that will meet Ukraine's 497 00:19:27,380 --> 00:19:30,020 battlefield needs . This was already an 498 00:19:30,030 --> 00:19:32,197 acceleration of the process . And then 499 00:19:32,197 --> 00:19:34,419 by doing the training concurrently with 500 00:19:34,419 --> 00:19:36,586 some training tanks , the idea is that 501 00:19:36,586 --> 00:19:38,808 when those tanks are refurbished , when 502 00:19:38,808 --> 00:19:40,530 the training is complete , the 503 00:19:40,530 --> 00:19:42,697 maintainers are trained , we can marry 504 00:19:42,697 --> 00:19:42,640 them up and get them into Ukraine 505 00:19:42,650 --> 00:19:44,989 sooner rather than later . Question . 506 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,560 What's the status of the PD A for 507 00:19:47,569 --> 00:19:50,079 Taiwan that the secretary alluded to 508 00:19:50,089 --> 00:19:52,033 like a month ago that he was still 509 00:19:52,033 --> 00:19:54,170 working on ? Yeah . Yeah . So I don't 510 00:19:54,180 --> 00:19:56,750 have an update uh to provide uh at this 511 00:19:56,760 --> 00:19:58,704 time in terms of the timing . Uh A 512 00:19:58,704 --> 00:20:00,538 again , as you highlighted , the 513 00:20:00,538 --> 00:20:02,650 secretary did indicate uh that that's 514 00:20:02,660 --> 00:20:04,882 something that we are working towards . 515 00:20:04,882 --> 00:20:07,049 Um But I'm not gonna put a timeline on 516 00:20:07,049 --> 00:20:09,327 today or is it still in the discussion ? 517 00:20:09,327 --> 00:20:11,382 I don't , I don't wanna uh speculate 518 00:20:11,382 --> 00:20:13,438 from the podium here . We'll , we'll 519 00:20:13,438 --> 00:20:15,660 keep you posted . Thank you very much . 520 00:20:15,660 --> 00:20:17,827 Let me go back here . Yeah . Thank you 521 00:20:17,827 --> 00:20:20,049 very much . Uh One question from Taiwan 522 00:20:20,049 --> 00:20:21,882 that last week , the US National 523 00:20:21,882 --> 00:20:24,049 Security Council transit in the Taiwan 524 00:20:24,049 --> 00:20:27,260 Strait , uh a day after secretary visit 525 00:20:27,270 --> 00:20:30,890 to Beijing . Uh I wonder why the US 526 00:20:30,900 --> 00:20:33,339 deployed the US Coast Guard ship 527 00:20:33,349 --> 00:20:36,339 instead of destroyer or cruiser at this 528 00:20:36,349 --> 00:20:38,293 time . Yeah , thanks for the , the 529 00:20:38,293 --> 00:20:41,199 question . Uh So , so first of all , uh 530 00:20:41,209 --> 00:20:43,140 over the years , we've deployed a 531 00:20:43,150 --> 00:20:46,060 variety of capabilities uh through uh 532 00:20:46,069 --> 00:20:48,270 the strait and throughout the Indo 533 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:50,479 Pacific to , to demonstrate the 534 00:20:50,489 --> 00:20:52,880 capabilities that we have . Uh you know , 535 00:20:52,890 --> 00:20:55,859 the the , the most important aspect of 536 00:20:55,869 --> 00:20:58,589 any vessel uh is the fact that it's 537 00:20:58,599 --> 00:21:01,020 carrying the American flag . Ok . So , 538 00:21:01,030 --> 00:21:03,619 um I don't know that I would uh read 539 00:21:03,630 --> 00:21:05,619 into the , the particular type of 540 00:21:05,630 --> 00:21:08,449 platform . Uh And as the son of a , a 541 00:21:08,459 --> 00:21:11,189 proud uh coast , I think that the US 542 00:21:11,199 --> 00:21:14,510 Coast Guard is a uh a fantastic service 543 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:16,631 and that their vessels are , are just 544 00:21:16,631 --> 00:21:18,810 as powerful and uh also signal us 545 00:21:18,819 --> 00:21:21,040 commitment in the region uh as well as 546 00:21:21,050 --> 00:21:23,106 any other vessel that we sail . So , 547 00:21:23,369 --> 00:21:26,500 yes , ma'am . So earlier this month , 548 00:21:26,510 --> 00:21:28,621 the US was concerned that North Korea 549 00:21:28,621 --> 00:21:31,420 was planning to deliver more artillery 550 00:21:31,430 --> 00:21:33,890 equipment to Russia . Have you seen the 551 00:21:33,900 --> 00:21:37,219 D Pr K trying to move weapons to Russia 552 00:21:37,369 --> 00:21:39,739 since all this happened ? I don't have 553 00:21:39,750 --> 00:21:43,560 anything new to provide on that 554 00:21:43,569 --> 00:21:45,236 front beyond what we provided 555 00:21:45,236 --> 00:21:47,930 previously , any talks , no movement 556 00:21:47,939 --> 00:21:49,939 between the two companies . I don't 557 00:21:49,939 --> 00:21:51,995 have anything new to provide . Thank 558 00:21:51,995 --> 00:21:54,119 you . Thanks so much , you know , um 559 00:21:54,130 --> 00:21:56,310 according to the Japanese government , 560 00:21:56,319 --> 00:21:58,459 the US and Japan hold extended 561 00:21:58,469 --> 00:22:01,400 deterrence dialogue edd um from 562 00:22:01,410 --> 00:22:04,550 yesterday to today in the US . And um 563 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:07,439 Secretary uh US and Rok have 564 00:22:07,449 --> 00:22:10,020 established new Nuclear Consultative 565 00:22:10,030 --> 00:22:12,308 Group under the Washington Declaration . 566 00:22:12,308 --> 00:22:14,474 And my question is , what do you think 567 00:22:14,474 --> 00:22:16,530 of the possibility of creating a new 568 00:22:16,530 --> 00:22:19,170 trilateral mechanism among us , Rok and 569 00:22:19,180 --> 00:22:21,729 Japan on extended deterrence 570 00:22:21,780 --> 00:22:25,660 specifically , you know , at the risk 571 00:22:25,670 --> 00:22:27,849 of not making policy here from the 572 00:22:27,859 --> 00:22:30,849 podium . Clearly , we very much value 573 00:22:30,859 --> 00:22:33,550 the relationship that we have with 574 00:22:33,560 --> 00:22:35,616 Japan and with the Republic of Korea 575 00:22:35,780 --> 00:22:38,609 and certainly continue to work very 576 00:22:38,619 --> 00:22:40,508 closely with those allies to find 577 00:22:40,508 --> 00:22:42,930 opportunities for our nations to work 578 00:22:42,939 --> 00:22:46,579 together . Um And , and so when , and 579 00:22:46,589 --> 00:22:48,367 if we have anything to new , to 580 00:22:48,367 --> 00:22:50,478 announce , we certainly will . Um But 581 00:22:50,478 --> 00:22:52,533 one thing I'm positive of is that we 582 00:22:52,533 --> 00:22:54,478 will continue to work very closely 583 00:22:54,478 --> 00:22:56,422 together uh both in the region and 584 00:22:56,422 --> 00:22:58,420 elsewhere uh to ensure that we can 585 00:22:58,430 --> 00:23:00,640 preserve a free and open Indo Pacific 586 00:23:00,650 --> 00:23:02,650 uh And that we can work together to 587 00:23:02,650 --> 00:23:04,761 ensure peace and stability around the 588 00:23:04,761 --> 00:23:06,872 world . Thank you . Let me go here to 589 00:23:06,872 --> 00:23:08,928 thank you . I want to go back to the 590 00:23:08,928 --> 00:23:11,930 situation in Russia and noting that you 591 00:23:11,939 --> 00:23:14,106 referred to it as an internal affair . 592 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:16,447 Uh However , the , the Pentagon has to 593 00:23:16,447 --> 00:23:18,280 deal with the situation and make 594 00:23:18,280 --> 00:23:20,459 assessments and uh maybe prepare some 595 00:23:20,469 --> 00:23:22,247 scenarios . Um This is what the 596 00:23:22,247 --> 00:23:25,170 president said in dealing with this 597 00:23:25,180 --> 00:23:26,847 internal affair . How are you 598 00:23:26,847 --> 00:23:28,791 describing it ? Uh Is it , is it a 599 00:23:28,791 --> 00:23:31,329 mutiny ? Is a rebellion ? Is it a when , 600 00:23:31,339 --> 00:23:33,469 when you look at it , what is this ? 601 00:23:34,050 --> 00:23:36,217 Yeah , thanks . I I'll leave it to you 602 00:23:36,217 --> 00:23:38,328 to come up with what characterization 603 00:23:38,328 --> 00:23:41,250 you you want to uh obviously uh we 604 00:23:41,260 --> 00:23:44,030 monitor the events there . Um But as , 605 00:23:44,040 --> 00:23:45,989 as far as the internal security 606 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:49,489 situation within Russia , again , 607 00:23:49,500 --> 00:23:51,611 that's an internal matter . I I'm not 608 00:23:51,611 --> 00:23:53,410 gonna , I'm not going to put a 609 00:23:53,420 --> 00:23:56,079 particular stamp on it , but I , 610 00:23:57,890 --> 00:24:01,219 and you have to deal with potential 611 00:24:01,229 --> 00:24:04,349 outcomes and in trying to assess what 612 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:07,130 outcomes might happen or come out of , 613 00:24:07,140 --> 00:24:08,973 out of this , you have to have a 614 00:24:08,973 --> 00:24:11,170 certain framework . Absolutely . And , 615 00:24:11,180 --> 00:24:14,400 and I , I think , uh and again , I 616 00:24:14,410 --> 00:24:16,466 appreciate the question . Uh and I , 617 00:24:16,466 --> 00:24:18,619 and I understand where you would like 618 00:24:18,630 --> 00:24:21,369 me to go on this . But , you know , I 619 00:24:21,380 --> 00:24:23,900 think the facts were there for all of 620 00:24:23,910 --> 00:24:26,739 us to see . And I think this is an 621 00:24:26,750 --> 00:24:29,380 issue that , that Russia obviously 622 00:24:29,390 --> 00:24:31,670 needs to address internally . But in 623 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:34,189 terms of whether you want me to call 624 00:24:34,199 --> 00:24:37,949 this coup , an armed insurrection or I 625 00:24:37,959 --> 00:24:41,680 just Russian president Putin 626 00:24:41,689 --> 00:24:45,150 basically alluded at the West 627 00:24:45,160 --> 00:24:48,430 role maybe in this internal affair 628 00:24:48,439 --> 00:24:51,689 event by saying that the West wants the 629 00:24:51,699 --> 00:24:54,119 Russians to kill each other in this 630 00:24:54,130 --> 00:24:56,463 mutiny . Do you have a response to that ? 631 00:24:56,463 --> 00:24:58,519 Yeah , I mean , I think I was pretty 632 00:24:58,519 --> 00:25:00,408 clear at the top that we were not 633 00:25:00,408 --> 00:25:00,050 involved in this . We won't get 634 00:25:00,060 --> 00:25:02,004 involved in this . We've been very 635 00:25:02,004 --> 00:25:04,060 clear from the beginning that we are 636 00:25:04,060 --> 00:25:06,171 not at war with Russia . We don't see 637 00:25:06,171 --> 00:25:09,170 conflict with Russia . Our focus is on 638 00:25:09,180 --> 00:25:11,719 supporting Ukraine and enabling them to 639 00:25:11,729 --> 00:25:14,062 defend themselves . Thank you very much . 640 00:25:14,199 --> 00:25:16,390 Yes , sir . Thank you General . My 641 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:18,790 question is about child soldiers . Um , 642 00:25:19,109 --> 00:25:21,165 the United Nations just released its 643 00:25:21,165 --> 00:25:23,189 report about Children and armed 644 00:25:23,199 --> 00:25:25,421 conflict which shows violations against 645 00:25:25,421 --> 00:25:29,199 Children . So according to this report , 646 00:25:29,209 --> 00:25:33,109 a total of 1696 6 Children 647 00:25:33,119 --> 00:25:36,109 were verified as recruited and used by 648 00:25:36,489 --> 00:25:39,770 Syrian Democratic Forces , uh and 649 00:25:39,780 --> 00:25:43,459 YPG and other components of SDF . And 650 00:25:43,469 --> 00:25:46,670 the reports also say that the YPG , 651 00:25:46,680 --> 00:25:49,239 which is the Syrian branch of the PKK , 652 00:25:49,630 --> 00:25:53,510 uh killed and abducted Children , just 653 00:25:53,520 --> 00:25:56,310 to remind the YPG is the Syrian branch 654 00:25:56,319 --> 00:25:59,439 of PKK is a terrorist organization . 655 00:25:59,449 --> 00:26:01,560 Not only are you asking a question or 656 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:03,727 are you making a declarative statement 657 00:26:03,727 --> 00:26:06,550 a question ? And the PKK is , you know , 658 00:26:08,689 --> 00:26:11,060 I'm very aware the United States has 659 00:26:11,069 --> 00:26:12,680 declared the PKK a terrorist 660 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:14,902 organization , very aware of that . Can 661 00:26:14,902 --> 00:26:17,640 you get to your question ? And the UN 662 00:26:17,650 --> 00:26:19,790 Secretary General Guterres made a 663 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:22,729 statement that he is deeply concerned 664 00:26:22,760 --> 00:26:25,109 by the increase in verified cases of 665 00:26:25,119 --> 00:26:28,109 child recruitment and used by SDF . And 666 00:26:28,119 --> 00:26:31,449 I urge SDF to immediately end all 667 00:26:31,459 --> 00:26:34,989 violations . So my question is given 668 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:37,770 that SDF is the US partners on the 669 00:26:37,780 --> 00:26:40,699 ground in Syria ? Uh Are you planning 670 00:26:40,709 --> 00:26:44,410 to hold the SDF leadership accountable 671 00:26:44,420 --> 00:26:47,189 for crimes against humanity ? And are 672 00:26:47,199 --> 00:26:49,579 you planning to sanction the SDF or 673 00:26:49,589 --> 00:26:51,489 maybe stop partnership with them 674 00:26:51,500 --> 00:26:54,619 because it is very your question . So 675 00:26:54,630 --> 00:26:56,797 this is a press briefing room where we 676 00:26:56,797 --> 00:26:58,797 ask questions . We don't , we don't 677 00:26:58,797 --> 00:27:00,519 come here and , and provide uh 678 00:27:00,519 --> 00:27:02,574 editorial comments for , for 10 , 15 679 00:27:02,574 --> 00:27:04,630 minutes . So uh to your question , I 680 00:27:04,630 --> 00:27:06,574 haven't seen the report so I can't 681 00:27:06,574 --> 00:27:08,797 comment on it . Um What I will tell you 682 00:27:08,797 --> 00:27:10,686 is that the SDF have been very uh 683 00:27:10,686 --> 00:27:12,852 reliable partners . Uh And if you want 684 00:27:12,852 --> 00:27:15,074 to go back in time a little bit to 2014 685 00:27:15,074 --> 00:27:17,019 when Isis was beheading people and 686 00:27:17,019 --> 00:27:19,300 controlled half of Baghdad and most of 687 00:27:19,310 --> 00:27:21,709 Syria and , uh , you know , talk about 688 00:27:21,719 --> 00:27:23,830 human rights violations and we can go 689 00:27:23,830 --> 00:27:25,997 ahead and , and talk about that . Um , 690 00:27:25,997 --> 00:27:28,163 but in the meantime , haven't seen the 691 00:27:28,163 --> 00:27:30,386 report , so can't comment on it . Thank 692 00:27:30,386 --> 00:27:32,497 you very much . Yes , sir . So Wagner 693 00:27:32,497 --> 00:27:34,719 now might have some kind of presence in 694 00:27:34,719 --> 00:27:36,886 Belarus in Minsk , less than 200 miles 695 00:27:36,886 --> 00:27:38,941 from where the next NATO summit will 696 00:27:38,941 --> 00:27:42,060 take place in Lithuania . Is that any 697 00:27:42,069 --> 00:27:44,180 kind of security concern , additional 698 00:27:44,180 --> 00:27:47,770 security concern at all ? Um So , you 699 00:27:47,780 --> 00:27:49,959 know , obviously the situation in 700 00:27:49,969 --> 00:27:52,670 Ukraine has presented a significant 701 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:54,847 security concern from the beginning in 702 00:27:54,847 --> 00:27:58,099 terms of the kinds of activities that 703 00:27:58,109 --> 00:28:00,220 the international community is trying 704 00:28:00,220 --> 00:28:02,442 to prevent here , right ? The fact that 705 00:28:02,442 --> 00:28:04,709 Russia was able to invade its peaceful 706 00:28:04,719 --> 00:28:07,180 Democratic neighbor , unprovoked 707 00:28:07,270 --> 00:28:09,900 creates a significant security concern 708 00:28:09,910 --> 00:28:12,132 throughout Europe and internationally . 709 00:28:12,132 --> 00:28:14,077 And so this is why you've seen the 710 00:28:14,077 --> 00:28:16,430 world come together to try to deter any 711 00:28:16,439 --> 00:28:19,829 further aggression beyond the Russian 712 00:28:19,839 --> 00:28:22,006 borders and why it's so important that 713 00:28:22,006 --> 00:28:24,061 we support Ukraine as it pertains to 714 00:28:24,061 --> 00:28:25,895 Belarus . Clearly , we know that 715 00:28:25,895 --> 00:28:27,561 Belarus and Russia maintain a 716 00:28:27,561 --> 00:28:29,783 relationship . We've seen no indication 717 00:28:29,783 --> 00:28:32,900 at this point of any type of additional 718 00:28:32,989 --> 00:28:36,130 military activity that prevents that 719 00:28:36,140 --> 00:28:38,780 threat or presents a threat . But what 720 00:28:38,790 --> 00:28:41,012 I would say is , uh you know , the NATO 721 00:28:41,012 --> 00:28:43,030 alliance is a very strong alliance 722 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:45,829 that's worked very hard over the last 723 00:28:45,839 --> 00:28:48,579 year to ensure our collective security 724 00:28:48,589 --> 00:28:51,369 and ensure a commitment to one another 725 00:28:51,380 --> 00:28:53,491 that every single square inch of NATO 726 00:28:53,491 --> 00:28:56,010 territory will be protected . Thank you , 727 00:28:56,020 --> 00:28:58,076 time for a couple more . Yes , sir . 728 00:28:58,189 --> 00:29:00,356 Thank you very much Donald Donald . Um 729 00:29:00,356 --> 00:29:02,650 Regarding to the , what's happened this 730 00:29:02,660 --> 00:29:04,800 weekend in Russia . Um Do you still 731 00:29:04,810 --> 00:29:06,859 have uh communications with your 732 00:29:06,869 --> 00:29:09,359 counterpart in Russia about this 733 00:29:09,369 --> 00:29:12,579 situation ? And what was your message 734 00:29:12,589 --> 00:29:15,250 to them ? And what's the big concerns 735 00:29:15,260 --> 00:29:17,369 for the dod about what's happened 736 00:29:17,380 --> 00:29:20,250 during that weekend ? Yeah . So uh the 737 00:29:20,260 --> 00:29:22,316 the to answer your question though , 738 00:29:22,316 --> 00:29:24,204 the secretary did not talk to his 739 00:29:24,204 --> 00:29:27,180 Russian counterpart . Um And , and in 740 00:29:27,189 --> 00:29:30,939 terms of um yeah , I mean , that , 741 00:29:30,949 --> 00:29:33,282 that's the answer to your question . So , 742 00:29:33,282 --> 00:29:35,449 did you have a second part of that ? I 743 00:29:35,449 --> 00:29:37,560 know , I mean , uh do you still uh we 744 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:39,671 don't uh have any communications with 745 00:29:39,671 --> 00:29:41,782 Russia even broadly ? Yeah , I mean , 746 00:29:41,782 --> 00:29:44,005 we have multiple lines of communication 747 00:29:44,005 --> 00:29:46,300 with Russia , various mechanisms by 748 00:29:46,310 --> 00:29:48,143 which to communicate . But as it 749 00:29:48,143 --> 00:29:50,589 relates to the secretary , no , he did 750 00:29:50,599 --> 00:29:52,655 not communicate with his counterpart 751 00:29:52,655 --> 00:29:54,766 over the weekend , big concerns about 752 00:29:54,766 --> 00:29:56,655 what's happened , what's happened 753 00:29:56,655 --> 00:29:58,599 during the weekend . Well , well , 754 00:29:58,599 --> 00:30:00,543 certainly , I mean , you know , in 755 00:30:00,543 --> 00:30:02,432 terms of potential instability in 756 00:30:02,432 --> 00:30:04,488 Russia , it's something that we take 757 00:30:04,488 --> 00:30:06,655 seriously , which is why the secretary 758 00:30:06,655 --> 00:30:08,821 and other senior us government leaders 759 00:30:08,821 --> 00:30:10,988 were watching , continue to watch this 760 00:30:10,988 --> 00:30:13,060 situation closely and we will going 761 00:30:13,069 --> 00:30:15,180 forward . Let me go to Louis and then 762 00:30:15,180 --> 00:30:17,402 we will do one more on the on the phone 763 00:30:17,402 --> 00:30:19,569 here . Uh generally uh following up on 764 00:30:19,569 --> 00:30:21,625 Natasha's question about the F-16s , 765 00:30:21,625 --> 00:30:21,530 you mentioned the review that set the 766 00:30:21,540 --> 00:30:25,520 State Department for Denmark . Um What 767 00:30:25,530 --> 00:30:27,863 is , what are the next steps after that ? 768 00:30:27,863 --> 00:30:29,974 Should that should that be approved ? 769 00:30:29,974 --> 00:30:32,030 Um And does this Netherlands have to 770 00:30:32,030 --> 00:30:35,069 under take the same approval and do ? 771 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:38,270 In other words , can one country begin 772 00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:40,810 training on the F-16s before the other ? 773 00:30:40,819 --> 00:30:43,689 Um But what essentially happens ? 774 00:30:43,699 --> 00:30:46,349 Should approval happen in terms of , 775 00:30:46,359 --> 00:30:48,415 are you looking at contractors being 776 00:30:48,415 --> 00:30:50,510 the trainers ? And yeah , did I say 777 00:30:50,520 --> 00:30:52,819 Netherlands or did I say Denmark , I 778 00:30:52,829 --> 00:30:54,773 mean , but the Netherlands is also 779 00:30:54,773 --> 00:30:56,940 correct . So , right . So exactly . So 780 00:30:56,940 --> 00:30:59,339 uh the Netherlands in Denmark uh have 781 00:30:59,349 --> 00:31:01,405 volunteered to take the lead when it 782 00:31:01,405 --> 00:31:03,405 comes to putting together this this 783 00:31:03,405 --> 00:31:05,293 program . Uh And so they're going 784 00:31:05,293 --> 00:31:07,182 through that process right now of 785 00:31:07,182 --> 00:31:09,349 identifying and , and um putting those 786 00:31:09,349 --> 00:31:11,460 kinds of details together in terms of 787 00:31:11,460 --> 00:31:13,571 what that training pipeline will look 788 00:31:13,571 --> 00:31:17,000 like . Uh So in terms of considerations 789 00:31:17,010 --> 00:31:19,170 like basic flying training , language 790 00:31:19,180 --> 00:31:21,124 training , since English will be a 791 00:31:21,124 --> 00:31:23,347 requirement uh to fly the F-16 and then 792 00:31:23,347 --> 00:31:26,189 where that training will actually occur . 793 00:31:26,449 --> 00:31:28,800 Uh And so those , those are all details 794 00:31:28,810 --> 00:31:30,643 that the Danes and the Dutch are 795 00:31:30,643 --> 00:31:32,754 working through right now in terms of 796 00:31:32,754 --> 00:31:35,300 the um you know , the the third party 797 00:31:35,310 --> 00:31:38,709 transfer request . Um you know , again , 798 00:31:38,719 --> 00:31:40,830 I I I'm not gonna put the cart before 799 00:31:40,830 --> 00:31:42,941 the horse here and speculate in terms 800 00:31:42,941 --> 00:31:45,108 of timing . Um But you've heard the US 801 00:31:45,108 --> 00:31:47,330 say that we are committed to supporting 802 00:31:47,330 --> 00:31:49,552 this program . Uh And so we'll continue 803 00:31:49,552 --> 00:31:51,163 to work with Denmark and the 804 00:31:51,163 --> 00:31:53,386 Netherlands and other partners who have 805 00:31:53,386 --> 00:31:53,109 agreed allies who have agreed to 806 00:31:53,119 --> 00:31:55,286 support this program uh to ensure that 807 00:31:55,286 --> 00:31:57,397 it's successful . And we'll certainly 808 00:31:57,397 --> 00:31:59,452 keep you updated as more information 809 00:31:59,452 --> 00:32:01,675 becomes available . Ok , Migo , uh last 810 00:32:01,675 --> 00:32:03,508 question , Jeff , uh on the line 811 00:32:03,930 --> 00:32:05,986 general , thanks very much for doing 812 00:32:05,986 --> 00:32:08,097 this . I wanted to follow up a little 813 00:32:08,097 --> 00:32:10,319 bit on Wagner and Africa to what extent 814 00:32:10,319 --> 00:32:12,486 is the Pentagon concerned about ? Or , 815 00:32:12,486 --> 00:32:14,263 or maybe even starting to see a 816 00:32:14,263 --> 00:32:16,152 possible domino effect with a , a 817 00:32:16,152 --> 00:32:17,986 weakened Wagner group leading to 818 00:32:17,986 --> 00:32:20,041 additional instability in the places 819 00:32:20,041 --> 00:32:23,290 it's inserted itself in Africa . Um And 820 00:32:23,300 --> 00:32:25,500 then also while events were unfolding 821 00:32:25,510 --> 00:32:28,089 with Wagner Prego in the boarded , run 822 00:32:28,099 --> 00:32:30,099 on Moscow , Moscow , were there any 823 00:32:30,099 --> 00:32:32,180 attempts by the Pentagon to contact 824 00:32:32,189 --> 00:32:34,510 China's military ? And , and if so , 825 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:37,219 was there any response ? Yeah , thanks , 826 00:32:37,229 --> 00:32:39,400 Jeff . So , uh you may not have heard 827 00:32:39,410 --> 00:32:42,280 my comments earlier about uh Africa , 828 00:32:42,290 --> 00:32:44,457 but the bottom line is , you know , in 829 00:32:44,457 --> 00:32:46,623 terms of the potential implications uh 830 00:32:46,623 --> 00:32:48,623 for Wagner group in Africa . That's 831 00:32:48,623 --> 00:32:50,734 something that we'll continue to keep 832 00:32:50,734 --> 00:32:52,846 an eye on . Uh We've said for a while 833 00:32:52,846 --> 00:32:54,957 that they are destabilizing influence 834 00:32:54,957 --> 00:32:56,819 uh in that region . Uh And , and 835 00:32:56,829 --> 00:33:00,579 certainly uh a threat which is why 836 00:33:00,589 --> 00:33:02,700 they've been declared a transnational 837 00:33:02,700 --> 00:33:04,756 criminal organization and the United 838 00:33:04,756 --> 00:33:07,260 States government has imposed sanctions 839 00:33:07,270 --> 00:33:11,229 on actors who are facilitating or , 840 00:33:11,239 --> 00:33:14,229 or also a part of the Wagner Group . Um 841 00:33:14,239 --> 00:33:16,295 in terms of China , uh again , I , I 842 00:33:16,295 --> 00:33:18,461 don't have anything new to announce in 843 00:33:18,461 --> 00:33:20,739 terms of outreach to China . Certainly , 844 00:33:20,739 --> 00:33:23,430 we continue to advocate for keeping the 845 00:33:23,439 --> 00:33:25,609 lines of communication open . Uh And 846 00:33:25,619 --> 00:33:27,952 we'll actively continue to , to do that . 847 00:33:27,952 --> 00:33:29,952 Thank you very much , everybody . I 848 00:33:29,952 --> 00:33:29,540 appreciate it .