WEBVTT 00:01.409 --> 00:03.409 All right . Well , good afternoon , 00:03.409 --> 00:05.353 everyone . Thank you very much for 00:05.353 --> 00:07.576 being here today . It is my pleasure to 00:07.576 --> 00:09.631 introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd 00:09.631 --> 00:11.798 Austin , the third and chairman of the 00:11.798 --> 00:13.965 Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown 00:13.965 --> 00:15.965 Jr , the secretary and the chairman 00:15.965 --> 00:18.076 will deliver opening remarks and then 00:18.076 --> 00:20.409 we'll have time to take a few questions . 00:20.409 --> 00:22.576 Please note that I will moderate those 00:22.576 --> 00:22.399 questions and call on journalists and 00:22.409 --> 00:24.520 due to time constraints , I would ask 00:24.520 --> 00:26.520 those who are called upon to please 00:26.520 --> 00:29.569 limit your follow up questions . And 00:29.579 --> 00:31.523 with that , I will turn it over to 00:31.523 --> 00:33.579 Secretary Austin over to you , sir . 00:33.579 --> 00:35.746 Thanks Patrick . Well , good afternoon 00:35.746 --> 00:37.690 everyone and thanks for joining us 00:37.690 --> 00:40.639 today . We just held the 24th meeting 00:40.650 --> 00:42.706 of the Ukraine defense contact group 00:43.240 --> 00:45.240 and I am deeply grateful to all the 00:45.240 --> 00:47.240 countries who came back to Ramstein 00:47.240 --> 00:49.990 again today . It was great to see 00:50.000 --> 00:53.209 Minister Umarov again after our recent 00:53.220 --> 00:55.849 meeting at the Pentagon , he is a 00:55.860 --> 00:58.610 valued partner and the frame 00:59.990 --> 01:02.101 and it was an honor to have President 01:02.200 --> 01:04.970 Zelensky join this contact group for 01:04.980 --> 01:07.610 the first time here at Ramstein . 01:08.849 --> 01:10.830 The whole contact group heard his 01:10.839 --> 01:13.569 passionate call for more security 01:13.580 --> 01:16.769 assistance for Ukraine and I share 01:16.779 --> 01:20.430 President Zelensky s outrage over Putin 01:20.440 --> 01:22.790 Putin's most recent barrage of 01:22.800 --> 01:25.209 airstrikes which have been some of the 01:25.220 --> 01:27.220 some of the heaviest since Moscow's 01:27.220 --> 01:30.790 full scale invasion in February 2022 . 01:32.319 --> 01:34.519 Ukrainian forces still face perilous 01:34.529 --> 01:37.720 battlefield conditions especially in 01:37.730 --> 01:41.500 poros , but Ukraine's troops continue 01:41.510 --> 01:45.029 to fight with skill , courage and 01:45.040 --> 01:47.930 daring and that's why we're meeting at 01:47.940 --> 01:49.790 such a dynamic moment on the 01:49.800 --> 01:53.010 battlefield . Ukrainian forces have 01:53.019 --> 01:56.190 advanced into Russia's Kirk region 01:56.730 --> 01:59.919 since early August . And for 2.5 01:59.930 --> 02:02.919 years , Ukraine has more than held its 02:02.930 --> 02:05.540 own against the largest military in 02:05.550 --> 02:09.500 Europe . And above all the credit for 02:09.509 --> 02:11.750 that goes to Ukraine's brave troops . 02:12.960 --> 02:14.960 But I'm also deeply grateful to the 02:14.960 --> 02:17.110 allies and partners who have given 02:17.119 --> 02:20.020 Ukraine's forces the tools to defend 02:20.029 --> 02:22.169 themselves and their country . 02:23.740 --> 02:26.229 Some 50 nations of goodwill . We're 02:26.240 --> 02:29.229 back at Ramstein today and they 02:29.240 --> 02:31.160 continued to rush urgently needed 02:31.169 --> 02:34.429 capabilities to Ukraine including 02:34.949 --> 02:38.729 air defense , armor , artillery 02:38.740 --> 02:41.910 ammunition . And most recently F-16 02:41.919 --> 02:45.179 fighters , this coalition has committed 02:45.190 --> 02:48.050 more than $106 billion in security 02:48.059 --> 02:50.580 assistance to Ukraine since February 02:50.589 --> 02:54.380 2022 . And our friends continue to dig 02:54.389 --> 02:57.800 deep as a percentage of GDP , a 02:57.860 --> 03:00.110 dozen of our allies actually contribute 03:00.119 --> 03:03.259 more to Ukraine's self defense than the 03:03.270 --> 03:06.440 United States . And we continue to see 03:06.449 --> 03:08.520 impressive new security assistance 03:08.529 --> 03:11.789 commitments . Just look at Denmark's 03:11.929 --> 03:15.660 announcement of some $115 million in 03:15.669 --> 03:17.899 near term and long term support for 03:17.910 --> 03:21.399 Ukraine , importantly , that includes 03:21.710 --> 03:24.050 procuring new military equipment 03:24.059 --> 03:26.740 through Ukrainian defense industries . 03:27.919 --> 03:31.229 And Norway is transferring defense tech 03:31.240 --> 03:33.720 through Norwegian industry to support 03:33.910 --> 03:37.009 155 millimeter shell production in 03:37.020 --> 03:39.860 Ukraine that will further boost 03:39.869 --> 03:42.490 Ukraine's ability to produce modern 03:42.500 --> 03:45.889 artillery ammunition at home . And the 03:45.899 --> 03:48.010 United States remains proud to do our 03:48.010 --> 03:50.520 part . Since this contact group 03:50.529 --> 03:53.550 convened in June , the United States 03:53.559 --> 03:56.059 has committed more than $4 billion in 03:56.070 --> 03:58.350 new security assistance for Ukraine . 03:59.410 --> 04:01.243 And we will continue to focus on 04:01.243 --> 04:03.529 Ukraine's priority capability needs . 04:04.550 --> 04:07.300 So we're providing armored vehicles and 04:07.309 --> 04:09.720 fires to support Ukrainian troops on 04:09.729 --> 04:12.199 the front lines . And our security 04:12.210 --> 04:14.432 assistance includes air defense systems 04:14.432 --> 04:17.459 to protect Ukrainian civilians and ward 04:17.470 --> 04:21.250 off Russian attacks against Ukraine's 04:21.260 --> 04:24.890 power grid . But the Kremlin continues 04:24.899 --> 04:26.880 to put Ukraine's cities in the 04:26.890 --> 04:30.059 crosshairs and I'm grateful to all the 04:30.070 --> 04:32.126 allies and partners who have done so 04:32.126 --> 04:34.579 much to help meet Ukraine's dire need 04:34.589 --> 04:38.410 for air defense . And as Ukraine heads 04:38.420 --> 04:41.989 into its third winter of war , United 04:42.000 --> 04:44.056 States will continue to stand up and 04:44.056 --> 04:46.869 lead . So I'm pleased to announce that 04:46.880 --> 04:49.049 President Biden has authorized a new 04:49.059 --> 04:51.339 security assistance package for Ukraine 04:51.970 --> 04:55.929 worth $250 million that 04:55.950 --> 04:58.006 will provide Ukraine with additional 04:58.010 --> 05:01.250 air defense armored vehicles , anti 05:01.260 --> 05:04.700 tank weapons and munitions for rocket 05:04.709 --> 05:07.799 systems and artillery , but we're not 05:07.809 --> 05:09.859 just focused on Ukraine's near term 05:09.869 --> 05:12.850 needs . We're also working with allies 05:12.859 --> 05:15.760 and partners to help Ukraine forge its 05:15.769 --> 05:19.079 long term security . The eight 05:19.089 --> 05:21.670 capability coalitions , let our allies 05:21.679 --> 05:24.470 and partners coordinate our support for 05:24.480 --> 05:27.059 Ukraine . And together with the contact 05:27.070 --> 05:30.269 group's national armaments directors , 05:30.760 --> 05:32.927 they're helping Ukraine build a combat 05:32.927 --> 05:36.769 credible future force . And you can see 05:36.779 --> 05:40.089 that in the tireless work of the air 05:40.100 --> 05:42.709 force capability coalition , which over 05:42.720 --> 05:44.720 the past year has trained Ukrainian 05:44.720 --> 05:47.470 pilots and equipped Ukraine with its 05:47.480 --> 05:50.920 first F-16 fighters . We're also 05:50.929 --> 05:53.239 working together to spur investments in 05:53.250 --> 05:55.700 Ukraine's own defense industrial base 05:56.690 --> 05:58.746 and the national armaments directors 05:58.746 --> 06:00.690 are helping to translate Ukraine's 06:00.690 --> 06:02.910 needs into expanded production lines 06:03.709 --> 06:06.940 around the globe and into accelerated 06:06.950 --> 06:10.910 deliveries of key capabilities . United 06:10.920 --> 06:12.920 States and our fellow contact group 06:12.920 --> 06:14.753 members are also partnering with 06:14.753 --> 06:17.540 Ukraine's defense firms to help Ukraine 06:17.549 --> 06:20.170 ramp up its own production . And we're 06:20.179 --> 06:22.068 working with Ukraine to create an 06:22.068 --> 06:24.790 enduring framework for long term 06:24.799 --> 06:27.429 support . So we're confident that we're 06:27.440 --> 06:29.496 building the right structure to help 06:29.496 --> 06:31.850 Ukraine succeed in the weeks , months 06:31.859 --> 06:32.920 and years ahead . 06:36.579 --> 06:39.200 You know , I always find it moving to 06:39.209 --> 06:41.500 look around the room at this contact 06:41.510 --> 06:45.170 group . It's still sort of 06:45.179 --> 06:48.709 amazing to see leaders from 50 06:48.720 --> 06:52.649 countries from all around the world , 06:54.540 --> 06:56.484 all sticking up for what's right . 06:58.579 --> 07:00.635 And they're also standing up for our 07:00.635 --> 07:02.790 shared security in the 21st century . 07:04.750 --> 07:08.350 Two E seeks a world of empires and 07:08.359 --> 07:12.190 autocrats , a world where Mike makes 07:12.200 --> 07:16.040 right , a world where bullies get to 07:16.049 --> 07:18.549 invade their peaceful neighbors with 07:18.559 --> 07:22.339 impunity and that would be 07:22.350 --> 07:24.359 profoundly dangerous for the United 07:24.369 --> 07:27.640 States and for peace loving people 07:27.649 --> 07:30.820 everywhere . So the United States and 07:30.829 --> 07:32.750 our allies and partners worldwide 07:32.760 --> 07:35.920 rallied together . And today we stood 07:35.929 --> 07:38.739 up again for our values and our 07:38.750 --> 07:42.109 security . The members of this contact 07:42.119 --> 07:45.260 group , understand what's at stake and 07:45.269 --> 07:48.160 we won't back down . And with that , 07:48.459 --> 07:50.679 let me turn it over to General Brown . 07:51.480 --> 07:53.536 Well , thank you , Mr Secretary . Uh 07:53.536 --> 07:55.959 good afternoon , everyone . About two 07:55.970 --> 07:58.450 weeks ago , Ukraine celebrated its 07:58.459 --> 08:01.910 Independence Day marking 33 years as a 08:01.920 --> 08:05.920 free nation . On 24 August 1991 08:05.929 --> 08:08.096 the active declaration of Independence 08:08.096 --> 08:10.529 of Ukraine was signed . The declaration 08:10.540 --> 08:12.484 invokes the nation's right to self 08:12.484 --> 08:15.000 determination of the United Nations 08:15.010 --> 08:17.829 Charter and reads the territory of 08:17.839 --> 08:20.540 Ukraine is indivisible and inviolable . 08:20.910 --> 08:22.354 From this day forth , the 08:22.354 --> 08:24.980 constitutional laws of Ukraine only are 08:24.989 --> 08:28.480 valid on the territory of Ukraine for 08:28.489 --> 08:30.600 2.5 years . Ukraine's sovereignty has 08:30.600 --> 08:33.409 been under siege . Russia still aims to 08:33.419 --> 08:36.969 annex Ukraine and impose their laws on 08:36.979 --> 08:39.460 its people . But Ukraine has shown the 08:39.469 --> 08:42.669 world that they are indivisible and 08:42.679 --> 08:44.512 they defended their freedom with 08:44.708 --> 08:47.658 resolve with the support of the nations 08:47.669 --> 08:49.669 here today . Ukraine will remain an 08:49.669 --> 08:52.500 independent and sovereign nation . I 08:52.510 --> 08:54.454 like to thank Secretary Austin for 08:54.454 --> 08:56.566 convening this coalition once again . 08:56.566 --> 08:58.621 And sir , thank you so much for your 08:58.621 --> 09:00.843 leadership . A sincere thank you and an 09:00.843 --> 09:02.954 honor to be joined today by President 09:02.954 --> 09:05.640 Zelinski and also thanks to Defense 09:05.650 --> 09:07.706 Minister Umarov for being here today 09:07.706 --> 09:10.820 with the Ukraine delegation and to all 09:10.830 --> 09:12.774 the nations of the Ukraine defense 09:12.774 --> 09:14.941 contact group here today . Thank you . 09:15.039 --> 09:17.206 This coalition has been indivisible in 09:17.206 --> 09:19.419 supporting Ukraine to repel Russian 09:19.429 --> 09:22.090 aggression . Our collectors stand is 09:22.099 --> 09:24.859 more than just beating back one illegal 09:24.869 --> 09:28.299 invasion . Potential aggressors are 09:28.309 --> 09:30.950 watching how the world responds , how 09:30.960 --> 09:32.738 we collectively fight to uphold 09:32.738 --> 09:34.729 international law , national 09:34.739 --> 09:37.289 sovereignty and democratic norms . 09:38.479 --> 09:40.479 Russia's aggression in Ukraine is a 09:40.479 --> 09:43.049 challenge to the free world . The 09:43.059 --> 09:45.170 principles we are defending the right 09:45.170 --> 09:47.549 to self determination . The sanctity in 09:47.559 --> 09:49.615 national borders and the rule of law 09:49.969 --> 09:51.913 are the very foundations of global 09:51.913 --> 09:54.400 peace and stability . If these 09:54.409 --> 09:57.119 principles are compromised in Ukraine , 09:57.169 --> 09:59.225 that precedent can encourage similar 09:59.225 --> 10:00.836 acts of aggression elsewhere 10:01.049 --> 10:03.109 undermining the National Order we 10:03.119 --> 10:06.150 worked so hard to build . That's why 10:06.159 --> 10:08.159 our support for Ukraine is not just 10:08.159 --> 10:10.979 about helping one nation , it's about 10:10.989 --> 10:13.100 safeguarding the principles that bind 10:13.100 --> 10:16.200 us together as a global community . And 10:16.210 --> 10:17.877 this coalition has shown that 10:17.877 --> 10:19.654 collective commitment to common 10:19.654 --> 10:21.489 principles can translate into 10:21.500 --> 10:25.140 significant battlefield success . When 10:25.150 --> 10:27.261 Russia invaded Ukraine , many thought 10:27.261 --> 10:30.059 Kiev would fall in just a matter of 10:30.070 --> 10:32.890 days but Ukraine proved to be a 10:32.900 --> 10:35.619 stubborn opponent within days . 10:35.630 --> 10:37.500 Millions of everyday Ukrainians 10:37.510 --> 10:40.380 mobilized , determined to defend their 10:40.390 --> 10:43.549 freedom , independence and way of life . 10:44.570 --> 10:46.520 Ukrainians have exploited Russian 10:46.530 --> 10:48.450 vulnerabilities and innovated 10:48.460 --> 10:51.799 unconventional solutions in recent 10:51.809 --> 10:53.919 months , Ukraine's storied Russians 10:53.979 --> 10:57.280 offensive toward Kharkiv and has 10:57.289 --> 10:59.456 inflicted tremendous losses on Russian 10:59.456 --> 11:02.450 forces . And now Russia is facing 11:02.460 --> 11:04.516 Ukraine's counter offensive on their 11:04.516 --> 11:07.099 own soil without a doubt , Ukraine's 11:07.109 --> 11:09.559 indivisible strength of will is the 11:09.570 --> 11:11.626 main reason Russia is failing in its 11:11.626 --> 11:15.229 own invasion . It's the ongoing support 11:15.239 --> 11:17.295 from the nations here today that has 11:17.295 --> 11:20.179 helped turn that will into fighting 11:20.190 --> 11:22.760 power . But in the last few weeks , 11:22.770 --> 11:24.492 Russia has doubled down on its 11:24.492 --> 11:27.169 objectives , launching major multi 11:27.200 --> 11:28.978 access attacks with devastating 11:28.978 --> 11:31.239 outcomes . This week's attacks on 11:31.250 --> 11:33.419 hospitals , schools and residential 11:33.429 --> 11:35.929 areas along with major selling of 11:35.940 --> 11:38.400 energy and agricultural infrastructure , 11:39.130 --> 11:41.297 remind the world that Russia will take 11:41.297 --> 11:43.469 any means necessary to challenge 11:43.479 --> 11:46.659 Ukraine's sovereignty . Some 50 nations 11:46.669 --> 11:48.836 here today are responsible for helping 11:48.836 --> 11:50.891 build Ukraine's combat power for the 11:50.891 --> 11:54.630 past 2.5 years . We cannot stop now . 11:55.679 --> 11:57.901 The challenge before us is that Ukraine 11:57.901 --> 12:00.068 needs help reconstituting their combat 12:00.068 --> 12:02.179 forces . Engineering new ones between 12:02.179 --> 12:04.390 now and the next spring . Build on the 12:04.400 --> 12:06.456 current momentum , providing parts , 12:06.479 --> 12:09.510 equipment and training to sustain 12:09.520 --> 12:12.260 Ukraine's fleet of supplied weapon 12:12.270 --> 12:15.150 systems must also help Ukraine build 12:15.159 --> 12:17.960 its own industrial base by locking 12:18.969 --> 12:21.710 technical specifications , pursuing co 12:21.739 --> 12:23.906 production opportunities and providing 12:23.906 --> 12:26.179 key maintenance training . This will 12:26.190 --> 12:28.700 enable robust domestic production and 12:28.710 --> 12:32.039 systemic capacity . Our continued 12:32.049 --> 12:33.827 support combined with Ukraine's 12:33.827 --> 12:35.827 indivisible determination to defend 12:35.827 --> 12:38.190 itself , sends a message that 12:38.340 --> 12:40.909 authoritarian regimes , they won't win 12:40.919 --> 12:43.030 against a group of nations that stand 12:43.030 --> 12:46.590 for freedom and democracy . 33 years 12:46.599 --> 12:49.429 ago , Ukraine declared that they were a 12:49.440 --> 12:51.229 nation that is indivisible and 12:51.239 --> 12:54.250 inviolable that they would obey only 12:54.260 --> 12:55.816 the laws set forward by the 12:55.816 --> 12:57.649 democratically elected Ukrainian 12:57.649 --> 12:59.316 government . They have fought 12:59.316 --> 13:01.482 courageously for these principles over 13:01.482 --> 13:04.789 the past 2.5 years and with the Ukraine 13:04.799 --> 13:06.855 defense contact group's assistance , 13:06.855 --> 13:08.632 they will continue to withstand 13:08.632 --> 13:10.688 Russia's attacks and remain a free , 13:10.688 --> 13:12.688 independent and democratic nation . 13:13.090 --> 13:15.257 Thank you . And I look forward to your 13:15.257 --> 13:17.534 questions . Thank you , both gentlemen . 13:17.534 --> 13:19.479 Our first question will go to Phil 13:19.479 --> 13:20.479 Stewart Reuters . 13:25.830 --> 13:28.280 Thank you . Um Two questions . One for 13:28.289 --> 13:30.479 each of you . Uh General Brown uh in 13:30.489 --> 13:32.419 your military opinion . Uh Do you 13:32.429 --> 13:35.219 believe Ukraine's loss of Makros would 13:35.229 --> 13:37.229 deal with Kiev a series below ? How 13:37.419 --> 13:39.586 high are the stakes here ? And are you 13:39.586 --> 13:41.697 concerned that Kiev might not be able 13:41.697 --> 13:43.697 to defend Pokrovsky without drawing 13:43.697 --> 13:45.752 forces from Kirk ? And for Secretary 13:45.752 --> 13:48.570 Austin did uh President Zelensky offer 13:48.580 --> 13:50.809 more detail on his plan for victory 13:50.859 --> 13:53.026 that he says he'll be presented to the 13:53.026 --> 13:55.248 United States later this month . And as 13:55.248 --> 13:57.303 a former US General , do you believe 13:57.303 --> 13:59.526 that either side could definitively win 13:59.526 --> 14:01.869 the war on the battlefield in the next 14:01.880 --> 14:04.609 few months ? Thank you . Thanks for the 14:04.619 --> 14:06.563 question . I think the key thing I 14:06.563 --> 14:08.619 would highlight is , you know , what 14:08.619 --> 14:10.730 Ukraine has been able to do to defend 14:10.730 --> 14:10.700 its territory over the course of the 14:10.710 --> 14:13.640 past 2.5 years shows their distinct 14:13.650 --> 14:15.706 will to fight . And when you look at 14:15.706 --> 14:17.849 pro Gros , it's an area that you can 14:17.859 --> 14:20.026 see that the Russians have made one of 14:20.026 --> 14:22.248 their main efforts . But we're going to 14:22.248 --> 14:24.359 work very closely with the Ukraine to 14:24.359 --> 14:26.415 help defend that area as well as all 14:26.415 --> 14:28.470 parts of their terrain as well . The 14:28.470 --> 14:30.581 key part here is that we want to make 14:30.581 --> 14:32.581 sure that they protect that . So it 14:32.581 --> 14:34.637 doesn't impact one of the objections 14:34.637 --> 14:36.692 they had was to defend the north and 14:36.692 --> 14:36.510 east to defend their industrial areas . 14:36.520 --> 14:38.742 And so it's an important aspect for the 14:38.742 --> 14:40.909 nation . It's also an important aspect 14:40.909 --> 14:43.380 of protecting that area , continue to 14:43.390 --> 14:45.501 allow them to generate combat power , 14:45.501 --> 14:47.501 not just , you know , there in that 14:47.501 --> 14:49.668 Donbass region , but really across the 14:49.668 --> 14:52.200 entire front . I thought , could you uh 14:52.330 --> 14:54.419 repeat your question please for a 14:54.429 --> 14:58.250 second . Absolutely . 14:58.869 --> 15:01.679 One second . Um Did President Zelensky 15:01.890 --> 15:03.979 offer more detail on his plan for 15:03.989 --> 15:05.656 victory that he says he'll be 15:05.656 --> 15:07.767 presenting in the United States later 15:07.767 --> 15:09.989 this month ? And you know , as a former 15:09.989 --> 15:12.211 US General , do you believe that either 15:12.211 --> 15:14.559 side could you know , definitively 15:14.570 --> 15:17.059 declare victory uh in uh in on the 15:17.070 --> 15:19.400 battlefield uh in the next few months 15:19.409 --> 15:21.465 while the Biden administration still 15:21.465 --> 15:23.298 has time in office ? Thank you . 15:25.530 --> 15:27.752 Oh , well , thanks , Phil . I did get a 15:27.752 --> 15:30.539 chance to uh to spend some quality time 15:30.549 --> 15:32.890 with President Zelensky and you'll 15:32.900 --> 15:35.122 recall that President Zelensky outlined 15:35.122 --> 15:38.479 his goals and objectives uh during his 15:38.489 --> 15:40.545 opening comments . And I would point 15:40.545 --> 15:43.570 you to that to um if you have questions 15:43.580 --> 15:46.049 about specific objectives , but in 15:46.059 --> 15:48.226 terms of the plan for victory , Phil , 15:48.226 --> 15:51.729 we uh we didn't discuss that um that 15:52.500 --> 15:54.556 we talked about a number of things , 15:54.559 --> 15:58.260 but that , that specific piece we 15:58.270 --> 16:00.429 didn't discuss and President Zelinski 16:00.440 --> 16:02.869 is going to present that to President 16:02.880 --> 16:06.000 Biden and other leaders , you know , at 16:06.010 --> 16:08.849 the first opportunity in terms of 16:08.859 --> 16:12.330 whether or not um victory is achievable . 16:12.739 --> 16:16.669 Um Again , I think this war could 16:16.679 --> 16:20.330 end very quickly if Mr Putin decided to 16:20.919 --> 16:23.440 pull his forces out of 16:24.979 --> 16:27.049 the places that he's occupied in 16:27.059 --> 16:29.226 Ukraine . I mean , this was started by 16:29.650 --> 16:33.460 Putin and Putin could end it 16:33.469 --> 16:35.840 very quickly if he just made the simple 16:35.849 --> 16:38.880 and right decision to undo what he's 16:38.890 --> 16:42.330 done in terms of absolute victory . And 16:42.340 --> 16:44.340 it really depends on how you define 16:44.340 --> 16:46.229 that . Ukraine is , is focused on 16:46.229 --> 16:48.229 defending its sovereign territory . 16:48.260 --> 16:50.570 We're going to continue to do 16:50.580 --> 16:52.858 everything we can to help them do that . 16:53.549 --> 16:57.039 Um What Russia's goals and objectives 16:57.049 --> 16:59.280 are , you know , I couldn't speak to 16:59.289 --> 17:02.219 that specifically and victory would be 17:02.229 --> 17:04.939 defined by goals and objectives . But 17:04.949 --> 17:07.005 we know from the very beginning that 17:07.005 --> 17:10.020 he's wanted to annex Ukraine because he 17:10.030 --> 17:12.900 doesn't believe that Ukraine is a bona 17:12.910 --> 17:16.088 fide country . I 17:16.098 --> 17:20.088 think eventually this conflict 17:20.098 --> 17:22.999 will be decided at a 17:24.348 --> 17:27.218 resolved at a negotiation table . But 17:27.229 --> 17:29.348 when that point comes , it's hard to 17:29.359 --> 17:31.808 predict Phil . So we're going to 17:31.818 --> 17:35.338 continue to work to put Ukraine in the 17:35.348 --> 17:38.718 best possible position that it can be 17:38.729 --> 17:41.938 in when and if that day comes in the 17:41.948 --> 17:45.310 future . Thank you . Our next question 17:45.319 --> 17:47.680 will go to Spangenberger A RD , 17:54.189 --> 17:58.089 Mister Secretary of Defense Ukraine is 17:58.099 --> 18:00.319 demanding permission from the United 18:00.329 --> 18:02.910 States to attack targets in deep Russia 18:02.920 --> 18:05.849 with long range weapons . What is your 18:05.859 --> 18:09.660 opinion on that ? What is my 18:09.670 --> 18:13.489 opinion um on long 18:13.500 --> 18:16.709 range weapons ? Uh you know , Udo , 18:16.719 --> 18:19.589 what I have been focused on throughout 18:20.489 --> 18:24.180 is trying to help Ukraine be successful 18:24.189 --> 18:26.040 in this tactical fight in this 18:26.050 --> 18:29.060 operational struggle to make sure that 18:29.069 --> 18:31.291 it can defend its sovereign territory . 18:31.291 --> 18:33.069 And there's a number of ways to 18:33.069 --> 18:35.209 accomplish that . We said all along 18:35.300 --> 18:38.859 that there , there's no one capability 18:38.880 --> 18:42.030 that will in and of itself be 18:42.040 --> 18:44.680 decisive in this campaign . You know , 18:44.689 --> 18:47.130 we had this discussion about tanks , we 18:47.140 --> 18:49.160 had this discussion about uh about 18:49.170 --> 18:52.560 other capabilities and , and each time 18:52.569 --> 18:55.319 we point out that it's not just one 18:55.329 --> 18:57.719 thing , it's the combination of uh of 18:57.729 --> 18:59.760 capabilities and how you integrate 18:59.770 --> 19:01.660 those capabilities to achieve 19:01.670 --> 19:04.719 objectives . So um we're going to 19:04.729 --> 19:06.840 remain focused on doing everything we 19:06.840 --> 19:10.569 can to ensure that they have what they 19:10.579 --> 19:13.949 need to be successful and to create the 19:13.959 --> 19:16.459 right dynamics on the battlefield that 19:16.469 --> 19:18.719 maybe create some opportunities and 19:18.729 --> 19:22.250 that it helped Ukraine better defend 19:22.260 --> 19:24.093 its sovereign territory and they 19:24.093 --> 19:26.316 haven't done so bad . You know , if you 19:26.316 --> 19:28.427 think about the fact that what I said 19:28.427 --> 19:30.593 earlier , this is the largest military 19:30.593 --> 19:33.099 in Europe that they faced . And when 19:33.109 --> 19:36.099 this conflict started , Ukraine didn't 19:36.109 --> 19:38.165 have much of a military , much of an 19:38.165 --> 19:40.053 army to speak of , but they built 19:40.053 --> 19:42.165 capability over time and they've been 19:42.165 --> 19:44.510 able to do that with the tremendous 19:44.520 --> 19:47.459 security assistance that allies and 19:47.469 --> 19:50.069 partners have provided them throughout . 19:50.459 --> 19:53.689 So I don't believe that one specific 19:53.699 --> 19:55.755 capability is going to be decisive . 19:55.755 --> 19:57.977 But again , our approach to integrating 19:57.977 --> 20:01.099 things and to making sure that they 20:01.109 --> 20:04.329 have , they have the right skill sets 20:04.339 --> 20:06.395 to employ those , those capabilities 20:06.599 --> 20:09.420 and and those capabilities are you know , 20:09.430 --> 20:11.486 linked to specific objectives . So , 20:11.920 --> 20:14.280 thank you , sir . Next question will go 20:14.290 --> 20:17.410 to Charlie Dagata CBS News . Thank you . 20:18.069 --> 20:20.949 Uh First of all , uh Mr Chairman , 20:21.839 --> 20:25.359 when it comes to the um the 20:25.369 --> 20:27.729 operation in Kirk , how satisfied are 20:27.739 --> 20:29.850 you that they have the resources that 20:29.850 --> 20:32.017 they need ? Especially as we head into 20:32.017 --> 20:33.795 the winter months and are there 20:33.795 --> 20:35.961 contingency plans underway or at least 20:35.961 --> 20:37.739 in place should they need to be 20:37.739 --> 20:40.880 redeployed ? Um And Mr Secretary , I 20:40.890 --> 20:42.946 have to go back , President Zelensky 20:42.946 --> 20:45.660 has repeatedly requested for these long 20:45.670 --> 20:48.709 range attacks inside Russia . Even 20:48.719 --> 20:51.040 allies agree . So what is stopping the 20:51.050 --> 20:53.640 United States from giving the go ahead ? 20:56.339 --> 20:59.430 Um uh Again , 21:00.239 --> 21:04.209 um I don't believe what , 21:04.219 --> 21:06.330 what is stopping the United ? I don't 21:06.330 --> 21:08.552 believe one specific capability will be 21:08.552 --> 21:10.775 decisive . Uh And uh and you know , I I 21:10.775 --> 21:13.119 stand by that comment , uh I think uh 21:13.859 --> 21:17.760 um Ukraine has a pretty significant 21:17.770 --> 21:20.949 capability of its own to address um 21:20.959 --> 21:24.650 targets that are well beyond the 21:25.030 --> 21:27.750 uh the range of attacks or even storm 21:27.760 --> 21:30.569 shadow for that matter . And as we look 21:30.579 --> 21:33.140 at the battlefield currently , uh we 21:33.150 --> 21:35.206 know that the Russians have actually 21:35.206 --> 21:38.150 moved their , their , their aircraft 21:38.160 --> 21:40.390 that uh that are using the glide 21:40.400 --> 21:43.869 bombers beyond the range of uh of 21:43.890 --> 21:47.640 attacks . So this is an interesting um 21:48.130 --> 21:50.689 um argument . But again , I think , you 21:50.699 --> 21:52.699 know , for the foreseeable future , 21:52.699 --> 21:54.755 we're gonna make sure that we remain 21:54.755 --> 21:56.699 focused on doing , helping them do 21:56.699 --> 21:58.921 those things that are uh enable them to 21:58.921 --> 22:01.569 be effective in uh in defending the uh 22:01.579 --> 22:04.650 their , their uh their sovereign 22:04.660 --> 22:07.750 territory . Mr President , excuse me , 22:07.760 --> 22:10.430 Mr Secretary President Zelensky and 22:10.439 --> 22:12.550 others have said that there are other 22:12.550 --> 22:15.109 strategic targets inside Russia within 22:15.119 --> 22:17.719 range that could be effectively taken 22:17.729 --> 22:19.729 out with these long range weapons . 22:20.260 --> 22:22.949 There are a lot of targets uh in Russia , 22:22.959 --> 22:25.579 big country obviously and , and uh and 22:25.589 --> 22:27.589 there's a lot of capability that uh 22:27.819 --> 22:30.930 that uh Ukraine has in terms of uh UAVS 22:30.939 --> 22:33.106 and other things to , to address those 22:33.106 --> 22:36.530 targets . It's hard to answer your 22:36.540 --> 22:38.596 question on Kursk and this is one of 22:38.596 --> 22:40.762 the areas that is uh we , we talked to 22:40.762 --> 22:42.818 the , the Ukrainians and some of the 22:42.818 --> 22:44.762 conversations we had today and the 22:44.762 --> 22:44.310 conversations I've had with my 22:44.319 --> 22:47.459 counterpart , General General Sy is 22:47.550 --> 22:49.439 ensuring they have the capability 22:49.439 --> 22:51.410 logistically to support themselves 22:52.010 --> 22:54.066 while they're there in Kirk . And so 22:54.066 --> 22:56.121 that is the conversation at the same 22:56.121 --> 22:58.343 time , how do we make sure that they're 22:58.343 --> 23:00.288 able to uh t to the early question 23:00.288 --> 23:02.459 protect grows as well ? And so it's , 23:02.609 --> 23:04.800 they balance out that capability in 23:04.810 --> 23:06.532 addition to that to the fourth 23:06.532 --> 23:08.588 generation that's required to ensure 23:08.588 --> 23:10.810 they have the force you know , not only 23:10.810 --> 23:12.921 through the winter but after they get 23:12.921 --> 23:12.520 through the winter as well . And so 23:12.530 --> 23:14.419 these are the conversations we're 23:14.419 --> 23:16.363 having with them and very positive 23:16.363 --> 23:18.197 conversations with the Ukrainian 23:18.197 --> 23:20.419 delegation was here today . Thank you . 23:20.449 --> 23:22.560 Our final question will go to Crystal 23:22.560 --> 23:26.469 Haas Zef . So I just 23:31.349 --> 23:34.160 Mr Secretary soon there will be 23:34.170 --> 23:36.329 elections in the United States . If 23:36.339 --> 23:39.510 Donald Trump wins , would this affect 23:39.520 --> 23:41.810 the heart for the Ukraine ? And to the 23:41.819 --> 23:43.986 chairman ? The question , do you think 23:43.986 --> 23:46.041 that it's possible for the Ukrainian 23:46.041 --> 23:48.640 forces militaries seem to conquer back 23:48.780 --> 23:50.502 the landscapes they are lost ? 23:53.150 --> 23:55.829 So , Crystal was your question ? Is , 23:56.250 --> 23:58.729 are the elections going to affect the 23:58.739 --> 24:02.430 outcome in Ukraine Crystal ? I 24:02.439 --> 24:06.239 won't speculate on any outcomes of the 24:06.250 --> 24:08.417 election . You know , what I'm focused 24:08.417 --> 24:10.583 on right now is what I said earlier is 24:10.583 --> 24:12.670 making sure that , you know , 24:14.089 --> 24:16.200 Ukraine has the ability to create the 24:16.200 --> 24:18.145 conditions on the battlefield that 24:18.145 --> 24:20.311 provide some advantage to them so that 24:20.311 --> 24:22.367 they can , they can be successful in 24:22.367 --> 24:24.089 the defense of their sovereign 24:24.089 --> 24:26.200 territory and that remains my focus . 24:27.500 --> 24:29.722 Uh Crystal , I think one of the areas I 24:29.722 --> 24:31.778 would highlight is uh you know , you 24:31.778 --> 24:33.722 know , part of our objective is to 24:33.722 --> 24:35.944 ensure that Ukraine could defend itself 24:35.944 --> 24:35.760 and become a uh continue to be a 24:35.770 --> 24:37.937 sovereign nation just as I outlined in 24:37.939 --> 24:39.829 that when they declared their 24:39.839 --> 24:43.219 independence , um pretty broad amount 24:43.229 --> 24:45.319 of territory to conquer back . And I 24:45.329 --> 24:47.385 know that was the original strategic 24:47.385 --> 24:49.551 objective and I , I'm not to speak for 24:49.551 --> 24:51.718 President Zelinski . That may be still 24:51.718 --> 24:53.910 a strategic objective . The key point 24:53.920 --> 24:56.219 is how we operate and support them here 24:56.229 --> 24:58.396 in the near term . They can allow them 24:58.396 --> 25:00.618 to continue to defend themselves and to 25:00.618 --> 25:02.785 be successful in the operations . They 25:02.785 --> 25:02.729 are being executed right now . 25:04.189 --> 25:06.356 Secretary Austin General Brown . Thank 25:06.356 --> 25:08.522 you very much , gentlemen , ladies and 25:08.522 --> 25:10.578 gentlemen , that concludes our press 25:10.578 --> 25:12.633 briefing for today . Thank you again 25:12.633 --> 25:11.569 for joining us .