1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:05,059 --> 00:00:07,226 Uh good afternoon everyone . Thank you 3 00:00:07,226 --> 00:00:09,392 very much for being here today . It is 4 00:00:09,392 --> 00:00:11,503 my pleasure to introduce Secretary of 5 00:00:11,503 --> 00:00:13,448 Defense Lloyd J . Austin III . The 6 00:00:13,448 --> 00:00:15,615 secretary will deliver opening remarks 7 00:00:15,615 --> 00:00:17,781 and then we'll have time to take a few 8 00:00:17,781 --> 00:00:19,781 questions . Please note that I will 9 00:00:19,781 --> 00:00:21,837 moderate those questions and call on 10 00:00:21,837 --> 00:00:23,948 journalists . Secretary Austin , over 11 00:00:23,948 --> 00:00:26,115 to you , sir . Well , good afternoon , 12 00:00:26,115 --> 00:00:28,392 everyone . Thanks for joining us today . 13 00:00:28,392 --> 00:00:30,840 And I know that all Americans are 14 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:32,729 thinking today of President Jimmy 15 00:00:32,729 --> 00:00:35,860 Carter . On this national day of 16 00:00:35,860 --> 00:00:39,549 mourning . He was a great son of my 17 00:00:39,549 --> 00:00:43,180 home state of Georgia . A man of deep 18 00:00:43,180 --> 00:00:46,450 faith . And a tireless champion . 19 00:00:47,330 --> 00:00:49,689 Of democracy and human rights . 20 00:00:51,150 --> 00:00:53,540 And I hope that President Carter's 21 00:00:53,540 --> 00:00:56,819 legacy . We will continue to inspire 22 00:00:56,819 --> 00:01:00,180 people around the world . To find their 23 00:01:00,180 --> 00:01:01,450 own ways to serve . 24 00:01:04,349 --> 00:01:07,389 Now , all Americans are also watching . 25 00:01:08,089 --> 00:01:10,239 The terrifying wildfires that are 26 00:01:10,239 --> 00:01:13,510 ripping . Through parts of Southern 27 00:01:13,510 --> 00:01:16,800 California . The department will 28 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:20,089 continue to stand ready to surge 29 00:01:20,089 --> 00:01:23,760 support as needed . That includes 30 00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:26,839 federal air assets that California can 31 00:01:26,839 --> 00:01:29,061 request to help fight the fire from the 32 00:01:29,061 --> 00:01:32,139 sky . And many US military 33 00:01:32,139 --> 00:01:35,209 installations are in the area . And 34 00:01:35,209 --> 00:01:37,376 they have personnel and equipment that 35 00:01:37,376 --> 00:01:40,959 can also Be used to fight this awful 36 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:44,930 blaze . We stand with 37 00:01:44,930 --> 00:01:48,169 the people of California . In this 38 00:01:48,169 --> 00:01:49,169 terrible time . 39 00:01:52,290 --> 00:01:54,919 Now we've just wrapped up the 25th 40 00:01:54,919 --> 00:01:57,449 meeting . Of the Ukraine Defense 41 00:01:57,449 --> 00:02:01,080 Contact Group . And of course that 42 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:04,599 was my final time convening this 43 00:02:04,599 --> 00:02:06,821 contact group as Secretary of Defense . 44 00:02:08,548 --> 00:02:11,339 And I ended our session by challenging 45 00:02:12,059 --> 00:02:14,098 this history-making coalition to 46 00:02:14,098 --> 00:02:16,458 continue to support Ukraine . 47 00:02:18,279 --> 00:02:20,335 So I'd like to say a few words about 48 00:02:20,335 --> 00:02:23,899 that challenge . But I also want to 49 00:02:23,899 --> 00:02:26,850 take a few minutes to reflect . On how 50 00:02:26,850 --> 00:02:30,440 far we've come . You 51 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:32,839 know , throughout the day , I've been 52 00:02:32,839 --> 00:02:35,759 thinking back to our very first meeting 53 00:02:35,759 --> 00:02:39,630 here at Ramstein . We gather on April 54 00:02:39,630 --> 00:02:43,559 26 , 2022 , nearly 1000 days 55 00:02:43,559 --> 00:02:47,389 ago . The world was reeling 56 00:02:48,059 --> 00:02:50,003 from the shock of Putin's imperial 57 00:02:50,003 --> 00:02:53,369 aggression . The Kremlin had 58 00:02:53,369 --> 00:02:57,350 invaded . The 2nd largest country 59 00:02:57,350 --> 00:03:00,919 in Europe . With the largest military 60 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:04,809 in Europe . Russian troops had 61 00:03:04,809 --> 00:03:07,130 just massacred Ukrainian civilians in . 62 00:03:09,940 --> 00:03:12,330 And many pundits said that Ukraine was 63 00:03:12,330 --> 00:03:16,160 doomed . President Biden 64 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:19,550 saw a way forward . Paid by 65 00:03:19,550 --> 00:03:22,330 Ukrainian courage . And allied 66 00:03:22,330 --> 00:03:26,330 commitment . And I came to Ramstein 67 00:03:26,330 --> 00:03:28,399 after a secret visit to Ukraine with 68 00:03:28,399 --> 00:03:31,600 Secretary Blinken . We were 69 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:34,949 in Kiev during Orthodox Easter . 70 00:03:36,259 --> 00:03:38,750 And Ukrainian citizens were huddled in 71 00:03:38,750 --> 00:03:42,309 churches to pray . Ukrainian 72 00:03:42,309 --> 00:03:45,669 leaders huddled in bunkers to plan . 73 00:03:47,070 --> 00:03:49,419 I heard directly from Ukraine's most 74 00:03:49,419 --> 00:03:51,809 senior leaders what it needed most . 75 00:03:52,830 --> 00:03:54,663 From President Zaleski on down . 76 00:03:56,750 --> 00:03:59,210 Now in the days after Putin's all out 77 00:03:59,210 --> 00:04:02,850 invasion , many countries were 78 00:04:02,850 --> 00:04:05,279 flooding Ukraine with ad hoc donations 79 00:04:05,729 --> 00:04:09,660 of ammo and other capabilities . But 80 00:04:09,660 --> 00:04:12,770 I knew that if Ukraine was to survive , 81 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:15,911 We needed to coordinate that security 82 00:04:15,911 --> 00:04:19,359 assistance . And we needed to do so . 83 00:04:20,220 --> 00:04:23,029 In a way that met the evolving nature 84 00:04:23,029 --> 00:04:27,010 of the fight . So I 85 00:04:27,010 --> 00:04:30,809 convened nations of goodwill right here 86 00:04:30,809 --> 00:04:34,649 at Ramstein . And I carried with me the 87 00:04:34,649 --> 00:04:37,269 urgency that I heard in Kiev . 88 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:39,630 Just hours earlier . 89 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:46,070 So I opened our hastily arranged 90 00:04:46,329 --> 00:04:50,049 first meeting . By urging some 40 91 00:04:50,049 --> 00:04:53,410 countries . To build a common 92 00:04:53,410 --> 00:04:55,500 understanding of the situation in 93 00:04:55,500 --> 00:04:59,339 Ukraine . And today this contact 94 00:04:59,339 --> 00:05:03,160 group . Provides more than a common 95 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:06,660 understanding . It provides a common 96 00:05:06,660 --> 00:05:10,600 cause . And today some 50 countries are 97 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,899 conscious . are coordinating closely 98 00:05:13,899 --> 00:05:17,799 with Ukraine to send vital , consistent , 99 00:05:18,369 --> 00:05:20,536 and cutting edge security assistance . 100 00:05:22,290 --> 00:05:24,480 And that has helped Ukraine . 101 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:28,982 Turn Ukraine's struggle into one of the 102 00:05:28,982 --> 00:05:31,179 great military success stories of our 103 00:05:31,179 --> 00:05:32,179 time . 104 00:05:35,220 --> 00:05:36,831 Ukrainian military has shown 105 00:05:36,831 --> 00:05:40,140 breathtaking courage . And the 106 00:05:40,140 --> 00:05:43,299 Ukrainian people have shown magnificent 107 00:05:43,630 --> 00:05:47,529 defiance . Ukraine's cause 108 00:05:47,529 --> 00:05:50,170 has inspired free people everywhere , 109 00:05:50,500 --> 00:05:54,440 including in my country . And you know 110 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:56,607 back in the desperate days of February 111 00:05:56,607 --> 00:06:00,200 2022 . Ukrainian 112 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:02,540 citizens were making Molotov cocktails 113 00:06:02,540 --> 00:06:06,420 to defend their homes . But today 114 00:06:06,420 --> 00:06:08,531 with the help of this contact group , 115 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:12,109 Ukraine has a battle-tested military 116 00:06:12,109 --> 00:06:15,350 and a booming defense industrial base . 117 00:06:17,429 --> 00:06:19,596 We're meeting the most urgent needs of 118 00:06:19,596 --> 00:06:22,190 Ukraine's troops even as we're building 119 00:06:22,190 --> 00:06:26,179 Ukraine's future force . And over the 120 00:06:26,179 --> 00:06:29,040 past 3 years we've helped coordinate 121 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:31,100 striking improvements to Ukraine's 122 00:06:31,100 --> 00:06:34,890 capabilities . All while managing our 123 00:06:34,890 --> 00:06:38,339 own readiness . Now 124 00:06:38,769 --> 00:06:41,570 we know that no single capability will 125 00:06:41,570 --> 00:06:44,980 turn the tide . So we have always 126 00:06:44,980 --> 00:06:48,140 stayed focused on what works . And on 127 00:06:48,140 --> 00:06:50,670 the combined effect of Ukraine's 128 00:06:50,670 --> 00:06:54,250 capabilities . You know 129 00:06:54,250 --> 00:06:56,440 Ukraine has started to fly 4th 130 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:59,859 generation fighter jets . It now 131 00:06:59,859 --> 00:07:03,480 feels Advanced Western air defense 132 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:06,989 capabilities . And it produces and 133 00:07:06,989 --> 00:07:09,429 operates state of the art unmanned 134 00:07:09,429 --> 00:07:13,339 systems . All of this 135 00:07:13,339 --> 00:07:15,589 positions Ukraine to defeat Russian 136 00:07:15,589 --> 00:07:19,540 aggression today . And to deter Russian 137 00:07:19,540 --> 00:07:23,450 aggression tomorrow . And so our 138 00:07:23,450 --> 00:07:25,859 work has changed the course of history . 139 00:07:28,209 --> 00:07:31,769 Now I am deeply proud of the assistance 140 00:07:31,769 --> 00:07:34,089 that the United States has provided to 141 00:07:34,089 --> 00:07:37,600 Ukraine . President Biden's support for 142 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:41,269 Ukraine has never flagged . And Ukraine 143 00:07:41,269 --> 00:07:44,579 has also had strong bipartisan support 144 00:07:44,579 --> 00:07:47,950 in Congress . Since February 145 00:07:47,950 --> 00:07:50,549 2022 we have stayed laser focused on 146 00:07:50,549 --> 00:07:53,309 providing Ukraine's defenders with the 147 00:07:53,309 --> 00:07:55,670 capabilities that they have needed at 148 00:07:55,670 --> 00:07:57,910 each stage of the fight . First , 149 00:07:59,950 --> 00:08:01,989 Artillery and rockets have been 150 00:08:01,989 --> 00:08:05,959 fundamental to this war . Since 2022 , 151 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:08,640 the United States has provided Ukraine 152 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:12,239 with more than 2 million artillery 153 00:08:12,239 --> 00:08:14,720 rounds and more than 20,000 rockets . 154 00:08:15,989 --> 00:08:19,250 All while maintaining The readiness of 155 00:08:19,250 --> 00:08:20,329 our own forces . 156 00:08:23,179 --> 00:08:26,690 Secondly , we relentlessly 157 00:08:27,260 --> 00:08:29,829 pushed to provide Ukraine with air 158 00:08:29,829 --> 00:08:33,140 defense systems and missiles to defend 159 00:08:33,140 --> 00:08:37,099 its skies , its cities , and civilians . 160 00:08:39,278 --> 00:08:41,479 Third , the department is working to 161 00:08:41,479 --> 00:08:44,989 support Ukraine's drone industry . And 162 00:08:44,989 --> 00:08:47,530 4th , we searched other critical 163 00:08:47,530 --> 00:08:50,289 capabilities to Ukraine , including 164 00:08:50,289 --> 00:08:53,619 Hamars . Ground combat 165 00:08:53,619 --> 00:08:57,549 vehicles . Javelins and much , 166 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:01,390 much more . And time and again 167 00:09:01,390 --> 00:09:04,669 we've seen the huge significance of 168 00:09:04,669 --> 00:09:06,891 these combined capabilities . In fact , 169 00:09:07,429 --> 00:09:09,485 many of these lower key capabilities 170 00:09:09,485 --> 00:09:11,770 have had a far greater battlefield 171 00:09:11,770 --> 00:09:14,429 impact than some higher profile systems 172 00:09:14,429 --> 00:09:16,429 that we've also helped to provide . 173 00:09:17,739 --> 00:09:20,609 Including F-16s and Abrahams tanks and 174 00:09:20,609 --> 00:09:24,390 attacks . In a war like this . 175 00:09:25,989 --> 00:09:29,469 No single capability is game changing . 176 00:09:31,809 --> 00:09:35,150 As I said in Kiev in October . What 177 00:09:35,150 --> 00:09:37,989 matters is the combined effects of your 178 00:09:37,989 --> 00:09:40,390 military capabilities and staying 179 00:09:40,390 --> 00:09:43,950 focused on what works even as the fight 180 00:09:43,950 --> 00:09:47,890 evolves . Now the 181 00:09:47,890 --> 00:09:49,609 Ukraine crisis exposed some 182 00:09:49,609 --> 00:09:52,960 shortcomings in our Defense industrial 183 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,150 base . We've still got a lot more work 184 00:09:56,150 --> 00:09:59,820 to do . But we have galvanized 185 00:09:59,820 --> 00:10:03,239 our own defense industry . Investing 186 00:10:03,239 --> 00:10:06,869 nearly $70 billion . At 187 00:10:06,869 --> 00:10:09,520 home To produce capabilities for 188 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:11,700 Ukraine and replenish our own stocks . 189 00:10:14,049 --> 00:10:17,239 And so we still face major challenges 190 00:10:17,239 --> 00:10:20,320 ahead . But as a founder of this 191 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:23,340 contact group , I am very proud of the 192 00:10:23,340 --> 00:10:25,451 way that our allies and partners have 193 00:10:25,451 --> 00:10:28,390 stepped up . Since April of 194 00:10:28,390 --> 00:10:32,059 2022 . The contact group's other 195 00:10:32,059 --> 00:10:35,219 members have committed more than $60 196 00:10:35,219 --> 00:10:37,330 billion in direct security assistance 197 00:10:37,330 --> 00:10:41,250 to Ukraine . Ukraine's needs on 198 00:10:41,250 --> 00:10:43,361 the battlefield have evolved over the 199 00:10:43,361 --> 00:10:45,650 past 2.5 years . And so have the 200 00:10:45,650 --> 00:10:47,483 contributions of the coalition . 201 00:10:49,619 --> 00:10:53,539 Denmark , Finland . Germany , the 202 00:10:53,539 --> 00:10:56,510 Netherlands , Norway , Poland , 203 00:10:56,880 --> 00:10:59,900 Sweden , and Spain have joined to 204 00:10:59,900 --> 00:11:02,233 provide Ukraine with more leopard tanks . 205 00:11:04,010 --> 00:11:06,890 Germany has developed and led its 206 00:11:06,890 --> 00:11:08,668 immediate action on air defense 207 00:11:08,668 --> 00:11:11,859 initiative . Which has spurred partners 208 00:11:11,859 --> 00:11:14,081 to pledge more than a billion dollars . 209 00:11:14,719 --> 00:11:16,719 To support Ukraine's air defenses . 210 00:11:18,770 --> 00:11:21,719 The Czech Republic has led a dozen 211 00:11:21,719 --> 00:11:24,309 countries . In surging critical 212 00:11:24,309 --> 00:11:27,179 munitions through the Czech initiative . 213 00:11:28,510 --> 00:11:30,399 Which coordinated the delivery of 214 00:11:30,399 --> 00:11:32,960 hundreds of thousands of rounds of 215 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:34,793 artillery ammunition last year . 216 00:11:37,500 --> 00:11:39,333 Denmark and the Netherlands have 217 00:11:39,333 --> 00:11:42,070 provided Ukraine's first F-16 fighter 218 00:11:42,070 --> 00:11:45,549 jets . And Canada , 219 00:11:45,919 --> 00:11:49,880 Denmark , France , Romania , the UK 220 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:52,599 and the US have found creative ways to 221 00:11:52,599 --> 00:11:54,080 train Ukrainian pilots . 222 00:11:57,039 --> 00:12:00,500 And Ukraine's partners Have provided 223 00:12:00,500 --> 00:12:03,530 broad and sustained support from 224 00:12:04,140 --> 00:12:07,030 Patriot and Hawk air defense systems to 225 00:12:07,030 --> 00:12:10,859 thousands of armored vehicles . And so 226 00:12:10,859 --> 00:12:13,840 all told , Contact group members have 227 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:17,760 committed more than $126 billion in 228 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:19,593 security assistance to Ukraine . 229 00:12:20,780 --> 00:12:23,260 They've expanded production capacity in 230 00:12:23,260 --> 00:12:26,510 factories around the world . And 231 00:12:26,510 --> 00:12:28,500 they've raced in sustainment 232 00:12:29,150 --> 00:12:31,390 capabilities to keep Ukraine's 233 00:12:31,390 --> 00:12:32,779 equipment in the fight . 234 00:12:35,979 --> 00:12:37,969 So this coalition 235 00:12:39,820 --> 00:12:43,330 Has become the arsenal . of 236 00:12:43,330 --> 00:12:44,679 Ukrainian democracy . 237 00:12:47,380 --> 00:12:49,640 It has become an engine of global 238 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:53,349 security . And this contact group . 239 00:12:54,289 --> 00:12:56,750 Has become the most consequential 240 00:12:56,750 --> 00:12:59,070 global coalition in more than 30 years . 241 00:13:02,619 --> 00:13:04,809 The contact group's mission is now 242 00:13:04,809 --> 00:13:07,409 driven by its capability coalitions . 243 00:13:08,479 --> 00:13:10,201 With support from the National 244 00:13:10,201 --> 00:13:14,150 Armaments directors . And 245 00:13:14,150 --> 00:13:17,989 today 14 countries . And Ukraine 246 00:13:17,989 --> 00:13:21,799 lead these important coalitions . They 247 00:13:21,799 --> 00:13:24,510 focus on Ukraine's air force . 248 00:13:25,500 --> 00:13:27,960 Armor Artillery 249 00:13:28,869 --> 00:13:31,539 Demining Drones 250 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:36,090 Information technology . Integrated air 251 00:13:36,090 --> 00:13:38,710 and missile defense and maritime 252 00:13:38,710 --> 00:13:42,099 security . And today the ministers of 253 00:13:42,099 --> 00:13:45,500 defense here endorsed each of these 254 00:13:45,500 --> 00:13:48,309 each of the coalition's road map for 255 00:13:48,309 --> 00:13:51,140 Ukraine's future force . Now 256 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:55,690 each road map lays out an 257 00:13:55,690 --> 00:13:59,150 efficient and sustainable approach . To 258 00:13:59,150 --> 00:14:03,070 helping meet Ukraine's long term and 259 00:14:03,070 --> 00:14:04,830 near-term capability needs . 260 00:14:07,309 --> 00:14:09,420 And that's how this contact group has 261 00:14:09,420 --> 00:14:12,190 produced so much progress . By working 262 00:14:12,190 --> 00:14:14,400 together for our shared security 263 00:14:14,400 --> 00:14:17,789 interests and by standing together for 264 00:14:17,789 --> 00:14:19,469 our shared principles . 265 00:14:22,030 --> 00:14:24,429 And the battlefield results have been 266 00:14:24,429 --> 00:14:28,330 playing . Since 2022 . 267 00:14:29,469 --> 00:14:31,440 Russia has suffered more than 268 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:35,369 700,000 casualties in Ukraine . 269 00:14:37,289 --> 00:14:40,489 Now , that's more than Moscow has 270 00:14:40,489 --> 00:14:43,530 endured . In all of its conflicts since 271 00:14:43,530 --> 00:14:46,510 World War II . Combined 272 00:14:48,919 --> 00:14:52,309 Russian casualties in Ukraine . Now 273 00:14:52,309 --> 00:14:55,789 surpassed 2/3 of the total strength of 274 00:14:55,789 --> 00:14:57,845 the Russian military at the start of 275 00:14:57,845 --> 00:14:59,178 Putin's war of choice . 276 00:15:01,940 --> 00:15:04,770 In November 2024 alone . 277 00:15:06,020 --> 00:15:09,900 Russia lost nearly 1500 troops a 278 00:15:09,900 --> 00:15:12,640 day . You know , 279 00:15:12,770 --> 00:15:16,000 volunteers cannot make up for these 280 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:19,650 stunning losses . And so the Kremlin 281 00:15:20,020 --> 00:15:22,780 has been reduced to scouring Russia's 282 00:15:22,780 --> 00:15:25,450 jails and coercing contract soldiers . 283 00:15:27,530 --> 00:15:29,474 Moscow has even rushed troops from 284 00:15:29,474 --> 00:15:32,530 North Korea into a war that They don't 285 00:15:32,530 --> 00:15:36,280 belong in . That's 286 00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:38,479 another clear sign of Putin's 287 00:15:38,479 --> 00:15:42,479 desperation . North 288 00:15:42,479 --> 00:15:46,039 Korean forces . have suffered 289 00:15:47,030 --> 00:15:50,369 More than 1000 casualties since 290 00:15:51,419 --> 00:15:54,659 they enlisted last December in Putin's 291 00:15:54,659 --> 00:15:56,659 war . And of course there are other 292 00:15:56,659 --> 00:15:59,070 estimates that are far north of that . 293 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:04,039 Meanwhile , the economic cost to 294 00:16:04,039 --> 00:16:07,000 ordinary Russians of Putin's imperial 295 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:09,719 fantasies has also been staggering . 296 00:16:11,210 --> 00:16:14,679 The Kremlin plans to spend about 40% of 297 00:16:14,679 --> 00:16:18,130 Russia's 2025 budget . To keep up with 298 00:16:18,130 --> 00:16:20,570 the contract group's support to Ukraine . 299 00:16:21,969 --> 00:16:25,820 Now that's a 25% increase . From 300 00:16:25,820 --> 00:16:29,820 last year . Meanwhile , 301 00:16:29,900 --> 00:16:31,859 the Russian ruble has continued to 302 00:16:31,859 --> 00:16:35,729 plummet . The Kremlin has become 303 00:16:35,729 --> 00:16:39,530 more isolated . And Russia's global 304 00:16:39,530 --> 00:16:43,039 stature and strategic position 305 00:16:43,630 --> 00:16:47,460 have continued to decay . And so 306 00:16:47,460 --> 00:16:49,869 Russia has paid an appalling price . 307 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:52,880 For this indefensible war . 308 00:16:55,780 --> 00:16:59,109 Yet Putin has not achieved . A single 309 00:16:59,109 --> 00:17:01,630 one of his strategic objectives , not 310 00:17:01,630 --> 00:17:05,599 one . In fact , Putin was so bogged 311 00:17:05,599 --> 00:17:08,829 down in Ukraine that when the vicious 312 00:17:08,829 --> 00:17:11,790 Assad dictatorship in Syria collapsed 313 00:17:12,239 --> 00:17:15,400 after more than 50 years , All he could 314 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:16,550 do was watch . 315 00:17:19,420 --> 00:17:21,869 Russian troops had to race to haul 316 00:17:21,869 --> 00:17:24,036 equipment and personnel out of Syria . 317 00:17:24,819 --> 00:17:27,219 Which had once been a centerpiece of 318 00:17:27,219 --> 00:17:29,219 the Kremlin's global ambitions . 319 00:17:31,530 --> 00:17:33,419 Putin's failure to save the Assad 320 00:17:33,419 --> 00:17:36,550 regime is a stark warning . To the few 321 00:17:36,550 --> 00:17:38,660 remaining countries that might align 322 00:17:38,660 --> 00:17:40,327 themselves with the Kremlin . 323 00:17:43,530 --> 00:17:47,449 Now I am deeply mindful . 324 00:17:48,859 --> 00:17:51,520 Of the anguish that Putin has inflicted 325 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:55,229 on Ukraine . For 326 00:17:55,229 --> 00:17:58,390 Ukraine These have been years of 327 00:17:58,390 --> 00:18:01,479 tragedy . of entirely 328 00:18:01,479 --> 00:18:04,800 unnecessary agony caused by one man's 329 00:18:05,260 --> 00:18:06,349 imperial greed . 330 00:18:09,439 --> 00:18:11,589 In my final hours at Ramstein as 331 00:18:11,589 --> 00:18:15,219 Secretary of Defense . I mourn 332 00:18:15,219 --> 00:18:18,979 for every Ukrainian man , woman , 333 00:18:19,060 --> 00:18:22,439 and child . Killed in 334 00:18:22,439 --> 00:18:24,069 Putin's murderous war . 335 00:18:26,719 --> 00:18:29,310 And I salute the Ukrainian troops who 336 00:18:29,310 --> 00:18:31,650 are fighting so bravely for their 337 00:18:31,650 --> 00:18:33,428 country and for their freedom . 338 00:18:35,949 --> 00:18:38,116 And this coalition has had their backs 339 00:18:38,116 --> 00:18:41,339 for nearly 3 hard years of war . 340 00:18:42,500 --> 00:18:46,500 And we must not stop now . So 341 00:18:48,229 --> 00:18:50,285 I'm leaving this contact group , not 342 00:18:50,285 --> 00:18:52,562 with a farewell , but with a challenge . 343 00:18:54,180 --> 00:18:56,650 The coalition to support Ukraine must 344 00:18:56,650 --> 00:19:00,479 not flinch . It must not falter . And 345 00:19:00,479 --> 00:19:04,280 it must not fail . Ukraine's 346 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:08,209 survival is on the line . But so is all 347 00:19:08,209 --> 00:19:11,859 of our security . Putin wants to 348 00:19:11,859 --> 00:19:15,430 avenge a fallen empire . And to 349 00:19:15,869 --> 00:19:19,540 rebuild it . The 350 00:19:19,540 --> 00:19:23,020 Kremlin's assault . Starts with 351 00:19:23,020 --> 00:19:25,780 Ukraine . But it will not end there . 352 00:19:27,380 --> 00:19:29,079 And the dangers are global . 353 00:19:31,369 --> 00:19:33,329 Putin wants a world where empire 354 00:19:33,329 --> 00:19:37,109 tramples sovereignty . A world 355 00:19:37,109 --> 00:19:40,969 where conquest . Trump's human rights . 356 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:44,949 A world where tyranny bulldozes 357 00:19:44,949 --> 00:19:45,680 democracy . 358 00:19:49,699 --> 00:19:51,866 Every autocrat on Earth is watching to 359 00:19:51,866 --> 00:19:53,977 see whether Putin gets away with it . 360 00:19:55,589 --> 00:19:57,579 And so this coalition 361 00:19:58,969 --> 00:20:01,560 Must continue to stand four square with 362 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:04,930 Ukraine . And to strengthen Ukraine's 363 00:20:04,930 --> 00:20:07,609 hand for the negotiations that will 364 00:20:07,609 --> 00:20:10,410 someday bring Putin's monstrous war to 365 00:20:10,410 --> 00:20:14,050 a close . Now that road is 366 00:20:14,050 --> 00:20:17,699 challenging . But all the 367 00:20:17,699 --> 00:20:20,810 alternatives . are far worse . 368 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:25,880 No responsible leader would let Putin 369 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:29,650 have his way . As I have said , 370 00:20:31,030 --> 00:20:33,069 Peace is not self-executing . 371 00:20:35,060 --> 00:20:37,520 Order does not preserve itself . 372 00:20:39,619 --> 00:20:43,369 And security does not expand on its 373 00:20:43,369 --> 00:20:47,290 own . And so we 374 00:20:47,290 --> 00:20:51,050 must stand up for our security . We 375 00:20:52,109 --> 00:20:54,630 must hold firm to the bedrock principle 376 00:20:54,630 --> 00:20:56,760 that aggression is a sin . 377 00:20:58,810 --> 00:21:01,119 And we must never lose our nerve . 378 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:05,869 So let me again urge countries of 379 00:21:05,869 --> 00:21:08,750 conscience from around the world . To 380 00:21:08,750 --> 00:21:12,430 help Ukraine succeed . And 381 00:21:12,430 --> 00:21:15,800 to ensure that Putin Does not prevail . 382 00:21:17,459 --> 00:21:20,650 And to my brave Ukrainian teammates . 383 00:21:22,349 --> 00:21:24,459 And to my friends who have already 384 00:21:24,459 --> 00:21:26,849 given and sacrificed far too much . 385 00:21:28,530 --> 00:21:30,697 Let me urge you to stay in the fight . 386 00:21:34,319 --> 00:21:37,160 We have come so far over the past 25 387 00:21:37,160 --> 00:21:40,729 years . past 25 meetings 388 00:21:41,390 --> 00:21:44,930 of this contact group . And the 389 00:21:44,930 --> 00:21:47,599 structure of this coalition is built to 390 00:21:47,599 --> 00:21:51,430 succeed . Built to adapt And 391 00:21:51,430 --> 00:21:55,339 built to last . 3 years ago at 392 00:21:55,339 --> 00:21:57,660 the founding of this contact group , I 393 00:21:57,660 --> 00:22:00,800 said here at Ramstein . That this 394 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:03,510 coalition reflects a galvanized world . 395 00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:09,079 It still does . I call 396 00:22:09,079 --> 00:22:12,750 Putin's war baseless , reckless , and 397 00:22:12,750 --> 00:22:16,660 lawless . It still is 398 00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:21,869 And I call the Kremlin's onslaught . 399 00:22:23,180 --> 00:22:26,170 A challenge to free people everywhere . 400 00:22:28,489 --> 00:22:32,260 It still is . I 401 00:22:32,660 --> 00:22:36,239 will always be proud . That the 402 00:22:36,239 --> 00:22:38,479 Ukraine Defense Contact Group has held 403 00:22:38,479 --> 00:22:41,479 high the torch of security and freedom . 404 00:22:43,729 --> 00:22:47,449 And so I will keep saying it . Free 405 00:22:47,449 --> 00:22:51,329 people must refuse to replace an open 406 00:22:51,329 --> 00:22:53,162 order of rules and rights with a 407 00:22:53,162 --> 00:22:55,160 violent world of force and fear . 408 00:22:59,060 --> 00:23:01,890 Thanks again for being here . And with 409 00:23:01,890 --> 00:23:03,779 that , I'll be happy to take some 410 00:23:03,779 --> 00:23:06,369 questions . Thank you , Mr . Secretary . 411 00:23:06,560 --> 00:23:08,782 Our first question will go to Tarraco , 412 00:23:08,782 --> 00:23:12,239 Associated Press . Um , Mr . Secretary , 413 00:23:12,349 --> 00:23:14,510 I'd like to start with the wildfires 414 00:23:14,510 --> 00:23:17,150 given the scope and the destruction 415 00:23:17,150 --> 00:23:19,910 going on in California . Um , why 416 00:23:19,910 --> 00:23:22,369 haven't more troops and aircraft been 417 00:23:22,369 --> 00:23:24,536 sent ? Is it because California hasn't 418 00:23:24,536 --> 00:23:27,189 asked ? And if they do ask , how 419 00:23:27,189 --> 00:23:29,078 quickly could DOD send additional 420 00:23:29,078 --> 00:23:32,569 assets there ? And then secondly on 421 00:23:32,569 --> 00:23:35,170 Greenland , um , do you think 422 00:23:35,170 --> 00:23:37,650 President-elect Trump is serious about 423 00:23:37,650 --> 00:23:39,569 taking Greenland from NATO allied 424 00:23:39,569 --> 00:23:42,099 Denmark and how destructive are these 425 00:23:42,099 --> 00:23:44,930 remarks to the NATO alliance and then 426 00:23:44,930 --> 00:23:47,208 for my last and third question for you , 427 00:23:47,609 --> 00:23:50,959 um . Has the incoming administration 428 00:23:50,959 --> 00:23:52,737 reached out to you at all about 429 00:23:52,737 --> 00:23:54,920 continuing the Ukraine defense contact 430 00:23:54,920 --> 00:23:57,280 group ? And if not , how concerned are 431 00:23:57,280 --> 00:23:59,502 you that this might be the last meeting 432 00:23:59,502 --> 00:24:00,891 of this historic group ? 433 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:07,500 It's terror , isn't it ? Close 434 00:24:09,719 --> 00:24:13,219 Well , Tara , um , 435 00:24:13,910 --> 00:24:17,829 first of all , The US 436 00:24:17,829 --> 00:24:20,229 military stands ready to assist in any 437 00:24:20,229 --> 00:24:24,229 way that we possibly can to help the 438 00:24:24,229 --> 00:24:27,060 people of California . Um , 439 00:24:28,420 --> 00:24:30,531 as you know , California has a lot of 440 00:24:30,531 --> 00:24:32,642 capability on its own , but these are 441 00:24:32,642 --> 00:24:36,380 pretty significant fires . And while 442 00:24:36,380 --> 00:24:39,859 no few requests have been made thus far , 443 00:24:40,709 --> 00:24:43,670 we stand ready to surge capability in 444 00:24:44,469 --> 00:24:46,691 as quickly as possible . I've done some 445 00:24:46,691 --> 00:24:50,069 things to cause our troops to get in a 446 00:24:50,069 --> 00:24:52,479 3 point stance to make sure that you 447 00:24:52,479 --> 00:24:55,550 know if the whistle blows , we are 448 00:24:55,550 --> 00:24:59,270 ready to ready to move in and provide 449 00:24:59,270 --> 00:25:02,780 assistance assets have been requested . 450 00:25:03,770 --> 00:25:07,449 While we are providing some modular 451 00:25:07,449 --> 00:25:09,729 firefighting systems so that when the 452 00:25:09,729 --> 00:25:12,089 winds are allowed , we're able to 453 00:25:12,089 --> 00:25:13,922 employ that system in support of 454 00:25:13,922 --> 00:25:15,922 California , but we have a lot more 455 00:25:15,922 --> 00:25:18,033 capacity , a lot more capability that 456 00:25:18,033 --> 00:25:20,145 can be requested , and so we're going 457 00:25:20,145 --> 00:25:22,290 to make sure that we remain closely 458 00:25:22,290 --> 00:25:26,089 linked to the director of FEMA and and 459 00:25:26,089 --> 00:25:28,890 the leadership in California to ensure 460 00:25:28,890 --> 00:25:31,209 that if they have a need , then we're 461 00:25:31,209 --> 00:25:33,550 ready to respond . Um 462 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:38,880 In terms of the Contact group . Your 463 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,229 question is whether or not the next 464 00:25:42,229 --> 00:25:45,459 administration will Decide to continue 465 00:25:45,459 --> 00:25:49,020 this effort . That is a decision 466 00:25:49,020 --> 00:25:52,500 that's That's for the next 467 00:25:52,500 --> 00:25:55,270 administration to make . And I won't 468 00:25:55,270 --> 00:25:59,050 speculate on which direction they would 469 00:25:59,050 --> 00:26:02,459 go in , but what I will tell you , Tara . 470 00:26:03,170 --> 00:26:06,599 Is that This is important . 471 00:26:07,250 --> 00:26:11,119 To not only to Ukraine , but to the 472 00:26:11,119 --> 00:26:13,790 United States of America , to Europe , 473 00:26:14,119 --> 00:26:18,119 and to the entire world , and as you 474 00:26:18,119 --> 00:26:21,359 know , we've seen bipartisan support in 475 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:25,250 Congress . And you know , I think 476 00:26:25,250 --> 00:26:28,969 that again , It's up to the 477 00:26:28,969 --> 00:26:31,209 future administration to make their own 478 00:26:31,209 --> 00:26:33,609 decisions . We want to make sure that 479 00:26:33,609 --> 00:26:36,449 we've done everything we can to ensure 480 00:26:36,449 --> 00:26:38,660 that . You know , we're continuing to 481 00:26:38,660 --> 00:26:40,827 support to , and they have the options 482 00:26:40,827 --> 00:26:42,827 to to go in whatever direction they 483 00:26:42,827 --> 00:26:45,049 want to go in . I'll also tell you that 484 00:26:46,219 --> 00:26:49,209 I heard from my colleagues here today . 485 00:26:50,339 --> 00:26:54,189 Uh , in Stereo , you know , a number of 486 00:26:54,189 --> 00:26:56,910 times that they really believe that 487 00:26:56,910 --> 00:26:59,229 this is important and they really 488 00:26:59,229 --> 00:27:01,396 believe that this format has served us 489 00:27:01,396 --> 00:27:04,390 well and so we'll see what happens . 490 00:27:04,469 --> 00:27:06,636 It's not the only format that can work 491 00:27:06,636 --> 00:27:09,310 obviously , but they believe that this 492 00:27:09,310 --> 00:27:12,670 is important . And , do you think Trump 493 00:27:12,670 --> 00:27:15,339 is serious about taking Greenland ? I 494 00:27:15,339 --> 00:27:17,260 would defer that question to the 495 00:27:17,260 --> 00:27:19,750 president-elect . I won't speculate on 496 00:27:20,140 --> 00:27:21,807 whether he's serious or not . 497 00:27:25,020 --> 00:27:27,187 But how is that to move on to the next 498 00:27:27,187 --> 00:27:29,409 question . Our next question will go to 499 00:27:29,409 --> 00:27:32,280 Uta Spanenberger from ARD . Secretary , 500 00:27:34,819 --> 00:27:38,540 one last question . Looking back at 25 501 00:27:38,540 --> 00:27:41,140 Ukraine group meetings , would more 502 00:27:41,140 --> 00:27:43,540 help have been possible , or did the 503 00:27:43,540 --> 00:27:46,219 group fall short because individual 504 00:27:46,219 --> 00:27:48,900 nations allowed themselves to be too 505 00:27:48,900 --> 00:27:51,900 intimidated by Putin's aggressiveness 506 00:27:51,900 --> 00:27:53,579 and nuclear threats . 507 00:27:56,640 --> 00:28:00,270 So UTA You just heard me say that . 508 00:28:03,300 --> 00:28:06,989 Russia has experienced 700,000 509 00:28:06,989 --> 00:28:10,780 casualties . And the war is not 510 00:28:10,780 --> 00:28:14,569 over . They will continue to experience 511 00:28:14,569 --> 00:28:17,719 more casualties going forward . They've 512 00:28:17,719 --> 00:28:21,170 lost a lot of equipment . Putin's 513 00:28:21,170 --> 00:28:24,780 isolated , you know , he doesn't have 514 00:28:24,780 --> 00:28:26,947 the ability to project combat power as 515 00:28:26,947 --> 00:28:29,113 he would have had in the past , and we 516 00:28:29,113 --> 00:28:31,640 saw that with Syria . Um , so I think 517 00:28:33,650 --> 00:28:35,910 I would I would challenge as to whether 518 00:28:35,910 --> 00:28:39,599 or not Ukraine has fallen short . I 519 00:28:39,599 --> 00:28:43,099 think Russia is falling short . Those 520 00:28:43,099 --> 00:28:46,189 numbers of casualties without 521 00:28:47,219 --> 00:28:50,040 accomplishing a single strategic 522 00:28:50,040 --> 00:28:52,020 objective . That's unthinkable . 523 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:56,900 Unthinkable . So , um , I 524 00:28:56,900 --> 00:28:58,939 think , I think , you know , this 525 00:28:58,939 --> 00:29:02,550 format and our ability to rush 526 00:29:02,550 --> 00:29:04,550 urgently needed security assistance 527 00:29:04,550 --> 00:29:06,699 into Ukraine . Has been quite 528 00:29:06,699 --> 00:29:09,250 remarkable . We've done that at a speed 529 00:29:09,250 --> 00:29:13,140 and volumes that have not been seen 530 00:29:13,140 --> 00:29:16,790 in the past . So I , uh , I 531 00:29:16,790 --> 00:29:18,989 really applaud the work that the team 532 00:29:18,989 --> 00:29:21,420 has done together . But there's more to 533 00:29:21,420 --> 00:29:23,753 be done , and we clearly recognize that , 534 00:29:23,753 --> 00:29:25,642 and we're going to continue to do 535 00:29:25,642 --> 00:29:27,753 everything we can to help Ukraine for 536 00:29:27,753 --> 00:29:29,864 as long as we can . Thank you , sir . 537 00:29:29,864 --> 00:29:32,142 Our next question will go to Carla Bab , 538 00:29:32,142 --> 00:29:34,309 Voice of America . Hi Mr . Secretary , 539 00:29:34,309 --> 00:29:36,531 thank you so much for doing this . Um , 540 00:29:36,531 --> 00:29:38,476 since you mentioned the remarkable 541 00:29:38,476 --> 00:29:40,642 nature of what you've done in the past 542 00:29:40,642 --> 00:29:40,540 3 years , I want to focus on what 543 00:29:40,540 --> 00:29:42,939 happened today and are the commitments 544 00:29:42,939 --> 00:29:44,772 and the road maps made today for 545 00:29:44,772 --> 00:29:46,828 Ukraine by the capability coalitions 546 00:29:46,828 --> 00:29:48,939 enough to give Ukraine the upper hand 547 00:29:48,939 --> 00:29:51,161 this year , or will it simply keep them 548 00:29:51,161 --> 00:29:53,050 in the fight ? And then since you 549 00:29:53,050 --> 00:29:55,579 mentioned the fall of Assad on Russia's 550 00:29:55,579 --> 00:29:59,500 recent loss of its bases in Syria , has 551 00:29:59,500 --> 00:30:01,859 that affected Russia's ability to 552 00:30:01,859 --> 00:30:04,081 support its military presence in Africa 553 00:30:04,081 --> 00:30:06,248 and the Middle East and then finally , 554 00:30:06,489 --> 00:30:08,895 um . The Justice Department has acted 555 00:30:08,895 --> 00:30:11,117 on behalf of the Pentagon in your final 556 00:30:11,117 --> 00:30:13,339 days in office to enforce plea deals in 557 00:30:13,339 --> 00:30:15,685 the 9/11 cases . Why is this so 558 00:30:15,685 --> 00:30:17,685 important to you ? And is deferring 559 00:30:17,685 --> 00:30:19,574 justice to families who have been 560 00:30:19,574 --> 00:30:21,685 waiting more than 20 years in limbo , 561 00:30:21,685 --> 00:30:25,050 potentially denying them justice ? Uh , 562 00:30:25,260 --> 00:30:27,038 Carla , tell me what your first 563 00:30:27,038 --> 00:30:29,260 question was again . First one is about 564 00:30:29,260 --> 00:30:31,538 the capability coalition's commitments . 565 00:30:31,538 --> 00:30:33,704 Is it enough to give Ukraine the upper 566 00:30:33,704 --> 00:30:35,649 hand , or will it keep them in the 567 00:30:35,649 --> 00:30:39,390 fight ? The capability 568 00:30:39,390 --> 00:30:41,260 coalitions , I think , are doing 569 00:30:41,260 --> 00:30:44,229 tremendous work to build the future 570 00:30:44,229 --> 00:30:47,729 force for Ukraine even as 571 00:30:48,349 --> 00:30:51,229 countries continue to support Ukraine 572 00:30:51,229 --> 00:30:53,589 in the current fight in a very credible 573 00:30:53,589 --> 00:30:57,489 way . And so as we look at what the 574 00:30:57,489 --> 00:31:00,130 capability coalitions are doing and 575 00:31:00,130 --> 00:31:03,849 when things come into play , when 576 00:31:03,849 --> 00:31:05,738 they become available in terms of 577 00:31:05,738 --> 00:31:09,479 capability , it is quite impressive and 578 00:31:09,479 --> 00:31:11,646 you know what I've seen from countries 579 00:31:11,646 --> 00:31:13,689 that are part of these capability 580 00:31:13,689 --> 00:31:16,040 coalitions is that they are absolutely 581 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:18,969 committed to working hard to ensure 582 00:31:18,969 --> 00:31:21,719 that that capability comes to life 583 00:31:22,650 --> 00:31:25,339 in a . In a um 584 00:31:27,239 --> 00:31:30,209 Expedient time matter of time . So 585 00:31:31,300 --> 00:31:33,411 I'm optimistic about what we're doing 586 00:31:33,411 --> 00:31:35,522 with the capability coalitions . I do 587 00:31:35,522 --> 00:31:38,859 believe that it will provide the means 588 00:31:38,859 --> 00:31:42,510 to continue to modernize Ukraine's 589 00:31:42,510 --> 00:31:45,900 military , which will help it 590 00:31:45,900 --> 00:31:48,122 accomplish other things in the future . 591 00:31:48,140 --> 00:31:50,307 And if you think back to where we were 592 00:31:50,307 --> 00:31:54,300 when we started this fight started . It 593 00:31:54,300 --> 00:31:56,022 was a military based on Soviet 594 00:31:56,022 --> 00:31:59,500 equipment and uh you know used a lot of 595 00:31:59,500 --> 00:32:02,900 Soviet doctrine . We are a long way 596 00:32:02,900 --> 00:32:06,380 from where we were then , so um . 597 00:32:07,040 --> 00:32:09,949 The final question out of the 8 598 00:32:09,949 --> 00:32:13,689 questions that you had . Just 3 this 599 00:32:13,689 --> 00:32:17,300 time . Um . was 600 00:32:17,300 --> 00:32:20,619 regarding Um , the , uh , the 601 00:32:21,680 --> 00:32:24,959 Guantanamo Bay , uh , A recent decision 602 00:32:27,310 --> 00:32:31,010 My , you know , I've stated my 603 00:32:32,020 --> 00:32:34,489 I am on this , and I haven't changed 604 00:32:35,140 --> 00:32:38,979 and so we are in the process of 605 00:32:38,979 --> 00:32:42,959 appealing that ruling . And since we 606 00:32:42,959 --> 00:32:45,959 are appealing it , I don't have any 607 00:32:45,959 --> 00:32:48,579 comments to make on the issue . And 608 00:32:48,579 --> 00:32:51,599 then on the post-Assad , Russia , have 609 00:32:51,599 --> 00:32:54,060 you seen what the the loss of the bases 610 00:32:54,060 --> 00:32:57,000 in Syria affect its ability to um 611 00:32:57,829 --> 00:32:59,940 Conduct military operations in Africa 612 00:32:59,940 --> 00:33:03,540 and the Middle East . I think that you 613 00:33:03,540 --> 00:33:05,596 know based upon the fact that Russia 614 00:33:05,596 --> 00:33:08,400 used its capabilities , its bases in 615 00:33:08,400 --> 00:33:11,319 Syria to project combat power into into 616 00:33:11,319 --> 00:33:15,290 Africa , I think that we will see a 617 00:33:16,430 --> 00:33:18,486 A knock-on effect . We will see that 618 00:33:18,486 --> 00:33:21,790 this will affect their ability to 619 00:33:23,329 --> 00:33:25,810 Place capability into Africa as they 620 00:33:25,810 --> 00:33:28,119 have been in the past and sustain that 621 00:33:28,119 --> 00:33:30,119 capability . So yeah , I think it's 622 00:33:30,119 --> 00:33:32,300 going to have an effect . Our final 623 00:33:32,300 --> 00:33:34,356 question will go to Ansel Stern from 624 00:33:34,356 --> 00:33:36,189 ZDF . Thank you very much , Mr . 625 00:33:36,189 --> 00:33:38,356 Secretary . In a few days Donald Trump 626 00:33:38,356 --> 00:33:40,356 will be president . Will the United 627 00:33:40,356 --> 00:33:43,290 States remain a reliable partner in 628 00:33:43,290 --> 00:33:45,760 NATO ? And what do you expect from your 629 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:47,979 successor as Secretary of Defense ? 630 00:33:48,130 --> 00:33:51,099 Thank you . Um , 631 00:33:52,119 --> 00:33:54,439 United States of America has always 632 00:33:54,439 --> 00:33:58,119 been a reliable partner . We will 633 00:33:58,119 --> 00:34:00,119 always be a reliable partner in the 634 00:34:00,119 --> 00:34:03,109 future . Just like any other country , 635 00:34:03,369 --> 00:34:05,739 you know , we have administrations 636 00:34:05,739 --> 00:34:09,260 change , and some policies change from 637 00:34:09,260 --> 00:34:11,419 time to time , but our values don't 638 00:34:11,419 --> 00:34:14,899 change . Our commitment to allies and 639 00:34:14,899 --> 00:34:18,469 partners . Doesn't 640 00:34:18,469 --> 00:34:22,280 change either , so . In terms of what 641 00:34:22,280 --> 00:34:25,820 I would expect . That's irrelevant . 642 00:34:25,989 --> 00:34:28,909 The question is , what does his boss 643 00:34:28,909 --> 00:34:32,379 expect from him ? and I've had a great 644 00:34:32,379 --> 00:34:35,310 boss that I've had the ability to 645 00:34:35,949 --> 00:34:39,510 engage frequently and been given a 646 00:34:39,510 --> 00:34:43,000 latitude to accomplish what needs to be 647 00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:46,860 accomplished and so it's been a great 648 00:34:46,860 --> 00:34:49,082 experience for me and I would hope that 649 00:34:49,082 --> 00:34:51,229 any future Secretary of Defense would 650 00:34:51,229 --> 00:34:53,469 enjoy that same kind of relationship . 651 00:34:53,810 --> 00:34:55,921 If you don't have that relationship , 652 00:34:55,921 --> 00:34:59,429 it's a very difficult job to do . But 653 00:34:59,429 --> 00:35:01,729 again , I've been blessed to work with 654 00:35:02,239 --> 00:35:04,639 to be able to work with an incredible 655 00:35:04,639 --> 00:35:07,479 team in DOD , but also 656 00:35:09,169 --> 00:35:11,840 in the cabinet , especially the members 657 00:35:11,840 --> 00:35:14,239 of the National Security Council . It's 658 00:35:14,239 --> 00:35:17,320 all been very positive , all been a 659 00:35:17,320 --> 00:35:19,639 very positive experience . And that's a 660 00:35:19,639 --> 00:35:21,806 great thing because if you look at the 661 00:35:21,806 --> 00:35:24,028 challenges that we've been faced with , 662 00:35:24,360 --> 00:35:27,709 we've had to manage multiple 663 00:35:27,709 --> 00:35:29,931 significant challenges simultaneously . 664 00:35:29,931 --> 00:35:32,153 We were able to do that because I think 665 00:35:32,153 --> 00:35:34,560 we had a very solid national security 666 00:35:34,560 --> 00:35:38,159 strategy . My boss continued to 667 00:35:38,159 --> 00:35:40,879 resource us in a way that allowed us to 668 00:35:40,879 --> 00:35:44,719 execute that strategy and so it's been 669 00:35:44,719 --> 00:35:48,229 a Pretty good experience for me 670 00:35:48,229 --> 00:35:50,739 and I have thoroughly enjoyed having 671 00:35:50,739 --> 00:35:54,699 the opportunity and I think if you look 672 00:35:54,699 --> 00:35:57,080 at where we are right now . Our 673 00:35:57,080 --> 00:36:00,560 adversaries are weaker . Um , our 674 00:36:00,560 --> 00:36:03,830 relationships with our With our allies 675 00:36:03,830 --> 00:36:07,800 and partners are stronger . The economy 676 00:36:07,800 --> 00:36:10,360 is as strong as it's been in a long 677 00:36:10,360 --> 00:36:12,471 time , and so I think we're in pretty 678 00:36:12,471 --> 00:36:14,560 good shape , and Patrick , I think 679 00:36:14,560 --> 00:36:16,727 that's the last question . Thank you . 680 00:36:17,040 --> 00:36:19,040 That was the last question . This 681 00:36:19,040 --> 00:36:21,151 concludes our press briefing , ladies 682 00:36:21,151 --> 00:36:23,262 and gentlemen , thank you for joining 683 00:36:23,262 --> 00:36:21,949 us today .