1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:13,120 Good afternoon , ladies and gentlemen , 3 00:00:13,120 --> 00:00:17,080 thank you for coming at this special 4 00:00:17,090 --> 00:00:20,040 occasion because this is the 20 year 5 00:00:20,050 --> 00:00:22,740 since uh since the last visit of the 6 00:00:22,750 --> 00:00:25,250 Secretary of Defense . So what it 7 00:00:25,250 --> 00:00:28,330 actually means for for Slovakia that 8 00:00:28,340 --> 00:00:31,040 will be discussed by the Minister noted 9 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:34,280 that the Slovak Minister of Defense and 10 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:36,058 of course we will also hear the 11 00:00:36,058 --> 00:00:38,430 comments from A Lloyd Austin , the U . 12 00:00:38,430 --> 00:00:40,597 S . Secretary of Defense . So I passed 13 00:00:40,597 --> 00:00:43,050 the floor to Slovak Secretary . 14 00:00:55,540 --> 00:00:56,050 Okay , 15 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:00,980 ladies and gentlemen , 16 00:01:03,540 --> 00:01:05,930 uh ladies and gentlemen welcome , I 17 00:01:05,930 --> 00:01:08,110 would also like to welcome the 18 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:10,180 international journalist welcome to 19 00:01:10,180 --> 00:01:12,720 bratislava as it was mentioned already , 20 00:01:12,730 --> 00:01:16,310 uh that that the visit of uh of the 21 00:01:16,310 --> 00:01:19,770 Secretary of Defense , Mr Lloyd Austin 22 00:01:19,780 --> 00:01:23,630 is the first visit of the U . S . 23 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:27,260 Secretary of Defense in the last 20 24 00:01:27,270 --> 00:01:30,570 years before it was a Minister or 25 00:01:30,570 --> 00:01:32,348 Secretary Rumsfeld that visited 26 00:01:32,348 --> 00:01:35,870 Slovakia . I'm very happy that that the 27 00:01:35,870 --> 00:01:39,720 Secretary Austin accepted my invitation 28 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:42,030 that I handed over to him back in 29 00:01:42,030 --> 00:01:45,610 october in pentagon and he came 30 00:01:45,620 --> 00:01:47,509 so that we have an opportunity to 31 00:01:47,509 --> 00:01:49,550 discuss really a whole range of 32 00:01:49,550 --> 00:01:52,320 important issues that are related to 33 00:01:52,330 --> 00:01:55,110 the defense of Slovakia , the defense 34 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:57,400 of the eastern flank of the alliance 35 00:01:57,410 --> 00:02:00,850 and also the situation in the Ukraine . 36 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:05,260 Yes , we discussed uh 37 00:02:05,740 --> 00:02:08,170 quite significantly how we're going to 38 00:02:08,170 --> 00:02:12,030 seek ways and how we're going to 39 00:02:12,030 --> 00:02:14,840 implement the necessary measures and 40 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:17,930 the stamps in helping our friends in 41 00:02:17,930 --> 00:02:21,780 Ukraine . We are taking steps we 42 00:02:21,790 --> 00:02:25,240 as the Slovak Republic and we are also 43 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:27,760 taking steps that that we coordinate 44 00:02:27,770 --> 00:02:30,720 within the North atlantic alliance . 45 00:02:30,730 --> 00:02:32,760 And we also take steps that we 46 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:35,350 coordinate bilaterally with with the U . 47 00:02:35,350 --> 00:02:38,660 S . In order to to reinforce or to 48 00:02:38,660 --> 00:02:40,660 strengthen the defense of Ukraine . 49 00:02:40,660 --> 00:02:43,560 Ukraine deserves that . And 50 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:46,770 through their through their steps they 51 00:02:46,770 --> 00:02:50,250 showed that they very heroically defend 52 00:02:50,250 --> 00:02:52,640 their own country and they need our 53 00:02:52,640 --> 00:02:56,530 help and we will provide such help . We 54 00:02:56,530 --> 00:03:00,360 have discussed also about the 55 00:03:00,390 --> 00:03:03,210 will discuss the commitment of the 56 00:03:03,220 --> 00:03:06,960 membership countries of NATO . We 57 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:10,550 talked about the fact that 2% of 58 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:14,530 uh of GDP as the cost 59 00:03:14,540 --> 00:03:18,250 of of defense is not a level that 60 00:03:18,260 --> 00:03:20,580 should be our objectives or rather it 61 00:03:20,580 --> 00:03:23,970 should be just a base . And I can 62 00:03:23,970 --> 00:03:27,530 confirm that a number of allies already 63 00:03:27,530 --> 00:03:30,040 declared at the ministerial meeting 64 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:33,560 that they envisaged to achieve as much 65 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:37,470 as 3% . For example Poland and the 66 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:39,424 countries such as Baltic states or 67 00:03:39,424 --> 00:03:42,300 Baltic countries . 2.5% . I'm very 68 00:03:42,300 --> 00:03:45,170 thankful to the secretary that he 69 00:03:45,180 --> 00:03:47,950 confirmed the contribution of 70 00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:52,040 of the U . S . Uh to the 71 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:55,370 alliance of alliance battle groups or 72 00:03:55,370 --> 00:03:58,250 alliance forces here in Slovakia . That 73 00:03:58,250 --> 00:04:01,160 will be created in the upcoming days . 74 00:04:01,170 --> 00:04:04,790 The capabilities that they will provide 75 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:06,911 is something that we are lacking here 76 00:04:06,911 --> 00:04:08,967 in Slovakia and they will strengthen 77 00:04:08,967 --> 00:04:11,189 our defense and they will strengthen it 78 00:04:11,189 --> 00:04:15,160 in a significant way . As I said uh the 79 00:04:15,170 --> 00:04:18,920 the enhanced forward presence troops . 80 00:04:18,930 --> 00:04:21,690 This is a significant contribution to 81 00:04:21,700 --> 00:04:25,080 improving the defense of Slovakia . And 82 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:27,370 yes we talked also about the 83 00:04:27,370 --> 00:04:29,490 modernization of the Slovak armed 84 00:04:29,490 --> 00:04:33,290 forces were discussed the need 85 00:04:33,300 --> 00:04:36,980 to to fulfill our obligations and to 86 00:04:36,990 --> 00:04:39,750 achieve capabilities that means to 87 00:04:39,840 --> 00:04:43,420 build the mechanized brigade uh and 88 00:04:43,420 --> 00:04:45,620 other capabilities . We also talked 89 00:04:45,620 --> 00:04:48,660 about the fact that we have some some 90 00:04:48,660 --> 00:04:52,450 heritage here um in the form of 91 00:04:52,460 --> 00:04:56,240 old Russian or soviet defense 92 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:59,950 systems such as S three missile system 93 00:04:59,950 --> 00:05:03,450 or MiG 29 fighter jets . We were 94 00:05:03,450 --> 00:05:06,360 discussing various options of how to 95 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:08,850 fill in this gap if we decided 96 00:05:09,940 --> 00:05:13,860 Not to use a MiG 29 anymore . 97 00:05:14,740 --> 00:05:18,550 Mhm We should receive 16 98 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:22,050 sometimes in 2024 . 99 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:24,920 Secretary , thank you very much for 100 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:27,031 very fruitful discussion and also for 101 00:05:27,031 --> 00:05:29,690 your visit , which is a clear signal of 102 00:05:29,690 --> 00:05:33,030 our friendship , our um our 103 00:05:33,030 --> 00:05:36,280 alliance and also extending 104 00:05:36,280 --> 00:05:38,224 relationships so that we have been 105 00:05:38,224 --> 00:05:40,350 building especially recently . Okay , 106 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:43,040 thank you for your Secretary of Defense . 107 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:46,780 Now the floor is yours . Well . Good 108 00:05:46,780 --> 00:05:49,830 afternoon Minister Nagy thank you for 109 00:05:49,830 --> 00:05:53,310 hosting me today . I'm honored to be in 110 00:05:53,310 --> 00:05:56,120 Slovakia at this critical moment for 111 00:05:56,130 --> 00:05:59,030 european security and I wanted to be 112 00:05:59,030 --> 00:06:01,560 here in person as a sign of our unity 113 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:04,780 and other strength of America's 114 00:06:04,780 --> 00:06:08,480 relationship with Slovakia , both 115 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:11,860 bilaterally and as fellow NATO allies 116 00:06:13,540 --> 00:06:16,800 on this visit , I'm also grateful for 117 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:20,270 the opportunity to discuss our shared 118 00:06:20,270 --> 00:06:22,960 security interests with President 119 00:06:23,340 --> 00:06:26,550 Ciputra and Prime Minister Hager . 120 00:06:28,140 --> 00:06:30,960 Now as NATO allies , we stand united in 121 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:32,960 support of Ukraine and its right to 122 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,550 defend it's sovereign territory . 123 00:06:36,940 --> 00:06:38,996 We're committed to helping the brave 124 00:06:38,996 --> 00:06:40,829 Ukrainian people as they protect 125 00:06:40,829 --> 00:06:42,718 themselves and their freedom from 126 00:06:42,718 --> 00:06:46,460 Russia's unjust an unprovoked invasion . 127 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:50,070 And we're working urgently with our 128 00:06:50,070 --> 00:06:52,237 partners in the Ukrainian armed forces 129 00:06:52,237 --> 00:06:54,040 to further strengthen their 130 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:57,560 capabilities to defend themselves . As 131 00:06:57,560 --> 00:06:59,940 we discussed yesterday in brussels at 132 00:06:59,940 --> 00:07:03,380 this week's NATO summit , we take our 133 00:07:03,380 --> 00:07:07,230 obligations to NATO and to our allies 134 00:07:07,230 --> 00:07:10,020 very seriously . And our commitment to 135 00:07:10,020 --> 00:07:13,660 Article five is Ironclad . We've sent 136 00:07:13,660 --> 00:07:15,827 additional U . S . Forces to reinforce 137 00:07:15,827 --> 00:07:18,490 our NATO allies and we have more on 138 00:07:18,490 --> 00:07:22,240 call ready to go if NATO activates its 139 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:26,070 response forces , Mr Minister , we 140 00:07:26,070 --> 00:07:28,470 support Slovakia's current planning to 141 00:07:28,470 --> 00:07:31,640 host NATO forces to enhance europe's 142 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:34,850 defense . And I commend Slovakia for 143 00:07:34,850 --> 00:07:37,410 his contributions to NATO with 144 00:07:37,410 --> 00:07:39,466 humanitarian and military assistance 145 00:07:39,466 --> 00:07:42,240 that you provided to Ukraine and for 146 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:44,462 the generosity that you've shown to the 147 00:07:44,462 --> 00:07:47,800 innocent refugees fleeing Putin's war 148 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:51,750 of choice . Your actions speak volumes . 149 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:55,230 So the United States deeply values its 150 00:07:55,230 --> 00:07:57,450 bilateral corporation with Slovakia . 151 00:07:58,340 --> 00:08:00,670 We stand together with Slovakia as a 152 00:08:00,670 --> 00:08:04,020 valued member of NATO and we'll stand 153 00:08:04,020 --> 00:08:06,790 together with you to defend our values 154 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:10,150 in our common security . Thank you . 155 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,260 And we'll take your questions Now . 156 00:08:18,630 --> 00:08:22,490 Thank you . Now the question . Now , I 157 00:08:22,490 --> 00:08:25,640 would like to I would like to pass the 158 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:27,529 florida to Andre balance from the 159 00:08:27,529 --> 00:08:31,130 Slovak national tv . The question for 160 00:08:31,130 --> 00:08:33,900 Mr Austin at the Ukrainian President 161 00:08:33,910 --> 00:08:37,820 Zelensky called again and again for no 162 00:08:37,820 --> 00:08:40,870 fly zone over Ukraine at the level of 163 00:08:40,870 --> 00:08:43,490 NATO . There were discussions about 164 00:08:43,490 --> 00:08:46,290 that at the NATO level . And if yes , 165 00:08:46,300 --> 00:08:47,750 what was the conclusion 166 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:55,010 perspective , our President President 167 00:08:55,010 --> 00:08:57,177 biden has been clear that we would not 168 00:08:57,177 --> 00:09:00,640 have U . S . Forces fighting in 169 00:09:00,650 --> 00:09:04,110 Ukraine ? Having said that we'll do 170 00:09:04,110 --> 00:09:06,221 everything we can within our power to 171 00:09:06,221 --> 00:09:08,277 support Ukraine and their efforts to 172 00:09:08,277 --> 00:09:11,640 defend their territory . We've also 173 00:09:11,650 --> 00:09:15,550 stated that enforcing a no fly 174 00:09:15,550 --> 00:09:18,160 zone actually means that uh you're in 175 00:09:18,170 --> 00:09:20,281 you're in combat , you're you're in a 176 00:09:20,281 --> 00:09:23,250 in a in a fight with Russia . And 177 00:09:23,250 --> 00:09:25,670 that's one of the things that we have . 178 00:09:25,680 --> 00:09:27,910 Uh we have said that . Our President 179 00:09:27,910 --> 00:09:29,966 has said that we weren't going to do 180 00:09:29,966 --> 00:09:32,188 getting get in a fight with Russia . So 181 00:09:32,188 --> 00:09:34,410 what this really means is that in order 182 00:09:34,410 --> 00:09:36,410 to control these guys , you have to 183 00:09:36,410 --> 00:09:38,632 shut down the air defenses , they're on 184 00:09:38,632 --> 00:09:40,577 the ground . And some of those air 185 00:09:40,577 --> 00:09:42,920 defense systems are in Russia . Uh and 186 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:46,470 uh and so again there's no no 187 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:49,240 easy or simple a way to do this . No , 188 00:09:49,250 --> 00:09:51,528 there's no such thing as a no fly zone . 189 00:09:51,528 --> 00:09:53,960 Light , light , a no fly zone means 190 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:55,990 that you're in a in a in a conflict 191 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,820 with Russia . So from a US perspective , 192 00:09:58,820 --> 00:10:00,931 we're again our position remains that 193 00:10:00,931 --> 00:10:02,542 we're not going to do that . 194 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:13,710 Ub mrs Baklava from from NASA , 195 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:16,580 I would like to ask about the option of 196 00:10:16,580 --> 00:10:19,540 using as 300 missile system to to 197 00:10:19,540 --> 00:10:23,020 Ukraine , will the us help us is any 198 00:10:23,020 --> 00:10:26,240 way to uh to provide us with some 199 00:10:26,250 --> 00:10:29,400 replacement and if we decide to do that , 200 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:32,100 then wouldn't it be as as we are 201 00:10:32,110 --> 00:10:34,260 becoming a member of the conflict ? 202 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:35,640 Thank you . 203 00:10:38,740 --> 00:10:40,851 Well , thanks for the question I that 204 00:10:40,851 --> 00:10:43,900 questions for me , I guess so , uh so 205 00:10:43,900 --> 00:10:47,410 yes , what um what has been successful 206 00:10:47,410 --> 00:10:51,390 for uh the Ukrainian forces is 207 00:10:51,390 --> 00:10:54,240 that they've been able to really 208 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:57,860 prevent Russia from establishing air 209 00:10:57,860 --> 00:11:00,380 supremacy . Uh and they've done that 210 00:11:00,380 --> 00:11:03,440 through effective use of air defense 211 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:07,360 systems , both medium range 212 00:11:07,370 --> 00:11:09,560 and short range air defense systems . 213 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:13,360 And so our goal has been to continue to 214 00:11:13,740 --> 00:11:16,320 reinforce those things that have worked 215 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:20,120 for for the Ukrainian forces . Uh so 216 00:11:20,130 --> 00:11:23,100 we are talking to a number of our our 217 00:11:23,100 --> 00:11:26,820 allies and partners to ensure that we 218 00:11:26,830 --> 00:11:30,230 get as much capability as we can uh to 219 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:32,351 uh to continue to provide help to the 220 00:11:32,351 --> 00:11:35,110 Ukrainian forces . And so again , we 221 00:11:35,110 --> 00:11:37,277 will we will engage a number of allies 222 00:11:37,277 --> 00:11:40,120 and partners and in terms of what 223 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:42,350 they're able to do and what would be 224 00:11:42,350 --> 00:11:44,920 required to uh for backfield . You know , 225 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:47,020 those are discussions that that you 226 00:11:47,020 --> 00:11:49,076 know , will continue to have , but I 227 00:11:49,076 --> 00:11:51,131 don't have any announcements to make 228 00:11:51,131 --> 00:11:50,170 here . 229 00:11:57,180 --> 00:11:59,070 Okay , Now we can go to the 230 00:11:59,070 --> 00:12:01,960 International Media ap robert Burns , 231 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:06,920 Thank you have a question for each . If 232 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:10,400 I may , Minister Naja , could 233 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:13,850 you , I would ask you directly 234 00:12:14,340 --> 00:12:17,750 About S 300's is your country 235 00:12:17,750 --> 00:12:21,450 willing to provide those to Ukraine ? 236 00:12:21,940 --> 00:12:25,140 Um and only if you 237 00:12:25,150 --> 00:12:28,100 are able to receive some sort of 238 00:12:28,380 --> 00:12:30,380 replacement system that would not 239 00:12:30,380 --> 00:12:32,970 degrade your air defenses . Is that 240 00:12:32,970 --> 00:12:36,170 something that is continuing to be 241 00:12:36,170 --> 00:12:38,503 under discussion with the United States ? 242 00:12:39,140 --> 00:12:41,200 And may I ask also a question of 243 00:12:41,210 --> 00:12:43,560 Secretary Austin . Um , 244 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:48,440 Mr Secretary you mentioned that you 245 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:50,496 would be discussing the subject with 246 00:12:50,496 --> 00:12:53,850 other allies and partners . Um ah 247 00:12:55,140 --> 00:12:58,030 are there alternatives in this in this 248 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:01,010 area ? In other words , the problem 249 00:13:01,010 --> 00:13:03,066 being the Russians have increasingly 250 00:13:03,066 --> 00:13:05,350 used long range missiles to attack 251 00:13:05,740 --> 00:13:07,796 population centers in Ukraine . Have 252 00:13:07,796 --> 00:13:09,907 you , as you've mentioned , Are there 253 00:13:09,907 --> 00:13:12,120 alternatives to the S- 300 to help 254 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:15,090 Ukraine in that long range Air Defense 255 00:13:15,380 --> 00:13:18,880 Arena ? Um That would be my question . 256 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:19,880 Thank you . 257 00:13:23,830 --> 00:13:27,250 You're right bob the the the 258 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:31,740 the systems that are being used to buy 259 00:13:31,740 --> 00:13:35,210 the Russians to engage Ukrainian forces 260 00:13:35,210 --> 00:13:39,090 currently , uh they're using a lot of 261 00:13:39,100 --> 00:13:41,660 rockets and missiles and artillery . 262 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:45,080 And so uh there are a number of things 263 00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:47,360 that can be used to counter that . 264 00:13:47,740 --> 00:13:50,440 We've seen that drones have been uh 265 00:13:50,450 --> 00:13:53,220 have been very effective . We've also 266 00:13:53,220 --> 00:13:55,810 seen uh , having the ability to conduct 267 00:13:55,810 --> 00:13:59,550 counter fire with uh rockets in 268 00:13:59,560 --> 00:14:02,350 uh in artillery is also very effective . 269 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:04,660 And so I think increasingly we'll see 270 00:14:04,940 --> 00:14:08,200 the Ukrainian forces turned to those 271 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,670 methods uh to to to counter that the 272 00:14:11,680 --> 00:14:14,240 rockets that you or they're actually 273 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:16,350 cruise missiles that uh that you 274 00:14:16,350 --> 00:14:20,190 mentioned that we're we're fired from 275 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,930 aerial platforms . I think we're I 276 00:14:22,930 --> 00:14:24,874 think , you know , that those were 277 00:14:24,874 --> 00:14:27,041 fired from actually inside of Russia . 278 00:14:27,041 --> 00:14:28,874 So uh no fly zone would not have 279 00:14:28,874 --> 00:14:30,486 prevented that that activity 280 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:35,160 if I may . Uh Mr Burns . Thank you for 281 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:39,070 your question . Uh well We've been in 282 00:14:39,070 --> 00:14:41,320 discussion with United States with 283 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,100 Ukraine and also with other allies on 284 00:14:44,100 --> 00:14:46,211 possibility to deploy or two standard 285 00:14:46,211 --> 00:14:48,322 to give us 300 system to Ukrainians . 286 00:14:49,140 --> 00:14:53,080 Uh and we are willing to do so . We're 287 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:55,136 willing to do so immediately when we 288 00:14:55,136 --> 00:14:57,440 have a proper replacement . Uh the only 289 00:14:57,440 --> 00:14:59,496 strategic air defense system that we 290 00:14:59,496 --> 00:15:02,960 have In Slovakia is a 300 systems . 291 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:06,151 So what would happen immediately when 292 00:15:06,151 --> 00:15:08,318 we decided to give it to Ukrainians is 293 00:15:08,318 --> 00:15:10,096 that we actually create a gap a 294 00:15:10,096 --> 00:15:12,660 security gap uh in NATO . 295 00:15:13,740 --> 00:15:15,907 So , you know , and I'm first of all , 296 00:15:15,907 --> 00:15:18,073 I'm the Defense Minister of Slovakia . 297 00:15:18,073 --> 00:15:20,184 My first responsibility is to take on 298 00:15:20,184 --> 00:15:23,010 to do everything I am capable of to 299 00:15:23,010 --> 00:15:25,180 guarantee defense and security of our 300 00:15:25,180 --> 00:15:28,090 people and our territory . So yes , we 301 00:15:28,100 --> 00:15:30,156 we've been in discussion , we are in 302 00:15:30,156 --> 00:15:32,044 discussion . There are no project 303 00:15:32,044 --> 00:15:34,240 comments to make as of now . But yes , 304 00:15:34,250 --> 00:15:36,417 uh should there be a situation that we 305 00:15:36,417 --> 00:15:39,820 have a proper replacement or uh that we 306 00:15:39,820 --> 00:15:43,690 have capability guaranteed for a 307 00:15:43,690 --> 00:15:46,540 certain period of time , Then we would 308 00:15:46,540 --> 00:15:48,730 be willing to discuss the future of S 309 00:15:48,730 --> 00:15:51,440 300 systems . May I ask quick follow up 310 00:15:51,450 --> 00:15:54,130 Secretary Austin Secretary Allison , uh 311 00:15:54,140 --> 00:15:56,140 in light of the Minister's comments 312 00:15:56,140 --> 00:15:58,084 there about requiring some sort of 313 00:15:58,084 --> 00:16:00,251 replacement is the U . S . Military in 314 00:16:00,251 --> 00:16:02,950 position to provide any either patriots 315 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:04,793 or other replacement air defense 316 00:16:04,793 --> 00:16:07,340 systems . Thanks bob . Again , I don't 317 00:16:07,340 --> 00:16:09,340 have any announcements for you this 318 00:16:09,340 --> 00:16:11,507 this this afternoon . These are things 319 00:16:11,507 --> 00:16:13,729 that that we will continue to work with 320 00:16:13,729 --> 00:16:15,784 all of our allies on and and and and 321 00:16:15,784 --> 00:16:18,062 and certainly this is not just a U . S . 322 00:16:18,062 --> 00:16:21,710 Issue . It's it's a NATO issue . NBC 323 00:16:22,930 --> 00:16:26,730 gains . Thank you both for doing this . 324 00:16:26,740 --> 00:16:29,030 MR Secretary . We've all seen the 325 00:16:29,030 --> 00:16:31,252 increasing attacks , especially against 326 00:16:31,252 --> 00:16:34,240 population centers . Mm hmm . That 327 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:36,073 Russia continues to carry out in 328 00:16:36,073 --> 00:16:38,500 Ukraine . Are these war crimes ? And 329 00:16:38,500 --> 00:16:40,620 does this warrant a change in posture 330 00:16:40,630 --> 00:16:41,850 for us involvement ? 331 00:16:44,540 --> 00:16:47,230 Well , certainly we've all been shocked 332 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:49,650 by the brutality that we continue to 333 00:16:49,650 --> 00:16:53,180 witness day in and day out . And 334 00:16:54,040 --> 00:16:55,984 these attacks that we've seen most 335 00:16:55,984 --> 00:16:59,360 recently are appear to be focused 336 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:02,920 directly on on civilians . And of 337 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:06,820 course , um , that , 338 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:09,590 you know , if if you attack civilians 339 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:12,870 on purposely target civilians purposely , 340 00:17:12,870 --> 00:17:16,590 then that's that that is that is a 341 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:19,920 crime . So , uh , these actions are 342 00:17:19,930 --> 00:17:22,440 under review uh , by our State 343 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:25,170 Department and and of course there will 344 00:17:25,170 --> 00:17:27,690 be . There's a process that will go 345 00:17:27,690 --> 00:17:29,857 through to to review all of this , but 346 00:17:30,140 --> 00:17:33,830 but we call upon MR . Putin to cease 347 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:37,820 these these horrible actions . 348 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:41,380 Again , um , these are civilians and 349 00:17:41,380 --> 00:17:43,547 and not and not combatants and so they 350 00:17:43,547 --> 00:17:45,602 should they should not be targeted . 351 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:53,970 Thank you . This was the last question 352 00:17:53,980 --> 00:17:56,560 unless the gentleman decide otherwise . 353 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:02,830 Okay , so I would like to thank you for 354 00:18:02,830 --> 00:18:06,260 your presence . And gentlemen , thank 355 00:18:06,260 --> 00:18:08,427 you for your answers . And we wish you 356 00:18:08,427 --> 00:18:10,160 a pleasant afternoon . Thank you