WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:02.222 Good afternoon everyone . Thank you for 00:02.222 --> 00:04.444 being here today . It is my pleasure to 00:04.444 --> 00:06.780 introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd 00:06.780 --> 00:08.836 Austin the third and Chairman of the 00:08.836 --> 00:10.891 Joint Chiefs of Staff . General Mark 00:10.891 --> 00:13.113 Milley , the Secretary and the chairman 00:13.113 --> 00:15.224 will deliver some opening remarks and 00:15.224 --> 00:17.169 then we'll have time to take a few 00:17.169 --> 00:19.058 questions . I will moderate those 00:19.058 --> 00:18.890 questions and call on journalists and 00:18.890 --> 00:20.779 would ask that we limit follow up 00:20.779 --> 00:22.890 questions due to our schedule today . 00:22.890 --> 00:25.400 Secretary Austin . Well , thanks Pat , 00:25.410 --> 00:28.770 good afternoon everyone . We came into 00:28.770 --> 00:31.420 our 5th meeting of the Ukraine Defense 00:31.420 --> 00:34.460 Contact Group with lots of momentum 00:35.540 --> 00:37.818 and we're leaving today with even more . 00:38.470 --> 00:40.692 I'm pleased to report that this contact 00:40.692 --> 00:43.700 group is now even more united and 00:43.700 --> 00:46.910 resolved to keep up our shared support 00:46.910 --> 00:49.270 for Ukraine's right to defend itself . 00:50.720 --> 00:53.660 That means meeting Ukraine's needs for 00:53.660 --> 00:56.390 today's battlefield . And I'm 00:56.390 --> 00:58.340 especially pleased by the emphasis 00:58.340 --> 01:01.790 today on positioning this contact 01:01.800 --> 01:05.760 group to support Ukraine's self 01:05.760 --> 01:09.570 defense over the long home . It means 01:09.570 --> 01:12.150 finding new and innovative ways to 01:12.150 --> 01:15.150 support the Ukrainian military and the 01:15.150 --> 01:18.720 Ukrainian people as they defend their 01:18.720 --> 01:22.310 country , their lives and their 01:22.310 --> 01:25.800 freedom Now , it's 01:25.800 --> 01:28.350 especially meaningful to be back here 01:28.360 --> 01:32.350 at Ramstein air base today . Ramstein 01:32.350 --> 01:34.570 is where we first launched this 01:34.570 --> 01:37.710 important contact group back in april 01:39.010 --> 01:40.954 and since that first meeting , the 01:40.954 --> 01:42.732 United States has increased our 01:42.732 --> 01:45.650 military assistance to Ukraine by 01:45.650 --> 01:49.370 nearly fourfold . And yesterday 01:49.370 --> 01:51.370 President biden approved the latest 01:51.370 --> 01:53.700 tranche of U . S . Assistance to 01:53.700 --> 01:57.230 Ukraine . It's valued at up to 01:57.230 --> 02:00.000 $675 million dollars 02:02.290 --> 02:04.290 And it's the Biden administration's 02:04.290 --> 02:07.520 20th drawdown of equipment from US 02:07.520 --> 02:10.100 stocks for Ukraine since last august . 02:11.790 --> 02:14.510 The new package includes more high mars 02:15.170 --> 02:18.940 ammunition , 105 millimeter 02:18.940 --> 02:22.180 howitzers , artillery , 02:22.180 --> 02:24.950 ammunition and harm missiles , 02:25.860 --> 02:29.860 Humvees and armored ambulances and 02:29.860 --> 02:32.870 I tank systems , small arms and more . 02:35.490 --> 02:37.712 And nations of goodwill from around the 02:37.712 --> 02:41.310 world have stepped up as well . Every 02:41.310 --> 02:43.620 time that we come together to meet 02:43.620 --> 02:47.570 Ukraine's urgent self defense needs and 02:47.570 --> 02:50.310 every time that a contact group member 02:50.310 --> 02:53.570 announces another new security 02:53.570 --> 02:56.830 assistance package , it's yet another 02:56.830 --> 02:59.700 sign of the Free World's enduring 02:59.700 --> 03:03.060 support for Ukraine's for U 03:03.070 --> 03:06.930 for Ukraine and its refusal to accept 03:06.930 --> 03:09.630 Russia's imperial aggression . 03:11.500 --> 03:13.667 I'm especially grateful that we got to 03:13.667 --> 03:15.889 hear again today from my good friends , 03:15.889 --> 03:19.340 Olexiy Reznikoff , Ukraine's Minister 03:19.340 --> 03:22.020 of Defense and Lieutenant General 03:22.020 --> 03:25.110 Moishe Ukraine's Deputy Chief of 03:25.110 --> 03:29.020 Defense . It's deeply meaningful 03:29.020 --> 03:31.131 to have them here with us in person . 03:31.131 --> 03:33.900 As Ukraine begins its counter offensive 03:33.900 --> 03:37.340 in the south and I want to thank my 03:37.340 --> 03:39.800 brave Ukrainian colleagues for sharing 03:39.800 --> 03:42.360 their insights from the battlefield . 03:43.820 --> 03:45.870 Now , Ukraine , Ukraine's defenders 03:45.870 --> 03:48.120 have been putting the military aid that 03:48.190 --> 03:50.670 we've all been sending them to 03:50.670 --> 03:54.010 immediate and effective use and just 03:54.010 --> 03:56.121 look at how the Ukrainian forces have 03:56.121 --> 03:58.790 been using high end capabilities like 03:58.790 --> 04:02.530 high maRS and M 2 70 rocket systems in 04:02.530 --> 04:05.860 their broader push to reclaim Ukraine's 04:05.860 --> 04:08.740 sovereignty , Ukraine's sovereign 04:08.740 --> 04:12.650 territory . Russia is responding 04:12.650 --> 04:16.480 with a campaign of cruelty putting 04:16.540 --> 04:18.800 Putin's forces are shelling and 04:18.810 --> 04:22.010 shelling civilians and and cities and 04:22.010 --> 04:24.240 I'm especially concerned that Russia is 04:24.250 --> 04:26.770 creating combat conditions around 04:26.780 --> 04:29.400 Ukrainian nuclear plant plant of Zach 04:29.400 --> 04:32.540 for ASia that's deeply reckless and it 04:32.540 --> 04:35.840 could have grave consequences . So we 04:35.840 --> 04:38.062 won't let up in our support for Ukraine 04:38.062 --> 04:40.396 self defense . Not today , not tomorrow . 04:40.820 --> 04:43.140 The countries represented here today 04:43.150 --> 04:45.540 have shown their resolve to support 04:45.550 --> 04:47.770 Ukraine's bedrock sovereign right to 04:47.770 --> 04:50.320 defend itself and they've shown 04:50.320 --> 04:53.470 leadership in pushing to innovate , to 04:53.480 --> 04:57.270 integrate , to train and to produce 04:57.280 --> 05:00.320 to meet Ukraine's security needs for 05:00.320 --> 05:02.830 the long haul . We had some good 05:02.830 --> 05:05.810 conversations today about Ukraine self 05:05.810 --> 05:09.220 defense priorities right now , Ukraine 05:09.230 --> 05:11.830 urgently needs more artillery systems 05:11.980 --> 05:15.030 and ammunition . It also needs air 05:15.030 --> 05:17.610 defense , coastal defense and other 05:17.610 --> 05:21.020 critical capabilities . United States 05:21.020 --> 05:24.130 has stepped up to meet those needs and 05:24.130 --> 05:26.019 I'm very glad that so many of our 05:26.019 --> 05:29.770 allies and partners have as well beyond 05:29.770 --> 05:31.770 that , this contact group will keep 05:31.770 --> 05:33.714 coming up with new ways to support 05:33.714 --> 05:36.340 Ukraine for the road ahead . In many 05:36.340 --> 05:39.270 countries continue to dig deep and 05:39.270 --> 05:41.214 provide equipment out of their own 05:41.214 --> 05:44.230 military stocks . That can mean 05:44.230 --> 05:46.452 purchasing new equipment from their own 05:46.452 --> 05:49.260 defense industries or even purchasing 05:49.260 --> 05:51.920 new equipment from other countries that 05:51.920 --> 05:55.550 they can send to . Ukraine Countries in 05:55.550 --> 05:57.980 our contact group are also leading 05:57.980 --> 06:00.091 efforts on training , maintenance and 06:00.091 --> 06:02.790 sustainment and that will help ensure 06:02.790 --> 06:04.957 that Ukraine has the capabilities that 06:04.957 --> 06:07.870 it needs to succeed on the battlefield 06:07.880 --> 06:10.320 now and in the weeks and months ahead . 06:11.320 --> 06:13.487 I want to especially thank the U . K . 06:13.487 --> 06:15.709 For establishing a basic basic training 06:15.709 --> 06:19.230 program for new Ukrainian recruits . 06:20.160 --> 06:22.690 Getting more trained professional 06:22.690 --> 06:25.580 soldiers into the fight is especially 06:25.580 --> 06:28.830 key as Russia sends more and more 06:28.840 --> 06:32.610 untrained soldiers into battle . I 06:32.610 --> 06:34.666 also want to thank our eastern flank 06:34.666 --> 06:36.540 allies namely Poland , the Czech 06:36.540 --> 06:39.220 Republic and Slovakia for 06:39.220 --> 06:42.260 reinvigorating their industrial base . 06:42.260 --> 06:44.570 Is to meet Ukraine's self defense needs 06:45.580 --> 06:47.358 the around the clock efforts to 06:47.358 --> 06:50.540 manufacture new armaments are key to 06:50.540 --> 06:54.300 Ukraine's success and we're gonna move 06:54.310 --> 06:58.190 even faster and push even harder . So 06:58.190 --> 07:00.357 I'm proud to announce that in the next 07:00.357 --> 07:03.770 few weeks in coordination with NATO , 07:03.780 --> 07:06.280 the United States will host a special 07:06.280 --> 07:08.880 session under the auspices of this 07:08.880 --> 07:11.690 contact group to bring together our 07:11.690 --> 07:15.540 senior national armaments directors and 07:15.540 --> 07:17.430 they will discuss how our defense 07:17.430 --> 07:19.670 industrial bases can best equip 07:19.680 --> 07:22.090 Ukraine's future forces with the 07:22.090 --> 07:26.090 capabilities that they need . We also 07:26.100 --> 07:28.630 will have much more on this topic 07:29.800 --> 07:32.450 in the details of the session very soon . 07:33.770 --> 07:35.714 And it's a reflection of something 07:35.714 --> 07:37.881 that's central to this contact group . 07:37.881 --> 07:39.937 We're working together to arm and to 07:39.937 --> 07:41.992 train Ukraine on the current fight . 07:43.070 --> 07:45.292 Yet we're also working together to help 07:45.292 --> 07:47.470 Ukraine defend capable or develop 07:47.480 --> 07:50.420 capable sustainable forces to defend 07:50.420 --> 07:52.670 itself and deter aggression over the 07:52.670 --> 07:55.580 long term , Ukraine is fighting for its 07:55.580 --> 07:58.820 life . It's fighting for its sovereign 07:58.820 --> 08:01.160 territory and its democracy and its 08:01.160 --> 08:03.830 freedom . But the stakes reach far 08:03.830 --> 08:06.220 beyond the front lines . They reach us 08:06.220 --> 08:09.130 all . The members of this contact group 08:09.140 --> 08:11.330 aren't just helping defend Ukraine . 08:11.940 --> 08:13.940 They're helping to defend the rules 08:13.940 --> 08:16.430 based international order that emerged 08:16.440 --> 08:18.551 after the horrors of the Second World 08:18.551 --> 08:21.260 War . And for the past 70 years , that 08:21.260 --> 08:24.010 rules based order has made the world 08:24.010 --> 08:27.390 more secure , more stable , more free 08:27.390 --> 08:30.160 and more prosperous . So the United 08:30.160 --> 08:32.104 States will continue to stand with 08:32.104 --> 08:35.980 Ukraine today and tomorrow and 08:35.980 --> 08:38.202 along with our allies and partners , we 08:38.202 --> 08:40.460 will increase the momentum and we'll 08:40.460 --> 08:42.627 work together to help Ukraine build up 08:42.627 --> 08:45.460 its enduring strength and its lasting 08:45.460 --> 08:48.830 ability to defend itself . So thank you . 08:48.830 --> 08:50.997 And now let me turn it over to General 08:50.997 --> 08:53.740 Milley . Thanks Secretary Austin and 08:53.750 --> 08:56.640 good afternoon everyone . Uh and on 08:56.640 --> 08:59.960 behalf of all the chads and and 08:59.960 --> 09:02.071 the and the Ministers of Defense that 09:02.071 --> 09:04.127 were here today . I want to publicly 09:04.127 --> 09:05.849 thank Secretary Austin for his 09:05.849 --> 09:07.960 leadership . This contact group would 09:07.960 --> 09:09.793 not exist without his energy and 09:09.793 --> 09:11.738 initiative . And this is our fifth 09:11.738 --> 09:13.238 meeting and it's been very 09:13.238 --> 09:15.960 consequential uh to the results that 09:15.970 --> 09:18.740 Ukraine has achieved . Uh and we have 09:18.740 --> 09:21.270 had today , I think it's around 50 09:21.280 --> 09:23.920 countries were represented here in this 09:23.920 --> 09:26.031 particular contact group . So , thank 09:26.031 --> 09:28.087 you , secretary for that . And and I 09:28.087 --> 09:30.670 also want to thank publicly , thank 09:30.680 --> 09:33.980 Ukraine's Minister of Defense and the 09:33.980 --> 09:36.091 Chief of Defense General Saluzzi , my 09:36.091 --> 09:38.150 counterpart , whom I talked to very 09:38.150 --> 09:40.330 frequently several times a week in 09:40.330 --> 09:43.820 close coordination on their needs and 09:43.820 --> 09:45.876 requirements that as we go forward , 09:46.120 --> 09:49.820 more than six months have passed since 09:49.820 --> 09:53.020 Russia launched an illegal 09:53.020 --> 09:55.130 invasion of a free and independent 09:55.130 --> 09:58.140 country Named Ukraine . That has been 09:58.140 --> 10:01.540 free and independent since 1991 and 10:01.540 --> 10:04.030 this time in the last six months , the 10:04.030 --> 10:05.863 Ukrainians have withstood brutal 10:05.863 --> 10:08.650 assaults on their capital and other 10:08.650 --> 10:10.594 major urban areas throughout their 10:10.594 --> 10:12.910 country . They've sustained countless 10:12.910 --> 10:15.880 missile strikes and artillery barrages . 10:15.890 --> 10:18.010 They've borne the brutal cost of 10:18.020 --> 10:21.260 thousands , tens of thousands of 10:21.260 --> 10:24.890 casualties killed and wounded . 10:25.980 --> 10:28.990 Many civilians have perished due to 10:28.990 --> 10:30.823 indiscriminate Russian attacks . 10:32.330 --> 10:35.920 There's almost 15 million refugees 10:35.920 --> 10:38.680 and internally displaced persons . 10:38.690 --> 10:41.720 Significant infrastructure in Ukraine 10:41.720 --> 10:44.700 has been damaged . Ukrainian people 10:44.710 --> 10:48.610 have suffered tremendously and yet 10:49.460 --> 10:52.140 they remain a free , independent and 10:52.140 --> 10:55.660 sovereign country . Ukraine , Ukraine 10:55.670 --> 10:59.160 remains strong and free 10:59.170 --> 11:01.690 because of the bravery of their people , 11:01.700 --> 11:03.820 the competence of their military and 11:03.820 --> 11:05.880 the support of the international 11:05.880 --> 11:08.630 community . The group of countries that 11:08.630 --> 11:12.370 gather here today remain committed to 11:12.370 --> 11:15.050 Ukraine and to the people of Ukraine 11:15.060 --> 11:18.410 for their desire to live freely , live 11:18.410 --> 11:21.020 free of Russian occupation and live 11:21.020 --> 11:24.720 free of Russian violence . The vital 11:24.720 --> 11:26.720 work of this contact group is truly 11:26.720 --> 11:29.440 extraordinary . The Russian invasion 11:29.440 --> 11:32.090 shatters the international norms that 11:32.090 --> 11:33.923 the secretary talked about , the 11:33.923 --> 11:36.600 international norm of the rules based 11:36.600 --> 11:40.030 international order , the rule of law , 11:40.040 --> 11:42.790 the understanding that the powerful 11:42.800 --> 11:45.800 cannot attack the weak , the 11:45.800 --> 11:47.856 international community and not just 11:47.856 --> 11:49.911 the countries of europe , but really 11:49.911 --> 11:52.078 around the globe , understand that and 11:52.078 --> 11:55.180 Russia's unprovoked invasion upended 11:55.250 --> 11:57.840 that rules based order and so the world 11:57.840 --> 12:01.250 responded and Ukrainians 12:01.260 --> 12:03.880 continue to employ the security 12:03.880 --> 12:05.991 assistance that they've been provided 12:05.991 --> 12:09.240 incredibly effectively . The Russians 12:09.250 --> 12:12.950 have achieved minor tactical success in 12:12.950 --> 12:16.450 various parts of Eastern Ukraine , but 12:16.450 --> 12:19.940 so far Russian strategic objectives 12:20.450 --> 12:23.760 have been defeated . The war is not 12:23.760 --> 12:27.480 over . But so far the Russian strategic 12:27.480 --> 12:31.070 objectives have been defeated . That's 12:31.070 --> 12:33.920 due to their failures . And also due to 12:33.920 --> 12:35.809 the bravery of the Russian or the 12:35.809 --> 12:38.760 Ukrainian military . The bravery of the 12:38.760 --> 12:41.210 Ukrainian people and the support of the 12:41.210 --> 12:43.154 countries that were at the contact 12:43.154 --> 12:46.890 group today , they've adjusted their 12:46.890 --> 12:49.001 strategy . The Russians have in their 12:49.001 --> 12:51.550 tactics but so haven't the Ukrainians ? 12:52.660 --> 12:55.130 It's a war and there's give and take , 12:55.130 --> 12:57.330 there's action , reaction and counter 12:57.330 --> 13:00.930 action . But despite being outgunned 13:01.250 --> 13:04.130 and outmanned , Ukrainians have 13:04.130 --> 13:05.852 demonstrated superior tactical 13:05.852 --> 13:08.970 proficiency and they've demonstrated a 13:08.970 --> 13:11.980 superior will to fight fight for their 13:11.980 --> 13:14.850 own country . Fight for their freedom 13:16.440 --> 13:19.070 as assistance flows into the country . 13:19.080 --> 13:20.858 We have observed the Ukrainians 13:20.858 --> 13:23.290 effectively couple of weapons systems 13:23.300 --> 13:25.290 that we have provided them with 13:25.290 --> 13:27.800 combined arms maneuver , excellent 13:27.800 --> 13:31.140 command and control to achieve desired 13:31.140 --> 13:33.360 effects . And we see this playing out 13:33.360 --> 13:36.040 today with the Ukrainian , recent 13:36.040 --> 13:38.490 operations in the south , let me give 13:38.490 --> 13:40.490 you a very brief battlefield update 13:42.420 --> 13:44.420 as you know , the Russians attacked 13:44.420 --> 13:46.950 beginning 24 february . So think in 13:46.950 --> 13:49.950 terms of 24 february to about the 13:49.950 --> 13:52.370 middle of april , the Russians continue 13:52.370 --> 13:54.760 to strategic attack to try to capture 13:54.760 --> 13:57.500 Kiev , get to the Den april river 13:57.510 --> 14:00.210 assault through the south out of Crimea 14:00.220 --> 14:02.910 into the Donbas and then also 14:02.920 --> 14:05.440 potentially conduct an attack in Odessa . 14:05.450 --> 14:08.060 Those attacks failed , they didn't 14:08.070 --> 14:10.237 seize the capital . They didn't topple 14:10.237 --> 14:12.459 the government , they didn't get to the 14:12.459 --> 14:14.459 Dnieper River and they didn't seize 14:14.459 --> 14:17.000 Odessa . So in the beginning of april , 14:17.010 --> 14:19.232 the Russians adjusted their war aim and 14:19.232 --> 14:22.400 they consolidated their forces in the 14:22.400 --> 14:25.870 east In order to attack and seize all 14:25.870 --> 14:29.070 of the Donbas and hold Odessa at 14:29.070 --> 14:31.830 risk . They launched that offensive on 14:31.830 --> 14:35.230 or about the 15th or 16 April and they 14:35.230 --> 14:37.330 have been defeated in that their 14:37.330 --> 14:39.052 operational objectives in that 14:39.052 --> 14:41.108 offensive have not been successful . 14:41.108 --> 14:43.980 They have not achieved all of the 14:43.980 --> 14:47.020 Donbas and they have only crossed the 14:47.030 --> 14:49.030 Dnieper River in the south , in the 14:49.030 --> 14:51.370 vicinity of Kherson . So their 14:51.370 --> 14:53.700 operational aims , in addition to their 14:53.700 --> 14:56.040 strategic games have been defeated by a 14:56.040 --> 14:58.360 very successful defense conducted by 14:58.360 --> 15:00.860 Ukraine . At the beginning of this 15:00.860 --> 15:04.620 month , about one September Ukraine 15:04.630 --> 15:07.050 launched an offensive in order to seize 15:07.140 --> 15:09.020 the operational and strategic 15:09.030 --> 15:12.230 initiative . That offensive is ongoing . 15:12.930 --> 15:15.280 That offensive is in its early stages 15:15.290 --> 15:17.530 and it's too early to give a full 15:17.530 --> 15:20.960 assessment . But to date , Ukraine is 15:20.960 --> 15:23.350 effectively using their fires to shape 15:23.360 --> 15:25.670 the ground maneuver as they continue 15:25.670 --> 15:27.892 their offensive in the south . And what 15:27.892 --> 15:29.948 we're talking about is the area just 15:29.948 --> 15:31.837 north of the Dnieper River in the 15:31.837 --> 15:33.970 vicinity of Kherson and I'll be happy 15:33.970 --> 15:35.914 to answer any specific questions . 15:35.914 --> 15:38.450 Anybody may have on that when we get to 15:38.450 --> 15:41.530 the Q and A . The discussions from 15:41.530 --> 15:43.980 today's meetings were not just about 15:43.990 --> 15:46.070 support to the current fight , but 15:46.070 --> 15:49.660 equally important is the longer term As 15:49.660 --> 15:51.990 of today . As you know , we the United 15:51.990 --> 15:54.730 States have transferred 16 high marks 15:54.730 --> 15:57.300 to Ukraine with thousands of Dimler 15:57.310 --> 16:00.090 rounds , hundreds of thousands of 16:00.090 --> 16:04.030 artillery , 155 ammunition along with 16:04.080 --> 16:06.950 100 and 26 M triple seven artillery 16:06.950 --> 16:10.020 tubes , thousands of antitank weapons , 16:10.020 --> 16:13.530 thousands of anti aircraft weapons harm 16:13.530 --> 16:15.641 missiles have been transferred to the 16:15.641 --> 16:17.870 Ukrainians to help them out . In 16:17.870 --> 16:19.981 addition to that small arms and a lot 16:19.981 --> 16:22.130 of non lethal equipment , The United 16:22.130 --> 16:25.100 States has provided almost half a 16:25.100 --> 16:28.910 million rounds of 155 artillery . 16:28.910 --> 16:31.130 As an example , the United States has 16:31.130 --> 16:33.186 made a significant commitment but so 16:33.186 --> 16:35.200 have the other countries All of the 16:35.200 --> 16:37.311 countries are providing and according 16:37.311 --> 16:39.367 to their need . And Ukraine is being 16:39.367 --> 16:41.478 well supplied with all of the systems 16:41.478 --> 16:43.540 needed to defend themselves . We are 16:43.540 --> 16:47.090 seeing real and measurable gains from 16:47.090 --> 16:50.020 Ukraine . In the use of these systems . 16:50.030 --> 16:52.590 For example , Ukrainians have struck 16:52.590 --> 16:55.430 over 400 targets with the High Mars and 16:55.430 --> 16:57.980 have had devastating effect . Russian 16:57.980 --> 16:59.869 lines of communication and supply 16:59.869 --> 17:03.330 channels are severely strained . It is 17:03.330 --> 17:05.441 having a direct impact on the Russian 17:05.441 --> 17:08.420 ability to project and sustain combat 17:08.420 --> 17:10.980 power . Russian command and control in 17:10.980 --> 17:13.270 the headquarters have been disrupted 17:13.280 --> 17:15.502 and they're having they're having great 17:15.502 --> 17:17.900 difficulty resupplying their forces and 17:17.900 --> 17:21.610 replacing their combat losses . The war 17:21.610 --> 17:24.890 is not over . Russia is a big country . 17:25.590 --> 17:27.980 They have very serious ambitions with 17:27.980 --> 17:31.250 respect to Ukraine . So sustainment of 17:31.250 --> 17:33.480 Ukraine to continue their fight for 17:33.480 --> 17:36.350 their survival will be necessary . And 17:36.350 --> 17:38.210 moving forward . I know that the 17:38.220 --> 17:40.442 Secretary and all of the members of the 17:40.442 --> 17:42.560 contact group , we're gonna work 17:42.560 --> 17:45.460 together in the future with our 17:45.460 --> 17:47.520 counterparts to continue to provide 17:47.520 --> 17:50.850 Ukraine what they need to continue 17:50.860 --> 17:53.350 their quest for their freedom . The 17:53.350 --> 17:55.517 nature of war is often unpredictable , 17:56.590 --> 17:59.030 but we are committed shoulder to 17:59.030 --> 18:01.130 shoulder with Ukraine to ensure they 18:01.140 --> 18:03.640 remain a free , independent and 18:03.640 --> 18:05.418 sovereign country . Thank you . 18:05.418 --> 18:07.529 Secretary . And I look forward to all 18:07.529 --> 18:09.473 of your questions . Thank you . Mr 18:09.473 --> 18:11.640 Secretary . Thank you . Chairman . Our 18:11.640 --> 18:13.640 first question will go to idris ali 18:13.640 --> 18:14.640 from Reuters . 18:19.440 --> 18:22.530 Mrs Secretary . Your administration has 18:22.530 --> 18:24.530 indicated that they will go back to 18:24.530 --> 18:26.940 Congress for additional funding for 18:26.940 --> 18:29.260 Ukraine's war needs . And some 18:29.290 --> 18:31.910 lawmakers have already expressed 18:31.910 --> 18:34.420 skepticism about their willingness to 18:34.420 --> 18:37.690 to pass additional funding . Can you 18:37.700 --> 18:41.610 explain to the american taxpayers why 18:41.970 --> 18:44.830 the why Congress should approve 18:44.830 --> 18:48.480 additional funding for military aid to 18:48.480 --> 18:51.010 Ukraine , given that the domestic 18:51.010 --> 18:52.843 economy is still in a precarious 18:52.843 --> 18:55.090 situation ? Um and for the Chairman , 18:55.090 --> 18:57.201 you mentioned the counter offensive . 18:57.201 --> 18:59.368 Um would you describe the progress the 18:59.368 --> 19:02.020 Ukrainians have made in the south as as 19:02.020 --> 19:05.060 being modest as being sort of slower 19:05.060 --> 19:07.227 than expected ? How would you describe 19:07.227 --> 19:09.227 it ? And are you concerned that now 19:09.227 --> 19:11.060 that they have started a counter 19:11.060 --> 19:13.393 offensive partially in the east as well , 19:13.393 --> 19:15.060 that they might be um sort of 19:15.060 --> 19:17.171 overstretched in their capabilities . 19:18.100 --> 19:21.420 Well , thanks idris um , as you know 19:21.420 --> 19:25.000 what we've seen uh in terms of 19:25.000 --> 19:27.370 support from Congress to this point has 19:27.370 --> 19:31.090 been broad bipartisan support uh and 19:31.090 --> 19:34.720 based upon the interest in uh in 19:34.720 --> 19:37.150 the in the support that we've seen , I 19:37.150 --> 19:39.230 fully expect that will continue to 19:39.240 --> 19:43.090 receive uh broad bipartisan support 19:43.090 --> 19:45.890 because our leaders recognize how 19:45.890 --> 19:48.660 important this is , how important it is 19:48.660 --> 19:52.140 that that we continue to help Ukraine 19:52.150 --> 19:54.480 have the ability to protect its 19:54.480 --> 19:58.080 sovereign territory . So clearly , you 19:58.080 --> 20:01.890 know , as we uh as we um ask 20:01.890 --> 20:04.160 for resources , there's always an 20:04.160 --> 20:07.110 expectation that we are able to lay out 20:07.110 --> 20:09.870 the uh , the rationale for those for 20:09.870 --> 20:11.981 those requests and we'll certainly do 20:11.981 --> 20:13.981 that . But what I would say is that 20:13.981 --> 20:15.981 what we've seen from the Ukrainians 20:15.981 --> 20:18.203 thus far . And the chairman highlighted 20:18.203 --> 20:21.850 this uh , in a very straightforward way 20:21.860 --> 20:24.850 the Ukrainians have put to use good use 20:25.340 --> 20:27.690 the equipment that we've provided them 20:27.700 --> 20:29.478 and we see those effects on the 20:29.478 --> 20:32.800 battlefield as we speak . Um , Hi mars 20:32.800 --> 20:34.911 are one example , but there are other 20:34.911 --> 20:37.640 examples as well . Uh , Ukrainians have 20:37.640 --> 20:40.870 inflicted significant 20:40.870 --> 20:44.760 damage to uh , the Russian 20:44.760 --> 20:48.570 supply lines and uh , and ammunition , 20:48.570 --> 20:50.681 supply points and command and control 20:50.681 --> 20:53.140 nodes as they , as they continue to 20:53.140 --> 20:55.390 shape the battlefield to be able to 20:55.390 --> 20:57.830 maneuver , to retake some of their 20:57.830 --> 21:00.100 sovereign territory . So I expect that 21:00.100 --> 21:02.660 we'll continue to see uh , support , 21:02.660 --> 21:05.490 but I fully appreciate the fact that 21:05.500 --> 21:07.556 there will be an expectation that we 21:07.556 --> 21:10.250 lay out the rationale for that . So 21:10.250 --> 21:13.850 it's just the uh question of progress 21:13.850 --> 21:16.017 in the south . Again , as I said in my 21:16.017 --> 21:18.072 opening remarks , I think it's a bit 21:18.072 --> 21:20.017 early to make a full and wholesome 21:20.017 --> 21:22.072 assessment . What the Ukrainians are 21:22.072 --> 21:24.128 doing is a very deliberate offensive 21:24.128 --> 21:26.128 attack . They're setting conditions 21:26.128 --> 21:27.830 with fires uh in order to set 21:27.830 --> 21:29.719 conditions for ground maneuver to 21:29.719 --> 21:31.941 accomplish the objectives that they set 21:31.941 --> 21:34.108 out . I don't want to go over specific 21:34.108 --> 21:35.886 accesses of advance of specific 21:35.886 --> 21:37.830 objectives at this point , I think 21:37.830 --> 21:40.052 that's too early . But I would say that 21:40.052 --> 21:41.941 I would characterize it as a very 21:41.941 --> 21:44.108 deliberate offensive operation uh that 21:44.108 --> 21:46.400 is calibrated to set conditions and 21:46.400 --> 21:49.210 then seize their objectives . Um And 21:49.220 --> 21:51.590 and we think at this point uh that 21:51.590 --> 21:53.757 their progress , you you mentioned the 21:53.757 --> 21:55.701 word modest or moderate , uh their 21:55.701 --> 21:57.868 progress is steady and it's deliberate 21:57.868 --> 22:00.110 um secondly is overstretched ? No , I 22:00.110 --> 22:03.470 don't . There are this battlefield 22:03.480 --> 22:06.030 uh you know from from Kharkiv all the 22:06.030 --> 22:08.390 way down . Two courtesan is a 22:08.390 --> 22:10.660 significant frontline trace . If you 22:10.660 --> 22:14.350 will , it's about 2500 kilometers of 22:14.360 --> 22:16.740 border that Ukraine has to protect . 22:16.740 --> 22:19.090 And about 1300 of them are engaged in 22:19.090 --> 22:21.300 acts 1300 kilometers are engaged in 22:21.980 --> 22:24.036 active combat one way or another and 22:24.036 --> 22:26.258 it's a little bit less than that as you 22:26.258 --> 22:28.424 go from Kharkiv down to courtesan . So 22:28.424 --> 22:30.536 there's fighting all along that front 22:30.536 --> 22:33.950 and one of the areas you mentioned the 22:33.960 --> 22:36.110 counter fence up in Kharkiv that that 22:36.110 --> 22:38.220 is being launched also by Ukraine 22:38.480 --> 22:40.702 there's been fighting back and forth in 22:40.702 --> 22:43.036 and around card key for the entire time , 22:43.036 --> 22:45.258 but I don't think they are particularly 22:45.258 --> 22:47.258 overstretched per se . But there is 22:47.258 --> 22:49.258 fighting , both offense and defense 22:49.258 --> 22:51.480 from all the way from Kharkiv , all the 22:51.480 --> 22:53.591 way down to courtesan right now . The 22:53.591 --> 22:55.758 intensity of the fighting is occurring 22:55.758 --> 22:57.536 up in Kharkiv . The significant 22:57.536 --> 22:59.758 fighting down around back mood and then 22:59.758 --> 23:02.091 of course the offensive down in Kherson . 23:02.091 --> 23:03.924 So they're continuing to fight . 23:03.924 --> 23:05.924 They've got the forces to do it and 23:05.924 --> 23:08.036 we'll see how this plays out . Okay , 23:08.036 --> 23:10.147 for our second question , we'll go to 23:10.147 --> 23:11.869 Spangenberg a from a A R . D . 23:14.820 --> 23:18.310 My question is there a shift in the aim 23:18.310 --> 23:20.730 of the Ukraine contact group from 23:20.740 --> 23:23.750 initially enabling Ukraine to defend 23:23.750 --> 23:26.870 itself to now supporting Ukraine's 23:26.880 --> 23:28.790 efforts in regaining conquered 23:28.800 --> 23:32.680 territories . Like the cream is 23:32.680 --> 23:35.260 that question for me ? Okay , great . 23:36.020 --> 23:39.150 So as we , as a chairman described 23:39.150 --> 23:42.200 earlier , we've seen a shift in the 23:42.200 --> 23:45.780 dynamics on the battlefield over time . 23:45.790 --> 23:48.380 Started out in the east . Uh , the 23:48.390 --> 23:51.200 Russians attacking on multiple axes . 23:51.210 --> 23:54.650 Um , a serious battle unfolded 23:54.660 --> 23:57.900 uh , around Kiev . 23:57.910 --> 24:01.290 Ukrainians won that battle fight then 24:01.290 --> 24:04.350 again shifted down to Don boss and it 24:04.360 --> 24:07.220 turned into a struggle , an artillery 24:07.220 --> 24:10.290 struggle and uh and it was really 24:10.300 --> 24:12.400 defined and shaped by long range 24:12.400 --> 24:15.960 artillery systems as the Ukrainians 24:15.970 --> 24:19.810 have acquired additional capabilities 24:19.810 --> 24:22.850 in terms of high mars and harm missiles 24:22.850 --> 24:25.420 and those types of things not only from 24:25.420 --> 24:28.480 us but from our allies as well . They 24:28.480 --> 24:31.000 begin to change the dynamics on the 24:31.000 --> 24:34.170 battlefield again . Uh and uh and are 24:34.170 --> 24:37.340 exercising some initiative . And so we 24:37.340 --> 24:39.990 have remained focused throughout on 24:39.990 --> 24:43.090 helping you Ukraine defend its 24:43.090 --> 24:45.710 sovereign territory . We remain focused 24:45.710 --> 24:49.600 on that uh and and as they prosecute 24:49.600 --> 24:52.570 this fight , certainly they intend to 24:52.570 --> 24:55.590 take back some of that territory that 24:55.600 --> 24:59.460 Russia has occupied in in uh in the 24:59.460 --> 25:03.150 south , in in in in the east . And so 25:03.150 --> 25:05.372 that's their focus and we will continue 25:05.372 --> 25:08.140 to support their efforts uh to to 25:08.140 --> 25:10.200 defend their sovereign territory and 25:10.200 --> 25:13.000 and and protect their sovereignty . So 25:13.010 --> 25:16.150 in essence , our goals and aims have 25:16.150 --> 25:19.410 not changed , but we remain focused on 25:19.420 --> 25:21.476 the dynamics of the fight and what's 25:21.476 --> 25:23.670 needed to be successful in that fight 25:23.680 --> 25:26.330 and we we endeavor to stay one or two 25:26.330 --> 25:28.860 steps ahead there . So thank you sir 25:29.640 --> 25:31.473 for our next question will go to 25:31.473 --> 25:33.630 Jonathan , uh new york times . 25:36.240 --> 25:38.890 Mr . Secretary in your remarks today , 25:38.900 --> 25:40.900 you've mentioned that you'd like to 25:40.900 --> 25:43.011 bring together the national armaments 25:43.011 --> 25:44.900 directors of contact group member 25:44.900 --> 25:46.900 nations . Can you explain what that 25:46.900 --> 25:48.567 would entail and whether this 25:48.567 --> 25:50.678 coordination plus your comments about 25:50.678 --> 25:50.560 the need for increased munitions 25:50.560 --> 25:53.050 production constitutes the mobilization 25:53.050 --> 25:55.161 of the domestic defense industries of 25:55.161 --> 25:57.161 the roughly 50 contact group member 25:57.161 --> 26:00.240 nations ? Well , I think all of 26:00.240 --> 26:03.920 our partners and allies that 26:03.920 --> 26:07.590 are , are part of the Contact group uh 26:07.600 --> 26:09.910 remain focused on making sure that they 26:09.910 --> 26:13.520 have uh what's required in their stocks 26:13.530 --> 26:16.900 uh to defend their interest , but at 26:16.900 --> 26:19.270 the same time continue to contribute in 26:19.270 --> 26:22.150 a meaningful way uh to Ukraine ? Not 26:22.150 --> 26:24.890 just now , but going into into the 26:24.890 --> 26:27.650 future as well . And so 26:27.660 --> 26:31.500 uh we all believe that working 26:31.500 --> 26:34.350 together , we can better streamline 26:34.350 --> 26:37.010 things . We can shorten times for uh 26:37.020 --> 26:40.520 short acquisition times . Perhaps work 26:40.520 --> 26:43.410 on uh on supply chain issues , learn 26:43.410 --> 26:46.030 from each other . Uh We can increase 26:46.040 --> 26:49.190 interoperability by making sure that , 26:49.200 --> 26:52.390 you know , if I have a 1155 26:52.400 --> 26:55.710 howitzer and I'm from one 26:55.710 --> 26:59.560 country , the rounds from another 155 26:59.560 --> 27:02.490 howitzer type of howard , sir , can can 27:02.490 --> 27:05.230 be used in that particular uh weapon as 27:05.230 --> 27:07.174 well . So this interoperability is 27:07.174 --> 27:11.010 important , not only to the in terms of 27:11.010 --> 27:13.470 the Ukraine effort , it's important for 27:13.470 --> 27:15.637 NATO at large . So I think there are a 27:15.637 --> 27:17.710 number of things that that we can we 27:17.710 --> 27:19.821 can do , we can work together again , 27:19.821 --> 27:21.990 share lessons , uh streamlined 27:21.990 --> 27:25.840 processes , uh um and uh and shortened 27:25.840 --> 27:29.840 acquisition times where possible . So I 27:29.840 --> 27:32.062 think there's broad agreement that this 27:32.062 --> 27:34.284 is an area that we can work on together 27:34.284 --> 27:37.410 and and and improve our ability to 27:37.410 --> 27:40.580 provide uh capability to Ukraine , not 27:40.580 --> 27:43.190 just for now , but for the for the 27:43.200 --> 27:45.840 foreseeable future as well . We have 27:45.840 --> 27:47.951 time for one more question . We'll go 27:47.951 --> 27:51.820 to Crystal Haas ZdF . My question 27:51.820 --> 27:54.580 is for the Secretary of Defense , um 27:54.590 --> 27:57.310 the Ukraine e recently asked for 27:57.320 --> 28:01.100 heavily armed battle tanks to like 28:01.110 --> 28:04.810 the german leo part tank ? 28:04.820 --> 28:07.920 What is what are the reasons that on 28:07.920 --> 28:11.520 this meeting ? That was no , no 28:11.520 --> 28:15.320 topic . And why don't you come 28:15.330 --> 28:18.950 or answer positively to that request of 28:18.950 --> 28:22.810 the Ukraine . E I'm sorry , I 28:22.820 --> 28:24.764 didn't hear the first part of your 28:24.764 --> 28:27.790 question there . Ukrainy was asking for 28:27.800 --> 28:30.900 battle tanks , special heavily armed 28:30.910 --> 28:33.450 battle tanks to be delivered , 28:33.460 --> 28:36.210 especially from Germany , but today it 28:36.210 --> 28:38.660 was no topic . So what are the reasons ? 28:39.550 --> 28:41.840 So we've seen Ukraine rightfully 28:41.840 --> 28:45.790 request help with armored vehicles uh , 28:45.800 --> 28:49.760 throughout this conflict . And in a lot 28:49.760 --> 28:51.927 of help has been provided . We've seen 28:51.927 --> 28:54.430 countries from , you know , throughout 28:54.430 --> 28:57.380 the entire region , uh , move forward 28:57.390 --> 29:00.160 and and provide tanks and armored 29:00.160 --> 29:03.140 personnel carriers , uh , to , to 29:03.140 --> 29:05.190 Ukraine , the United States has 29:05.190 --> 29:07.357 provided a number of armored personnel 29:07.357 --> 29:10.770 carriers , up armored Humvees , armored 29:10.770 --> 29:14.720 ambulances , um , m wraps as you 29:14.720 --> 29:17.110 know , those are the heavier wheel 29:17.110 --> 29:19.990 vehicles uh , and and other countries 29:19.990 --> 29:22.046 have stepped up as well . And you'll 29:22.046 --> 29:23.823 recall , I know you you're very 29:23.823 --> 29:25.880 familiar with this Germany just 29:25.880 --> 29:28.120 recently provided some armored air 29:28.120 --> 29:31.840 defense capabilities to uh , to Ukraine . 29:31.850 --> 29:34.860 So the entire community continues to 29:34.860 --> 29:37.720 work together to provide as much as we 29:37.720 --> 29:41.260 can as fast as we can and focus on 29:41.260 --> 29:43.093 those things that are , that are 29:43.093 --> 29:45.149 relevant to , to the current fight , 29:45.149 --> 29:47.320 but also provide some capability going 29:47.320 --> 29:50.050 forward there . So again , it's a , it 29:50.050 --> 29:52.106 continues to be a work in progress , 29:52.106 --> 29:54.750 but I can assure you that , that the 29:54.750 --> 29:57.060 team , the entire team remains focused 29:57.060 --> 29:59.116 on this and Germany stepped up to do 29:59.116 --> 30:01.820 its part along the way as well . Thank 30:01.820 --> 30:04.153 you very much . Everybody appreciate it . 30:13.520 --> 30:15.409 You guys sure you don't have more 30:15.409 --> 30:17.020 questions for the chairman . 30:19.340 --> 30:20.900 I think it was perfect .