1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:04,019 --> 00:00:05,963 Well , good afternoon , ladies and 3 00:00:05,963 --> 00:00:07,963 gentlemen , thank you very much for 4 00:00:07,963 --> 00:00:10,186 being here today . It is my pleasure to 5 00:00:10,186 --> 00:00:12,241 introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd 6 00:00:12,241 --> 00:00:14,408 Austin , the third and chairman of the 7 00:00:14,408 --> 00:00:16,575 Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown 8 00:00:16,575 --> 00:00:18,575 Jr , the secretary and the chairman 9 00:00:18,575 --> 00:00:20,686 will deliver opening remarks and then 10 00:00:20,686 --> 00:00:22,686 have time to take a few questions . 11 00:00:22,686 --> 00:00:24,852 Please note that I will moderate those 12 00:00:24,852 --> 00:00:26,852 questions and call on reporters and 13 00:00:26,852 --> 00:00:29,075 would just ask you to limit your follow 14 00:00:29,075 --> 00:00:31,241 up so that we can give your colleagues 15 00:00:31,241 --> 00:00:33,130 a chance to ask their questions . 16 00:00:33,130 --> 00:00:32,959 Mister Secretary over to you , sir . 17 00:00:33,279 --> 00:00:35,389 Thanks . Well , good afternoon , 18 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:37,400 everybody . Thanks for joining us , 19 00:00:38,310 --> 00:00:40,532 General Brown and I have just come from 20 00:00:40,532 --> 00:00:42,860 another highly productive meeting of 21 00:00:42,869 --> 00:00:45,540 the Ukraine defense contact group and 22 00:00:45,549 --> 00:00:49,259 this was our 23rd meeting . And every 23 00:00:49,270 --> 00:00:52,900 time we gather , I am impressed by the 24 00:00:52,909 --> 00:00:55,950 resolve of the more than 50 countries 25 00:00:55,959 --> 00:00:57,900 helping to support Ukraine's self 26 00:00:57,970 --> 00:01:01,069 defense . Today , the contact group 27 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:04,470 heard directly about the battlefield 28 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:06,970 situation from Minister Umarov and his 29 00:01:06,980 --> 00:01:09,819 delegation . Ukraine's forces are 30 00:01:09,830 --> 00:01:11,900 holding the line in the face of 31 00:01:12,180 --> 00:01:15,650 Russia's assault near Kharkiv and 32 00:01:15,660 --> 00:01:17,716 Ukrainian troops continue to inflict 33 00:01:17,716 --> 00:01:19,709 significant costs on the Kremlin's 34 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:23,230 invaders after President Biden 35 00:01:23,239 --> 00:01:25,209 signed . The national security . 36 00:01:25,220 --> 00:01:28,949 Supplemental . Renewed us . 37 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:31,379 Assistance is reaching Ukraine at a 38 00:01:31,389 --> 00:01:34,389 steady pace . And last week , President 39 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:36,122 Biden announced a new security 40 00:01:36,122 --> 00:01:38,160 assistance package through another 41 00:01:38,169 --> 00:01:41,779 drawdown from our stocks . And this 22 42 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:45,709 h this $225 million package provides 43 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:47,489 Ukraine with more air defense 44 00:01:47,500 --> 00:01:51,400 interceptors , armored vehicles , anti 45 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:54,319 tank weapons and artillery systems and 46 00:01:54,330 --> 00:01:57,480 munitions . And Ukraine's partners 47 00:01:57,489 --> 00:01:59,600 around the world continue to stand up 48 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:02,980 to Putin's aggressions . This coalition 49 00:02:02,989 --> 00:02:04,779 remains steadfast and strong 50 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:08,787 and the contact group remains 51 00:02:08,787 --> 00:02:10,787 determined to meet Ukraine's urgent 52 00:02:10,787 --> 00:02:12,842 capability needs and to help Ukraine 53 00:02:12,842 --> 00:02:15,089 deter Russian aggression for decades to 54 00:02:15,100 --> 00:02:18,449 come . Contact group members continue 55 00:02:18,460 --> 00:02:21,300 to step up and to get Ukraine what it 56 00:02:21,309 --> 00:02:24,669 needs and when it needs it , air 57 00:02:24,679 --> 00:02:26,957 defense remains Ukraine's top priority . 58 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:30,460 I applaud those who have dug deep to 59 00:02:30,470 --> 00:02:32,359 find more air defense systems and 60 00:02:32,359 --> 00:02:34,360 interceptors . For example , the 61 00:02:34,369 --> 00:02:36,091 Netherlands is leading a smart 62 00:02:36,091 --> 00:02:39,369 initiative to assemble and deliver a 63 00:02:39,410 --> 00:02:42,529 patriot air defense system . The Dutch 64 00:02:42,539 --> 00:02:45,130 government has committed to contribute 65 00:02:45,139 --> 00:02:48,029 many core components and parts from its 66 00:02:48,039 --> 00:02:50,600 own stocks and has called on Ukraine's 67 00:02:50,610 --> 00:02:52,721 other friends to help with the rest . 68 00:02:53,690 --> 00:02:56,210 And meanwhile , Sweden recently 69 00:02:56,220 --> 00:02:58,387 announced its largest military package 70 00:02:58,387 --> 00:03:00,669 for Ukraine that includes 71 00:03:00,679 --> 00:03:04,580 155155 millimeter artillery shells , 72 00:03:05,860 --> 00:03:08,270 am missiles and armored vehicles . 73 00:03:09,369 --> 00:03:12,419 Sweden is also providing airborne early 74 00:03:12,429 --> 00:03:15,139 warning and control aircraft which will 75 00:03:15,149 --> 00:03:17,149 help Ukraine with both airborne and 76 00:03:17,149 --> 00:03:20,630 maritime targets . And Italy announced 77 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,570 that it will send a second Sam T Air 78 00:03:23,580 --> 00:03:27,050 defense system to Ukraine . And so our 79 00:03:27,059 --> 00:03:29,660 allies are also committing to long term 80 00:03:29,669 --> 00:03:33,179 military aid packages . More and more 81 00:03:33,190 --> 00:03:34,912 countries are enshrining these 82 00:03:34,912 --> 00:03:36,857 commitments in long term bilateral 83 00:03:36,857 --> 00:03:39,360 agreements with Ukraine . And I'm 84 00:03:39,369 --> 00:03:41,313 pleased that the United States and 85 00:03:41,313 --> 00:03:43,313 Ukraine will sign our own bilateral 86 00:03:43,313 --> 00:03:45,949 security agreement today . Together , 87 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:47,793 we're working to forge long term 88 00:03:47,793 --> 00:03:50,589 security for Ukraine and I continue to 89 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,139 be impressed by the work of the contact 90 00:03:53,149 --> 00:03:56,199 group's capability coalitions . Today , 91 00:03:56,210 --> 00:03:58,380 we heard an update from the drone 92 00:03:58,410 --> 00:04:01,779 coalition and let me thank Latvia and 93 00:04:01,789 --> 00:04:03,733 the UK for their leadership of the 94 00:04:03,733 --> 00:04:06,639 drone coalition . This capability 95 00:04:06,649 --> 00:04:08,500 coalition is helping to expand 96 00:04:08,509 --> 00:04:10,429 Ukraine's asymmetric asymmetric 97 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:13,020 capabilities and that's especially 98 00:04:13,029 --> 00:04:16,679 important as Putin relies on Iranian 99 00:04:16,690 --> 00:04:19,609 uavs to target Ukrainian cities and 100 00:04:19,619 --> 00:04:23,519 civilians . This is just one of the 101 00:04:23,529 --> 00:04:26,220 eight capability coalitions and they're 102 00:04:26,230 --> 00:04:28,850 doing outstanding work together . We're 103 00:04:28,859 --> 00:04:30,890 helping Ukraine build a formidable 104 00:04:30,899 --> 00:04:33,390 future force , one that can deter 105 00:04:33,399 --> 00:04:36,170 aggression over the long haul . We 106 00:04:36,179 --> 00:04:38,235 remain determined to keep supporting 107 00:04:38,235 --> 00:04:40,459 Ukraine while ensuring our own military 108 00:04:40,470 --> 00:04:42,637 readiness at this challenging moment . 109 00:04:43,350 --> 00:04:45,294 And that includes a robust defense 110 00:04:45,294 --> 00:04:47,660 industrial base . So we spent time 111 00:04:47,670 --> 00:04:49,670 today discussing ways to expand the 112 00:04:49,670 --> 00:04:51,726 production of critical munitions and 113 00:04:51,726 --> 00:04:54,019 systems and to deepen our coordinations 114 00:04:54,250 --> 00:04:57,970 through the capability coalitions . Now , 115 00:04:58,130 --> 00:05:00,570 I just want to be clear about why I've 116 00:05:00,579 --> 00:05:02,850 convened this group , this contact 117 00:05:02,859 --> 00:05:04,690 group 23 times . Now , 118 00:05:06,670 --> 00:05:09,649 Putin thinks that he gets to determine 119 00:05:09,660 --> 00:05:12,609 which countries are real and which 120 00:05:12,619 --> 00:05:14,675 countries can be wiped off the map . 121 00:05:15,859 --> 00:05:18,359 That's incredibly radical and 122 00:05:18,369 --> 00:05:21,410 incredibly dangerous . So let's be 123 00:05:21,420 --> 00:05:25,239 clear , Putin started this war by 124 00:05:25,250 --> 00:05:28,959 invading his peaceful neighbor , a 125 00:05:28,970 --> 00:05:31,730 permanent member of the UN Security 126 00:05:31,739 --> 00:05:35,309 Council is trying to deny democracy 127 00:05:35,929 --> 00:05:38,380 to more than 43 million people . 128 00:05:39,799 --> 00:05:41,688 And the Kremlin's war of imperial 129 00:05:41,688 --> 00:05:44,329 aggression has horrified countries 130 00:05:44,339 --> 00:05:48,010 around the world . Ukraine 131 00:05:48,019 --> 00:05:50,241 matters to the United States and to the 132 00:05:50,241 --> 00:05:53,480 entire world . If Ukraine falls under 133 00:05:53,489 --> 00:05:56,660 Putin's boot , Europe would fall under 134 00:05:56,670 --> 00:06:00,230 Putin's shadow . If Putin travels , 135 00:06:00,239 --> 00:06:02,239 Ukraine , he would be emboldened to 136 00:06:02,239 --> 00:06:05,329 commit more acts of aggression and the 137 00:06:05,339 --> 00:06:07,283 world would enter a far , far more 138 00:06:07,283 --> 00:06:10,269 dangerous stage . So we understand the 139 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:13,190 stakes and the outcome of the war in 140 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:15,367 Ukraine will help set a trajectory for 141 00:06:15,367 --> 00:06:17,478 global security for decades to come . 142 00:06:18,429 --> 00:06:20,809 And this contact group will continue to 143 00:06:20,820 --> 00:06:24,559 defend Ukraine's sovereignty in 144 00:06:24,570 --> 00:06:27,829 all of our security . So we will 145 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:29,617 continue to stand up to Putin's 146 00:06:29,617 --> 00:06:32,250 aggression and atrocities . We will 147 00:06:32,260 --> 00:06:34,450 continue to find new options to get 148 00:06:34,459 --> 00:06:37,010 Ukraine the air defenses that it needs 149 00:06:37,019 --> 00:06:40,269 to defend its guys and we will continue 150 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:42,501 to move heaven and earth to get Ukraine 151 00:06:42,501 --> 00:06:44,668 what it needs to live in freedom . And 152 00:06:44,668 --> 00:06:46,835 with that General Brown on the floor . 153 00:06:46,835 --> 00:06:48,835 Is yours , sir ? Well , thank you , 154 00:06:48,835 --> 00:06:50,835 Mister Secretary . Good afternoon , 155 00:06:50,835 --> 00:06:53,209 everyone . Just last week on the June 156 00:06:53,220 --> 00:06:55,387 6th , I was on the beaches of Normandy 157 00:06:55,589 --> 00:06:57,311 to , to commemorate the eighth 158 00:06:57,311 --> 00:06:59,311 anniversary of the D DAY invasion . 159 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:02,100 We're alongside President Biden , 160 00:07:02,119 --> 00:07:04,380 Secretary , Austin and other world 161 00:07:04,390 --> 00:07:06,910 leaders . We honor some of the last 162 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:09,253 living veterans who fought in World War . 163 00:07:09,253 --> 00:07:12,559 I I our greatest generation on the 164 00:07:12,570 --> 00:07:15,679 evening of 6 June 1944 President 165 00:07:15,690 --> 00:07:17,910 Franklin D Roosevelt provided a public 166 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:19,864 statement describing the brave man 167 00:07:19,864 --> 00:07:23,130 funding a world away . He said they 168 00:07:23,140 --> 00:07:25,196 fight not for the lust of conquest . 169 00:07:25,820 --> 00:07:28,410 The fight to end conquest , they fight 170 00:07:28,420 --> 00:07:31,250 to liberate , they fight to let justice 171 00:07:31,260 --> 00:07:34,709 arise and tolerance and goodwill will 172 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:38,679 among all thy people . D day showed us 173 00:07:39,209 --> 00:07:41,670 the power of cooper operation . He 174 00:07:41,679 --> 00:07:43,735 showed us that liberty prevails over 175 00:07:43,735 --> 00:07:45,846 aggression when nations come together 176 00:07:45,846 --> 00:07:48,600 for just cause . Now we find ourselves 177 00:07:48,609 --> 00:07:51,450 in another crux of history . This is 178 00:07:51,459 --> 00:07:53,670 the driving force of this Ukraine 179 00:07:53,679 --> 00:07:56,929 defense contact group to come together 180 00:07:57,869 --> 00:08:00,529 united for the cause of Ukraine for the 181 00:08:00,540 --> 00:08:02,899 cause of our nations and for the cause 182 00:08:02,910 --> 00:08:05,529 of the future . Once again , I want to 183 00:08:05,540 --> 00:08:07,318 thank Secretary Austin for your 184 00:08:07,318 --> 00:08:09,373 steadfast leadership in guiding this 185 00:08:09,373 --> 00:08:11,484 international coalition . I also want 186 00:08:11,484 --> 00:08:13,540 to thank the Defense Minister Umarov 187 00:08:13,540 --> 00:08:16,230 who joined us today and for his 188 00:08:16,239 --> 00:08:18,128 continued leadership of Ukraine's 189 00:08:18,128 --> 00:08:20,989 military forces and to all the nations 190 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,000 are represented here today . I also 191 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,167 want to thank them their contributions 192 00:08:25,167 --> 00:08:27,389 to support Ukraine's effort to maintain 193 00:08:27,389 --> 00:08:29,950 its sovereignty . Russia's war in 194 00:08:29,959 --> 00:08:32,015 Ukraine tests the very foundation of 195 00:08:32,015 --> 00:08:35,090 security on which the world relies . 196 00:08:36,039 --> 00:08:37,928 Russell's unprovoked aggression , 197 00:08:37,928 --> 00:08:39,595 challenges , the security and 198 00:08:39,595 --> 00:08:41,761 prosperity of all nations as I've said 199 00:08:41,761 --> 00:08:43,928 before , might , does not make right , 200 00:08:44,619 --> 00:08:47,840 but might does shape outcomes through 201 00:08:47,849 --> 00:08:50,071 this contact group's collective support 202 00:08:50,071 --> 00:08:52,238 of Ukraine . We are aligning the might 203 00:08:52,238 --> 00:08:54,293 of this world . With what is right . 204 00:08:54,479 --> 00:08:56,257 The global response to Russia's 205 00:08:56,257 --> 00:08:58,201 unprovoked aggression has degraded 206 00:08:58,201 --> 00:09:00,423 their power and prestige , forcing them 207 00:09:00,423 --> 00:09:03,130 to further into isolation and our unity 208 00:09:03,140 --> 00:09:06,179 only grows stronger even so Russia 209 00:09:06,190 --> 00:09:08,190 continues their attempts to advance 210 00:09:08,190 --> 00:09:10,859 across multiple battlefronts to include 211 00:09:10,869 --> 00:09:12,758 their recent assault on Kharkiv . 212 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:15,781 Russia is conjuring fire and attempting 213 00:09:15,781 --> 00:09:17,615 to target Ukrainian resupply and 214 00:09:17,950 --> 00:09:20,739 reinforcement abilities . Ukraine's 215 00:09:20,750 --> 00:09:22,528 ability to search firepower and 216 00:09:22,528 --> 00:09:24,306 reposition troops has countered 217 00:09:24,306 --> 00:09:26,472 Russia's offensive and disrupted their 218 00:09:26,472 --> 00:09:29,260 attack . Ukraine continues to hold 219 00:09:29,270 --> 00:09:31,450 strong and with this group's 220 00:09:31,460 --> 00:09:33,404 contributions , the Ukrainians are 221 00:09:33,404 --> 00:09:35,404 exacting heavy costs on the Russian 222 00:09:35,404 --> 00:09:37,479 aggressors . It's why our ongoing 223 00:09:37,489 --> 00:09:40,210 support is so critical . Sustaining 224 00:09:40,219 --> 00:09:42,330 Ukraine's ability to defend itself is 225 00:09:42,330 --> 00:09:44,650 both a present and long term effort . 226 00:09:45,539 --> 00:09:47,706 This group's work in providing Ukraine 227 00:09:47,706 --> 00:09:50,539 with the necessary systems , munitions 228 00:09:50,549 --> 00:09:53,190 and capabilities has been remarkable to 229 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:55,780 be effective . Fighting forces need 230 00:09:55,919 --> 00:09:57,530 continued access to military 231 00:09:57,530 --> 00:10:00,049 capabilities and supplies and our 232 00:10:00,059 --> 00:10:02,059 support combined with the Ukrainian 233 00:10:02,059 --> 00:10:04,909 will to fight . Has proven time and 234 00:10:04,919 --> 00:10:07,409 time again that Ukraine will not bend 235 00:10:08,330 --> 00:10:11,510 their fighting spirit is ironclad . The 236 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:14,169 will itself is not enough , which is 237 00:10:14,179 --> 00:10:16,390 why we remain focused and dedicated to 238 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:19,250 these efforts . Just last week as 239 00:10:19,260 --> 00:10:21,038 Secretary Austin mentioned , we 240 00:10:21,038 --> 00:10:23,204 announced the 59th drawdown package of 241 00:10:23,204 --> 00:10:25,204 military capabilities for Ukraine . 242 00:10:25,969 --> 00:10:28,289 This was just part of an incredible 243 00:10:28,299 --> 00:10:31,809 contributions recently made by some 50 244 00:10:31,820 --> 00:10:35,020 nations of this coalition . And an 245 00:10:35,030 --> 00:10:37,030 example of how this caution remains 246 00:10:37,030 --> 00:10:39,650 dedicated to supplying Ukraine with the 247 00:10:39,659 --> 00:10:41,603 tools they need to counter ongoing 248 00:10:41,603 --> 00:10:45,039 Russian aggression outside of Ukraine's 249 00:10:45,049 --> 00:10:47,271 courageous people and the resent combat 250 00:10:47,271 --> 00:10:49,719 forces . The unwaver support of the 251 00:10:49,729 --> 00:10:51,951 nations gathered here today remains one 252 00:10:51,951 --> 00:10:54,489 of their greatest assets . These 253 00:10:54,500 --> 00:10:56,390 nations are committed to working 254 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:58,456 together to help Ukraine address the 255 00:10:58,456 --> 00:11:00,678 challenges ahead . We are stronger when 256 00:11:00,678 --> 00:11:03,729 we work together . This solidarity is 257 00:11:03,739 --> 00:11:05,906 rooted in a shared history of security 258 00:11:06,770 --> 00:11:08,659 and fostered by the principles of 259 00:11:08,659 --> 00:11:10,929 democracy , sovereignty and 260 00:11:10,940 --> 00:11:13,520 international law . For the past 30 261 00:11:13,530 --> 00:11:15,820 years , these principles have preserved 262 00:11:15,830 --> 00:11:17,869 peace among the nations that uphold 263 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:20,599 them . This contact group united by 264 00:11:20,609 --> 00:11:22,809 these ideals stands firm against any 265 00:11:22,820 --> 00:11:25,049 challenge . Demonstrating the true 266 00:11:25,059 --> 00:11:27,226 power resides in a co-operative effort 267 00:11:27,226 --> 00:11:29,226 by like-minded nations fighting for 268 00:11:29,226 --> 00:11:31,659 freedom or or two taught us that 269 00:11:31,669 --> 00:11:33,780 unchecked aggression spreads conflict 270 00:11:33,780 --> 00:11:35,960 to the rest of the world . It is in 271 00:11:35,969 --> 00:11:38,619 these moments as President Roosevelt 272 00:11:38,630 --> 00:11:41,250 said that brave men and women must 273 00:11:41,260 --> 00:11:44,969 fight in conquest to liberate and 274 00:11:44,979 --> 00:11:48,109 to let justice arise . The brave 275 00:11:48,119 --> 00:11:50,210 sorcerers of the allied nations came 276 00:11:50,219 --> 00:11:52,840 together 80 years ago and executed 277 00:11:52,849 --> 00:11:56,190 operation overlord knowing that freedom 278 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:58,289 and sovereignty depended on their 279 00:11:58,289 --> 00:12:02,219 success today . Peace and security are 280 00:12:02,229 --> 00:12:04,173 not only achieved through military 281 00:12:04,173 --> 00:12:07,340 readiness of individual nations . They 282 00:12:07,349 --> 00:12:09,516 are achieved through collective effort 283 00:12:09,650 --> 00:12:11,594 through aligning our resources and 284 00:12:11,594 --> 00:12:13,559 abilities and support of defending 285 00:12:13,570 --> 00:12:16,729 Ukraine , defending democracy and 286 00:12:16,739 --> 00:12:18,961 defending sovereignty . Thank you and I 287 00:12:18,961 --> 00:12:21,128 look forward to your questions . Thank 288 00:12:21,128 --> 00:12:23,239 you both gentlemen . First question , 289 00:12:23,239 --> 00:12:24,850 we'll go to Politico Laura . 290 00:12:27,580 --> 00:12:30,260 Thank you . Uh Thanks for doing this . 291 00:12:30,270 --> 00:12:33,090 Um Secretary Austin President Zelensky 292 00:12:33,099 --> 00:12:35,099 has specifically asked for more air 293 00:12:35,099 --> 00:12:37,266 defenses . Uh Germany has announced an 294 00:12:37,266 --> 00:12:38,988 additional patriot . Italy has 295 00:12:38,988 --> 00:12:41,489 announced a CMT will the US answer that 296 00:12:41,500 --> 00:12:43,667 call and deliver an additional patriot 297 00:12:43,667 --> 00:12:45,722 to Ukraine ? And if you can't answer 298 00:12:45,722 --> 00:12:47,722 that or if the answer is no today , 299 00:12:47,722 --> 00:12:49,667 what is the hold up ? And then for 300 00:12:49,667 --> 00:12:51,889 General Brown , Ukraine has said it has 301 00:12:51,889 --> 00:12:53,889 30 pilots ready to go through pilot 302 00:12:53,889 --> 00:12:56,000 training for F-16 , but there are not 303 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:58,278 enough spots at in the US to take that . 304 00:12:58,349 --> 00:13:00,405 Is that true from your perspective ? 305 00:13:00,405 --> 00:13:02,349 And if so , are you looking at 306 00:13:02,359 --> 00:13:04,940 expanding that training pipeline or are 307 00:13:04,950 --> 00:13:07,006 you confident that Ukraine will have 308 00:13:07,006 --> 00:13:09,117 enough pilots and maintainers trained 309 00:13:09,117 --> 00:13:11,228 on the planes by the time they arrive 310 00:13:11,228 --> 00:13:13,506 this summer ? Thank you . Thanks Laura , 311 00:13:13,510 --> 00:13:16,429 regarding patriots and 312 00:13:17,479 --> 00:13:19,646 you know , air defense has been at the 313 00:13:19,646 --> 00:13:22,719 top of my agenda for a long time and 314 00:13:22,729 --> 00:13:24,951 for month after month , you've heard me 315 00:13:24,951 --> 00:13:28,599 emphasize the importance of providing 316 00:13:28,609 --> 00:13:30,720 Ukraine additional air defenses . You 317 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:32,831 know that we've provided a patriot to 318 00:13:32,831 --> 00:13:36,789 them already , but not only that me 319 00:13:36,799 --> 00:13:39,700 and President Biden and Jake Sullivan 320 00:13:39,710 --> 00:13:41,950 and Tony Blinken spent a great deal of 321 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:45,520 our time encouraging others to , to 322 00:13:45,530 --> 00:13:47,530 provide additional capabilities and 323 00:13:47,530 --> 00:13:49,586 it's not just patriots , it's , it's 324 00:13:49,586 --> 00:13:53,070 nass , it's , it's ST it's , it's , you 325 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:56,030 know , a number of capabilities that , 326 00:13:56,609 --> 00:13:59,039 that Ukraine needs and they need the 327 00:13:59,049 --> 00:14:01,299 interceptors to complement the 328 00:14:01,309 --> 00:14:03,369 platforms . I don't have any 329 00:14:03,380 --> 00:14:05,799 announcements on uh on Patriot 330 00:14:05,809 --> 00:14:08,000 batteries today . But what I can tell 331 00:14:08,010 --> 00:14:10,121 you is that I continue to work this . 332 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:12,530 Uh and uh and I'm in constant contact 333 00:14:12,539 --> 00:14:15,729 with my Ukrainian counterpart and we're 334 00:14:15,739 --> 00:14:17,850 going to do everything we can to make 335 00:14:17,850 --> 00:14:20,072 sure that they have the capability that 336 00:14:20,072 --> 00:14:22,183 they need and they would get it there 337 00:14:22,183 --> 00:14:25,429 as quickly as we can . No , we have an 338 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:27,551 Air Force capability coalition . It's 339 00:14:27,551 --> 00:14:29,718 one of the eight capability coalitions 340 00:14:29,718 --> 00:14:32,190 that's focused on in this case , 341 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,144 working with the Ukrainians to get 342 00:14:34,144 --> 00:14:36,367 their , their fourth generation fighter 343 00:14:36,367 --> 00:14:38,422 capability up and running the United 344 00:14:38,422 --> 00:14:40,644 States is one of the co-lead associated 345 00:14:40,644 --> 00:14:42,811 with that . And so not only do we help 346 00:14:42,811 --> 00:14:44,811 provide training for their pilots , 347 00:14:44,811 --> 00:14:44,580 there's other countries that are also 348 00:14:44,599 --> 00:14:47,330 supporting the training as well . So 349 00:14:47,340 --> 00:14:51,219 there is capacity for training both in 350 00:14:51,229 --> 00:14:53,451 the United States but also with some of 351 00:14:53,451 --> 00:14:55,562 their partners as part of that , that 352 00:14:55,562 --> 00:14:57,562 cap league coalition . And so we'll 353 00:14:57,562 --> 00:14:59,673 continue to work with them , but it's 354 00:14:59,673 --> 00:14:58,940 not just the policy you have to have 355 00:14:58,950 --> 00:15:01,117 and having not only flown the F-16 but 356 00:15:01,119 --> 00:15:03,286 understanding that maintenance is also 357 00:15:03,286 --> 00:15:05,119 a key part of that and train the 358 00:15:05,119 --> 00:15:07,619 maintainers and we're working digitally 359 00:15:07,630 --> 00:15:09,741 to make sure that the Ukrainians have 360 00:15:09,741 --> 00:15:11,963 what they need . And the goal is to get 361 00:15:11,963 --> 00:15:15,599 them those F-16s this summer . Ok . 362 00:15:15,609 --> 00:15:18,159 Next question , we'll go to a Sa Mattia . 363 00:15:21,750 --> 00:15:24,229 Yes . Hi , national news agency . 364 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,750 It's just a follow up question to my 365 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:31,369 colleague because we have been reading 366 00:15:31,380 --> 00:15:34,419 the press about this new Extra Patriot 367 00:15:34,429 --> 00:15:37,049 system . There is no announcement today 368 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:39,640 but what I would like to ask you is 369 00:15:39,640 --> 00:15:42,169 that we know that the US is the biggest 370 00:15:42,179 --> 00:15:44,235 holder of these patriot systems . So 371 00:15:44,530 --> 00:15:47,330 what , what is the reason why you are 372 00:15:47,340 --> 00:15:49,451 holding the background is operational 373 00:15:49,451 --> 00:15:53,179 system reasons . You can move 374 00:15:53,190 --> 00:15:55,390 kit from one theater to the other . It 375 00:15:55,669 --> 00:15:57,869 is just for us to understand . And 376 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:00,047 secondly , for you , general , what is 377 00:16:00,047 --> 00:16:02,269 your assessment on the ongoing military 378 00:16:02,269 --> 00:16:04,436 campaign in Kharkiv ? Do the Ukrainian 379 00:16:04,436 --> 00:16:06,739 forces have enough now to resist and 380 00:16:06,750 --> 00:16:09,539 possibly regain the initiatives ? And 381 00:16:09,549 --> 00:16:11,660 do you see other critical risks along 382 00:16:11,669 --> 00:16:13,979 the front right now ? Thank you 383 00:16:16,390 --> 00:16:18,460 again , air defense remains a top 384 00:16:18,469 --> 00:16:20,580 priority and we are working this on a 385 00:16:20,580 --> 00:16:23,210 daily basis and 386 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,167 you know , I've seen some of the press 387 00:16:27,167 --> 00:16:30,799 reporting . Um what I will tell you is 388 00:16:30,809 --> 00:16:34,619 that um there will be 389 00:16:34,679 --> 00:16:37,940 no change in our patriot coverage uh in , 390 00:16:37,950 --> 00:16:39,894 in Poland . I know that that was a 391 00:16:39,894 --> 00:16:42,006 component of a previous story there , 392 00:16:42,006 --> 00:16:44,117 but there is no change in our patriot 393 00:16:44,117 --> 00:16:46,061 coverage today . We're going to do 394 00:16:46,061 --> 00:16:48,117 everything we can to uh uh to get uh 395 00:16:49,039 --> 00:16:51,229 Ukraine what it needs . We're going to 396 00:16:51,239 --> 00:16:53,406 encourage others , we're going to work 397 00:16:53,406 --> 00:16:55,350 with others to get Ukraine what it 398 00:16:55,350 --> 00:16:57,461 needs as quickly as we can . And this 399 00:16:57,461 --> 00:16:59,517 is not something that the Ukrainians 400 00:16:59,517 --> 00:17:01,628 are guessing at . I'm talking to them 401 00:17:01,628 --> 00:17:04,420 on a daily basis . Reference your 402 00:17:04,430 --> 00:17:06,729 question regarding Kharkiv , what I 403 00:17:06,739 --> 00:17:08,517 would tell you the situation is 404 00:17:08,517 --> 00:17:10,572 somewhat more stabilized now than it 405 00:17:10,572 --> 00:17:12,683 was over the past several weeks . And 406 00:17:12,683 --> 00:17:14,795 one of the things that the Ukrainians 407 00:17:14,795 --> 00:17:16,739 have been focused on over the past 408 00:17:16,739 --> 00:17:18,628 several months , going into 24 is 409 00:17:18,628 --> 00:17:20,795 building out their defensive lines and 410 00:17:20,795 --> 00:17:22,650 they've been fairly effective in 411 00:17:22,660 --> 00:17:24,827 building those defensive lines , which 412 00:17:24,827 --> 00:17:26,930 has created a bit of stability . You 413 00:17:26,939 --> 00:17:29,106 know , one of the challenges though is 414 00:17:29,106 --> 00:17:31,849 that when with that , the movement by 415 00:17:31,859 --> 00:17:33,970 the Russians to Kharkiv , it actually 416 00:17:33,970 --> 00:17:36,219 pulls away focus and capability from 417 00:17:36,229 --> 00:17:38,173 other areas for the Ukrainians and 418 00:17:38,173 --> 00:17:40,396 spreads their , their offenses a little 419 00:17:40,396 --> 00:17:42,562 bit more . But what we've seen is that 420 00:17:42,562 --> 00:17:44,396 Ukraine's have been very good at 421 00:17:44,396 --> 00:17:46,396 holding their defensive lines and I 422 00:17:46,396 --> 00:17:48,562 think they will be able to continue to 423 00:17:48,562 --> 00:17:48,489 do that there in Kharkiv as well . 424 00:17:49,329 --> 00:17:51,551 Thank you . Next question . We'll go to 425 00:17:51,551 --> 00:17:52,890 Voice of America Carla 426 00:17:56,229 --> 00:17:58,619 chairman , I first to you , Mister 427 00:17:58,630 --> 00:18:00,574 Secretary , I'd like a question to 428 00:18:00,574 --> 00:18:02,630 clarify us policy . The Pentagon has 429 00:18:02,630 --> 00:18:04,640 said that Ukraine can strike inside 430 00:18:04,650 --> 00:18:06,817 Russian territory near the border with 431 00:18:06,817 --> 00:18:08,983 Kharkiv to , to prevent attacks on the 432 00:18:08,983 --> 00:18:12,099 Kharkiv area . But if Russia launches 433 00:18:12,109 --> 00:18:14,859 attacks on Ukrainian forces that aren't 434 00:18:14,869 --> 00:18:16,925 in Kharkiv from a military base deep 435 00:18:16,925 --> 00:18:19,619 inside Russia , can Ukraine strike that 436 00:18:19,630 --> 00:18:23,060 military target ? And if not , why not ? 437 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:25,622 And then mister Chairman , I would like 438 00:18:25,622 --> 00:18:27,622 to , you know , extend the question 439 00:18:27,622 --> 00:18:29,733 that my colleague asked and just more 440 00:18:29,733 --> 00:18:31,789 broadly , how would you describe the 441 00:18:31,789 --> 00:18:33,956 fight now between Russia and Ukraine ? 442 00:18:33,956 --> 00:18:36,178 You mentioned that Ukraine continues to 443 00:18:36,178 --> 00:18:38,067 hold strong , but is this still a 444 00:18:38,067 --> 00:18:41,420 stalemate ? Thanks Carla , 445 00:18:41,949 --> 00:18:45,040 as you know , Ukraine requested 446 00:18:45,050 --> 00:18:48,250 permission to conduct counter fire in 447 00:18:48,260 --> 00:18:51,339 the Kharkiv area using us weapons . And 448 00:18:51,349 --> 00:18:55,310 President Biden granted them permission 449 00:18:55,319 --> 00:18:59,300 to do that . And so that our 450 00:18:59,709 --> 00:19:03,439 policy in using long-range 451 00:19:03,449 --> 00:19:05,859 strike capabilities to conduct strikes 452 00:19:05,869 --> 00:19:07,702 deep into Russia that that's not 453 00:19:07,702 --> 00:19:10,829 changed . So , but but the ability to 454 00:19:10,839 --> 00:19:13,219 conduct counter fire in this close 455 00:19:13,229 --> 00:19:15,469 fight in the Kharkiv region is , is 456 00:19:15,479 --> 00:19:17,312 what this is all about . And the 457 00:19:17,312 --> 00:19:19,670 Ukrainians , my my expectation is that 458 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:21,569 they'll put that to good use . So 459 00:19:22,469 --> 00:19:24,636 Carter , what you know , I would share 460 00:19:24,636 --> 00:19:26,747 with you if you , if you go back over 461 00:19:26,747 --> 00:19:29,050 the course of this , this conflict with 462 00:19:29,060 --> 00:19:31,227 the Ukraine's been being able to do to 463 00:19:31,227 --> 00:19:32,949 regain greater than 50% of the 464 00:19:32,949 --> 00:19:35,060 territory that was first taken by the 465 00:19:35,060 --> 00:19:37,282 Russians to be able to regin that . But 466 00:19:37,282 --> 00:19:39,449 at the same time , the support of this 467 00:19:39,449 --> 00:19:41,338 contact group to help divide them 468 00:19:41,338 --> 00:19:43,338 capability to defend themselves . I 469 00:19:43,338 --> 00:19:45,449 mentioned earlier about the defensive 470 00:19:45,449 --> 00:19:47,560 lines , they've been able to hold the 471 00:19:47,560 --> 00:19:47,439 defensive lines . But what we don't 472 00:19:47,449 --> 00:19:49,560 talk about is the amount of attrition 473 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:51,560 that the Ukrainians are able to put 474 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:53,616 against the Russians , although they 475 00:19:53,616 --> 00:19:56,530 are outnumbered the way the Russians 476 00:19:56,540 --> 00:20:00,540 have lost personnel but also 477 00:20:00,550 --> 00:20:04,530 lost the platforms , is 478 00:20:04,540 --> 00:20:07,099 pretty traumatic from a number 479 00:20:07,109 --> 00:20:09,276 standpoint and the Ukraine's have done 480 00:20:09,276 --> 00:20:11,498 an effective job of holding those lines 481 00:20:11,498 --> 00:20:15,410 and continue to do so . We have now we 482 00:20:15,420 --> 00:20:17,642 have time for one more question . Let's 483 00:20:17,642 --> 00:20:20,119 go to Reuters . Sabine policy hasn't 484 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:23,069 changed . Let's go to the final 485 00:20:23,079 --> 00:20:24,079 question here , 486 00:20:27,229 --> 00:20:29,130 several allies lifted some of the 487 00:20:29,140 --> 00:20:31,084 restrictions placed on the donated 488 00:20:31,084 --> 00:20:33,196 weapons about two weeks ago . Can you 489 00:20:33,196 --> 00:20:35,540 tell us what kind of an impact that has 490 00:20:35,550 --> 00:20:37,606 had on the battlefield so far ? Have 491 00:20:37,606 --> 00:20:39,439 you seen progress ? What kind of 492 00:20:39,439 --> 00:20:41,550 progress or isn't it going far enough 493 00:20:41,550 --> 00:20:44,410 for you ? Thank you . You know , I 494 00:20:44,420 --> 00:20:48,280 can't speak for what allies , 495 00:20:50,530 --> 00:20:53,119 what weapons have been used or not used 496 00:20:53,130 --> 00:20:55,186 and what effects that's had . What I 497 00:20:55,186 --> 00:20:57,408 can speak to though is what I'm looking 498 00:20:57,408 --> 00:20:59,989 at in the Kharkiv region . The intent 499 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:02,030 of allowing them to conduct counter 500 00:21:02,060 --> 00:21:05,109 fire was to , was to help them address 501 00:21:05,119 --> 00:21:06,969 the issue of Russians conducting 502 00:21:06,979 --> 00:21:10,709 staging , building , staging areas 503 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:13,380 in just on the other side of the border 504 00:21:13,390 --> 00:21:16,290 and attacking from those staging areas . 505 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:20,439 So they have the ability to engage 506 00:21:20,449 --> 00:21:23,390 Russians just across the border now and , 507 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:26,349 and I'll leave it to the Ukrainians to 508 00:21:26,359 --> 00:21:28,415 talk about the specific effects that 509 00:21:28,415 --> 00:21:32,030 they've , they've seen . But what I see 510 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:35,010 is a slowing of the Russians advance 511 00:21:35,209 --> 00:21:39,109 and , and a stabilizing of the , 512 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:41,469 of that particular piece of the front . 513 00:21:41,619 --> 00:21:43,859 Now , I think we'll see incremental 514 00:21:43,869 --> 00:21:46,010 gains and we'll see puts and takes 515 00:21:46,199 --> 00:21:49,599 going forward . But again , a couple of 516 00:21:49,609 --> 00:21:51,800 weeks ago , there was concern that we 517 00:21:51,810 --> 00:21:55,109 would see a significant breakthrough on 518 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:57,063 the part of the Russians . I don't 519 00:21:57,063 --> 00:21:59,230 think we'll see that going forward . I 520 00:21:59,230 --> 00:22:01,739 don't think I don't see a large 521 00:22:01,750 --> 00:22:04,219 exploitation force that could take 522 00:22:04,229 --> 00:22:07,609 advantage of a breakthrough and what I 523 00:22:07,619 --> 00:22:09,890 do see is , as the chairman has 524 00:22:09,900 --> 00:22:12,699 described , the Ukrainians have done a 525 00:22:12,709 --> 00:22:14,739 lot to fortify their defensive 526 00:22:14,750 --> 00:22:16,861 positions and they're making good use 527 00:22:16,869 --> 00:22:20,199 of , of the weapons that and munitions 528 00:22:20,209 --> 00:22:22,510 that they're being provided and more of 529 00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:25,290 that will continue to flow in . And so 530 00:22:25,300 --> 00:22:27,078 they , in my view , they'll get 531 00:22:27,078 --> 00:22:29,930 stronger , uh as uh as you know , time 532 00:22:29,939 --> 00:22:32,359 progresses , uh they're also doing 533 00:22:32,369 --> 00:22:36,140 things to uh to mobilize more people 534 00:22:36,239 --> 00:22:38,380 and train more people . And so the 535 00:22:38,390 --> 00:22:40,390 combination of those things I think 536 00:22:40,390 --> 00:22:43,459 will have a pretty substantial effect 537 00:22:43,469 --> 00:22:45,580 on the battlefield , but it will take 538 00:22:45,580 --> 00:22:47,802 some time to kind of play out . But the 539 00:22:47,802 --> 00:22:49,969 good news is that we have the means to 540 00:22:49,969 --> 00:22:52,191 continue to provide security assistance 541 00:22:52,191 --> 00:22:54,413 and you'll see it continue to flow in , 542 00:22:54,413 --> 00:22:57,030 in a very meaningful way . So ladies 543 00:22:57,040 --> 00:22:58,984 and gentlemen , that concludes our 544 00:22:58,984 --> 00:23:01,040 press briefing . Thank you very much 545 00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:00,949 for attending . Thank you , gentlemen .