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 --> 00:00:14,279 Austin . II , the secretary will 7 00:00:14,289 --> 00:00:16,400 deliver some opening remarks and then 8 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:18,511 have time . He'll have time to take a 9 00:00:18,511 --> 00:00:20,567 few questions . Please note , I will 10 00:00:20,567 --> 00:00:22,622 moderate those questions and call on 11 00:00:22,622 --> 00:00:24,789 journalists , Mister Secretary over to 12 00:00:24,789 --> 00:00:24,709 you , sir . Thanks Patrick . Good 13 00:00:24,719 --> 00:00:27,020 afternoon , everyone . It's great to be 14 00:00:27,030 --> 00:00:29,500 back at NATO for this Defense 15 00:00:29,510 --> 00:00:32,279 Ministerial , which is our last 16 00:00:32,290 --> 00:00:34,234 high-level meeting before the 75th 17 00:00:34,234 --> 00:00:37,270 anniversary summit in Washington in 18 00:00:37,279 --> 00:00:40,450 July . Let me start by thanking 19 00:00:40,459 --> 00:00:42,348 Secretary General Stoltenberg for 20 00:00:42,348 --> 00:00:45,950 convening us . He's provided steady 21 00:00:45,959 --> 00:00:48,169 leadership throughout the most serious 22 00:00:48,180 --> 00:00:50,900 threat to transatlantic security in 23 00:00:50,909 --> 00:00:53,770 decades , which is the Kremlin's 24 00:00:53,889 --> 00:00:57,189 unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 25 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:01,150 February 2022 . Once again , 26 00:01:01,159 --> 00:01:04,559 let's remember a key point . Putin's 27 00:01:04,569 --> 00:01:07,610 war is not the result of NATO 28 00:01:07,620 --> 00:01:11,430 enlargement . Putin's war is a cause 29 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:15,389 of NATO enlargement and NATO is more 30 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:18,690 resolute and more capable than ever . 31 00:01:20,550 --> 00:01:23,040 We're proud to be joined today by our 32 00:01:23,050 --> 00:01:26,569 two newest allies , Finland and Sweden 33 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:29,847 and the United States looks forward to 34 00:01:29,847 --> 00:01:31,791 welcoming Sweden to the Washington 35 00:01:31,791 --> 00:01:34,709 summit for its first time as a NATO 36 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:38,040 ally at the summit . We will celebrate 37 00:01:38,050 --> 00:01:41,790 75 years of historic achievements , our 38 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,660 strong transatlantic bond and the 39 00:01:44,669 --> 00:01:46,836 promise of security for generations to 40 00:01:46,836 --> 00:01:50,349 come . We'll also continue to 41 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:53,000 forge the alliance's most robust 42 00:01:53,010 --> 00:01:56,610 defense plans since the end of the Cold 43 00:01:56,620 --> 00:01:59,290 War , strengthening our collective 44 00:01:59,300 --> 00:02:02,529 deterrence and defense . And so today , 45 00:02:02,540 --> 00:02:04,651 we moved ahead with our work on those 46 00:02:04,651 --> 00:02:07,419 plans and we're updating nato's command 47 00:02:07,430 --> 00:02:10,399 and control , refining delegated 48 00:02:10,410 --> 00:02:13,179 authorities and ensuring that all the 49 00:02:13,190 --> 00:02:16,169 required forces and capabilities are 50 00:02:16,179 --> 00:02:19,869 ready for any contingency . I'm proud 51 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:22,047 of all the progress that NATO has made 52 00:02:22,047 --> 00:02:24,800 in recent years , but we've got more 53 00:02:24,809 --> 00:02:28,210 work to do and it starts with resources . 54 00:02:29,110 --> 00:02:30,888 We're all sharing the burden of 55 00:02:30,888 --> 00:02:32,777 collective defense more than ever 56 00:02:32,777 --> 00:02:36,610 before . But we still need all allies 57 00:02:36,690 --> 00:02:38,857 to meet our shared commitment to spend 58 00:02:38,857 --> 00:02:41,369 at least 2% of GDP on defense . 59 00:02:43,339 --> 00:02:45,610 And let me underscore the words at 60 00:02:45,619 --> 00:02:49,500 least 2% . We urgently need these 61 00:02:49,509 --> 00:02:51,565 investments to fulfill our plans and 62 00:02:51,565 --> 00:02:54,820 hit our capability targets . Now , the 63 00:02:54,830 --> 00:02:56,830 Secretary general said earlier this 64 00:02:56,830 --> 00:02:58,941 year that 18 allies are meeting their 65 00:02:58,941 --> 00:03:02,880 2% commitment in 2024 which 66 00:03:02,889 --> 00:03:05,119 is a sixfold increase over the past 67 00:03:05,130 --> 00:03:08,139 decade and we're expecting NATO to 68 00:03:08,149 --> 00:03:10,119 publish updated numbers before the 69 00:03:10,130 --> 00:03:13,660 summit . As Secretary General has also 70 00:03:13,669 --> 00:03:16,639 noted our allies in Europe are 71 00:03:16,649 --> 00:03:19,720 investing what amounts to 2% of their 72 00:03:19,729 --> 00:03:23,220 combined GDP on defense , including a 73 00:03:23,229 --> 00:03:25,520 real increase of 11% in defense 74 00:03:25,529 --> 00:03:28,190 spending across our allies in Europe 75 00:03:28,199 --> 00:03:31,570 and Canada . But that is no 76 00:03:31,580 --> 00:03:34,600 substitute for each ally living up to 77 00:03:34,610 --> 00:03:37,949 its commitment , each and every single 78 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:41,690 one . Now , we also need to invest in 79 00:03:41,699 --> 00:03:44,639 our defense industrial base to 80 00:03:44,649 --> 00:03:47,289 standardize critical munitions and to 81 00:03:47,300 --> 00:03:51,270 improve NATO interoperability . Nato's 82 00:03:51,279 --> 00:03:53,390 focus on our defense industrial basis 83 00:03:53,390 --> 00:03:55,309 is helping to grow demand and to 84 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:57,830 encourage deeper co ordination . 85 00:03:59,449 --> 00:04:02,179 It will make procurement more , more 86 00:04:02,190 --> 00:04:04,139 agile , it will improve our 87 00:04:04,149 --> 00:04:07,259 transparency with industry and so , 88 00:04:07,270 --> 00:04:09,509 investing in defense industrial bases 89 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:12,309 is crucial to the future of our 90 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:15,580 alliance . Let me also note that 91 00:04:16,179 --> 00:04:18,179 the NATO Nuclear Planning Group met 92 00:04:18,179 --> 00:04:20,068 today to discuss some key nuclear 93 00:04:20,068 --> 00:04:22,649 policy issues . It was a productive 94 00:04:22,660 --> 00:04:25,459 meeting and we remain unified on this 95 00:04:25,470 --> 00:04:28,059 critical subject . And finally , we 96 00:04:28,070 --> 00:04:31,179 reaffirmed yesterday in the NATO 97 00:04:31,239 --> 00:04:34,059 Ukraine Council are enduring commitment 98 00:04:34,070 --> 00:04:35,980 to a free and sovereign Ukraine 99 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:40,040 like nations of goodwill around the 100 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:43,309 world . Our NATO allies continue to 101 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:45,859 stand up for Ukraine's sovereignty and 102 00:04:45,869 --> 00:04:48,570 self defense . And as we prepare for 103 00:04:48,579 --> 00:04:50,980 the Washington summit , the NATO 104 00:04:50,989 --> 00:04:53,640 Ukraine partnership continues to deepen 105 00:04:54,679 --> 00:04:56,679 the summit will take steps toward a 106 00:04:56,679 --> 00:04:59,839 credible bridge to Ukraine's eventual 107 00:04:59,850 --> 00:05:02,839 membership and the United States stands 108 00:05:02,850 --> 00:05:06,320 behind nato's continued support through 109 00:05:06,329 --> 00:05:08,496 the comprehensive assistance package . 110 00:05:09,010 --> 00:05:11,410 NATO'S multiyear program for ac for 111 00:05:11,420 --> 00:05:14,670 critical nonlethal aid , the United 112 00:05:14,679 --> 00:05:16,901 States and our allies and partners will 113 00:05:16,901 --> 00:05:19,123 stand by Ukraine for the long haul . We 114 00:05:19,123 --> 00:05:21,279 will also stand by our long standing 115 00:05:21,290 --> 00:05:24,369 alliance commitments . The US 116 00:05:24,380 --> 00:05:26,324 commitment to Article five remains 117 00:05:26,324 --> 00:05:29,670 sturdy . Sure , an ironclad 118 00:05:30,450 --> 00:05:33,029 and we will defend the sovereignty and 119 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:35,151 the territory of every member in this 120 00:05:35,151 --> 00:05:39,000 alliance for 75 years . NATO has been 121 00:05:39,010 --> 00:05:40,954 the greatest defensive alliance in 122 00:05:40,954 --> 00:05:44,320 human history . NATO has prevented 123 00:05:44,329 --> 00:05:47,690 conflict , maintain freedom and the 124 00:05:47,700 --> 00:05:50,790 rule of law and upheld the principles 125 00:05:50,799 --> 00:05:54,269 of democracy and human rights . We 126 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:56,390 still have more work to do together . 127 00:05:57,130 --> 00:05:59,019 And as we look toward the was the 128 00:05:59,019 --> 00:06:01,470 summit in Washington and beyond , I am 129 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:03,702 confident that we will continue to make 130 00:06:03,702 --> 00:06:06,459 the United States in our world more 131 00:06:06,470 --> 00:06:09,850 secure . Thanks again and with that , 132 00:06:09,859 --> 00:06:11,803 I'll take some of your questions . 133 00:06:11,803 --> 00:06:13,859 Thank you , Mr Secretary . Our first 134 00:06:13,859 --> 00:06:15,970 question will go to NBC News Julian . 135 00:06:19,519 --> 00:06:22,029 Thank you , Mr Secretary US . 136 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:24,096 Intelligence was used in the Israeli 137 00:06:24,096 --> 00:06:26,670 operation that kill , that rescued four 138 00:06:26,679 --> 00:06:28,929 hostages but reportedly killed hundreds 139 00:06:28,940 --> 00:06:31,119 of Palestinians . Us weapons have been 140 00:06:31,130 --> 00:06:33,339 used in other deadly strikes and 141 00:06:33,350 --> 00:06:36,220 operations . You said many times before 142 00:06:36,230 --> 00:06:38,230 you've informed your counterpart in 143 00:06:38,230 --> 00:06:40,579 Israel that more needs to be done . The 144 00:06:40,589 --> 00:06:42,940 US needs to see more effort with regard 145 00:06:42,950 --> 00:06:46,119 to reduce civilian casualties . What 146 00:06:46,130 --> 00:06:49,570 specific changes has Israel made in 147 00:06:49,899 --> 00:06:53,450 response to heed your warning and does 148 00:06:53,459 --> 00:06:56,549 a red line exist if so , what is it ? 149 00:06:56,559 --> 00:06:58,730 And if not , what responsibility does 150 00:06:58,739 --> 00:07:02,489 the US bear ? Thank you . Thanks ju 151 00:07:03,230 --> 00:07:05,341 I don't speak in terms of red lines , 152 00:07:06,019 --> 00:07:09,589 but you're right . And we 153 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:11,920 have , I have engaged my counterpart on 154 00:07:11,929 --> 00:07:14,040 a number of occasions and , and 155 00:07:14,049 --> 00:07:17,640 encourage them to be more precise and 156 00:07:17,649 --> 00:07:19,705 also make sure that we're protecting 157 00:07:19,705 --> 00:07:23,380 the civilians in a battle space Um Well , 158 00:07:23,390 --> 00:07:25,519 let me take you back to and remind us 159 00:07:25,529 --> 00:07:27,989 on how this got started . It started on 160 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,000 October 7th with a brutal attack by 161 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:33,519 Hamas which which killed some 162 00:07:33,529 --> 00:07:36,989 1200 Israeli and American citizens 163 00:07:37,369 --> 00:07:40,559 and took some 200 plus hostages . 100 164 00:07:40,570 --> 00:07:42,640 of those 100 plus of those are still 165 00:07:43,339 --> 00:07:47,059 being held hostage by the by Hamas . 166 00:07:47,579 --> 00:07:51,420 And so Hamas , you know , 167 00:07:51,429 --> 00:07:53,890 over time , we , we've seen them use uh 168 00:07:54,619 --> 00:07:57,589 despicable tactics in terms of , you 169 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,119 know , placing themselves among , among 170 00:08:00,130 --> 00:08:02,440 the civilian population , putting their 171 00:08:02,450 --> 00:08:04,506 headquarters , you know , underneath 172 00:08:04,510 --> 00:08:07,679 schools and hospitals . And so they 173 00:08:07,690 --> 00:08:10,670 have used the civilians as human 174 00:08:10,679 --> 00:08:13,709 shields to facilitate their , their 175 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:17,140 operations . But having said that 176 00:08:17,149 --> 00:08:19,559 you've also heard me say that , you 177 00:08:19,570 --> 00:08:22,059 know , we Israel has to do everything 178 00:08:22,070 --> 00:08:25,869 it can to minimize the number 179 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:27,936 of civilian casualties in the battle 180 00:08:27,936 --> 00:08:30,102 space and the number of casualties has 181 00:08:30,102 --> 00:08:33,010 been far too high . You've also heard 182 00:08:33,020 --> 00:08:36,359 me say that accomplishing your goals 183 00:08:36,369 --> 00:08:38,591 and objectives and protecting civilians 184 00:08:38,591 --> 00:08:40,536 in a battle space are not mutually 185 00:08:40,536 --> 00:08:42,669 exclusive , both can both can be done 186 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:45,200 and should be done and protecting 187 00:08:45,210 --> 00:08:48,270 civilians . In my view is a strategic 188 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:51,309 strategic imperative because at some 189 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:53,487 point in time , you know , we got , we 190 00:08:53,487 --> 00:08:55,619 have to make sure that we are 191 00:08:55,630 --> 00:08:59,489 separating the , the Palestinian people 192 00:08:59,500 --> 00:09:02,979 from Hamas , the terrorist organization , 193 00:09:03,469 --> 00:09:05,525 they are not one and the same and we 194 00:09:05,525 --> 00:09:07,691 know everyone knows that , but we want 195 00:09:07,691 --> 00:09:09,913 to make sure that we're doing the right 196 00:09:09,913 --> 00:09:12,710 things to not only move them out of the 197 00:09:12,719 --> 00:09:15,229 battle space if operations are being 198 00:09:15,239 --> 00:09:17,183 conducted there , but also provide 199 00:09:17,183 --> 00:09:20,159 humanitarian assistance to them so that , 200 00:09:20,169 --> 00:09:22,849 you know , they , they can survive . So 201 00:09:23,599 --> 00:09:25,929 they have made changes . Israel has 202 00:09:25,940 --> 00:09:29,159 made changes as , as , as over time . 203 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:31,849 But again , casualty rates have been 204 00:09:31,859 --> 00:09:32,859 far too high . 205 00:09:36,909 --> 00:09:39,131 Well , there are a number of things and 206 00:09:39,131 --> 00:09:41,187 I certainly don't want to detail all 207 00:09:41,187 --> 00:09:43,242 those things now . But , but again , 208 00:09:43,242 --> 00:09:45,242 the results are that we still see a 209 00:09:45,242 --> 00:09:47,409 number of civilian casualties on the B 210 00:09:47,409 --> 00:09:49,409 space . Next question , we'll go to 211 00:09:49,409 --> 00:09:50,742 agency Pros Press Max . 212 00:09:52,989 --> 00:09:55,750 Hello , Mr Secretary Max Laney AFP . 213 00:09:56,599 --> 00:09:58,799 Two questions yesterday , President 214 00:09:58,809 --> 00:10:01,250 Biden mentioned that there were 215 00:10:01,260 --> 00:10:03,204 commitments from five countries to 216 00:10:03,204 --> 00:10:07,049 provide patriot systems for Ukraine . 217 00:10:07,059 --> 00:10:09,003 Can you give more details on which 218 00:10:09,003 --> 00:10:11,226 countries he's talking about ? And then 219 00:10:11,226 --> 00:10:13,337 secondly , Russian President Vladimir 220 00:10:13,337 --> 00:10:16,090 Putin today outlines his so called 221 00:10:16,479 --> 00:10:19,400 peace demands for Ukraine which was 222 00:10:19,409 --> 00:10:21,298 withdrawing from territory Russia 223 00:10:21,298 --> 00:10:24,140 claims and withdrawing its bid to join 224 00:10:24,190 --> 00:10:26,301 NATO . What's your response to that ? 225 00:10:26,309 --> 00:10:28,500 Those demands from Putin ? Thank you . 226 00:10:33,419 --> 00:10:36,739 So , um two questions . Which one do 227 00:10:36,750 --> 00:10:40,409 you want me to answer ? Ok , let's 228 00:10:40,419 --> 00:10:43,580 start with the patriots . And your 229 00:10:43,590 --> 00:10:45,590 question was , you know , President 230 00:10:45,590 --> 00:10:48,179 Biden uh had mentioned that there were 231 00:10:48,190 --> 00:10:50,079 five countries that were going to 232 00:10:50,079 --> 00:10:52,739 provide more patriots . Um 233 00:10:55,299 --> 00:10:57,355 I think , you know , that we spend a 234 00:10:57,355 --> 00:10:59,521 lot , I spend a lot of time along with 235 00:10:59,521 --> 00:11:01,630 the rest of the leadership and our 236 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:03,751 senior leadership spend a lot of time 237 00:11:03,751 --> 00:11:06,140 focusing on doing everything that we 238 00:11:06,150 --> 00:11:09,780 can to get Ukraine as much , cap much 239 00:11:09,789 --> 00:11:11,845 air defense capability as possible . 240 00:11:11,845 --> 00:11:13,845 That that includes platforms , that 241 00:11:13,845 --> 00:11:15,789 includes interceptors that support 242 00:11:15,789 --> 00:11:18,330 those platforms . And , you know , we 243 00:11:18,340 --> 00:11:22,000 have made progress . Uh we , we , we 244 00:11:22,010 --> 00:11:24,177 will continue to work this very , very 245 00:11:24,177 --> 00:11:26,619 hard and I'll let the countries that uh 246 00:11:27,070 --> 00:11:29,169 that will provide that capability , 247 00:11:29,179 --> 00:11:31,179 speak for themselves . And that's , 248 00:11:31,330 --> 00:11:33,441 that's the approach that we've always 249 00:11:33,441 --> 00:11:35,608 taken . And , and again , I think that 250 00:11:35,608 --> 00:11:37,929 we will see , we'll continue to see 251 00:11:38,130 --> 00:11:40,130 positive results , but , you know , 252 00:11:40,130 --> 00:11:42,297 none of these decisions are hard for , 253 00:11:42,297 --> 00:11:44,408 for , for any country , none of these 254 00:11:44,408 --> 00:11:46,463 decisions are easy for any country . 255 00:11:46,463 --> 00:11:48,369 And so , you know , I'll let the 256 00:11:48,380 --> 00:11:50,890 country speak for themselves . And 257 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:54,940 the second question I think was on 258 00:11:55,390 --> 00:11:58,179 Putin's comments with respect to 259 00:11:59,030 --> 00:12:02,330 what he wants to see in , in order to 260 00:12:02,700 --> 00:12:06,479 um have a change in this 261 00:12:06,489 --> 00:12:08,711 conflict or things move towards peace . 262 00:12:09,549 --> 00:12:12,369 You know , Putin has occupied illegally 263 00:12:12,380 --> 00:12:16,109 occupied sovereign Ukrainian 264 00:12:16,119 --> 00:12:19,929 territory . He is not 265 00:12:19,940 --> 00:12:22,590 in any position to dictate to Ukraine 266 00:12:22,989 --> 00:12:25,710 what they must do to bring about a 267 00:12:25,719 --> 00:12:28,950 peace . I think . Um you know , it , 268 00:12:30,659 --> 00:12:32,659 that's exactly the kind of behavior 269 00:12:32,659 --> 00:12:34,715 that we don't want to see . We don't 270 00:12:34,715 --> 00:12:37,419 want to see um a , a leader of one 271 00:12:37,429 --> 00:12:39,651 country wake up one day and decide that 272 00:12:39,651 --> 00:12:43,299 he wants to erase uh borders and annex 273 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:45,809 the territory of his neighbor . That's 274 00:12:45,820 --> 00:12:47,876 not the world that any of us want to 275 00:12:47,876 --> 00:12:50,209 live in . And So I think , I think , um , 276 00:12:50,780 --> 00:12:53,000 you know , he is not in the , in my 277 00:12:53,010 --> 00:12:55,809 view , not in a position to dictate to 278 00:12:55,820 --> 00:12:58,070 Ukraine , what it must do to pursue 279 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:01,159 peace . Putin can end this war today . 280 00:13:01,919 --> 00:13:04,340 You know , he started this war with no 281 00:13:04,349 --> 00:13:07,320 provocation . He's lost , he's had some , 282 00:13:07,330 --> 00:13:09,739 you know , hundreds of thousands of 283 00:13:09,750 --> 00:13:13,099 troops wounded and killed in this 284 00:13:13,109 --> 00:13:16,349 unjust and unprovoked invasion . He 285 00:13:16,359 --> 00:13:18,303 could end this today if he , if he 286 00:13:18,303 --> 00:13:20,669 chose to do that and , and we call upon 287 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:24,440 him to do that and to leave Ukrainian 288 00:13:24,450 --> 00:13:26,561 sovereign territory . Thank you . Our 289 00:13:26,561 --> 00:13:28,672 next question will go to the New York 290 00:13:28,672 --> 00:13:31,909 Times . Mister Secretary , as you 291 00:13:31,919 --> 00:13:34,030 mentioned , since Russia's full-scale 292 00:13:34,030 --> 00:13:36,252 invasion of Ukraine , NATO has expanded 293 00:13:36,252 --> 00:13:38,308 to include two new member states and 294 00:13:38,308 --> 00:13:40,141 you have several other countries 295 00:13:40,141 --> 00:13:42,190 interested in joining Ukraine among 296 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:44,859 them , given the dynamics of regular 297 00:13:44,869 --> 00:13:46,679 political transfers of power in 298 00:13:46,690 --> 00:13:48,912 individual member states . Do you think 299 00:13:48,912 --> 00:13:51,023 it makes sense to both further expand 300 00:13:51,023 --> 00:13:52,968 the alliance and possibly put more 301 00:13:52,968 --> 00:13:55,134 tasks like America's leadership of the 302 00:13:55,134 --> 00:13:57,390 contact group under nato's purview 303 00:13:57,400 --> 00:13:59,511 instead of being headed by individual 304 00:13:59,511 --> 00:14:03,380 countries in terms of NATO 305 00:14:03,390 --> 00:14:05,719 expansion . I think that's a decision 306 00:14:05,729 --> 00:14:09,260 that , you know , 32 members of 307 00:14:09,270 --> 00:14:12,739 NATO of NATO alliance will will make at 308 00:14:12,750 --> 00:14:15,659 some point in time . I don't see any 309 00:14:16,590 --> 00:14:19,500 desire or indication that there , you 310 00:14:19,510 --> 00:14:21,729 know , there we will pursue expansion 311 00:14:21,739 --> 00:14:24,270 at any point in the near future . There 312 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:26,502 will , I suspect that there will always 313 00:14:26,502 --> 00:14:28,580 be countries that will want to join 314 00:14:28,590 --> 00:14:31,270 NATO . It's because of the values that , 315 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,690 that NATO embraces because of , you 316 00:14:34,700 --> 00:14:37,130 know , the kinds of things that , that 317 00:14:37,140 --> 00:14:39,669 we take on the commitments that we make 318 00:14:39,679 --> 00:14:41,846 to each other in terms of , you know , 319 00:14:41,846 --> 00:14:44,890 our , our commitment to defend the 320 00:14:44,900 --> 00:14:47,299 territory of each country . That's uh 321 00:14:47,770 --> 00:14:49,937 that's involved , that's a part of the 322 00:14:49,937 --> 00:14:51,659 alliance . But again , it is a 323 00:14:51,659 --> 00:14:54,320 defensive alliance . And uh and again , 324 00:14:54,330 --> 00:14:57,669 I think at this point in time , you 325 00:14:57,679 --> 00:14:59,846 know , the the members of the alliance 326 00:14:59,846 --> 00:15:01,735 would probably want to see things 327 00:15:01,735 --> 00:15:03,901 stabilize and settle out as we get the 328 00:15:03,901 --> 00:15:06,349 new members on board and , and continue 329 00:15:06,359 --> 00:15:10,109 to refine our new , continue to 330 00:15:10,119 --> 00:15:12,710 refine our , our , our plans as as we 331 00:15:12,719 --> 00:15:16,239 were doing in this meeting , in terms 332 00:15:16,250 --> 00:15:19,919 of what we would like to see NATO take 333 00:15:19,929 --> 00:15:22,262 on in terms of greater responsibilities . 334 00:15:22,609 --> 00:15:25,219 I think you heard the Secretary General 335 00:15:25,229 --> 00:15:28,700 say recently that they will NATO will 336 00:15:28,710 --> 00:15:31,900 help with the , with 337 00:15:32,630 --> 00:15:34,900 some of the tasks that the UDC G is , 338 00:15:34,909 --> 00:15:38,169 is , you know , is , is doing right now 339 00:15:38,330 --> 00:15:40,869 in terms of coordinating training , 340 00:15:42,020 --> 00:15:45,940 ensuring that , that we , we have 341 00:15:45,950 --> 00:15:49,650 standard standardized equipment and 342 00:15:49,659 --> 00:15:52,609 that and that we will be interoperable 343 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:54,982 at the end of the day . And I , I think 344 00:15:54,982 --> 00:15:57,309 NATO brings tremendous value to those 345 00:15:57,320 --> 00:15:59,809 efforts . And so , you know , we , we 346 00:15:59,820 --> 00:16:03,510 look forward to NATO coming on board 347 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:05,631 and taking , taking on some of that . 348 00:16:05,631 --> 00:16:07,640 But the UDC G has performed 349 00:16:07,650 --> 00:16:10,130 magnificently over the last two plus 350 00:16:10,140 --> 00:16:13,909 years . It has enabled , has been one 351 00:16:13,919 --> 00:16:16,159 of the things that has enabled Ukraine 352 00:16:16,169 --> 00:16:18,225 to do what it's done . I mean , it's 353 00:16:18,225 --> 00:16:21,890 faced a , a far superior combat 354 00:16:21,900 --> 00:16:25,520 force and , and really prevented that 355 00:16:25,530 --> 00:16:27,650 force from achieving any strategic 356 00:16:27,659 --> 00:16:31,640 goals in 2.5 years . And even in the 357 00:16:31,650 --> 00:16:35,200 last that seven month period where 358 00:16:37,020 --> 00:16:39,131 the world was unsure as to whether or 359 00:16:39,131 --> 00:16:41,076 not the United States was going to 360 00:16:41,076 --> 00:16:43,409 continue to provide security assistance . 361 00:16:43,460 --> 00:16:45,627 I was always confident that we would . 362 00:16:45,627 --> 00:16:48,280 But even in that period as Russia 363 00:16:48,289 --> 00:16:51,280 continued to push hard , it could not 364 00:16:51,289 --> 00:16:54,299 achieve any significant goals . So 365 00:16:54,309 --> 00:16:57,520 Ukraine has done has done , I think a 366 00:16:57,530 --> 00:16:59,710 remarkable job of holding its own . I 367 00:16:59,719 --> 00:17:03,190 think as NATO looks to uh come on board 368 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:05,540 and help with coordinating for training 369 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:07,520 and standardization and 370 00:17:07,530 --> 00:17:09,752 interoperability , I think that adds uh 371 00:17:09,752 --> 00:17:11,989 adds value to the overall effort . If I 372 00:17:12,060 --> 00:17:15,589 may just one brief that the uh you have 373 00:17:15,599 --> 00:17:18,060 countries like Bosnia and Herz Georges 374 00:17:18,579 --> 00:17:20,880 and Moldova , who've been at every or 375 00:17:20,890 --> 00:17:23,057 almost every meeting of the contractor 376 00:17:23,057 --> 00:17:25,729 for the past , have they or others in 377 00:17:25,739 --> 00:17:27,795 the group proved to you that they're 378 00:17:27,795 --> 00:17:29,906 ready for NATO membership or possibly 379 00:17:29,906 --> 00:17:31,850 did you give a major non NATO ally 380 00:17:31,850 --> 00:17:34,017 status with the United States ? Well , 381 00:17:34,017 --> 00:17:36,350 you know , as you know , John , there's , 382 00:17:36,350 --> 00:17:38,295 there's a process that there are , 383 00:17:38,295 --> 00:17:40,295 there are conditions that countries 384 00:17:40,295 --> 00:17:42,517 have to have to meet in order to become 385 00:17:42,517 --> 00:17:44,683 a member of NATO . And that's , that's 386 00:17:44,683 --> 00:17:46,850 a pretty well-defined process . And so 387 00:17:47,918 --> 00:17:51,030 I and I won't try to assess 388 00:17:51,729 --> 00:17:53,951 any one country's progress , you know , 389 00:17:53,951 --> 00:17:56,589 along those lines here today . But , 390 00:17:56,829 --> 00:17:58,829 but again , I think that there will 391 00:17:58,829 --> 00:18:01,359 always be countries that will aspire to 392 00:18:01,369 --> 00:18:03,536 being a , being a member of NATO . And 393 00:18:03,579 --> 00:18:06,760 NATO has a policy of open doors . And 394 00:18:06,770 --> 00:18:09,180 so , you know , at some point in time , 395 00:18:09,469 --> 00:18:11,819 if the 32 members decide that they want 396 00:18:11,829 --> 00:18:14,510 to bring on additional countries and 397 00:18:14,520 --> 00:18:17,060 that's for them for us to vote on . So 398 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:19,687 time for one final question , we'll go 399 00:18:19,687 --> 00:18:22,020 to Teri Schultz Deutsche . Thank you 400 00:18:22,030 --> 00:18:24,420 very much , Mister Secretary following 401 00:18:24,430 --> 00:18:27,020 on the question of interoperability and 402 00:18:27,030 --> 00:18:29,420 standardization and also accountability 403 00:18:29,699 --> 00:18:31,880 in in the contact group , Secretary 404 00:18:31,900 --> 00:18:33,511 General Stoltenberg has been 405 00:18:33,511 --> 00:18:35,233 increasingly vocal about being 406 00:18:35,233 --> 00:18:37,289 concerned that some of these pledges 407 00:18:37,289 --> 00:18:39,400 are not being followed up with actual 408 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:41,622 delivery to Ukraine . And that's one of 409 00:18:41,622 --> 00:18:41,380 the rules that he believes that NATO 410 00:18:41,390 --> 00:18:43,390 can take on and , and help with the 411 00:18:43,390 --> 00:18:45,501 follow-up . I'd like to , I know what 412 00:18:45,501 --> 00:18:44,890 you think about that because you're 413 00:18:44,900 --> 00:18:46,789 very good at , at drumming up the 414 00:18:46,789 --> 00:18:48,900 pledges . But then what happens after 415 00:18:48,900 --> 00:18:51,122 that ? And in terms of interoperability 416 00:18:51,122 --> 00:18:53,289 and standardization , Ukraine has been 417 00:18:53,289 --> 00:18:55,456 left to somehow piece together these , 418 00:18:55,456 --> 00:18:57,456 these different systems and on , on 419 00:18:57,456 --> 00:18:59,678 those lines , I wanted to know what you 420 00:18:59,678 --> 00:19:01,844 thought about France's offer of Mirage 421 00:19:01,844 --> 00:19:03,844 Jets when you've been so focused on 422 00:19:03,844 --> 00:19:05,900 getting F-16s there first . Thanks . 423 00:19:06,540 --> 00:19:08,689 You know , I think I would say that 424 00:19:08,699 --> 00:19:11,119 we're not just good at drumming up 425 00:19:11,130 --> 00:19:13,880 pledges . You know , we have provided 426 00:19:13,890 --> 00:19:16,920 some $98 billion worth of 427 00:19:17,300 --> 00:19:20,000 security assistance to Ukraine . It is , 428 00:19:20,199 --> 00:19:22,255 it is the primary reason why Ukraine 429 00:19:22,255 --> 00:19:24,310 has been successful in defending its 430 00:19:24,530 --> 00:19:26,839 its territory thus far . And a part of 431 00:19:26,849 --> 00:19:29,540 the overall process is is , yeah , we , 432 00:19:29,550 --> 00:19:31,680 we we have countries that pledge but 433 00:19:31,689 --> 00:19:33,911 there is , there is frequent engagement 434 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:36,262 between staffs of those countries and , 435 00:19:36,262 --> 00:19:38,459 and , and , and my staff and , and 436 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:42,339 engagement between me and the and the 437 00:19:42,349 --> 00:19:46,270 Ministers of Defense . Now , some 438 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:48,391 of these things take time , even some 439 00:19:48,391 --> 00:19:50,447 of the things that we provide , take 440 00:19:50,447 --> 00:19:52,502 time to provide . So , you know , if 441 00:19:52,502 --> 00:19:54,669 you , if you're going to provide , for 442 00:19:54,669 --> 00:19:56,613 example , you know , new high mark 443 00:19:56,613 --> 00:19:58,724 systems , even if I spend the money a 444 00:19:58,724 --> 00:20:00,947 day to get those high mark systems , it 445 00:20:00,947 --> 00:20:03,058 takes , it takes time for those to be 446 00:20:03,058 --> 00:20:05,520 delivered . So we are deliberate in 447 00:20:05,530 --> 00:20:07,869 terms of our follow-up . But every bit 448 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:09,880 of help that we can , we can get in 449 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:12,280 terms of encouraging countries to , to 450 00:20:12,290 --> 00:20:14,290 move quicker , you know , I welcome 451 00:20:14,290 --> 00:20:16,790 that . And so , you know , I think , 452 00:20:17,959 --> 00:20:20,390 you know , Secretary general can be , 453 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,289 can be instrumental in that and I 454 00:20:22,289 --> 00:20:26,170 welcome his , his willingness to uh 455 00:20:26,180 --> 00:20:28,513 to help out with that . But , but again , 456 00:20:28,513 --> 00:20:30,689 I think countries are digging deep and 457 00:20:30,699 --> 00:20:33,000 uh and providing as much as they can 458 00:20:33,209 --> 00:20:36,239 when they can . So , um but , but we 459 00:20:36,250 --> 00:20:38,306 need for everyone to do a bit more , 460 00:20:38,619 --> 00:20:40,786 you know , we're at a pretty key point 461 00:20:40,786 --> 00:20:42,952 in , in in this fight . And , uh , and 462 00:20:42,952 --> 00:20:45,959 Ukraine has done very , very well . Um , 463 00:20:46,099 --> 00:20:48,310 they have to going forward , they have 464 00:20:48,319 --> 00:20:52,239 to reconstitute some of their combat 465 00:20:52,250 --> 00:20:54,719 capability . Uh , you know , bring on 466 00:20:54,729 --> 00:20:57,599 more enlist more forces , uh equip 467 00:20:57,609 --> 00:20:59,720 those forces and then , uh , and then 468 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:02,219 make sure that , uh , you know , with 469 00:21:02,229 --> 00:21:04,420 all of the ammunition and , and uh , 470 00:21:04,430 --> 00:21:06,763 and materials that we're providing , uh , 471 00:21:06,763 --> 00:21:08,819 that those things are flowing to the 472 00:21:08,819 --> 00:21:10,319 right place as well . So . 473 00:21:13,579 --> 00:21:16,050 Well , you know , we uh we , we're , 474 00:21:16,060 --> 00:21:18,116 we're working hard to get Ukraine an 475 00:21:18,116 --> 00:21:20,199 F-16 capability this summer . And I 476 00:21:20,209 --> 00:21:22,140 think , uh you know , I'm I'm 477 00:21:22,150 --> 00:21:24,569 optimistic that uh that that will 478 00:21:24,579 --> 00:21:27,770 happen . Um And , and I also 479 00:21:27,780 --> 00:21:30,890 welcome France's contribution because 480 00:21:30,900 --> 00:21:32,956 every , every bit helps , we have to 481 00:21:32,956 --> 00:21:35,510 make sure that , you know , we have all 482 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:37,576 of the things in place to manage two 483 00:21:37,576 --> 00:21:40,050 complex systems and protect those 484 00:21:40,060 --> 00:21:43,869 systems at the same time and so great 485 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:46,849 capability . And again , every bit 486 00:21:46,859 --> 00:21:48,915 helps we , we just need to make sure 487 00:21:48,915 --> 00:21:51,137 that we knit together the sustainment , 488 00:21:51,137 --> 00:21:55,089 the and , and make sure that , you 489 00:21:55,099 --> 00:21:58,790 know , those systems are interoperable 490 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:01,989 in , as used in , in , in Ukraine . And 491 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:04,489 I'm sure that , you know , once the 492 00:22:04,500 --> 00:22:07,199 training is , is complete and once all 493 00:22:07,209 --> 00:22:09,869 of the coordinations been done , we'll 494 00:22:09,880 --> 00:22:12,102 see some good results , but , but every 495 00:22:12,102 --> 00:22:14,290 little bit helps . Thanks everybody 496 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:16,520 that concludes our press briefing . 497 00:22:16,520 --> 00:22:18,853 Thanks for being here today . Thank you , 498 00:22:18,853 --> 00:22:17,329 sir .