1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:21,870 --> 00:00:23,814 Well , good afternoon , everyone . 3 00:00:23,814 --> 00:00:26,092 Thank you so much for being here today . 4 00:00:26,092 --> 00:00:27,814 It is my pleasure to introduce 5 00:00:27,814 --> 00:00:30,037 Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin , the 6 00:00:30,037 --> 00:00:32,203 third and chairman of the Joint Chiefs 7 00:00:32,203 --> 00:00:35,229 of Staff General CQ Brown Junior , the 8 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:37,296 secretary and the chairman will have 9 00:00:37,296 --> 00:00:39,351 some brief opening comments and then 10 00:00:39,351 --> 00:00:41,296 we'll have time to take just a few 11 00:00:41,296 --> 00:00:43,184 questions . Please note I will be 12 00:00:43,184 --> 00:00:45,407 moderating those questions . Uh And due 13 00:00:45,407 --> 00:00:47,462 to our time constraints , I just ask 14 00:00:47,462 --> 00:00:49,629 you to please limit your follow ups to 15 00:00:49,629 --> 00:00:49,590 give your colleagues a chance to ask 16 00:00:49,599 --> 00:00:51,380 their questions with that . Mr 17 00:00:51,389 --> 00:00:53,279 Secretary . Thanks Pat . Uh Good 18 00:00:53,290 --> 00:00:55,512 afternoon , everybody . Sorry about the 19 00:00:55,512 --> 00:00:57,680 delay . It was a busy day uh as you 20 00:00:57,689 --> 00:01:00,299 know , and uh the chairman and I were 21 00:01:00,310 --> 00:01:02,421 uh were on a conference call there to 22 00:01:02,421 --> 00:01:06,290 what went a bit long . Uh But uh we 23 00:01:06,300 --> 00:01:08,660 just held another highly successful 24 00:01:08,669 --> 00:01:10,836 meeting of the Ukraine defense contact 25 00:01:10,836 --> 00:01:13,720 group . But before I turn to that , I 26 00:01:13,730 --> 00:01:15,841 want to take a few moments to discuss 27 00:01:16,180 --> 00:01:18,779 the vicious assault by Hamas on the 28 00:01:18,790 --> 00:01:22,199 state of Israel . The more we learn 29 00:01:22,209 --> 00:01:24,739 about these sickening atrocities , the 30 00:01:24,750 --> 00:01:28,199 worse it gets Hamas deliberately 31 00:01:28,209 --> 00:01:31,379 targeted civilians and mass 32 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:34,110 massacre them just because they are . 33 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:38,069 Jews Hamas has again killed innocent 34 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:41,120 Americans and civilians from many other 35 00:01:41,129 --> 00:01:43,739 countries . And Hamas has abducted 36 00:01:44,139 --> 00:01:47,800 entirely innocent civilians . So the 37 00:01:47,809 --> 00:01:49,949 United States continues to stand firm 38 00:01:49,959 --> 00:01:52,169 with Israel and the Israeli people . 39 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:55,940 The US , Gerald R Ford strike group has 40 00:01:55,949 --> 00:01:57,610 now arrived in the Eastern 41 00:01:57,620 --> 00:02:00,790 Mediterranean . We've also moved to 42 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:03,279 extend us air force fighter squadrons 43 00:02:03,290 --> 00:02:05,720 in the region and the Department of 44 00:02:05,730 --> 00:02:08,839 Defense stands fully ready to deploy 45 00:02:08,850 --> 00:02:12,429 additional assets if necessary . As 46 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:14,619 President Biden has said , for any 47 00:02:14,630 --> 00:02:17,899 country , for any organization , 48 00:02:19,169 --> 00:02:21,270 for anyone thinking about trying to 49 00:02:21,279 --> 00:02:24,169 take advantage of the agony in Israel 50 00:02:25,169 --> 00:02:27,391 to try to widen this conflict or to try 51 00:02:27,391 --> 00:02:30,339 to spill more blood . We have just one 52 00:02:30,350 --> 00:02:33,059 word . Don't , 53 00:02:35,119 --> 00:02:37,710 additional us military aid to Israel 54 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:40,320 started flowing in yesterday including 55 00:02:40,330 --> 00:02:43,460 key munitions and we'll be providing 56 00:02:43,470 --> 00:02:45,869 more iron dome interceptors so that 57 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:48,770 Israel can protect its citizens and 58 00:02:48,779 --> 00:02:51,660 cities . And we'll continue to ensure 59 00:02:51,669 --> 00:02:54,360 that Israel has what it needs to keep 60 00:02:54,369 --> 00:02:58,270 itself and its citizens safe . And like 61 00:02:58,279 --> 00:03:01,020 any other country , Israel has the 62 00:03:01,029 --> 00:03:03,679 right to defend itself . As the 63 00:03:03,690 --> 00:03:06,960 president says , Israel has a duty to 64 00:03:06,970 --> 00:03:10,270 defend itself and make no , no mistake . 65 00:03:10,279 --> 00:03:12,949 The United States will remain able to 66 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:16,050 project power and to direct resources 67 00:03:16,059 --> 00:03:19,250 to tackle crises in multiple theaters . 68 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:22,440 So we will stand firmly with Israel as 69 00:03:22,449 --> 00:03:25,880 we continue to support Ukraine . So let 70 00:03:25,889 --> 00:03:29,050 me turn to today's agenda . This was 71 00:03:29,059 --> 00:03:31,226 the 16th time that I have convened the 72 00:03:31,226 --> 00:03:34,039 Ukraine Defense Contact Group and I'm 73 00:03:34,050 --> 00:03:36,161 pleased that we were joined in person 74 00:03:36,161 --> 00:03:39,029 today by President Zelensky of Ukraine . 75 00:03:40,190 --> 00:03:42,699 We're also joined by our outstanding 76 00:03:42,710 --> 00:03:44,710 new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 77 00:03:44,710 --> 00:03:47,240 Staff General CQ Brown . He will be an 78 00:03:47,250 --> 00:03:49,306 invaluable partner for the Ukrainian 79 00:03:49,306 --> 00:03:52,240 people . Now , President Zelinski S 80 00:03:52,250 --> 00:03:55,539 team provided us with a valuable update 81 00:03:55,550 --> 00:03:57,828 on Ukraine's current counter offensive . 82 00:03:59,050 --> 00:04:01,559 Ukraine's brave troops continue to make 83 00:04:01,570 --> 00:04:04,380 steady progress . Yet , as winter 84 00:04:04,389 --> 00:04:06,611 approaches , Ukrainians are bracing for 85 00:04:06,611 --> 00:04:09,419 Russia to again target Ukraine's energy 86 00:04:09,429 --> 00:04:12,539 grid and civilian infrastructure . And 87 00:04:12,550 --> 00:04:15,470 as Putin becomes more cruel , 88 00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:19,369 the Ukrainians become more determined . 89 00:04:20,558 --> 00:04:22,558 So we will continue to get them the 90 00:04:22,558 --> 00:04:25,760 systems that they need . Just look at 91 00:04:25,769 --> 00:04:27,920 the ground based air defense systems 92 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:30,200 that this coalition has surged into 93 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:32,144 Ukraine . Those systems are saving 94 00:04:32,144 --> 00:04:34,320 countless civilian lives from Russia's 95 00:04:34,329 --> 00:04:36,279 bombardments . And that just 96 00:04:36,290 --> 00:04:38,123 underscores this contact group's 97 00:04:38,130 --> 00:04:41,320 commitment to meeting Ukraine's urgent 98 00:04:41,329 --> 00:04:44,440 near term requirements . But today , we 99 00:04:44,450 --> 00:04:46,700 also talked about helping Ukraine to 100 00:04:46,709 --> 00:04:49,350 defend itself for the long haul and to 101 00:04:49,359 --> 00:04:51,779 deter aggression for decades to come . 102 00:04:52,670 --> 00:04:54,726 So members of this contact group are 103 00:04:54,726 --> 00:04:57,250 organizing into what we call capability 104 00:04:57,260 --> 00:04:59,619 coalitions and that's gonna make our 105 00:04:59,630 --> 00:05:02,450 security assistance more nimble and 106 00:05:02,459 --> 00:05:05,700 help to secure Ukraine's future . And 107 00:05:05,709 --> 00:05:07,709 some of these capability coalitions 108 00:05:07,709 --> 00:05:09,940 have already formed , Estonia and 109 00:05:09,950 --> 00:05:12,190 Luxembourg will lead a coalition 110 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:14,230 focused on supporting Ukraine's it 111 00:05:14,329 --> 00:05:17,459 infrastructure . Lithuania is leading 112 00:05:17,470 --> 00:05:19,739 the way in helping Ukraine neutralize 113 00:05:19,750 --> 00:05:22,660 Russian mines on Ukrainian territory . 114 00:05:23,510 --> 00:05:25,454 And I'm proud to announce that the 115 00:05:25,454 --> 00:05:27,454 United States will step up again to 116 00:05:27,649 --> 00:05:29,705 help lead the coalition of countries 117 00:05:29,705 --> 00:05:31,927 working with Ukraine to develop its air 118 00:05:31,927 --> 00:05:34,670 force . And by leading this capability , 119 00:05:34,679 --> 00:05:36,790 coalition , the United States will 120 00:05:36,799 --> 00:05:38,799 coordinate closely with Ukraine and 121 00:05:38,809 --> 00:05:40,839 other partners with a focus on 122 00:05:40,850 --> 00:05:43,119 developing Ukraine's F-16 fighter 123 00:05:43,130 --> 00:05:46,109 aircraft capability . I'm pleased that 124 00:05:46,119 --> 00:05:48,286 Denmark and the Netherlands will be co 125 00:05:48,286 --> 00:05:50,619 leading this coalition together with us . 126 00:05:50,619 --> 00:05:53,519 I'm also proud to announce that the 127 00:05:53,529 --> 00:05:55,640 United States will be joining several 128 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,160 more of these coalitions as a form in 129 00:05:58,170 --> 00:06:00,519 the coming weeks , including those 130 00:06:00,529 --> 00:06:02,473 focused on Ukraine's air defense , 131 00:06:02,473 --> 00:06:05,029 armor and artillery . And that shows 132 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:07,109 how much we can do when we come 133 00:06:07,119 --> 00:06:09,820 together . But it also shows that 134 00:06:09,829 --> 00:06:13,160 American leadership matters and as 135 00:06:13,170 --> 00:06:15,281 Ukraine's troops face this key moment 136 00:06:15,281 --> 00:06:17,350 on the battlefield , we must ensure 137 00:06:17,670 --> 00:06:19,940 that America's indispensable assistance 138 00:06:19,950 --> 00:06:23,010 to Ukraine continues to flow without 139 00:06:23,019 --> 00:06:26,670 disruption . Since Russia's unprovoked 140 00:06:26,679 --> 00:06:29,309 an all out invasion . Last February , 141 00:06:29,910 --> 00:06:33,579 the United States has committed $43.9 142 00:06:33,589 --> 00:06:37,179 billion to help support a free and 143 00:06:37,190 --> 00:06:40,119 secure Ukraine . And that includes our 144 00:06:40,130 --> 00:06:42,410 most recent Ukraine assistance package 145 00:06:42,660 --> 00:06:45,929 valued at $200 million 146 00:06:46,989 --> 00:06:49,730 and we're in great company . Some 50 147 00:06:49,739 --> 00:06:51,739 other members of this contact group 148 00:06:51,739 --> 00:06:54,559 have committed more than $33 billion in 149 00:06:54,570 --> 00:06:56,792 direct security assistance to Ukraine . 150 00:06:57,369 --> 00:06:59,839 In fact , the three biggest European 151 00:06:59,850 --> 00:07:02,480 donors to Ukraine , Germany , the 152 00:07:02,489 --> 00:07:05,119 United Kingdom and Poland have all 153 00:07:05,130 --> 00:07:07,241 committed more than the United States 154 00:07:07,241 --> 00:07:11,179 as a percentage of GDP . And so have 155 00:07:11,190 --> 00:07:13,412 many other European countries including 156 00:07:13,412 --> 00:07:15,899 Croatia , Denmark , Finland , Sweden , 157 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,144 and all three of the Baltic States 158 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:21,619 together s uh today , several countries 159 00:07:21,630 --> 00:07:24,260 briefed us on new assistant pack 160 00:07:24,269 --> 00:07:26,950 assistance packages for Ukraine that 161 00:07:26,959 --> 00:07:29,399 have a that they have approved just in 162 00:07:29,410 --> 00:07:31,466 the three weeks since we last met in 163 00:07:31,466 --> 00:07:33,579 Ramstein and Germany will donate 164 00:07:33,589 --> 00:07:36,100 another patriot system and additional 165 00:07:36,109 --> 00:07:39,410 patriot missiles as part of a $1.1 166 00:07:39,420 --> 00:07:41,859 billion package that includes 10 more 167 00:07:41,869 --> 00:07:44,910 Leopard , a one tanks , two more I IRS 168 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:48,089 T air defense systems and Spain will 169 00:07:48,100 --> 00:07:50,109 continue its critical Hawk training 170 00:07:50,119 --> 00:07:52,470 mission and will donate additional Hawk 171 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:55,869 equipment . And Sweden approved a $200 172 00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:58,149 million assistance package including 173 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,029 critical artillery ammunition . And 174 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:03,459 Bulgaria will donate components to help 175 00:08:03,470 --> 00:08:06,179 Ukraine strengthen its S3 100 air 176 00:08:06,190 --> 00:08:09,260 defense system . France committed to 177 00:08:09,269 --> 00:08:11,769 providing more Cesar howitzers and to 178 00:08:11,779 --> 00:08:14,570 accelerate their production . The UK 179 00:08:14,579 --> 00:08:16,850 will provide a new package of aid 180 00:08:16,859 --> 00:08:19,720 including air defense support , 155 181 00:08:19,730 --> 00:08:23,149 millimeter guns and more . And 182 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:25,480 Canada will invest nearly half a 183 00:08:25,489 --> 00:08:27,489 billion dollars over the next three 184 00:08:27,489 --> 00:08:29,630 years in Ukraine's armored vehicle 185 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:33,590 capabilities and that just underscores 186 00:08:33,940 --> 00:08:36,000 the scope of the response from our 187 00:08:36,010 --> 00:08:38,530 allies and partners . It's another 188 00:08:38,539 --> 00:08:40,640 reminder of how badly Putin has 189 00:08:40,650 --> 00:08:44,190 miscalculated instead of demoralizing 190 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:46,780 the Ukrainian people . Putin 191 00:08:46,789 --> 00:08:50,010 demoralized the Russian military and 192 00:08:50,020 --> 00:08:51,964 countries everywhere have rejected 193 00:08:51,964 --> 00:08:54,187 Putin's vision of a lawless world where 194 00:08:54,187 --> 00:08:56,076 tyrants can invade their peaceful 195 00:08:56,076 --> 00:08:59,210 neighbors with impunity . So we stand 196 00:08:59,219 --> 00:09:01,989 united to help defend the free and 197 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,520 sovereign Ukraine and to help 198 00:09:04,530 --> 00:09:06,349 strengthen the rules based 199 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:08,880 international order that has made our 200 00:09:08,890 --> 00:09:11,219 world so much safer since the end of 201 00:09:11,229 --> 00:09:13,909 World War two . That's what this 202 00:09:13,919 --> 00:09:17,130 contact group stands for . That , that 203 00:09:17,140 --> 00:09:19,900 is what Ukraine is fighting for and 204 00:09:19,909 --> 00:09:22,299 will continue to have their backs . And 205 00:09:22,309 --> 00:09:25,119 so with that General Brown , the floor 206 00:09:25,130 --> 00:09:27,241 is yours . Thank you , Mr Secretary . 207 00:09:27,241 --> 00:09:29,599 Uh , good afternoon , everyone . Let me 208 00:09:29,609 --> 00:09:31,720 start by expressing my condolences to 209 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:33,831 the people of Israel and the families 210 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:36,159 who have been hurt by hamas' heinous 211 00:09:36,169 --> 00:09:38,609 terrorist attacks . Our nation's 212 00:09:38,619 --> 00:09:41,429 commitment to Israel is ironclad . Our 213 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:43,607 joint forces strengthen its posture in 214 00:09:43,607 --> 00:09:45,739 the region to support Israel as it 215 00:09:45,750 --> 00:09:49,190 protects itself and its people . The 216 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:51,367 joint force continues to work with our 217 00:09:51,367 --> 00:09:53,478 Israeli defense force counterparts at 218 00:09:53,478 --> 00:09:55,700 multiple levels to ensure they have the 219 00:09:55,700 --> 00:09:57,533 means and capabilities to defend 220 00:09:57,533 --> 00:09:59,811 themselves and deter future aggression . 221 00:10:00,479 --> 00:10:02,535 Turning to our work here today , I'm 222 00:10:02,535 --> 00:10:04,757 honored to have just finished the first 223 00:10:04,757 --> 00:10:06,590 Ukraine defense contact group as 224 00:10:06,590 --> 00:10:08,812 chairman of the joint chiefs of staff . 225 00:10:08,812 --> 00:10:10,812 I am humbled to witness the sustain 226 00:10:10,812 --> 00:10:13,035 efforts of this coalition in support of 227 00:10:13,035 --> 00:10:14,868 Ukraine . Remind me the words of 228 00:10:14,868 --> 00:10:17,109 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt who 229 00:10:17,119 --> 00:10:19,679 said the structure of world peace 230 00:10:19,780 --> 00:10:22,330 cannot be the work of one nation . It 231 00:10:22,340 --> 00:10:25,070 cannot be a piece of a large nation or 232 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:27,191 of small nations . It must be a peace 233 00:10:27,191 --> 00:10:30,760 which rests on the cooper effort of the 234 00:10:30,770 --> 00:10:33,099 whole world . President Roosevelt 235 00:10:33,109 --> 00:10:34,998 delivered these resonant words to 236 00:10:34,998 --> 00:10:37,380 Congress as war ravaged the globe from 237 00:10:37,390 --> 00:10:39,446 the plains of Europe to the sands of 238 00:10:39,446 --> 00:10:41,668 the Pacific . This generation sought to 239 00:10:41,668 --> 00:10:43,446 construct an order of peace and 240 00:10:43,446 --> 00:10:45,446 co-operation out of the remnants of 241 00:10:45,446 --> 00:10:47,130 conflict and division . This 242 00:10:47,140 --> 00:10:49,362 co-operative effort is evident today in 243 00:10:49,362 --> 00:10:51,529 this group's work to assist Ukraine in 244 00:10:51,529 --> 00:10:53,696 protecting its nation and its people . 245 00:10:53,859 --> 00:10:55,970 The collective strength of this group 246 00:10:55,970 --> 00:10:57,859 is owed to the commitment of each 247 00:10:57,859 --> 00:10:59,581 sovereign nation . It's also a 248 00:10:59,581 --> 00:11:01,692 testament to our Secretary of Defense 249 00:11:01,692 --> 00:11:03,415 Secretary Austin . Thank you , 250 00:11:03,415 --> 00:11:05,470 Secretary Austin for your unwavering 251 00:11:05,470 --> 00:11:07,581 commitment to Ukraine and for leading 252 00:11:07,581 --> 00:11:09,915 this group for the last year and a half . 253 00:11:09,915 --> 00:11:12,081 I'm honored that uh President Zelinski 254 00:11:12,081 --> 00:11:14,415 join our session today . Bring with him , 255 00:11:14,415 --> 00:11:16,637 the undaunted courage of his nation and 256 00:11:16,637 --> 00:11:18,581 sharing insights on enhancing this 257 00:11:18,581 --> 00:11:20,803 group's support for Ukraine . Thank you 258 00:11:20,803 --> 00:11:22,692 to President Zelensky and Defense 259 00:11:22,692 --> 00:11:24,915 Minister Umarov for leading Ukraine and 260 00:11:24,915 --> 00:11:27,190 its military with character and honor . 261 00:11:28,140 --> 00:11:30,307 Thank you to the Minister of Ministers 262 00:11:30,307 --> 00:11:32,479 of Defense , the Chiefs of Defense and 263 00:11:32,489 --> 00:11:34,600 National representatives from some 50 264 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:36,822 nations that meet nearly every month to 265 00:11:36,822 --> 00:11:38,822 organize our collective support for 266 00:11:38,822 --> 00:11:41,289 Ukraine . Well , this is my first 267 00:11:41,299 --> 00:11:43,132 Ukraine defense contact group as 268 00:11:43,132 --> 00:11:45,309 chairman of the joint chiefs . Be 269 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:47,880 assured that our mission , our 270 00:11:47,950 --> 00:11:49,880 objectives and our support for 271 00:11:49,890 --> 00:11:52,450 Ukrainian doors . The effort of this 272 00:11:52,460 --> 00:11:54,238 group extends beyond any single 273 00:11:54,238 --> 00:11:56,919 individual is a unified commitment from 274 00:11:56,929 --> 00:11:59,950 a coalition of nations today . This 275 00:11:59,960 --> 00:12:01,904 coalition fortifies our collective 276 00:12:01,904 --> 00:12:04,349 resolve to support a global system 277 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:06,944 where all nations are free to make 278 00:12:06,944 --> 00:12:08,833 their own choices consistent with 279 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:10,896 responsibilities under international 280 00:12:10,896 --> 00:12:13,299 law . The system whose vows have kept 281 00:12:13,309 --> 00:12:15,531 the world's major powers at peace since 282 00:12:15,531 --> 00:12:18,460 1945 year that saw at the end of the 283 00:12:18,469 --> 00:12:21,289 Second World War , a war that cost 50 284 00:12:21,299 --> 00:12:23,859 million lives . The war that devastated 285 00:12:23,869 --> 00:12:26,250 the globe while much of the world is 286 00:12:26,260 --> 00:12:28,890 committed to this lasting peace . Other 287 00:12:28,900 --> 00:12:31,340 nations are not content allowing their 288 00:12:31,349 --> 00:12:34,280 neighbors to prosper . Some nations 289 00:12:34,289 --> 00:12:36,289 threaten to subordinate the will of 290 00:12:36,289 --> 00:12:38,233 sovereign nation to the will of an 291 00:12:38,233 --> 00:12:40,690 individual aggressor yet might . Does 292 00:12:40,700 --> 00:12:43,950 not make right on the fateful day . 24 293 00:12:43,960 --> 00:12:45,960 February 2022 Russia crossed the 294 00:12:45,969 --> 00:12:48,760 Ukrainian border to begin the largest 295 00:12:48,770 --> 00:12:50,881 attack on a sovereign European nation 296 00:12:50,881 --> 00:12:53,929 in nearly eight decades . But Russian 297 00:12:54,039 --> 00:12:56,510 leadership miscalculated when the 298 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:58,520 Russian war machine attempted , its 299 00:12:58,520 --> 00:13:00,539 Western March was met by the 300 00:13:00,549 --> 00:13:02,771 unflinching resolve of a free people of 301 00:13:02,771 --> 00:13:05,070 Ukraine . A people that did not want to 302 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:08,000 return to the irons of oppression . And 303 00:13:08,010 --> 00:13:10,121 over the last 20 months , Ukraine has 304 00:13:10,121 --> 00:13:12,121 defended its territory and repelled 305 00:13:12,121 --> 00:13:14,049 Russia's unwarranted aggression . 306 00:13:15,479 --> 00:13:17,239 Ukraine continues to press its 307 00:13:17,250 --> 00:13:19,083 counteroffensive , making steady 308 00:13:19,083 --> 00:13:21,099 progress to reclaim territory , the 309 00:13:21,109 --> 00:13:23,130 leverage , armor , unmanned rail 310 00:13:23,140 --> 00:13:25,969 vehicles and advanced weapons to push 311 00:13:25,979 --> 00:13:28,030 through layered Russian lines and 312 00:13:28,039 --> 00:13:30,429 continued support of armor , artillery 313 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:32,329 and defense will allow Ukraine to 314 00:13:32,329 --> 00:13:34,330 defend its people and retake its 315 00:13:34,340 --> 00:13:36,809 territory . Our collective role is to 316 00:13:36,820 --> 00:13:39,042 provide Ukraine with the capabilities . 317 00:13:39,042 --> 00:13:41,153 It needs to protect itself , but it's 318 00:13:41,153 --> 00:13:43,153 not just about Ukraine , it's about 319 00:13:43,153 --> 00:13:45,489 something larger . It's about ensuring 320 00:13:45,500 --> 00:13:47,500 sovereign nations cannot be invaded 321 00:13:47,500 --> 00:13:49,333 without provocation . It's about 322 00:13:49,333 --> 00:13:52,520 upholding the rule of law . It's all 323 00:13:52,530 --> 00:13:54,530 about us collectively deciding that 324 00:13:54,530 --> 00:13:56,752 wars of aggression have no place in our 325 00:13:56,752 --> 00:13:58,474 world . As President Roosevelt 326 00:13:58,474 --> 00:14:00,419 eloquently said peace rests on the 327 00:14:00,419 --> 00:14:02,789 cooper effort of the whole world . He 328 00:14:02,799 --> 00:14:04,799 made this statement on the first of 329 00:14:04,799 --> 00:14:07,150 March 1945 and missed the efforts to 330 00:14:07,159 --> 00:14:09,381 create the post-war international order 331 00:14:09,381 --> 00:14:11,940 and to create a lasting peace , peace , 332 00:14:11,950 --> 00:14:15,909 post-war peace . Since 1945 333 00:14:15,919 --> 00:14:18,960 we stood unified since the 24th of 334 00:14:18,969 --> 00:14:21,929 February 2022 we stood unified 335 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:24,482 during each phase . This close 336 00:14:24,482 --> 00:14:26,650 coalition provided when columns of 337 00:14:26,659 --> 00:14:28,715 Russian tanks drew near this group . 338 00:14:28,715 --> 00:14:30,381 And these nations armed brave 339 00:14:30,381 --> 00:14:32,437 Ukrainians with anti armor weapons . 340 00:14:32,679 --> 00:14:34,512 When Russia attempted to command 341 00:14:34,512 --> 00:14:36,512 occupied territory , this group and 342 00:14:36,512 --> 00:14:38,735 these nations armed brave u cranes with 343 00:14:38,735 --> 00:14:40,846 long range fires . When Russia cruise 344 00:14:40,846 --> 00:14:42,846 missiles and attack drones fill the 345 00:14:42,846 --> 00:14:45,012 Ukrainian skies . This group and these 346 00:14:45,012 --> 00:14:46,957 nations armed brave Ukranians with 347 00:14:46,957 --> 00:14:49,099 layered air defense when the Russians 348 00:14:49,109 --> 00:14:51,640 attempted to regroup and refit this 349 00:14:51,650 --> 00:14:53,780 group . And these nations armed brave 350 00:14:53,789 --> 00:14:56,460 Ukrainians with tanks , troop carriers 351 00:14:56,469 --> 00:14:58,302 and armor to go on the offensive 352 00:14:59,119 --> 00:15:01,150 capability after capability . This 353 00:15:01,159 --> 00:15:03,619 group provided it's not always , it's 354 00:15:03,630 --> 00:15:06,090 not always been easy . Unity is not 355 00:15:06,099 --> 00:15:08,409 guaranteed . Our goal is not to force 356 00:15:08,419 --> 00:15:10,475 our partners into alignment on every 357 00:15:10,475 --> 00:15:12,419 challenge yet this group and these 358 00:15:12,419 --> 00:15:14,586 nations have always stood with Ukraine 359 00:15:14,630 --> 00:15:16,630 today . This group in these nations 360 00:15:16,630 --> 00:15:18,574 will stand together . We stand for 361 00:15:18,574 --> 00:15:20,741 freedom , we stand for sovereignty and 362 00:15:20,741 --> 00:15:22,908 we stand for Ukraine . Thank you and I 363 00:15:22,908 --> 00:15:25,074 look forward to your questions . Thank 364 00:15:25,074 --> 00:15:26,908 you , Mr Secretary . Thank you , 365 00:15:26,908 --> 00:15:29,130 Chairman . First question . We'll go to 366 00:15:29,130 --> 00:15:31,679 Lida Baldur Associated Press . Thank 367 00:15:31,690 --> 00:15:34,760 you , Mr Secretary . Uh you listed a 368 00:15:34,770 --> 00:15:36,881 number of contributions that a number 369 00:15:36,881 --> 00:15:39,103 of countries made . But there's also as 370 00:15:39,103 --> 00:15:40,992 you know , budget gridlock in the 371 00:15:40,992 --> 00:15:43,103 United States and efforts to pass the 372 00:15:43,103 --> 00:15:45,214 uh funding for Ukraine has not yet um 373 00:15:45,214 --> 00:15:48,229 been successful . How much of a concern 374 00:15:48,239 --> 00:15:50,484 is all of that to a lot of the 375 00:15:50,494 --> 00:15:52,605 ministers and defense leaders who you 376 00:15:52,605 --> 00:15:54,605 met with today ? Was there a lot of 377 00:15:54,605 --> 00:15:56,716 discussion about what is happening in 378 00:15:56,716 --> 00:15:59,465 the US ? And was there also concern 379 00:15:59,684 --> 00:16:02,424 that the effort to support Israel may 380 00:16:02,434 --> 00:16:05,385 take away from the effort to arm 381 00:16:05,395 --> 00:16:09,020 Ukraine and um Mr Chairman for you . 382 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:11,700 Um You got an operational update from 383 00:16:11,710 --> 00:16:14,719 uh Ukraine today . Can you tell us um 384 00:16:14,729 --> 00:16:17,179 give us an update on what you learned 385 00:16:17,190 --> 00:16:20,119 and whether you believe that the muddy 386 00:16:20,130 --> 00:16:22,241 weather and everything that is coming 387 00:16:22,241 --> 00:16:24,463 with the Ukrainian troops , you believe 388 00:16:24,463 --> 00:16:26,686 are postured and equipped and ready for 389 00:16:26,686 --> 00:16:29,099 that . And then secondarily , can you 390 00:16:29,109 --> 00:16:32,539 tell us if you have seen any 391 00:16:32,549 --> 00:16:35,510 evidence that Hezbollah or other 392 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:39,150 Ukraine , uh Iranian backed groups have 393 00:16:39,159 --> 00:16:42,549 done any movement at all and to take 394 00:16:42,559 --> 00:16:44,115 advantage of the Israel war 395 00:16:47,030 --> 00:16:49,659 le uh uh that was about 12 questions , 396 00:16:49,669 --> 00:16:52,450 but uh we'll try to get to uh to all of 397 00:16:52,460 --> 00:16:55,190 them . But thanks for the questions . 398 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:57,200 The first question is , was there a 399 00:16:57,200 --> 00:16:59,311 concern on the part of our allies and 400 00:16:59,311 --> 00:17:02,109 partners uh about our ability to 401 00:17:02,119 --> 00:17:05,050 continue to support uh this this effort . 402 00:17:05,060 --> 00:17:07,227 First of all , let me just point out , 403 00:17:07,227 --> 00:17:09,171 as I said earlier , Lita President 404 00:17:09,171 --> 00:17:12,060 Zelensky , uh and his entire team were 405 00:17:12,069 --> 00:17:14,236 in the room . It's the first time that 406 00:17:14,236 --> 00:17:17,699 he has attended uh this uh this 407 00:17:17,869 --> 00:17:21,530 series of meetings in person . Uh And 408 00:17:21,540 --> 00:17:23,949 it was really powerful for all of my 409 00:17:23,959 --> 00:17:27,410 colleagues to uh to get to hear him uh 410 00:17:27,420 --> 00:17:30,609 in person uh and talk about uh what his 411 00:17:30,619 --> 00:17:33,079 needs and requirements are and most 412 00:17:33,089 --> 00:17:35,619 important , it was important . Uh 413 00:17:35,630 --> 00:17:37,519 President Zelinski thought it was 414 00:17:37,519 --> 00:17:39,574 important that he personally thanked 415 00:17:39,574 --> 00:17:41,797 these countries for what they have done 416 00:17:41,797 --> 00:17:44,019 and what he hopes that they'll continue 417 00:17:44,019 --> 00:17:46,186 to do . What I convey to my colleagues 418 00:17:46,186 --> 00:17:48,939 is that uh you know , I , I believe as 419 00:17:48,949 --> 00:17:51,709 I engage members of congress , there is 420 00:17:51,719 --> 00:17:55,439 still uh bipartisan support for Ukraine . 421 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:58,530 And uh of course , democracies will 422 00:17:58,540 --> 00:18:00,800 take their time to work things out . 423 00:18:01,109 --> 00:18:03,540 And uh and we , they know that these 424 00:18:03,550 --> 00:18:05,772 processes have to play themselves out . 425 00:18:05,890 --> 00:18:08,001 I also conveyed to them that uh there 426 00:18:08,001 --> 00:18:10,168 is broad support uh on the part of the 427 00:18:10,170 --> 00:18:13,050 American people uh for Ukraine because 428 00:18:13,060 --> 00:18:15,310 Ukraine matters and we talked over and 429 00:18:15,319 --> 00:18:17,650 over again about why Ukraine matters . 430 00:18:17,869 --> 00:18:19,869 Uh This is not just about Ukraine , 431 00:18:19,869 --> 00:18:21,869 this is about the , the rules based 432 00:18:21,869 --> 00:18:24,729 international order uh in terms of our 433 00:18:24,739 --> 00:18:28,479 ability to um continue to 434 00:18:28,489 --> 00:18:32,050 support uh both uh the efforts in uh in 435 00:18:32,060 --> 00:18:35,849 Ukraine and uh uh support our , our , 436 00:18:35,859 --> 00:18:39,390 the efforts in , in Israel as well . 437 00:18:39,699 --> 00:18:41,921 Absolutely , we can do both and we will 438 00:18:41,921 --> 00:18:44,130 do both and , and , you know , we are 439 00:18:44,140 --> 00:18:46,418 the strongest nation in the world lida . 440 00:18:46,418 --> 00:18:48,529 Uh We're gonna do what's necessary to 441 00:18:48,530 --> 00:18:51,579 help our , our allies and partners and 442 00:18:51,589 --> 00:18:53,811 we're gonna do also do what's necessary 443 00:18:53,811 --> 00:18:55,849 to make sure that we maintain the 444 00:18:55,859 --> 00:18:58,081 capability to protect our interests and 445 00:18:58,081 --> 00:19:01,369 defend our country . So , uh with that , 446 00:19:01,380 --> 00:19:03,547 I'll turn it over to the chairman . So 447 00:19:03,547 --> 00:19:05,491 this is my first stop , you know , 448 00:19:05,491 --> 00:19:07,713 opportunity to meet with the General uh 449 00:19:07,713 --> 00:19:09,936 with President Zelinski . But I've also 450 00:19:09,936 --> 00:19:09,819 had a chance to talk and at least 451 00:19:09,829 --> 00:19:11,996 listen to the phone calls with General 452 00:19:11,996 --> 00:19:14,107 Zaluski . And also over the course of 453 00:19:14,107 --> 00:19:16,329 the past week that I've been in a job , 454 00:19:16,329 --> 00:19:18,273 uh you know , get updates from the 455 00:19:18,273 --> 00:19:20,496 joint staff and our intel team . And so 456 00:19:20,496 --> 00:19:20,420 today to be able to uh listen to 457 00:19:20,430 --> 00:19:23,310 President Zelensky and uh be able to uh 458 00:19:23,319 --> 00:19:25,729 have as Secretary Austin asked specific 459 00:19:25,739 --> 00:19:27,795 questions about their object overall 460 00:19:27,795 --> 00:19:30,017 objectives , uh where his real concerns 461 00:19:30,017 --> 00:19:32,295 were . Uh I have a better appreciation , 462 00:19:32,295 --> 00:19:34,461 uh you know , more so today than I had 463 00:19:34,461 --> 00:19:36,572 when I walked in this morning . Uh on 464 00:19:36,572 --> 00:19:38,850 where Ukraine is , is headed and their , 465 00:19:38,850 --> 00:19:40,961 where they want to go , I think after 466 00:19:40,961 --> 00:19:43,017 hearing this morning , but then also 467 00:19:43,017 --> 00:19:45,128 listening later this afternoon to all 468 00:19:45,128 --> 00:19:44,849 the contributions by each of the 469 00:19:44,859 --> 00:19:47,709 nations . I do feel we're putting 470 00:19:47,719 --> 00:19:49,663 Ukraine in a good spot . I realize 471 00:19:49,663 --> 00:19:51,886 during the winter months , it gets more 472 00:19:51,886 --> 00:19:54,108 challenging . But Ukraine has intent to 473 00:19:54,108 --> 00:19:56,108 continue their offensive operations 474 00:19:56,108 --> 00:19:58,330 throughout the winter months . And I do 475 00:19:58,330 --> 00:20:00,330 believe based on what I heard today 476 00:20:00,330 --> 00:20:02,497 from each of the nations , we're doing 477 00:20:02,497 --> 00:20:01,829 all the right things to posture them to 478 00:20:01,839 --> 00:20:04,390 be successful . To your second question 479 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:06,400 on uh what's going on in the Middle 480 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:08,567 East . I have not seen any indications 481 00:20:08,567 --> 00:20:11,300 of additional players that are going to 482 00:20:11,500 --> 00:20:13,833 get involved to the detriment of Israel . 483 00:20:14,020 --> 00:20:15,909 And this is one of the reasons we 484 00:20:15,909 --> 00:20:18,076 addressed our force posture . It's not 485 00:20:18,076 --> 00:20:20,131 only in support of Israel , but it's 486 00:20:20,131 --> 00:20:22,242 also to deter future action and , and 487 00:20:22,242 --> 00:20:22,170 those are the kinds of things and , and 488 00:20:22,180 --> 00:20:24,236 having talked to my counterpart from 489 00:20:24,236 --> 00:20:26,458 Israel , uh they were very appreciative 490 00:20:26,458 --> 00:20:28,402 of the steps that we took with our 491 00:20:28,402 --> 00:20:30,458 force posture . Uh It helps to deter 492 00:20:30,458 --> 00:20:32,458 and uh tho those are things we will 493 00:20:32,458 --> 00:20:34,569 continue to do um as we pay attention 494 00:20:34,569 --> 00:20:36,847 not only to what's happening in Israel , 495 00:20:36,847 --> 00:20:39,069 but uh continue our , you know , to set 496 00:20:39,069 --> 00:20:38,310 our posture in support of Ukraine as 497 00:20:38,319 --> 00:20:40,569 well . So with those six questions , I 498 00:20:40,579 --> 00:20:42,770 think you used up the entire uh 499 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:47,079 bandwidth there . Thank you . Thank you 500 00:20:47,089 --> 00:20:48,867 gentlemen . Let's go to the key 501 00:20:48,869 --> 00:20:49,869 independent . 502 00:20:53,989 --> 00:20:56,156 So recent media reports have suggested 503 00:20:56,156 --> 00:20:59,130 that the US has decided to send to 504 00:20:59,140 --> 00:21:01,839 Ukraine , when and in what quantity can 505 00:21:01,849 --> 00:21:03,960 we expect them to arrive in Ukraine ? 506 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:05,905 And how long do you anticipate the 507 00:21:05,905 --> 00:21:08,680 training to take place until Ukraine 508 00:21:08,689 --> 00:21:11,599 can receive them ? And what is your 509 00:21:11,609 --> 00:21:13,387 assessment of Ukraine's counter 510 00:21:13,387 --> 00:21:15,553 offensive thus far ? And how does that 511 00:21:15,553 --> 00:21:17,609 affect , how does the results affect 512 00:21:17,609 --> 00:21:19,831 the West's continued support if Ukraine 513 00:21:19,831 --> 00:21:21,720 is not able to achieve its goal , 514 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:23,720 especially since Russian defense is 515 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:25,831 very strong right now . And Ukrainian 516 00:21:25,831 --> 00:21:28,053 soldiers often say to me that it's very 517 00:21:28,053 --> 00:21:29,887 difficult to advance without air 518 00:21:29,887 --> 00:21:32,053 superiority . So when can they finally 519 00:21:32,053 --> 00:21:34,109 expect F-16 to arrive ? And what are 520 00:21:34,109 --> 00:21:36,165 the obstacles that are standing in a 521 00:21:36,165 --> 00:21:38,359 way ? So your first question was on 522 00:21:38,369 --> 00:21:40,890 F-16s and when they , when we expect 523 00:21:40,900 --> 00:21:43,122 for them to arrive , is that , was that 524 00:21:43,122 --> 00:21:45,500 the first part of the question attacks ? 525 00:21:46,369 --> 00:21:48,258 I don't have any announcements on 526 00:21:48,258 --> 00:21:50,790 attacks to make today . Uh But uh what 527 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:53,050 I will tell you is what we focused on 528 00:21:53,209 --> 00:21:55,680 is what we believe Ukraine needs . And 529 00:21:55,689 --> 00:21:57,800 we believe that because these are the 530 00:21:57,810 --> 00:21:59,532 things that President Zelensky 531 00:21:59,532 --> 00:22:03,479 addressed today . Uh He spoke of a need 532 00:22:03,489 --> 00:22:05,322 for air defense , additional air 533 00:22:05,322 --> 00:22:07,267 defense , ground based air defense 534 00:22:07,267 --> 00:22:09,045 capabilities and also artillery 535 00:22:09,045 --> 00:22:11,849 platforms and artillery munitions . And 536 00:22:11,859 --> 00:22:14,699 so that's been our focus . Uh And we 537 00:22:14,709 --> 00:22:18,180 have throughout focused on what we know 538 00:22:18,189 --> 00:22:21,020 that Ukraine is gonna need . And uh and , 539 00:22:21,369 --> 00:22:24,339 and that focus I think has been very , 540 00:22:24,349 --> 00:22:27,160 very instrumental in making sure that 541 00:22:27,359 --> 00:22:29,470 we can uh that President Zelinski can 542 00:22:29,470 --> 00:22:32,260 protect his cities uh and also protect 543 00:22:32,270 --> 00:22:34,437 his troops . So we'll , we'll continue 544 00:22:34,437 --> 00:22:38,329 that work . Um And F-16s uh in 545 00:22:38,339 --> 00:22:41,030 terms of when they would arrive , uh as 546 00:22:41,040 --> 00:22:43,989 you know , um we have a training an 547 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:47,250 F-16 pilot uh uh coalition training 548 00:22:47,260 --> 00:22:49,449 coalition . That's uh that's working 549 00:22:49,459 --> 00:22:51,681 right now to train pilots that work has 550 00:22:51,681 --> 00:22:53,829 begun in Europe . And also we're , 551 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:55,880 we're training pilots in the United 552 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:59,560 States as well . Uh And as we look at , 553 00:22:59,569 --> 00:23:01,513 uh you know , what it will take to 554 00:23:01,513 --> 00:23:03,569 provide an initial capability , this 555 00:23:03,569 --> 00:23:05,902 will take months as we said before . So , 556 00:23:05,902 --> 00:23:08,069 uh earliest is next spring when we can 557 00:23:08,069 --> 00:23:10,125 begin to see an initial capability . 558 00:23:14,010 --> 00:23:16,319 Well , I , I certainly don't wanna uh 559 00:23:17,150 --> 00:23:20,329 um count on what the chairman just said . 560 00:23:20,339 --> 00:23:22,006 But my assessment is that the 561 00:23:22,006 --> 00:23:25,260 Ukrainians are making steady progress 562 00:23:25,420 --> 00:23:28,430 and , and uh that's pretty much I think 563 00:23:28,439 --> 00:23:31,709 what the chairman said earlier . Uh And , 564 00:23:31,869 --> 00:23:34,979 and again , uh we've been very 565 00:23:34,989 --> 00:23:37,339 impressed by the determination by the 566 00:23:37,349 --> 00:23:40,319 valor of the Ukrainian forces and we 567 00:23:40,329 --> 00:23:43,079 will continue to focus on providing uh 568 00:23:43,089 --> 00:23:45,630 the forces and the leadership , those 569 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:47,807 things that they need to be successful 570 00:23:47,807 --> 00:23:50,029 in this fight on , on the battlefield . 571 00:23:50,029 --> 00:23:52,439 So , thank you . Uh Let's go to Felicia 572 00:23:52,449 --> 00:23:53,949 Schwartz Financial Times . 573 00:23:56,569 --> 00:23:59,260 Uh First for you , Mr Secretary , do 574 00:23:59,270 --> 00:24:01,381 you believe a ground invasion of Gaza 575 00:24:01,381 --> 00:24:03,750 is imminent ? And what advice are you 576 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:06,510 giving Israel about that operation ? 577 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:09,329 And for General Brown , um do you think 578 00:24:09,339 --> 00:24:11,829 that Ukraine needs to change its 579 00:24:11,839 --> 00:24:14,369 strategy heading into a pivotal winter 580 00:24:14,380 --> 00:24:17,010 as more American funding is uncertain 581 00:24:17,020 --> 00:24:20,790 and could be delayed ? Thanks Felicia , 582 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:23,890 I'll , I'll let uh Israel uh talk about 583 00:24:23,900 --> 00:24:26,140 its plans uh and its uh and its 584 00:24:26,150 --> 00:24:29,160 operations and I won't uh evaluate uh 585 00:24:29,170 --> 00:24:31,449 things one way or the other . I think , 586 00:24:31,619 --> 00:24:33,841 you know , my goal and I know the focus 587 00:24:33,841 --> 00:24:37,439 of our leadership is to provide support 588 00:24:37,489 --> 00:24:40,650 to the , to the Israeli Defense Force , 589 00:24:41,229 --> 00:24:43,329 give them focus on what they need , 590 00:24:43,339 --> 00:24:45,630 what they're asking for and to get it 591 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:49,609 there as quickly as possible . And so 592 00:24:49,719 --> 00:24:53,719 we have , you know , establish contact 593 00:24:53,729 --> 00:24:56,689 with the uh or liaison with the Israeli 594 00:24:56,699 --> 00:24:58,699 Defense Forces . I've talked to the 595 00:24:58,699 --> 00:25:00,959 Minister of Defense uh near daily uh 596 00:25:00,969 --> 00:25:03,839 since uh since this started . Uh And so 597 00:25:03,849 --> 00:25:06,016 we really feel like we have a good , a 598 00:25:06,016 --> 00:25:08,071 good feel for , for what they need , 599 00:25:08,071 --> 00:25:10,760 but in terms of their uh detailed plans , 600 00:25:10,770 --> 00:25:12,826 what they're gonna do , what they're 601 00:25:12,826 --> 00:25:15,159 not gonna do , uh I would defer to them . 602 00:25:15,159 --> 00:25:17,880 Felicia , I think uh that's uh uh it's , 603 00:25:17,890 --> 00:25:20,500 it's uh it's their effort and uh I 604 00:25:20,510 --> 00:25:22,819 think they're still uh in the , in the 605 00:25:22,829 --> 00:25:24,829 planning and assessment mode . So , 606 00:25:25,319 --> 00:25:27,486 Felicia , what I would say , just as , 607 00:25:27,486 --> 00:25:29,263 as we listen to uh uh President 608 00:25:29,263 --> 00:25:31,699 Zalewski today and uh uh the Minister 609 00:25:31,709 --> 00:25:33,709 of Defense , er , off , I , I don't 610 00:25:33,709 --> 00:25:35,876 know , don't see that they are , their 611 00:25:35,876 --> 00:25:37,931 plans will change . And what I would 612 00:25:37,931 --> 00:25:40,153 also say to that is that uh we actually 613 00:25:40,153 --> 00:25:42,320 have uh because of the funding we have 614 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:44,542 and , and our , our drawn out authority 615 00:25:44,542 --> 00:25:46,431 and others , we have uh equipment 616 00:25:46,431 --> 00:25:46,339 coming all the way to the first of the 617 00:25:46,349 --> 00:25:48,349 year . Uh So that's been mapped out 618 00:25:48,349 --> 00:25:50,589 fairly well . I would also add uh as I 619 00:25:50,599 --> 00:25:52,655 mentioned earlier that uh you know , 620 00:25:52,655 --> 00:25:54,821 many of the nations today as they went 621 00:25:54,821 --> 00:25:57,043 around and each uh offered capability , 622 00:25:57,043 --> 00:25:59,266 it's the collection of capability , not 623 00:25:59,266 --> 00:26:01,377 just with the US for R but you know , 624 00:26:01,377 --> 00:26:03,543 that's the whole reason why there's uh 625 00:26:03,543 --> 00:26:05,599 you know , defense contact group has 626 00:26:05,599 --> 00:26:07,543 come together . And I think we are 627 00:26:07,543 --> 00:26:09,599 doing a uh doing the right things to 628 00:26:09,599 --> 00:26:11,710 provide the capability to Ukraine and 629 00:26:11,710 --> 00:26:13,932 as each nations come together , um it's 630 00:26:13,932 --> 00:26:16,155 a collective capability I think is , is 631 00:26:16,155 --> 00:26:15,699 important , not just what the US 632 00:26:15,709 --> 00:26:17,876 provides , but as it's all that , that 633 00:26:17,876 --> 00:26:19,987 comes together , and I , I think it's 634 00:26:19,987 --> 00:26:22,099 important to remember that there's 50 635 00:26:22,109 --> 00:26:25,500 nations uh that have come together in 636 00:26:25,510 --> 00:26:27,566 support of Ukraine . And uh that's a 637 00:26:27,566 --> 00:26:29,880 pretty powerful uh uh group of people . 638 00:26:29,890 --> 00:26:31,946 And it was , you know , as President 639 00:26:31,946 --> 00:26:34,223 Zelensky looked at that body there and , 640 00:26:34,223 --> 00:26:36,839 and uh in , in all of these ministers 641 00:26:36,849 --> 00:26:38,905 of Defense and Chiefs of Defense are 642 00:26:38,905 --> 00:26:41,040 still very much focused on what his 643 00:26:41,050 --> 00:26:43,106 needs were . I , I think it may have 644 00:26:43,106 --> 00:26:46,119 been uh reassuring to him as well . So , 645 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:48,982 OK , for a final question , we'll go to 646 00:26:48,982 --> 00:26:50,427 AA Lee from your active . 647 00:26:54,719 --> 00:26:56,775 Thank you very much . I wanted to go 648 00:26:56,775 --> 00:26:59,030 back to the capability coalitions that 649 00:26:59,040 --> 00:27:01,729 you've mentioned earlier . What are 650 00:27:01,739 --> 00:27:04,000 those going to actually change when it 651 00:27:04,010 --> 00:27:06,177 comes to support to Ukraine ? But also 652 00:27:06,177 --> 00:27:08,288 to replenishing the stockpiles of the 653 00:27:08,288 --> 00:27:10,510 allies because that's also a problem in 654 00:27:10,510 --> 00:27:12,677 making sure that there will be support 655 00:27:12,677 --> 00:27:14,954 in the long term . And second question , 656 00:27:14,954 --> 00:27:14,479 if I may more specifically on the 657 00:27:14,489 --> 00:27:16,709 winter months coming ahead , do you 658 00:27:16,719 --> 00:27:18,941 believe that it is possible for Ukraine 659 00:27:18,941 --> 00:27:21,640 to both be prepared for protection of 660 00:27:21,650 --> 00:27:23,817 its critical infrastructure , fight of 661 00:27:23,817 --> 00:27:26,349 Russian , the Russians of its territory 662 00:27:26,410 --> 00:27:28,750 and also for NATO allies not to 663 00:27:28,760 --> 00:27:31,130 sacrifice their defense properness . 664 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:34,510 Thank you . So 665 00:27:35,130 --> 00:27:37,390 how does this change our provision of 666 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:39,178 support ? I think is your first 667 00:27:39,178 --> 00:27:41,709 question uh regarding the uh 668 00:27:42,170 --> 00:27:45,680 capability uh coalitions , what what 669 00:27:45,689 --> 00:27:47,949 this is doing is uh is laying the 670 00:27:47,959 --> 00:27:50,930 groundwork to begin to build the future 671 00:27:50,939 --> 00:27:54,319 force capability for , for Ukraine . So 672 00:27:54,329 --> 00:27:56,329 if we have an armor coalition , for 673 00:27:56,329 --> 00:27:58,540 example , who whoever is leading that 674 00:27:58,550 --> 00:28:02,329 coalition will uh will work with others 675 00:28:02,410 --> 00:28:06,119 to assemble the capability , the 676 00:28:06,130 --> 00:28:08,280 armor capability that Ukraine , we 677 00:28:08,290 --> 00:28:10,560 believe that Ukraine will need to 678 00:28:10,569 --> 00:28:12,859 defend uh its uh its sovereign 679 00:28:12,869 --> 00:28:15,449 territory in the future and deter 680 00:28:15,459 --> 00:28:17,520 aggression in the future . So if you 681 00:28:17,530 --> 00:28:19,252 look at each of the capability 682 00:28:19,252 --> 00:28:21,869 coalitions , um they , they're all uh 683 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:25,760 focused on a specific uh type of uh uh 684 00:28:25,770 --> 00:28:29,739 uh combat capability , uh armor 685 00:28:29,750 --> 00:28:32,790 artillery , uh air force , there'll be 686 00:28:32,800 --> 00:28:35,339 a naval component that will be uh 687 00:28:35,569 --> 00:28:38,540 focused on uh building out a naval 688 00:28:38,550 --> 00:28:41,780 capability . It an IT coalition that 689 00:28:41,790 --> 00:28:44,650 will help uh Ukraine uh 690 00:28:44,660 --> 00:28:48,010 strengthen its it capabilities and be 691 00:28:48,020 --> 00:28:50,076 able to defend its networks uh going 692 00:28:50,076 --> 00:28:53,459 forward . So , thank you very much , 693 00:28:53,469 --> 00:28:55,636 ladies and gentlemen , that is all the 694 00:28:55,636 --> 00:28:56,540 time we have for today . Thank you .