[inaudible conversations] well, good afternoon, everyone, thank you fortoday. Its my pleasure to bring up the secretary and chairman, deliveringpening remarks and time to take a few questions. Ill moderate the journalists a time constraints, limit the followups to g a chance to ask their questions. Good afternoon, evedy thas f general brown and i have just come from ad meeting of the Ukraine DefenseContact Group and im grateful to some 50 countries from around the world that joined us again today. The Contact Group heard directly from ukraines defense les, minister that gave a valuae ukraines defensive operations across the front line, including the new russian offensive around kharkiv. We met today a challenging moment for ukraine. Putins forces opened another front to seize sovereign ukraini territory. In the kremlins invaders obliterating ukrainian villages aniloct civilians and bombarding civilian ludi dams and power plants. Ukraines defenders are a hard fight. But Russian Troops are paying a high price for putins aggression. Now, putin is betting that eventually ukraine will fold. And hes betting that this Contact Group will crumble, but hes wrong. And today we saw again why. Ukraine is fighting for its li which gives us a huge strategic advantage of a just cause. And meanwhile, putin is trying to wage a 19th century war of imperial aggression in the world of 2024. And thats a terrible idea and strategy. Ukraines forces are the kremlins war of choice with ingenuity and skill. And they are making excellent use of capabilities provided by the members of this Contact Group. We spent a lot of time today on life saving air Defense Systems which are helping ukraine stave off waves of russian missiles,i munitions. Well continue to push to ensure that ukraine owns skies and can defend its citizens and its civilian infrastructure far from the front lines. The United States and our allies and partners worldwide remain laser focused on ukraines near term requirements in kharkiv and elsewhere and well pushing to find Swift Solutions to ukraines most pressing and thats why President Biden announced a 400 million Security Assistanceac ukraine earlier this month. It will provide critical munitions for sams and patriot air Defense Systems. More himae antiarmor systems and other priotyirents. This comes on top of the 7 lli 7 billion of Security Assistance that weve already committed toce the recent passage of the national securitysupplemental. Were delivering the most urgently neededties including 155 millimeter artillery rounds. And much more is on the way. Now, contact gro also spent time today on the longterm challenge of security. And i continue to be impressed by the work of the capability coalitions. These eight coalitionse and mee and theyre also laying the foundation for ukraines future force, which must be strong and sustainable enough to ward off future russian aggression. Today we heard updates from Maritime Coalition in the integrated era andis Defense Coalition and im also impressed with germanys defense initiative. Its helping ukraines globalpad rapt and creative ways to deploy air Defense Systems and provide the spare parts to sustainukraines defenses. Meanwhile, the and norway are leading the maritimealition friend off putins attacks. Se are just two of the eight capability coalit. Togethg a sturdy, fleble structure to meet ukraines security requirements over the long haul so wellontinue to work with nations of goodwill from around the world to support ukrain fight for survival. And well continue to make the for why ukraine matters. The outcome in ukraine is crucial for eurnsecurity, for global security. Andor american security. None of us would want to live in a world where dictators redraw borders by force launch wars of aggression to try to revive yesterdays empires. So let me be clear, ukraines partnersre united and were determined and were not g anywhere. And with that, let me turn it over to generbrn. Thank you, mr. Secretary. Good afternoon, everyone. We are going to address the Congress Near the end o world war i. President Woodrow Wilson laid out his 14point for world peace. He asserted political independence and territorial integrity required in nations, united against aggressor, we cannot be separatedest or divided in purpose, we stand together until the end. President wilson never realized his vision foron coalition of nations based on his 14 points. Theorld had to second world war, a war more br first. Before there wasollective rpose. Come together in common the principles president wilson championed formed the basis of International Order we live in today. That order is being challenged byrussias illegal aunprovoked attack on a sovereign nation of ukraine. Ukraine Defense Contact Group has stood together the face of this russian aggression and well continue stand together to support ukraine and defend the national r. Once again, i want to thank secretary austin for leadership in this International Coalition of more than 50 in support of ukraine. Thanks also to defense and delegation who joined us today and for leadership in Ukraines Armed forces and to all the nations attending today, thank you for your continued support ofukraine. Ukrainian forces are being challenged particularly in Kharkiv Region where theyre defending against increased russianattacks. In recent days, russia launched attacks against kharkiv. Caming to establish a buffer zone along the ukrainian border. Rush anticipation this will divertapabilities from other critical areas. Ukraine has concerted efforts to build and strengthen civilian lines which are being tested by russias acts. To protect theirs they defend against continued russian strikes andtructure. Ukrainian forces are fighting hard to hold againstsi advances across the front lines. And stock piles are challenged as defend against russian actions and the war to sustain ukraine. The president authorized a 1 billilary aid package for ukraine, following the aghe supplemental. A second aid package was authorized a little over a ago to send critical capabilities to ukraine. Anhe urgently needed weapons such as artillery amheir defense interceptors, antiaircraft missiles, a vehicles, javelins, and other ■ antiarmor systems. We have worked diligently to deliver these supplies as quickly as possible. The influx of u. S. En coalition ceill enable ukraine to continue to withstand russian ag military aid to ukraine sends a essa to the world. This coalition will not tire. We will not waiver. We will not give up. Our collective resolve is steadfast. We know that we cannot russia to rewrite borders, to people and to supplant the sovereign democratic nation. Show other wouldbe aggressors that we will defend International Order together. Our support for ukraine is not merely an act of solidarity, its a strategic necessity that reinforces broader international security. If unchecked, russian aggression could em bolden other regimes tollen international norms, and violate the sovereignty their neighbors. This highlights the importance of a robust and unified response. Global events have consequences that impact us all. Our collective actions today will shape the geopolitical landscape of tomorrow. This is what president wilson understood. Fe and prosperity nations can only be won through unified and cooperative effort. Presidn understands that peace and security of more than rd they require constant work. In action for nations to come together for a common purpose, the group is committed to that work. Thank you,ook forward to our questions. Our first question to the cipress. Mr. Secretary, i wanted to ask you about iran. Does pengon have any indication that the Helicopter Crash in iran that killed president raisi was anything avyou directed any force posture changes in case theres for chairman brown, i wanted to roger fortson. O say to fortsons family and more broadly to blackvi members if it matters whether they serve no matter what they do, they still Law Enforcement that see them as a threat . Thanks. Regarding the death of irans president in the very unfortunate crash, we continue to monitor the situation, but we dont have any insights into the cause of the accident at this point. And certainly, i know the iranians are investigating or will investigate and so well see their investigation is in terms of our force posture, dont have any announcements to coinue to watch and i dont necessarily see any ber Regional Security impacts at this point in time, tara. And was there any indication that there was anything other than an accident about this copter down . I cant speculate on what may have been the cause of the accident, tara. But you know, again, think well learn more once the iranians have investigated. Let me first of l, pass on my sincerely fortson family and for every serviceman we lose, we know it impacts the family and one thing id highlight. This is under investigation, what i would highlight, a number of our serviceembers ap families live around the country and hope expect they would be able to be safe in their communities and safe in their homes and highlight for each one of those in service and raise their right with an oath to the United States that they ceach their potential. No matter their backnd when they decide to join our force. Next question. Secre austin, Israeli Defense minister briefed sullivan on rafah plans and an efforts. According to the readout, its more detailed. Have you seen the plans sullivan was briefed on and does it meet the requirement of what youo see in terms of what israel nee t before an operation in rafah. And ukraine tried to defend ense a new russian offensive in kharkiv. Do you believe that theyul be able to use and target the forces across the border there. Is that a recommendation you would make . Thanks,ot seen the information that was briefed to mr. Sullivan, but you know, as you know, i talk to minister every week and i would expect that he would detail the informfi to me as well. So, and ill talk to jake an all soon as hes available, but because of that, i wont speculate as to whether or not it meets any kind of requirements, but again, you know, weve been clear about v important and that is to make the civilians in that battle space are out of the battle space before any activity occur cit so well see what happens. Our folks in ukraine, using capabilities, particularly hat impact the battles in various areas and paying attention in and around kharkiv, i wont publicly talk about what my might advise, but as we conti them, ill continue to work the secretary as the recommend dayses Going Forward. But capabilities that weve provided them, on fronts that theyre already operating on, as well as into crimea. Lets go to wastopost. Hi, nice to see you all. This question is for both you regarding going back to the rafah operation, and following up questions. So the idf is announcing plans as recently asay to expand the rafah operation, and meanwhile, people tha have spoken with on the ground say that theyive what is already a fullfledged operation, at le the perception on the ground. Given the biden administrations that it will not support a full fledged operatioit humanitarian plan. Are you to declare its a full fledged invasion, and that the idf could do this gradually. Anmental push into rafah, and try toid u. S. Consequences that have been threatened . Thanyou. Yeah, again, ive seen what with as reported thatin said. I look forward to talking to him about what his plans are. And also getting and talking with jakevan as well. And i really dont want to speculate as to whether or not this is or is not a or a larger operation. I really would like to see with a, you know, to do, but what we would like to see, is protection of those civilians in the battle move those civilians out, not only move them out, but make sure that wherever theto, that you have provisions for them to ta of them, order a shelter, those types of things. Ou know, ive said before that in my view t have been far too many casualties, civilian casualties in this fight and we needo see something done a lot differently. Are if there is kinetic activity and if there is an operation thats conducted, thats larger, we certainly would like to see things done more precise and less destruction of, know, the cvili structures and more protection of the civilian tion i would echo very much what the secretary said. And in my conversation and counterpart, its pretty much the same. Being able to communicate with us wha their intent is, so we understand how theyre approaching and at thsame, bein of the civilians and not just move them out, but move into places where they can have shelter, have food and have soin continually message in the engen have with my counterpart. Secretary austin, vtoria newland, the former acting deputy secretary of state who just steppow said yesterday on the sunday shows that the administration a new ukraine strategy and she said, quote, i think if the attacks are directly from over the line in russia, that those bases ought to befa i think its time to give the ukrainians more help hitting es inside russia. Do you agree with her assessment . Greeith what the chairman just said, jennifer, and that is that, you know,n my view, their focus ought to be on the close fight, a making sure that they are is he will enable success in the close fight. , and you know, and this will be my view Going Forward. Is there anyg n. A. T. O. Can do for russia to expand their influence and how does effect whats happening in georgia right now . How does it affect georgias pathway to n. A. T. O. . Were basically watching the influence that russia has in georgia and well remain ted to sovereignty. As i met l wee with my n. A. T. O. Counterparts, we continalked about how we worked together for the sovereignty thats part ofovera situation in europe. Will this affect orgis admission to n. A. T. O. Or pathway to n. A. T. O. . Im not in the decision points. From my perspective as a Uniformed Service member, its securing the nations as well. Aljazeera. And you mon criminal Court Prosecutor and Mister Netanyahu andst over war crimes and against humanity in gaza. My first question, will that Administration Step forward in this case and will you cooperate with work on this case . And the second question is, the of israel, in light of this case, will you reconsider the p, some of which have been used to kill Palestinian Civilians according to President Biden . Thank you. So ive seen the press reports of, you know, the icc seeking arres warrants. But i dont have anything to provide on that issue. T issue. Again, our focus continues to be on providing israel what it needs to defend itself and weve thats our focus on our very beginning and as President Biden has said number of times, our support to israel remains clad. I think its important to reflect back to how thi started. You know, this brutal attack on octo 7th, you know, a number is civilians were killed in that u attack and there were over 230 hostages ken. Half of those hostages remain in custody. And, you know, again, our focus remains on support to israel in its efforts to defend itse we very much would like to see the hosge returned safely. And in terms of the decision to prov weapons to israel, again, i wont engage in any type of speculation Going Forward, but my hope would be that, you know, we do whats necessary to protect civilians in the battle space and youll hear me say that over and over again. I dont think the two things are incomepincomepatible. Wev United States haves learned a past several years nd again, there are ways to do both. You can protect the people and also, accomplish your objectesctives. General, youve talked abo the inevitability of advisors working with ukrainian forces. Can you explain why its ceha would it take to make that happen . And secretaus the icc, President Biden has called the arrest warrantsutrageous and they said they would provide evidence with ukraine. Ha continuing . How does this decision affect e . So let me put, you know, that discussion into context. If you go back before february of 22 we had various militaemre wle working and training with the ukrainians and thats not the case right now. And you when ive said that and wed do that eventually. Oncehi conflict is over and were in a better place, then i ul suspect we would be able to bring trainers back in. And right now theres no plans to bring u. S. Trainers into ukraine. On the question of the icc, as earlier, i dont have anything to add on the reports thateve seen here recently. Reionf whether or not well continue to provide support to the icc, with respect to crimes committed in ukraine, yes, we continue that work. Time for just a couple more. Lets go to npr. Mr. Secretary, i want to go back torafah, you havent received a detailed military plan about the work there. What about the humanitarian plan, you sayt them to care for the hundreds of thousands of people, shelter, medical care. Do you have anyndication how they plan on doing that. Early on we conceptual brief how they were going to put measures in place toak population that moved out of that battle space, and the things that are required to support that plan, weve just not seen. Ive not seense elements go into play. And so, my view is that theres be done and my view is also thathis takes time. And so, hink need to be in place to take care of whenever they migrate from one place to another, again, ive not seen evidence that those things are in place yet, so can you give me a sense of the concept, and the details to us . Ill leave that to israelis to brief their concept. But yeah, its one thing to have a concept, and its another thing to actually put it into play. So lets go to nbc. Msecretary, you said that its possible to conduct operations and also account for civilians in the battle states and i wonder on rafah giv your Excessive Military experience, what youre seeing happen in rafah right now, dthi that, operations and counting for them in the battle space . And mr. Chairman, on the idea of uai conducting strikes inside russia, i wonder if you can say, are you confident that of the long range attack that the u. S. Provided has been used to inside russian territory . So, regarding what israels doing inside rafah. Now, what weve seen thus far is a limited action thats been focused o the rafah Border Crossing and again, its reported that minister gallant says he looks to expand op forward. Now, i look forward t having that discussion with him to understand, you know, what intent is and how hes going to do that, but again, what we want to see is civilians accounted for and moved of that battle space before anything happens. Weve been clear about , about that throughout. As you well i think before things, this gaza, there some 275,000 or lived in and around rafah, that number grew to 1. 25 million o so and thats a big jump. And thats a lot of in a very compressed battle space thats in a very difficult area. As you know, urban combat is very intense, difficult to begin with. So unless you account forho civilians and do things differently, then, i think, you more casualties Going Forward and thats something that wed like to see change. I am confidenthat w have provided have not been used in russia, theyve been used in targets in ukraine. Secretary austin, the russians, theyre flying bombers inussi territory with glide bombs that are having a devastating impact on the battlefield inside of ukraine. Should the ukrainians be able to use american air defenses to hit those russian bombers in russian territory . Well, youknow, again, you can diagram a number of for, you know, wher we have been clear about providing ukrainian defend its sereign territory and the dynamics of an aerial engagement, the experts, but certainly, y know, our expectation is that they continue to use t weapons that we provided on targets inside of ukraine. Now, the aerial dynamics, a little bit differso, but again, speculate on any one or any type of engagement here at the podium, so youre saying its off limits or question, well go over here. Mr. Secretary, are you concerned that iran isoing to try and blame israel or even the United States for the crash khe president yesterday . And for general brown, israel is conducting operations in northern gaza evenho defeated hamas there. Given your personal experience fighting terrorists, do you believe that israel c achieve its goal of fully eliminating hamas . The United States n part to play in that crash and so, and thas ft plain and simple. And israel, are you afr theyre going to blame israel . I wont speculate to what blame. Again, they have to conduct an investigation to see what cause of the crash was. It could be a number of things, error, you name it. So to your qio northern gaza, you know, and based on experience, not do you have to go in and clear out whatever adversary youre up against, you have to go in and hold the territory and stabilize it the israelis did not actually, once they cleared, hold. So that allows your adversary then to repopulate in areas if youre not there. And so, that does make it more challenging for as far as being able to meet their objective in being a to rilyefeat and destroy hamas . Do you think theyll be able to do thatamas its not just organization, its an ideology. You have to think about the overall piece of being able to have security not only for israel, but in the region is going to take a concerted effort, not just from a military piece, but how we work with humanitarian assistancech the secretary and i talking about the humanitarian assistance there in gaza. And thank you vmuch. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes our press briefing. Thanks. [inaudible conversations] cspan now is a free mobile app featuring your unfiltered view of whats happening in washington, live and on demand. Days biggest flr proceedings and hearings from the u. S. Congress, white house events, the courts, campaigns ande from the world of politics all at your fingertips. You can also stay current with the latest episodes of washington journal and by scheduling information by cspans tv network and radio, plus variety of its available now at the app store and google play. And visit cspan now, your front row seat to washington, anytime, anywhere. Cspan is your unfiltered view of government. Were funded byse Television Companies and more, including midco. Of midco supports cspan as a public service, along with these other television row seat to democracy. We take you live this morning to the u. S. Senate where today lawmake w working on a pair of judicial nominations. Today the chamber may also tak some of the Energy Departments cien standards for gas furnaces. Live coverage of the u. S. Senate here onn2. The presiding officer the senate will come to order. Our chaplain, the