WEBVTT 00:08.240 --> 00:12.190 General . Good morning ladies 00:12.190 --> 00:14.246 and gentlemen , the press conference 00:14.246 --> 00:16.301 after the meeting of the Minister of 00:16.301 --> 00:18.468 National Defense matters and Secretary 00:18.468 --> 00:20.412 of Defense of the United States of 00:20.412 --> 00:22.523 America and Mr . Minister brush track 00:22.523 --> 00:24.523 the floor is yours . Thank you very 00:24.523 --> 00:26.579 much . Mr Secretary , thank you very 00:26.579 --> 00:28.790 much for a good and fruitful 00:28.910 --> 00:32.120 conversations that confirmed our deep 00:32.120 --> 00:34.342 partnerships , strategic partnerships , 00:34.740 --> 00:38.400 our meeting as of special importance 00:38.400 --> 00:41.290 and power especially now in times of 00:41.290 --> 00:44.600 security crisis due to the actions of 00:44.600 --> 00:47.560 Russia , I appreciate highly the 00:47.560 --> 00:51.210 presence of US forces in Poland . The 00:51.210 --> 00:53.321 support of the United States in those 00:53.321 --> 00:54.932 difficult times is a sign of 00:54.932 --> 00:56.654 responsibility and an ironclad 00:56.654 --> 00:58.710 engagement in the security of Poland 00:58.710 --> 01:01.940 and europe . The polish armed forces 01:01.940 --> 01:04.051 first of all guards , the security of 01:04.051 --> 01:06.273 our homeland , but at the same time the 01:06.273 --> 01:08.273 eastern flank of the north atlantic 01:08.273 --> 01:10.496 alliance and the european union has the 01:10.496 --> 01:12.662 support of the United States is for us 01:12.662 --> 01:14.773 very important and needed . Currently 01:14.773 --> 01:17.320 we are facing serious challenges . We 01:17.320 --> 01:20.050 are at the verge of the most most 01:20.060 --> 01:22.760 dangerous conflict since World War Two . 01:23.740 --> 01:26.420 Unity and cooperation as part of NATO 01:26.420 --> 01:28.990 is the best response to an aggressive 01:28.990 --> 01:30.730 action by Russia . Now the 01:30.730 --> 01:32.730 imperialistic policy of the Russian 01:32.730 --> 01:34.952 federation requires from US and all the 01:34.952 --> 01:37.174 allies , complex activities and complex 01:37.174 --> 01:39.790 deterrence and defense . We have 01:39.800 --> 01:42.120 welcomed additional U . S . Troops in 01:42.130 --> 01:44.440 Poland that reinforce NATO's eastern 01:44.440 --> 01:46.496 flank . There also in Poland we have 01:46.496 --> 01:48.662 additional british soldiers . This way 01:48.662 --> 01:50.884 we give them support and will cooperate 01:50.884 --> 01:53.051 with them as long as it is necessary . 01:53.440 --> 01:55.730 Mr . Secretary , thank you very much 01:55.730 --> 01:59.390 for the reinforced presence of US and 01:59.400 --> 02:01.510 Poland and thank you for your 02:01.520 --> 02:04.690 declaration for further reinforcement 02:04.700 --> 02:07.850 through NATO and the United States . If 02:07.860 --> 02:11.100 such a need arises together , we are 02:11.100 --> 02:13.156 able to be efficient , effective and 02:13.156 --> 02:14.980 achieve more . We have a joint 02:14.980 --> 02:17.760 objective being . Peace and security . 02:18.840 --> 02:21.170 Thank you sir personally . Also for the 02:21.170 --> 02:24.750 good news stronger together . 02:25.340 --> 02:28.980 Thank you . Thank you very 02:28.980 --> 02:32.830 much . And now the maybe Lloyd Austin . 02:36.240 --> 02:38.407 Well , good morning everyone and thank 02:38.407 --> 02:40.670 you for joining us . I'm glad to be 02:40.670 --> 02:43.650 here today with Defense Minister Boss , 02:43.650 --> 02:47.300 shock in Poland and Poland is one of 02:47.300 --> 02:51.150 our most stalwart NATO allies . Mr 02:51.150 --> 02:53.317 Minister . Thank you for your gracious 02:53.317 --> 02:55.630 welcome And for the very productive 02:55.630 --> 02:58.940 conversation . I also look forward to 02:58.940 --> 03:01.090 meeting with President Duda and 03:01.090 --> 03:04.210 traveling to of its air base to visit 03:04.210 --> 03:06.930 with us and polish military personnel 03:06.930 --> 03:07.930 later on today , 03:11.640 --> 03:15.140 evolutionary war when polish heroes 03:15.380 --> 03:17.880 fought side by side with us to gain our 03:17.880 --> 03:21.260 freedom , Poland and the United States 03:21.270 --> 03:24.570 have developed a special bond in the 03:24.570 --> 03:27.670 defense of Liberty . Soon after World 03:27.670 --> 03:30.850 War One , american volunteer aviators 03:30.850 --> 03:33.470 provided air cover for polish forces 03:33.470 --> 03:35.370 fighting for their own country's 03:35.380 --> 03:39.170 independence . More recently , polish 03:39.170 --> 03:41.281 and american soldiers fought and died 03:41.281 --> 03:44.370 together in Iraq and in Afghanistan 03:44.580 --> 03:46.747 against common threats to our security 03:47.640 --> 03:50.880 and today our relationship could not be 03:50.880 --> 03:54.870 stronger . I'd like to thank Poland for 03:54.880 --> 03:57.560 regularly hosting more than 4000 03:58.410 --> 04:01.050 enduring rotational US military 04:01.050 --> 04:03.161 personnel which is the fourth largest 04:03.161 --> 04:05.630 concentration of U . S . Forces in 04:05.630 --> 04:09.480 europe and of course in light of 04:09.490 --> 04:12.800 Russian force build up near Ukraine , 04:12.800 --> 04:15.630 we appreciate Poland for hosting an 04:15.630 --> 04:19.030 additional 4700 us 04:19.030 --> 04:22.600 soldiers who are prepared to respond 04:23.420 --> 04:26.490 to a range of contingencies . And they 04:26.490 --> 04:28.323 will work closely with our State 04:28.323 --> 04:31.060 Department and with polish authorities . 04:31.840 --> 04:33.673 Should there be any need to help 04:33.673 --> 04:36.260 american citizens believe Ukraine 04:38.600 --> 04:40.900 Under the 2020 Enhanced Defense 04:40.900 --> 04:43.680 Cooperation Agreement signed by our two 04:43.680 --> 04:46.590 countries , Poland strongly contributes 04:46.590 --> 04:48.650 to these deployments by providing 04:48.650 --> 04:51.630 facilities and logistical resources 04:51.630 --> 04:55.320 which we truly appreciate . We're also 04:55.320 --> 04:57.542 partners in developing Poland's defense 04:57.542 --> 05:01.200 capabilities . Poland has chosen the F- 05:01.200 --> 05:05.190 35 fighter aircraft in Poland 05:05.190 --> 05:07.600 air defense batteries and excuse me , 05:07.600 --> 05:09.767 Patriot air defense batteries and high 05:09.767 --> 05:12.260 mobility artillery rocket systems . 05:13.540 --> 05:15.540 Today I'm proud to announce another 05:15.540 --> 05:19.100 step in this growing partnership . In 05:19.100 --> 05:21.211 response to Poland's formal request . 05:21.211 --> 05:24.490 In July of 2021 Secretary 05:24.600 --> 05:27.740 Blinken and I have relayed our intent 05:27.740 --> 05:30.590 to Congress to offer Poland the 05:30.590 --> 05:34.450 opportunity to acquire 250 M one A two 05:34.460 --> 05:37.420 Abrams main battle tanks . The 05:37.420 --> 05:39.531 timeframe for delivery of these tanks 05:39.531 --> 05:42.810 is currently under discussion . This is 05:42.810 --> 05:45.450 the most modern version of the Abrams 05:46.130 --> 05:48.241 and will provide Poland with a highly 05:48.241 --> 05:51.440 advanced tank capability . It will also 05:51.440 --> 05:55.010 strengthen our interoperability with 05:55.010 --> 05:57.700 the polish armed forces , boosting the 05:57.700 --> 06:00.170 credibility of our combined deterrence 06:00.180 --> 06:02.650 efforts and those of other NATO allies . 06:04.340 --> 06:06.450 We commend Poland for consistently 06:06.450 --> 06:08.450 meeting NATO spending and defense 06:08.450 --> 06:11.730 investment targets and together we will 06:11.730 --> 06:13.980 continue to modernize our defense 06:13.980 --> 06:17.830 capabilities . This procurement by 06:17.830 --> 06:21.050 Poland , it will also help to ensure a 06:21.050 --> 06:22.540 more equitable sharing of 06:22.540 --> 06:25.300 responsibilities within the alliance 06:25.300 --> 06:28.990 for our common defense and our joint 06:28.990 --> 06:30.934 exercises in Poland and the Baltic 06:30.934 --> 06:33.157 states will continue to demonstrate our 06:33.157 --> 06:37.010 readiness to defend r to defend 06:37.010 --> 06:40.920 our easternmost allies . Europe is now 06:40.920 --> 06:43.150 facing challenges to international 06:43.150 --> 06:46.260 peace and stability . For one 06:47.940 --> 06:50.180 belarussian belarussian president 06:50.180 --> 06:54.150 lukashenka continues to cruelly promote 06:54.150 --> 06:56.206 the forced migration of thousands of 06:56.470 --> 06:58.637 displaced persons from the Middle East 06:58.637 --> 07:00.640 to Poland and the rest of europe . 07:00.650 --> 07:03.800 Other european union and Poland's 07:03.800 --> 07:06.950 neighbor , Ukraine is under the threat 07:06.960 --> 07:09.410 of another Russian invasion , which was 07:09.410 --> 07:11.243 the focus of our discussion this 07:11.243 --> 07:14.550 morning . Any Russian attack or further 07:14.550 --> 07:17.620 incursion into Ukraine one night , not 07:17.620 --> 07:20.290 only you ignite conflict , it would 07:20.290 --> 07:23.280 also violate the bedrock principles of 07:23.280 --> 07:26.060 national sovereignty , territorial 07:26.070 --> 07:28.650 integrity and self determination . 07:30.220 --> 07:32.450 The deployment of thousands of Russian 07:32.450 --> 07:35.270 forces in belarus . In addition to the 07:35.270 --> 07:37.740 thousands surrounding Ukraine to the 07:37.740 --> 07:40.950 east and south Put some of those forces 07:40.950 --> 07:43.172 within 200 miles of the Polish border . 07:44.940 --> 07:47.060 If Russia further invades Ukraine , 07:47.840 --> 07:49.951 Poland could see tens of thousands of 07:49.951 --> 07:53.650 displaced Ukrainians and others flowing 07:53.650 --> 07:55.530 across its border trying to save 07:55.530 --> 07:57.820 themselves and their families from the 07:57.820 --> 08:00.960 scourge of war . To be clear . 08:01.740 --> 08:04.710 As I said yesterday in brussels , there 08:04.710 --> 08:06.960 is still time and space for diplomacy . 08:08.140 --> 08:10.270 The United steps in the United States 08:10.280 --> 08:12.058 in lockstep with our allies and 08:12.058 --> 08:14.800 partners including Poland has offered 08:14.800 --> 08:17.390 Mr Putin a path away from crisis and 08:17.390 --> 08:21.160 towards greater security . Whatever 08:21.160 --> 08:23.382 path he chooses , the United States and 08:23.382 --> 08:25.382 our allies and our partners will be 08:25.382 --> 08:27.880 ready . Polling knows firsthand the 08:27.880 --> 08:30.370 steep cost paid by victims of 08:30.370 --> 08:33.450 aggression from larger neighbors . And 08:33.450 --> 08:35.840 it has made made valuable contributions 08:35.840 --> 08:37.951 to assist Ukraine and building up its 08:37.951 --> 08:40.480 defense capabilities . This includes 08:40.480 --> 08:42.820 joint training exercises in hosting a 08:42.820 --> 08:45.770 trilateral brigade composed of polish 08:45.770 --> 08:48.600 Ukrainian and Lithuanian soldiers as 08:48.600 --> 08:50.820 well as Poland's recent offer of 08:50.820 --> 08:53.970 ammunition and portable air defense 08:53.970 --> 08:57.310 weapons to Ukraine . The United States 08:57.310 --> 08:59.880 also continues to move material 08:59.880 --> 09:02.500 assistance to Ukraine to help the 09:02.500 --> 09:04.222 Ukrainians defend themselves . 09:05.140 --> 09:08.620 Unfortunately , neither Poland or the 09:08.620 --> 09:10.842 United States are alone in dealing with 09:10.842 --> 09:13.060 this challenge . As you've heard over 09:13.060 --> 09:14.949 the last few days during the NATO 09:14.949 --> 09:17.500 defense ministerial in brussels , the 09:17.500 --> 09:21.000 entire alliance stands with Ukraine and 09:21.000 --> 09:23.550 supporting its sovereignty , its 09:23.550 --> 09:26.480 territorial integrity . It's right to 09:26.480 --> 09:29.320 choose its own path and its relations 09:29.320 --> 09:31.730 with its neighbors and the rest of the 09:31.730 --> 09:35.660 world . You know , it's ironic that 09:36.440 --> 09:39.020 what Mr Putin did not want to see 09:39.020 --> 09:42.560 happen was a stronger NATO on his flank . 09:43.740 --> 09:46.160 And that's exactly what he will see 09:46.160 --> 09:50.110 going forward , Poland and the United 09:50.110 --> 09:52.490 States and solidarity with our Allies 09:53.140 --> 09:55.029 will continue to work together to 09:55.029 --> 09:57.480 overcome any challenge to european 09:57.480 --> 10:00.630 peace and stability and any future 10:00.630 --> 10:02.960 challenges to come . Thank you very 10:02.960 --> 10:06.450 much . The Secretary 10:08.440 --> 10:11.230 Mr Secretary , first of all , I'd like 10:11.230 --> 10:14.170 to thank you for the fact that polish 10:14.170 --> 10:16.530 armed forces will be equipped with 10:16.540 --> 10:18.707 Abrams tanks , I am aware Mr Secretary 10:18.707 --> 10:22.350 and I told you also and that without 10:22.360 --> 10:26.280 your personal involvement , this 10:26.280 --> 10:28.502 would not be possible . So once again , 10:28.502 --> 10:30.613 thank you from the bottom of my heart 10:30.613 --> 10:32.947 that Abrams will be delivered to Poland . 10:32.947 --> 10:35.058 Now , my objective as the Minister of 10:35.058 --> 10:36.891 National Defense of Poland is to 10:36.891 --> 10:39.113 increase the potential the polish armed 10:39.113 --> 10:41.280 forces after patriots after high marks 10:41.280 --> 10:43.320 after the f 35 fighter jets that we 10:43.320 --> 10:45.840 have or will have . We will have also 10:45.840 --> 10:47.896 Abrams Thanks Once again sir , Thank 10:47.896 --> 10:51.350 you very much . Thank you gentlemen . 10:51.350 --> 10:54.500 And now let's move on to questions due 10:54.500 --> 10:56.611 to certain time constraints . We have 10:56.611 --> 10:58.778 only times for four questions . Before 10:58.778 --> 11:01.230 you ask the question , please introduce 11:01.230 --> 11:04.640 yourself , polish information 11:04.640 --> 11:06.362 agency . I'd like to ask you , 11:06.362 --> 11:10.090 Secretary the following . I don't keep 11:10.090 --> 11:13.960 them up , sir , I'd like to ask you , 11:14.840 --> 11:17.007 sir , I'd like to ask you when we will 11:17.007 --> 11:19.062 see the finalization of the contract 11:19.062 --> 11:21.229 for Abrams . First of all , And second 11:21.229 --> 11:23.396 of all , I'd like to ask you about the 11:23.396 --> 11:25.618 amassed Russian troops along the border 11:25.618 --> 11:25.560 with Ukraine that you have mentioned 11:25.570 --> 11:27.403 because yesterday you said quite 11:27.403 --> 11:29.570 strongly and decisively about the fact 11:29.570 --> 11:31.626 that Russia's amassed , collecting , 11:31.626 --> 11:33.626 for example blood . Now , could you 11:33.626 --> 11:34.626 also , 11:37.440 --> 11:39.662 when it comes to the Russian activities 11:39.662 --> 11:41.662 in the context of having additional 11:41.662 --> 11:44.740 bloods um storages and have field 11:44.740 --> 11:45.460 hospitals , 11:50.440 --> 11:53.450 delivery other tanks . Uh as you would 11:53.450 --> 11:57.020 imagine this will take sometimes these 11:57.030 --> 11:59.770 are the exact timing . We're still 11:59.780 --> 12:02.850 working on and and we don't have 12:02.860 --> 12:05.420 anything to announce in that regard 12:05.430 --> 12:08.860 today . 2nd , in terms of 12:09.440 --> 12:12.520 what we continue to see on Ukraine's 12:12.520 --> 12:14.860 borders . You heard me say yesterday ? 12:15.240 --> 12:18.190 Uh although Russia has announced that 12:18.190 --> 12:21.030 it is moving its forces back to 12:21.030 --> 12:23.540 garrison . Uh we have yet to see that 12:23.550 --> 12:25.910 in fact we see more forces moving into 12:25.910 --> 12:28.330 the into the that region , that border 12:28.330 --> 12:31.570 region . And we also see them going 12:31.570 --> 12:35.560 through uh continuing to 12:35.570 --> 12:37.737 prepare by doing things that you would 12:37.737 --> 12:41.570 expect elements to do military elements 12:41.570 --> 12:44.150 to do as they were preparing to launch 12:44.150 --> 12:48.090 an attack . So , uh it includes 12:48.090 --> 12:50.450 a number of things in terms of uh 12:50.460 --> 12:52.680 moving closer to the border , uh 12:52.690 --> 12:55.560 dispersal of troops , uh increasing 12:55.570 --> 12:59.100 logistical capabilities . Uh and so 12:59.110 --> 13:03.080 uh again , all of the indicators uh 13:03.090 --> 13:06.640 continue to indicate that uh you know , 13:06.640 --> 13:09.350 he will maintain the capability to 13:09.360 --> 13:12.790 launch an attack at most 13:12.790 --> 13:16.540 anytime . Um so uh we haven't seen any 13:16.540 --> 13:19.190 evidence of him moving moving his 13:19.190 --> 13:21.523 forces away from the border . Thank you , 13:21.940 --> 13:24.273 Brazilian professional stamp , capitana . 13:28.540 --> 13:31.160 Hi sir , Jim Garman from D O . D news . 13:31.170 --> 13:33.470 Mr Minister a question for you and 13:33.480 --> 13:35.480 thank you for having this in such a 13:35.480 --> 13:38.690 beautiful place . Two days ago , the 13:38.690 --> 13:40.746 Secretary General Stoltenberg said , 13:40.746 --> 13:44.060 Russia has forced a new normal in 13:44.060 --> 13:47.560 europe , what does that mean for Poland 13:47.570 --> 13:51.300 And Mr Secretary , do 13:51.300 --> 13:53.650 these Russian provocations ? Force 13:53.650 --> 13:57.610 changes in re or re thinking of the 13:57.610 --> 14:01.280 US national defense strategy . Thank 14:01.280 --> 14:02.280 you . 14:05.140 --> 14:08.110 So , first of all , ladies and 14:08.110 --> 14:10.054 gentlemen , we are dealing with an 14:10.054 --> 14:12.310 attempt to rebuild the Russian empire 14:12.310 --> 14:15.410 by Putin . Now Vladimir Putin in a 14:15.410 --> 14:18.590 consistent manner tries to 14:18.600 --> 14:21.860 expand His areas of influence . 14:21.860 --> 14:23.916 Starting with 2008 where he had like 14:23.916 --> 14:26.420 Georgia 2014 he attacked Ukraine and 14:26.420 --> 14:29.290 now has amassed troops on the border 14:29.290 --> 14:32.980 with Ukraine . Now all these are 14:32.990 --> 14:35.046 real and realistic threats . And the 14:35.046 --> 14:38.360 best response to this kind of threats 14:39.140 --> 14:42.440 is a non appeasement from the side of 14:42.440 --> 14:46.070 the free world is deterrence . And 14:46.070 --> 14:48.290 thanks to the approach and posture of 14:48.290 --> 14:50.520 the United States of America , such a 14:50.530 --> 14:53.190 policy as it is now is very good . Now 14:53.190 --> 14:55.357 evidence of this policy is for example 14:55.357 --> 14:58.290 the presence of additional U . S . 14:58.290 --> 15:02.180 Troops in Poland . In addition to 15:02.180 --> 15:05.120 that as part of the North atlantic 15:05.120 --> 15:08.670 alliance , the United States of America 15:08.680 --> 15:11.520 very strongly highlight the fact that 15:11.520 --> 15:15.110 there is no concession to talk 15:15.120 --> 15:18.840 about the future uh of some 15:18.840 --> 15:21.240 countries by those countries , meaning 15:21.250 --> 15:24.590 that is Ukraine to decide about its 15:24.590 --> 15:26.850 future and about which Allianz Ukraine 15:26.860 --> 15:29.770 would like to join And it's not Russia 15:29.770 --> 15:32.880 to decide about that . Now such policy 15:32.890 --> 15:36.830 is the only policy that is able to 15:36.830 --> 15:40.160 stop the aggression . Now Poland , 15:40.540 --> 15:44.270 a country that has experienced war . 15:44.280 --> 15:47.540 Second World war . We experience also 15:47.540 --> 15:51.030 the cruelty of occupiers . We are 15:51.040 --> 15:54.470 ready to support all those 15:54.480 --> 15:57.750 who need this support . Mhm 15:58.640 --> 16:01.910 Then again we all count on that 16:01.920 --> 16:05.620 that through diplomatic 16:05.620 --> 16:08.860 means that we can solve this conflict 16:10.140 --> 16:13.140 yesterday's meeting of ministers of 16:13.150 --> 16:16.120 defense of NATO countries in brussels 16:16.120 --> 16:18.287 as part of the north atlantic alliance 16:18.287 --> 16:22.110 and very indeed intense policy 16:22.120 --> 16:25.510 of the United States and the person of 16:25.520 --> 16:27.360 President joe biden and 16:28.240 --> 16:31.600 Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and 16:31.600 --> 16:34.710 of course secretary antony Blinken all 16:34.710 --> 16:38.000 these are activities that lead 16:38.010 --> 16:41.340 to stopping the aggressive policy of 16:41.340 --> 16:44.920 Russia . Now we all do believe that 16:44.930 --> 16:48.550 through being decisive and through a 16:48.550 --> 16:50.550 decisive policy of the free world , 16:50.550 --> 16:52.494 especially of the United States of 16:52.494 --> 16:54.870 America there will be no war . Thank 16:54.870 --> 16:56.481 you very much . Mr Secretary 16:58.840 --> 17:01.180 Jim thanks for the question on the 17:01.190 --> 17:03.830 National defense strategy . And as you 17:03.840 --> 17:06.820 mentioned uh you know it will come out 17:06.830 --> 17:09.670 uh soon uh don't have a date to 17:09.670 --> 17:12.760 announce today but uh I am very proud 17:12.760 --> 17:14.982 of the work that that our team has done 17:15.690 --> 17:18.740 in crafting this strategy . It uh it 17:18.740 --> 17:20.573 will certainly address the major 17:20.573 --> 17:22.940 threats to our security . It will also 17:22.950 --> 17:25.170 address major threats to the 17:25.180 --> 17:28.940 international rules based order . Um I 17:28.940 --> 17:32.430 think that you know , as I as I look 17:32.430 --> 17:34.486 at , well you've heard me talk a lot 17:34.490 --> 17:37.790 before about um integrated deterrence 17:37.790 --> 17:40.400 and integrated deterrence will be a key 17:40.400 --> 17:42.344 piece of that new strategy . And I 17:42.344 --> 17:44.400 don't want to preview too much today 17:44.400 --> 17:46.400 but you've heard me talk about this 17:46.400 --> 17:48.567 before so I'll just reinforce the fact 17:48.567 --> 17:50.456 that that is a key element in our 17:50.456 --> 17:54.350 strategy and integrated deterrents me 17:54.410 --> 17:58.190 includes using all of the capability 17:58.190 --> 18:00.460 that's in the all warfighting domains , 18:00.470 --> 18:04.450 air , land , sea , space , cyber domain 18:04.940 --> 18:08.810 plus using every instrument of 18:08.810 --> 18:12.580 national power , diplomatic , economic , 18:12.590 --> 18:15.700 you name it . But most important using 18:15.700 --> 18:17.867 the capability and the capacity that's 18:17.867 --> 18:20.090 resident in our partners and allies . 18:20.100 --> 18:23.290 And uh , and so what you see today 18:23.300 --> 18:26.660 actually playing out jim uh is exactly 18:26.660 --> 18:29.510 that you've seen us lead with diplomacy . 18:29.520 --> 18:32.520 In every case you've seen us work very 18:32.530 --> 18:36.070 very uh carefully with with our 18:36.080 --> 18:37.691 allies and partners to share 18:37.691 --> 18:39.747 information with with our allies and 18:39.747 --> 18:43.160 partners and to also move very very 18:43.160 --> 18:46.110 quickly and deliberately uh to help 18:46.120 --> 18:48.860 reassure and reinforce wherever 18:48.860 --> 18:51.530 required . So , uh so you've you've 18:51.530 --> 18:53.770 seen a preview of that strategy begin 18:53.770 --> 18:56.770 to play out here as we address this uh 18:56.780 --> 18:58.947 this this most recent crisis . But but 18:58.947 --> 19:00.947 thanks for the question and we look 19:00.947 --> 19:03.058 forward to getting that that strategy 19:03.058 --> 19:02.980 out again . I'm I'm very proud of the 19:02.980 --> 19:04.980 work that our team has done on it . 19:07.660 --> 19:10.580 Next question . Please thank you for 19:10.580 --> 19:12.980 doing this Motion games with NBC . News 19:12.990 --> 19:15.550 first to you . Mr Secretary , did any 19:15.550 --> 19:17.661 NATO allies asked the US to send more 19:17.661 --> 19:19.883 troops to shore up their defenses or as 19:19.883 --> 19:22.106 a show of unity . And do you think that 19:22.106 --> 19:23.883 the NATO response force will be 19:23.883 --> 19:25.883 activated and then to both of you , 19:26.140 --> 19:28.307 when do you expect the missile defense 19:28.307 --> 19:30.362 sites to be operational ? And do you 19:30.362 --> 19:32.251 think Putin would accept a mutual 19:32.251 --> 19:34.196 inspection agreement that would be 19:34.196 --> 19:36.362 satisfactory to you both also . How is 19:36.362 --> 19:38.362 Poland and the US preparing for the 19:38.362 --> 19:40.584 potential of a humanitarian crisis ? If 19:40.584 --> 19:42.807 Ukraine falls and if Ukrainian refugees 19:42.807 --> 19:43.807 migrate to Poland 19:46.860 --> 19:50.600 in terms of whether or not or 19:50.610 --> 19:54.300 whether I anticipate um 19:54.310 --> 19:57.080 do you have more deployments in support 19:57.080 --> 19:59.191 of allies and partners ? I don't have 19:59.191 --> 20:01.358 anything to announce today but I would 20:01.358 --> 20:04.140 also say that you know , we're 20:04.150 --> 20:06.317 everything that we do , we're going to 20:06.317 --> 20:08.372 consult with allies and partners and 20:08.372 --> 20:10.680 make make sure that uh you know , we 20:10.680 --> 20:12.620 are aligned with them as we as we 20:12.620 --> 20:16.460 consider any type of deployment . Um So 20:17.240 --> 20:19.270 you've also heard me say that 20:21.240 --> 20:24.440 We are committed to Article five and 20:24.450 --> 20:26.640 and and we are very serious about that 20:26.650 --> 20:29.360 and we will we will do what's necessary 20:29.370 --> 20:32.340 to help defend our partners and allies 20:32.350 --> 20:35.020 and live up to the uh to the uh to the 20:35.020 --> 20:36.960 premise of the article five , 20:42.640 --> 20:44.600 we highly appreciate the U . S . 20:44.600 --> 20:46.822 Presence in Poland and at the same time 20:46.822 --> 20:49.600 we do believe that this is the the 20:49.610 --> 20:51.332 biggest and the most important 20:51.332 --> 20:53.380 deterrent factor for potential 20:53.380 --> 20:54.991 aggressors to appreciate the 20:54.991 --> 20:57.047 possibility to cooperate between the 20:57.047 --> 20:59.213 polish in person and the U . S . Armed 20:59.213 --> 21:01.158 forces . Because this is all about 21:01.158 --> 21:02.991 building interoperability . This 21:02.991 --> 21:05.213 increases at the same time the level of 21:05.213 --> 21:07.380 of defense capabilities and capacities 21:07.380 --> 21:09.436 of the polish army and influences at 21:09.436 --> 21:11.324 the same time the security of the 21:11.324 --> 21:13.547 entire eastern flank of NATO . Now when 21:13.547 --> 21:15.658 it comes to the crisis that you asked 21:15.658 --> 21:17.380 about because the crisis would 21:17.380 --> 21:19.547 certainly be generated . Should Russia 21:19.547 --> 21:21.769 invade the Ukraine . Now , I would like 21:21.769 --> 21:24.210 to highlight that we are ready . We are 21:24.210 --> 21:27.600 ready to help all those who will be 21:27.600 --> 21:30.670 forced to leave Ukraine . 21:31.940 --> 21:35.080 We as a nation that has so 21:35.090 --> 21:38.120 strongly and wrong , badly experienced 21:38.120 --> 21:40.630 World war Two , we know what support is 21:40.630 --> 21:43.150 all about and we are ready of course to 21:43.150 --> 21:47.080 support all those who need the support 21:47.080 --> 21:49.200 and who suffer because of such an 21:49.200 --> 21:51.960 aggression . Although still 21:53.140 --> 21:55.400 we do hope and do believe that there 21:55.400 --> 21:58.920 will be no conflict due to the 21:58.920 --> 22:01.270 unity of the Free World , due to the 22:01.270 --> 22:03.510 unity of the north atlantic alliance 22:03.520 --> 22:07.130 and also due to the decisive 22:07.140 --> 22:09.830 policy of the United States of America . 22:09.840 --> 22:12.610 Now , these are the best deterrent 22:12.620 --> 22:15.050 elements . These are at the same time 22:15.050 --> 22:17.110 the best arguments against an 22:17.110 --> 22:18.890 aggressive policy that's being 22:18.890 --> 22:21.370 currently conducted by Kremlin . Thank 22:21.370 --> 22:22.770 you the last questions 22:25.040 --> 22:27.340 TvP info a question to the Minister and 22:27.340 --> 22:29.680 to the Secretary as well . First of all , 22:29.680 --> 22:31.950 I wanted to ask you about the part of 22:31.960 --> 22:34.250 those 250 Abrams tanks , does Poland 22:34.250 --> 22:36.360 plan to buy further vehicles or 22:36.360 --> 22:38.380 equipment as part of us polish 22:38.380 --> 22:40.380 cooperation ? I also like to ask if 22:40.380 --> 22:42.650 Russia will continue to escalate this 22:42.650 --> 22:45.750 military situation . Will the US decide 22:45.750 --> 22:47.861 to increase the military potential on 22:47.861 --> 22:50.050 the eastern flank and where those 22:50.200 --> 22:52.256 servicemen could be deployed . Thank 22:52.256 --> 22:54.256 you . So when it comes to the first 22:54.256 --> 22:56.256 question now , during our very good 22:56.256 --> 22:59.330 conversation with Secretary that I had 22:59.330 --> 23:01.441 and again , I'd like to thank you for 23:01.441 --> 23:03.386 that . I talked about our plans to 23:03.386 --> 23:05.580 increase the potion forces in numbers 23:05.580 --> 23:07.691 and we talked about the modernization 23:07.691 --> 23:09.747 also of the polish armed forces with 23:09.747 --> 23:11.913 the most modern equipment . Hence , in 23:11.913 --> 23:14.136 addition to the Patriots timers at 35 , 23:14.136 --> 23:17.800 we will soon have the Abrams tanks that 23:17.800 --> 23:21.000 the agreement will be signed as soon as 23:21.000 --> 23:24.730 it is possible . But then again , 23:24.730 --> 23:26.670 we are prepared because it's a 23:26.670 --> 23:28.614 governmental projects . So we have 23:28.614 --> 23:30.559 prepared a new build the so called 23:30.559 --> 23:32.614 homelands defense build our homeland 23:32.614 --> 23:34.392 Defense Act . And it includes a 23:34.392 --> 23:36.503 mechanism that allows for even bigger 23:36.503 --> 23:38.610 financing of the modernization of 23:38.610 --> 23:40.721 polish armed forces and the equipment 23:40.721 --> 23:43.740 of polish armed forces . And we already 23:43.740 --> 23:47.050 have , the Secretary have talked about 23:47.740 --> 23:49.740 the fact that through building this 23:49.740 --> 23:52.670 interoperability , through equipping 23:52.680 --> 23:55.000 the coalition forces with the most 23:55.000 --> 23:57.820 modern equipment . In this way we can 23:57.830 --> 24:00.870 increase the defense capabilities of 24:00.870 --> 24:02.814 the entire eastern flank of NATO . 24:02.814 --> 24:04.870 Because the security of Poland means 24:04.870 --> 24:07.540 the security of the entire eastern 24:07.540 --> 24:09.707 flank of NATO . I'm also very grateful 24:09.707 --> 24:12.650 to the Secretary for the development of 24:12.650 --> 24:16.590 the Fifth Corps , which is currently an 24:16.600 --> 24:19.150 opponent . We talked also about this 24:19.150 --> 24:21.990 topic . This is undoubtedly a very 24:21.990 --> 24:25.070 important element of deterrence in 24:25.070 --> 24:27.160 terms of whether or not we intend to 24:27.160 --> 24:29.540 deploy any additional forces in the 24:29.540 --> 24:32.260 near term . Again , I would just say 24:32.260 --> 24:35.110 that , you know , everything that we do , 24:35.120 --> 24:37.009 we will consult with NATO and our 24:37.009 --> 24:39.480 allies and partners , uh to make sure 24:39.480 --> 24:42.220 that we're fully coordinated in any 24:42.220 --> 24:45.480 steps that we take going forward . And 24:45.490 --> 24:48.260 and finally , I would reiterate 24:48.720 --> 24:52.470 that We are committed to Article five . 24:52.480 --> 24:56.110 And and so whatever it takes , 24:56.120 --> 24:58.231 as you heard , the President say , we 24:58.231 --> 25:00.398 will we will live up to our commitment 25:00.398 --> 25:03.630 there . And as I said earlier , what Mr . 25:03.630 --> 25:06.550 Putin wanted or did not want was a 25:06.550 --> 25:08.772 stronger NATO on his flank . And that's 25:08.772 --> 25:10.939 exactly what he has today , and that's 25:10.939 --> 25:13.106 exactly what we'll have going for it . 25:13.640 --> 25:17.510 Thank you . Mr Minister , 25:17.510 --> 25:19.677 thank you all for being with us in the 25:19.677 --> 25:21.860 press conference . Goodbye for for 25:22.540 --> 25:24.470 sport . Price . 25:29.940 --> 25:32.060 Thank you . Always . A pleasure . 25:34.940 --> 25:35.940 And now , 25:38.940 --> 25:39.170 yeah .