WEBVTT 00:07.550 --> 00:08.920 Good a after here and everyone. 00:09.550 --> 00:12.850 Thank you for coming here today it's a pleasure for me to be 00:12.850 --> 00:14.170 back here in Brussels. 00:14.730 --> 00:18.390 And in order to be with so many friends from NATO. 00:19.940 --> 00:25.220 Or agenda today reflected the extraordinary breadth and depth. 00:25.820 --> 00:27.340 Of the modern NATO mission. 00:28.880 --> 00:32.780 Is 14 we held meetings of new tomatoes nuclear planning group. 00:34.330 --> 00:36.520 We up discussions regarding Afghanistan. 00:37.120 --> 00:39.070 And russian activities in syria. 00:40.330 --> 00:43.610 We held a meeting on the hell made it was adapting to address 00:43.670 --> 00:44.690 future threats. 00:46.190 --> 00:49.290 And after this press conference a be attending a meeting at the 00:49.290 --> 00:50.840 NATO georgia. Commission. 00:53.660 --> 00:57.540 The ted is we always dear direct substantive conversations about 00:57.540 --> 00:59.990 how we can better dressed the common challenges. 01:00.770 --> 01:05.520 We face and to reaffirm the in Duryee me principal and great 01:05.520 --> 01:10.650 strengths we share or as members of the alliance and this individual. Partners. 01:12.350 --> 01:16.610 This week it was my pleasure to visit minister maria knows in 01:16.640 --> 01:19.600 Spain and minister Kentucky in italy. 01:20.370 --> 01:21.330 In both nations. 01:21.860 --> 01:26.020 I witnessed us troops working in trading with their counterparts 01:26.460 --> 01:30.050 to meet the challenges facing the mader southern flat. 01:31.190 --> 01:34.400 Included the ripple effects of I soul and stayed instability 01:34.400 --> 01:35.910 north African the middle east. 01:36.920 --> 01:41.240 I also met two weeks ago with their region minister CERN ride 01:41.240 --> 01:44.820 yet to discuss the challenges in the north and east. 01:45.880 --> 01:48.540 And tomorrow I will visit secretary phallic. 01:49.130 --> 01:50.310 In the United kingdom. 01:50.890 --> 01:54.200 We're the government recently announced that it will meet the 01:54.200 --> 01:58.650 pledge that all NATO allies made last year in Wales to invest 01:58.680 --> 02:00.570 2% of GT pee. 02:01.840 --> 02:06.500 In defense tradition sake. No less than two gets a two percent. 02:08.240 --> 02:13.130 The GT puny in descents the is an important and welcome step forward. 02:13.950 --> 02:16.400 The because made as adaptation for the future. 02:17.010 --> 02:18.570 Requires investment. 02:19.310 --> 02:22.960 And a strong alliance recorders that we meet our commitments 02:23.110 --> 02:23.810 to one. Another. 02:26.600 --> 02:29.420 The twentieth century NATO playbook was successful. 02:30.020 --> 02:33.600 In creating a europe whole free and at peace. 02:34.610 --> 02:37.740 But the same playbook would not be will match to that needs of 02:37.740 --> 02:38.840 the 20 first century. 02:39.960 --> 02:42.180 Together when most right in the playbook. 02:42.890 --> 02:47.010 Which includes preparing to counter new challenges like cyber 02:47.420 --> 02:48.560 and hybrid were fair. 02:49.450 --> 02:52.880 Bitter integrating conventional and nuclear deterrence. 02:53.780 --> 02:57.490 As well as adjusting our posture and presents to adapt didn't 02:57.490 --> 03:00.720 respond to new challenges and new. Threats. 03:02.940 --> 03:03.180 With her. 03:03.860 --> 03:07.160 And uh stand the United States is taking three actions. 03:08.280 --> 03:12.940 The first was the president's decision made in march to maintain 03:12.940 --> 03:17.260 dying fell some 800 us troops in Afghanistan through the end 03:17.260 --> 03:17.840 of this year. 03:19.790 --> 03:20.390 The setting. 03:20.940 --> 03:26.530 This to for relate options for 26 tina and beyond and make adjustments 03:26.530 --> 03:30.110 to the your planned us presence in Afghanistan based go on. 03:30.860 --> 03:32.280 Current. Circumstances. 03:33.710 --> 03:37.050 And I was pleased or it reduced easier ministers of defense from 03:37.050 --> 03:39.730 our NATO allies reaffirmed their commitment. 03:41.120 --> 03:46.190 Discuss seen not whether but had all to continue the mission 03:46.500 --> 03:47.450 in Afghanistan. 03:48.140 --> 03:51.230 But of course that is also the view by the United. States. 03:53.540 --> 03:57.890 Third of what I said that my 27teen budget for the U.S. 03:57.890 --> 03:59.130 depart the fans. 03:59.780 --> 04:03.590 I will include critical financial support to the Afghan national 04:03.590 --> 04:05.280 defense and security forces. 04:06.170 --> 04:10.200 To help that sustain its current force levels of 352 thousand. 04:10.860 --> 04:14.480 Troops. In 27teen and be. Are. 04:17.570 --> 04:22.930 Us well that was a strong supporter allies expressed for their contribution. 04:23.780 --> 04:25.220 To overall NATO funky. 04:25.970 --> 04:29.670 As well as the NATO presence for years to come. 04:31.720 --> 04:35.080 We also had productive conversations today regarding Russia's 04:35.080 --> 04:36.220 actions in. Syria. 04:38.680 --> 04:43.310 Instead of engaging in a political transition in syria which 04:43.360 --> 04:45.300 which is what is needed to make. 04:46.860 --> 04:51.140 Today and we of Street which is needed in this long suffering country. 04:52.250 --> 04:54.800 Russia has chosen to double down. 04:55.910 --> 04:58.550 On their long standing relationship with a solid. 04:59.340 --> 05:03.870 Committing additional art military hardware capabilities and. Personnel. 05:06.230 --> 05:09.160 Russian julie julie said ever going and defied I still when I'm 05:09.160 --> 05:11.540 booster another terrorist. Organizations. 05:12.920 --> 05:15.750 However within days of deploying their forces. 05:16.360 --> 05:19.970 The russian peaked russians begin striking targets that are not 05:19.970 --> 05:20.680 any of these skirt. 05:22.670 --> 05:26.320 I am said repeatedly over the last week that we in the United 05:26.320 --> 05:30.170 States believe this is a fundamental strategic stick. 05:31.350 --> 05:34.020 And that a when flight a moment and pro Wall. 05:34.790 --> 05:36.240 The Syrian civil war. 05:38.120 --> 05:42.690 We have not been will not agree to cooperate with russia. 05:42.940 --> 05:47.840 So long as they continued to pursue this misguided. Strategy. 05:49.770 --> 05:53.430 We seem increasingly and professional be hater from russian forces. 05:53.460 --> 05:57.490 They violated turkish airspace which all we edge as all of us here. 05:57.490 --> 06:00.900 Great clearer earlier this week and strongly affirmed. 06:01.790 --> 06:05.020 Today here in Brussels is made of. Airspace. 06:06.790 --> 06:09.870 Shut cruise missiles from a ship in the cast BNC without warning. 06:10.600 --> 06:14.050 They've come within just a few miles of one of our unmanned aerial vehicles. 06:15.190 --> 06:18.920 They have initiated a joint ground offensive with the Syrian regime. 06:19.450 --> 06:23.220 Shattering the so side but they're there to fight. Hustle. 06:25.430 --> 06:28.470 This we'll laugh consequences for russia itself. 06:29.600 --> 06:33.200 Futures right feet. Right 40 fearful of attack. 06:33.790 --> 06:34.600 Upon russia. 06:36.110 --> 06:37.570 And I also are expected. 06:38.130 --> 06:41.720 That in coming days. The russians would begin to suffer casualties 06:41.720 --> 06:42.370 in. Syria. 06:45.840 --> 06:48.640 The United States approach in syria is going forward it. 06:49.580 --> 06:52.590 Excuse me the United States approach in syria going forward is 06:52.590 --> 06:53.420 as follows. 06:54.230 --> 06:58.160 We will continue to prosecute the camera slayer campaign at the 06:58.160 --> 07:02.850 same pays him in the same battle space as we have since it started 07:02.850 --> 07:03.420 in syria. 07:04.860 --> 07:08.040 We will continue to support the moderate Syrian. Opposition. 07:10.130 --> 07:12.910 We will seek an agreement with the russians one professional 07:12.910 --> 07:15.240 safety procedures for coalition pilot. 07:16.720 --> 07:20.010 And we will leave the door open for russia to re joran the track 07:20.010 --> 07:22.930 toward a political transition in. Damascus. 07:25.150 --> 07:27.970 We're all so continue to make it clear that are fresher wants 07:27.970 --> 07:32.250 to end its international isolation in must stop its aggression 07:32.280 --> 07:33.480 in eastern ukraine. 07:34.160 --> 07:37.350 End its occupation and attempted annexation of crimea. 07:38.260 --> 07:41.160 Live up to its commitments under the mints could greens. 07:42.010 --> 07:45.240 We must not let ourselves be distracted by russian activities 07:45.240 --> 07:49.990 in syria at the expense of holding them to task under mates. 07:51.110 --> 07:55.530 This was also a strong sense of the made are meeting. Earlier. Today. 07:57.990 --> 07:59.840 As I said the greater earlier this week. 08:00.390 --> 08:03.850 It remains argo that russia will see that tether read itself 08:03.850 --> 08:04.940 to a sinking ship. 08:05.490 --> 08:06.860 Is a losing strategy. 08:08.220 --> 08:11.150 Because russia has the opportunity to change course and do the 08:11.150 --> 08:11.700 right fit. 08:12.810 --> 08:14.000 I don't know so you. Will. 08:16.340 --> 08:20.460 From the come shock depended. So low in the pacific herself they asia. 08:21.010 --> 08:22.250 In the the caucuses. 08:23.300 --> 08:27.180 And I ran into the bowl Turks russia has continued to wrap itself 08:27.230 --> 08:29.260 finish relative of isolation. 08:30.560 --> 08:32.990 In only the kremlin can decide to change that. 08:34.880 --> 08:37.700 There's a reason why the NATO alliance is stronger than ever. 08:38.260 --> 08:39.630 While russia excellent. 08:40.820 --> 08:44.740 Is evidenced today are member nation share common values. 08:45.530 --> 08:47.680 Reflected in the way we conduct ourselves. 08:48.840 --> 08:50.640 We know would each other stands for. 08:51.250 --> 08:53.240 How we do things and wide. 08:54.320 --> 08:55.740 The treaty joe others equals. 08:56.340 --> 08:58.350 The we take each other's interests into account. 08:59.750 --> 09:02.800 It's clear that we do things better when we do them together. 09:03.970 --> 09:09.700 Bet. Is the core of the NATO alliance than the community of nations 09:09.760 --> 09:14.290 it brings together and that is what we shall all continue to do. 09:15.110 --> 09:17.290 Thank you and now all take some question. 09:19.430 --> 09:23.110 First question for this sector a a time walk ins is like for 09:23.110 --> 09:23.620 the michael. 09:24.680 --> 09:28.320 Oh. Thinking as the secretary thomas what can special phones pressed. 09:29.280 --> 09:32.730 What discussion speaking. What discussions late having today 09:32.760 --> 09:35.280 about the us leaving additional troops in Afghanistan. 09:35.790 --> 09:39.710 The on 26teen and how much pressure. I am I to harness putting 09:39.710 --> 09:43.070 on you to make a decision about us treatments trip. 09:43.570 --> 09:46.950 About us treat commitments beyond. What is already being. 09:48.150 --> 09:51.020 We we discussed up to date. 09:51.560 --> 09:55.150 Boasts a about true blood holes. 09:55.910 --> 09:59.520 And also in this is an Portman i've mentioned this fund the in 09:59.580 --> 10:01.550 for the Afghan security forces. 10:02.090 --> 10:06.970 Both in 26teen and in the years thereafter. And I think there's 10:06.970 --> 10:11.710 will complete agreement within the alliance of that need to continue 10:11.710 --> 10:15.310 to do both of those perfide the fun beam metal Al's. The Afghan 10:15.310 --> 10:18.710 security forces which after rawlins forced that. 10:19.220 --> 10:24.950 Uh is now the principal one where a charged with security in 10:24.950 --> 10:28.120 Afghanistan given the resources it needs to sustain itself. 10:28.630 --> 10:34.620 And secondly that presents both us and allied forces here in 10:34.650 --> 10:39.540 Afghanistan next year 10 years thereafter which it seems reasonable 10:39.540 --> 10:41.870 to forecast would be useful. 10:42.480 --> 10:46.350 Their Alma of the dup that. 10:48.530 --> 10:49.930 Three to buy a. 10:50.760 --> 10:52.940 Vast hall of the NATO partners. 10:53.930 --> 10:55.530 Them too. 10:56.090 --> 10:58.130 Um remain flexible. 10:58.650 --> 11:02.530 In to consider the possibility of making adjustments and to the 11:02.530 --> 11:04.680 plan which is now two and a half years old. 11:05.980 --> 11:09.610 For the Um presence in. 11:10.430 --> 11:13.540 Afghanistan in the coming year. So I think it's widely understood 11:13.540 --> 11:16.750 that we need to do an assessment uh to widely understood that 11:16.750 --> 11:18.680 the United States is doing an assessment. 11:19.310 --> 11:23.110 A and it up as other countries have a number of countries to 11:23.110 --> 11:27.300 date indicated a willingness to change their own plans and posture 11:27.300 --> 11:31.420 because almost all of them. In fact I think all of them who spoke 11:31.420 --> 11:36.000 to the issue indicated a willingness to continue wifey. 11:36.960 --> 11:42.260 Up mission in Afghanistan a which is very much the United States position. 11:42.900 --> 11:47.880 Uh and capitalise upon the great work of that we have done for. 11:48.450 --> 11:51.400 Many years in the past. Um. 11:55.010 --> 11:55.700 Um mikhail. 11:57.680 --> 11:58.780 Saying the second. Rather. 12:01.860 --> 12:06.770 The Kate chunnel fire ukraine has syrupy if a russia keeps a 12:06.770 --> 12:11.050 distinction attention a from ukraine and to the that they can 12:11.080 --> 12:15.070 buy sinead and you can't test the bill it to to keep up or on 12:15.100 --> 12:15.880 two of forms. 12:16.550 --> 12:20.210 Haverhill matchup nature of and says a us say a keeps a pork 12:20.210 --> 12:20.930 in. Ukraine. 12:23.030 --> 12:26.990 And well first of all that I there was no distraction today. 12:27.510 --> 12:28.350 That this meeting. 12:28.970 --> 12:31.360 Um we discussed both topics. 12:32.210 --> 12:38.340 Oh. The goat rees all of the entire group as it is the American. 12:38.850 --> 12:44.010 A resolve is as the phrases as a as the phrase frequently goes 12:44.010 --> 12:46.720 in NATO to address both the stubborn front. 12:47.270 --> 12:49.890 And the eastern front. Simultaneously. 12:51.650 --> 12:57.260 Top so in it notion swoosh they're a a a feeling that in this 12:57.260 --> 13:00.870 alliance and certainly it's not the us you that that this is 13:00.870 --> 13:04.850 a dish that russian activities in syria for distraction from 13:04.850 --> 13:07.590 ukraine if anything there are a reminder. 13:08.580 --> 13:11.590 Of the rat act in self defeating behavior. 13:12.320 --> 13:17.090 Uh and the need for where the NATO alliance and its other partners 13:17.150 --> 13:22.030 in europe ought to stand strong in stand United and staying steady 13:22.400 --> 13:23.520 but there was no abstraction. 13:25.130 --> 13:25.610 Lean company. 13:27.890 --> 13:32.340 Thank you to set this day are you satisfied that now is a good 13:32.340 --> 13:35.980 time to remove these picket that at least for turkey are you 13:36.010 --> 13:39.280 worried at all about spill over effects of the of russia and 13:39.280 --> 13:43.050 courage in to syria and turkey and finally you your words just 13:43.050 --> 13:47.270 our very sweeping you talk to a fresh a shouting up cloaking 13:47.270 --> 13:51.010 itself finished out of isolation are we on the brink of a new 13:51.010 --> 13:51.630 cold war. 13:53.240 --> 13:53.750 Oh no. 13:54.480 --> 13:58.030 Let's see richer specter the first heard of but. 13:58.610 --> 14:00.020 That eager for. 14:00.770 --> 14:02.040 Core shooting a. 14:03.200 --> 14:05.970 Leaning I'm sorry enough to repeat the first party gainfully 14:05.970 --> 14:08.830 patriots all you comfortable that this is a good time to remove 14:08.860 --> 14:12.730 the patriot batteries fits. Well I'm them to the decision to 14:12.760 --> 14:16.700 remove the us patriot battery from turkey was one made. 14:17.510 --> 14:22.310 Many months ago a has a purpose switches to bring the unit backwards 14:22.310 --> 14:26.190 gonna be modernized him. So that's a long standing issue. 14:26.690 --> 14:30.500 Bought their remaining patriots belonging to NATO nations in 14:30.500 --> 14:31.640 the um. 14:32.360 --> 14:36.260 Turkey uh I just discussed with the Spanish defense minister 14:36.260 --> 14:41.030 alaska born to use Beijing's intentions for example to retain 14:41.030 --> 14:44.600 their patriot battery it in turkey. So the will remain patriot 14:44.600 --> 14:49.570 batteries a in turkey in with respect to the new cold war. 14:51.060 --> 14:53.260 The isolation of russia. 14:54.190 --> 14:54.780 It was. 14:55.440 --> 14:59.870 Eighty phenomenon that I think Russia's gonna have to reckon with. 15:00.530 --> 15:04.520 A lot in the long run the this which you see here it may go. 15:05.120 --> 15:10.380 Are a us scorers of nations who have decided that their security 15:10.380 --> 15:12.150 is better pursuit in concert. 15:12.910 --> 15:14.010 And independent would. 15:14.570 --> 15:17.760 That's what the NATO alliance stands for. 15:18.620 --> 15:24.210 Um. Um I know you do it was of having work with russia very constructively 15:24.210 --> 15:27.820 in other contexts a over the years and is that that. 15:28.420 --> 15:32.520 Ought would be a better future for Russia's security as well 15:32.620 --> 15:35.230 but it's one thing for me to think that and scored another one 15:35.230 --> 15:39.360 for the crumb like to think that and as I said in life a opening statement. 15:39.360 --> 15:42.100 That's only decision that the kremlin a. 15:42.650 --> 15:46.660 Can make but this is a self I use a lady.. Behavior. 15:47.320 --> 15:52.210 Behavior. I get to fight for two more um rubbish. 15:53.660 --> 15:57.670 Yes broke sidner of jane's defense weekly admitted as a strategy 15:57.670 --> 16:01.210 for its eastern frontier political military multi strand. 16:01.580 --> 16:02.670 It does not for the cell. 16:03.280 --> 16:06.580 I'm a simple reinforcing the in our enough. It's not a strike 16:06.580 --> 16:07.960 she that's the capability. 16:08.560 --> 16:11.880 So what is a straighter have also been here to discuss some kind 16:11.880 --> 16:13.940 of strategy for the self. What is it a kid. 16:15.160 --> 16:20.180 But we did discuss i've made errors cooperation with the european 16:20.180 --> 16:24.610 union and in fact a that a recruitment corrine drawing just for 16:24.610 --> 16:28.450 lunch today. I think there's widespread consensus in the alliance 16:28.450 --> 16:32.330 and I think sector general said is much Aw that NATO should be 16:32.330 --> 16:35.130 supportive of the U.S lead that effort. 16:35.980 --> 16:40.160 Um that includes of maritime dimension which is very important 16:40.190 --> 16:43.350 a merit time surveillance dimension. That's really important. 16:43.850 --> 16:49.860 Asa there are ways in which military uh uh instrument scanned compliment. 16:49.900 --> 16:51.480 The U.S led effort. 16:52.020 --> 16:58.170 In the Meditterranean and to help the continent to deal with 16:58.170 --> 17:01.030 this really terrible apart braintree refugee. 17:01.700 --> 17:08.080 Issued. A in Humane it and practical way. So there is that a NATO. 17:09.140 --> 17:12.750 Up few to a that it can complement the the you. 17:13.550 --> 17:19.340 Led to a mission in that meditterranean. We're discussing exactly 17:19.340 --> 17:23.130 how we can do that but I think the fundamental strategy is to 17:23.130 --> 17:27.710 align ourselves with the E use strategy and to bring military 17:28.050 --> 17:32.890 instruments where they can appropriately compliment that strategy 17:33.160 --> 17:34.860 up to strengthen and reinforce it. 17:35.960 --> 17:38.420 Best question great when lock for rather. 17:40.550 --> 17:43.700 I'm is your secretary to um to the United States and its allies 17:43.730 --> 17:47.920 get caught flat footed by Russia's intervention in syria to prop 17:47.920 --> 17:50.880 up bashar al-assad and wary. So certain that. 17:51.420 --> 17:53.650 About Russia's strategy here is losing. 17:55.010 --> 17:58.510 Well what's for sure who wait wait. What is clear is that Russia's 17:58.510 --> 18:00.520 said one thing and get another. 18:01.340 --> 18:05.000 Now that by itself unfortunately a is in new. 18:06.230 --> 18:09.620 And so it's always important to wait and see in here with the 18:09.620 --> 18:14.740 russians do rather than what they set in the us uh there's a 18:14.740 --> 18:17.840 pattern of saint wanting in doing another and in this case. 18:17.840 --> 18:21.070 They said they were going to fight I soul but that doesn't match 18:21.070 --> 18:22.390 up with the targets the vanity. 18:23.440 --> 18:29.060 And they have professed over the over time up to seek a political 18:29.060 --> 18:32.460 transition from what bach shirk onside. 18:33.050 --> 18:36.740 To pay you more are widely based. 18:37.520 --> 18:42.010 Syrian government that concurred surf those structures of a decent. 18:42.650 --> 18:47.300 A top society wish for the Syrian people which the richly desert. 18:47.300 --> 18:51.470 So I think in this case is in all cases we asked the watch behavior 18:51.500 --> 18:55.350 that knocked um take it taste the you what russia says consoler 18:55.350 --> 19:00.780 experience here ukrainian elsewhere. It was sometimes the deeds. 19:01.310 --> 19:02.690 And the words don't match up. 19:04.110 --> 19:05.220 And thanks or by. 19:05.870 --> 19:11.650 Sector for shiate can be with you all. Chart..