Transcripts For CSPAN Defense 20240703

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for being here today. It is my pleasure to introduce secretary of defense lloyd austin iii and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general c. Q. Brown jr. The secretary and the chairman will have some brief opening comments and then well have time to take just a few questions. Please note, i will be moderating those questions and due to our time constraints, i just ask your followups to give your colleagues a chance to ask their questions. With that, mr. Secretary. Sorry about the delay. Its a busy day, as you know. The chairman and i were on a Conference Call that went a bit long. But we just held another highly successful meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. But before i turn to that, i want to take a few moments to discuss the vicious assault by hamas on the state of israel. The more we learn about these sickening atrocities, the worse it gets. Hamas deliberately targeted civilians and massacred them just because they are jews. Secretary austin hamas has again killed innocent americans and civilians from many other countries. And hamas has abducted entirely innocent civilians. So the United States continues to stand firm with israel and the israeli people. The u. S. S. Gerald r. Ford strike group has now arrived in the eastern mediterranean. Weve also moved to extend u. S. Air force fighter squadrons in the region and the department of defense stands fully ready to deploy additional assets if necessary. As President Biden has said, for any country, for any organization, for anyone thinking about trying to take advantage of thingny in israel, to try to widen this conflict or to try to spill more blood, we have just one word. Dont. Additional u. S. Military aid to israel started flowing in yesterday, including key munitions. And well be providing more iron dome interceptors so that israel can protect its citizens and cities. And well continue to ensure that israel has what it needs to keep itself and its citizens safe. Like any other country, israel has the right to defend itself. As the president says, israel has a duty to defend itself. Make no mistake, the United States will remain able to project power and to direct resources to tackle crises in multiple theaters. So well stand firmly with israel as we continue to support ukraine. Let me turn to todays agenda. This is the 16th time ive con veined the ukraine convened the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and im pleased we were joined in person today by president zelenskyy of ukraine. Were also joined by our Outstanding New chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general c. Q. Brown. He will be an invaluable partner for the ukrainian people. President zelenskyys Team Provided us with a valuable update on ukraines current counteroffensive. Ukraines brave troops continue to make steady progress. Yet as winter approaches, ukrainians are bracing for russia to again target ukraines energy grid and civilian infrastructure. And as putin becomes more cruel, the ukrainians become more determined. So we will continue to give them the systems that they need. Just look at the groundbased air Defense Systems that this coalition has surged into ukraine. Those systems are saving countless civilian lives from russias bombardments. That just underscores this Contact Groups commitment to meeting ukraines urgent nearterm requirements. But today we also talked about helping ukraine to defend itself for the long haul and to deter aggression for decades to come. So members of this Contact Group are organizing into what we call Capability Coalitions. And thats going to make our Security Assistance more nimble and help to secure ukraines future. Some of these Capability Coalitions have already formed. Estonia and luxembourg will lead a coalition focused on supporting ukraines i. T. Infrastructure. Lithuania is leading the way in helping ukraine neutralize russian mines on ukrainian territory. And im proud to announce that the United States will step up again to help lead the coalition of countries working with ukraine to develop its air force. And by leading this Capability Coalition, the United States will coordinate closely with ukraine and other partners with the focus on developing ukraines f16 Fighter Aircraft capability. Im pleased that denmark and the netherlands will be coleading this coalition together with us. Im also proud to announce that the United States will be joining several more of these coalitions as a form in the forum in the coming weeks. Including those focused on ukraines air defense, armor and artillery. That shows how much we can do when we come together. But it also shows that American Leadership matters. As ukraines troops face this key moment on the battlefield, we must ensure that americas indispensable assistance to ukraine continues to flow without disruption. Since russias unprovoked and allout invasion last february, the United States has committed 43. 9 billion to help support a free and secure ukraine. And that includes our most recent ukraine assistance package valued at 200 million. And were in great company. Some 50 other members of this Contact Group have committed more than 33 billion in direct Security Assistance to ukraine. In fact, the three biggest european donors to ukraine, germany, the United Kingdom and poland, have all committed more than the United States as a percentage of g. D. P. And so have many other european countries, including crow asia, denmark croata, denmark, finland, sweden and all three of the baltic states. Together today several countries briefed us on new assistance packages for the ukraine that they have approved just in the three weeks since we last met. Germany will donate another patriot system and additional patriot missiles. As part of a 1. 1 billion package that includes 10 more tanks, two more air Defense Systems. And spain will continue its critical hawk Training Mission and will donate additional hawk equipment. Sweden approved a 200 million assistance package, including critical artillery ammunition. And bulgaria will donate components to help ukraine strengthen its s300 air defense system. France committed more howitzers and accelerate their production. The u. K. Will provide a new package of aid, including air defense support, guns and more. And canada will invest nearly half a billion dollars over the next three years in ukraines Armored Vehicle capabilities. And that just underscores the scope of the response from our allies and partners. Its another reminder of how badly putin has miscalculated. Instead of demoralizing the ukrainian people, he demoralized the russian military. Countries everywhere have refused putins vision. So we stand united to help defend the freedom and sovereign ukraine and to help strengthen the rulesbased International Order that has made our world much safer since the end of world war ii. Thats what this Contact Group stands for, that is what ukraine is fighting for and will continue to and well continue to have their backs. With that, general brown, the floor is yours. General brown thank you, mr. Secretary. Good afternoon, everyone. Let me start by expressing my condolences to the people of israel and the families who have been hurt by hamas heinous terrorist attacks. Our nations commitment to israel is ironclad. Our joint forces strengthened its posture in the region to support israel as it protects itself and its people. The joint force continues to work with our Israeli Defense force counterparts at multiple levels. To ensure they have the means and capabilities to defend themselves and deter future aggression. Turning to our work here today. Im honored to have just finished the first Ukraine Defense Contact Group as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. Im humbled to witness the sustained efforts of this coalition in support of ukraine. It reminds me of the words of president Franklin Delano roosevelt who said, the structure of world peace cannot be the work of one nation. It cannot be a peace of a large nation or a small nation. It must be a peace which rests on the cooperative effort of the whole world. President roosevelt delivered these words to congress as war ravaged globe. From europe to the pacific, this generation sought to construct an order of peace and cooperation out of the remnants of conflict and division. This cooperative effort is evident today in this groups work to help ukraine protect its people. The collective strength of this group is owed to the commitment of each sovereign nation. Its also a testament to our secretary of defense, secretary austin. Thank you, secretary austin, for your unwavering commitment to ukraine and for leading this group for the last year and a half. Im honored that the president zelenskyy joined our session today. Bringing with him the undaunted courage of his nation. Ensuring insights on enhancing this groups support for ukraine. Thank you to president zelenskyy and defense minister home rofb for leading ukraine in its military with character and honor. Thank you to the ministers of defense, the chiefs of defense and National Representatives from some 50 nations that meet nearly every month to organize our collective support for ukraine. While this is my first Ukraine Defense Contact Group as chairman of the joint chiefs, be assured that our mission, our objectives and our support for ukraine endures. The effort of this Group Extends beyond any single individual. Its a unified commitment from a coalition of nations. To date, this coalition fortifies our collective resolve to support a global system. Where all nations are free to make their own choices, consistent with responsibilities under international law. The system has kept the world at peace since 1945. The year that saw the end of the second world war, i, a war that cost 50 million lives, a war that devastated the tpwhroeb. While much of the world is committed to this lasting peace, other nations are not content, allowing their neighbors to prosper. Some nations threaten to subordinate the will of the southern nation to of sovereign nation to the will of an individual aggressor. Yet might does not make right. On february 24, 2022, russia crossed the ukrainian boarder to begin the largest attack on a sovereign european nation in nearly eight decades. Russian leadership miscalculated. When the russian war machine attempted eupts western march, it was met by the unflinching resolve of a free people of ukraine. A people that did not want to return to the irons of oppression. Over the last 20 months ukraines defended its territory and repelled russias unwant aid tkpwregs unwarranted aggression. Ukraine continues to press its counteroffensive, making steady progress to reclaim territory. Theyve used advanced weapons to push through russian lines and continued support of armor, artillery will allow ukraine to defend its people and retake its territory. Our collective role is to provide ukraine with the capabilities it needs to protect itself. But its not just about ukraine. Its about something larger. Its about ensuring sovereign nations cannot be invaded without provocation. Its about upholding the rule of law. Its about us collectively deciding that wars of aggression have no place in our world. Peace rests on the cooperative effort of the whole world. He made this statement on the first of march, 1945, to create a lasting peace, postwar peace. Since 1945, we stood unified. This group and these Nations Armed brave ukrainians with antiarmor weapons. When russia attempted to command occupied territory, this group and these Nations Armed brave ukrainians with longrange fires. When russia cruise missiles and attack drones filled the ukrainian skies, this group and these Nations Armed brave ukrainians with layered air defense. When the russians attempted to regroup and refit, this group and these Nations Armed brave ukrainians with tanks, troop carriers and armor to go on the offensive. Capability after capability, this group provided. Its not always its not always been easy. Unity is not guaranteed. Our goal is not to force our partners into alignment on every challenge. Yet this group and these nations have always stood with ukraine. Today this group means nations will stand together, we stand for freedom, we stand for sovereignty and we stand for ukraine. Thank you and i look forward to your questions. Thank you. First question will go to associated press. Reporter thank you. Mr. Secretary, theres also budget gridlock in the United States and efforts to pass the funding for ukraine has not yet been successful. How much of a concern is all of that to a lot of the ministers and defense leaders who you met with today, was there a lot of discussion about what is happening in the u. S. And was there also concern that the effort to support israel may take away from the effort to arm ukraine . And mr. Chairman, for you, you got an Operational Update from ukraine today. Can you tell us, give us an update on what you learned and when you believe that the muddy weather and everything thats coming, when the ukrainian troops you believe are postured and equipped and ready for that and second airline, can you tell us if secondarily, can you tell us if youve seen any evidence that hezbollah or other iranianbacked iran anbacked groups have iranianbacked groups have done anything to take advantage of the israel war . Secretary austin that was about 12 questions but well try to get to all of them. But thanks for the questions. The first question is, was there a concern on the part of our allies, partners about our ability to continue to support this effort . First of all, let me just point out, as i said earlier, president zelenskyy and his entire team were in the room. Its the first time that he has attended this series of meetings in person. And it was really powerful for all of my colleagues to get to hear him in person and talk about what his needs and requirements are. And most important, it was important, president zelenskyy thought it was important that he personally thank these countries for what they have done and what he hopes that theyll continue to do. What i convey to my colleagues is that, you know, i believe, as i engage members of congress, theres still bipartisan support for ukraine and, of course, democracies will take their time to work things out and they know that these processes have to play themselves out. I also convey to them that theres broad support on the part of the American People for ukraine. Because ukraine matters. And weve talked over and over again about why ukraine matters. This is not just about ukraine. This is about the rulesbased International Order. In terms of our ability to continue to support both the efforts in ukraine and support our the efforts in israel as well, absolutely we can do both and we will do both. And, you know, we are the strongest nation in the world. Were going to do whats necessary to help our allies and partners and were going to do also do whats necessary to make sure that we maintain the capability to protect our interests and defend our country. So with that ill turn it over to the chairman. General brown this is my first opportunity to meet with president zelenskyy but i also had a chance to talk and listen into phone calls with general zelenskyy and also over the past week that ive been in the job, get updates from the joint staff and our intel team. So today to be able to listen to president zelenskyy and be able to have as secretary austin asked specific questions about their overall objectives, where his real concerns were, i concerns were, i have better appreciation today more so than this morning on where ukraine is headed and where they want to go. After hearing this morning, but then also listening later this afternoon to all the contributions by each of the nations, i do feel were putting ukraine in a good spot. I realize during the winter months it gets more challenging but ukraine has intent to continue their offensive operations throughout the winter months and i do believe based to on what i heard today from each of the nations were doing all the right things to posture and be successful. Your second question on whats going on in the middle east. Ive not seen any indications of additional players that are going to get involved to the detriment of israel. This is one of the reasons we addressed our posture. Its to deter future action and those are the kinds of things, my counterparts in israel were appreciative of the steps we took with our force posture. It helps to deter and those are things well continue to do as we Pay Attention not only to whats happening in israel, but continue to set our posture in support of ukraine as well. The secretary austin with those six questions, i think you used up the entire bandwidth there. Just kidding. Thank you, gentlemen. Reporter so recent media reports have suggested that the u. S. Has decided to send attack drones to ukraine. When and in what quantity can we expect them to arrive in ukraine and how long do you anticipate the training to take place until ukraine can receive them . And what is your assessment of ukraines counteroffensive thus far and how does the result effect the wests continued support if ukraine is not able to achieve its goal, especially since Russian Defense is very strong right now . And ukrainian soldiers often say to me that its very difficult to advance without air superiority. So when can they finally expect f16s to arrive and what are the obstacles standing in the way . Secretary austin your first question was on f16s and when we expect for them to arrive . Is that was that the first part of the question . Reporter [indiscernible] secretary austin i dont have any announcements to make on that today. But what i will tell you is what we focused on is what we believe ukraine needs and we believe that because these are the things that president zelenskyy addressed today. He spoke of a need for air defense, Additional Air defense, groundbased air defense capabilities. And also artillery platforms and artillery munitions. And so thats been our focus and we have throughout focused on what we know that ukraines going to need and that focus, i think, has been very, very instrumental in making sure that we can that president zelenskyy can protect his cities and also protect his troops. So well continue that work. F16s, in terms of when they will arrive, as you know, we have a training, an f16 pilot coalition, training coalition, thats working right now to train pilots. That work has begun in europe and also were training pilots in the United States as well. As we look at, you know, what it will take to provide an initial capability, well take months, as we said before. So earliest is next spring when we can begin to see an additional capability. I certainly dont want to counter what the chairman just said. But my assessment is that the ukrainians are making steady progress. And thats pretty much i think what the chairman said earlier. And again, weve been very impressed by the determination, by the valor of the Ukrainian Forces and we will continue to focus on providing the forces and the leadership, those things that they need to be successful in this fight on the battlefield. Thank you. Lets go to financial times. Reporter first for you, mr. Secretary, do you believe a Ground Invasion of gaza is imminent . And what advice are you giving israel about that operation . And for general brown, do you think that ukraine needs to change its strategy heading into a pivotal winter as more American Funding is uncertain and could be delayed . Secretary austin thanks. Ill let israel talk about its plans and its operations and i wont evaluate things one way or the other. I think, you know, my goal, and know the focus of our leadership is to provide support to the Israeli Defense force, give them focus on what they need, what theyre asking for, and to get it there as quickly as possible. And so we have, you know, established contact with the or liaison with the Israeli Defense forces. Ive talked to the minister of defense near daily since this started. And so we really feel like we have a good feel for what they need. But in terms of their detailed plans, what theyre going to do, what theyre not going to do, i would defer to them. I think thats its their effort and i think theyre still in the planning and assessment mode. General brown what i would say as we listen to president zelenskyy today and minister of defense, i dont see that their plans will change. And what i would also say to that is we actually have because of the funding we have and our drawnout authority and others, we have equipment coming all the way to the first of the year. So thats been mapped out fairly well. I would also add, as i mentioned earlier, that many of the nations today, as they went around and each offered capability, its the collection of capability. Not just what the u. S. Provides, but its the whole reason why the Defense Contact Group has come together. I think we are doing the right things to provide capabilities to ukraine, as each nation comes together. Its a collective capability i think thats important, not just what the u. S. Provides, but it all comes together. Secretary austin i think its important to remember that theres 50 nations that have come together in support of ukraine and thats a pretty powerful group of people. And it was, you know, as president zelenskyy looked at that body there in all of these ministers of defense and chiefs of defense are still very much focused on what his needs were. I think it may have been reassuring to him as well. Final question. Reporter thank you very much. I wanted to go back to the Capability Coalition that you mentioned earlier. What are those going to actually change when it documents supporting ukraine but also to replenishing stockpiles of the allies . Because thats also a problem in making sure that they will be supported in the longterm. Second question if i may, more specifically on the winter months coming ahead. It [indiscernible] offer ukraine to be prepared for protection of its Critical Infrastructure [indiscernible] and also for nato not to sacrifice their defense preparedness . Thank you. Secretary austin so how does this change our provision of support i think is your first question. Regarding the Capability Coalitions. What this is doing is laying the groundwork to begin to build the future force capability for ukraine. So if we have an armor coalition, for example, whoever is leading that coalition will work with others to assemble the capability, the armor capability that ukraine, we believe that ukraine will need to defend its sovereign territory in the future and deter aggression in the future. So if you look at each of the Capability Coalitions, theyre all focused on a specific type of combat capability. Armor, artillery, air force, there will be a naval component that will be focused on building out a naval capability. An i. T. Coalition that will help ukraine strengthen its i. T. Capabilities and be able to defend its networks going forward. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. That is all the time we have for today. Thank you. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2023]