STAFF: So good afternoon. Good afternoon. Madam Minister, Mr. Secretary, women and gents, I wish to welcome you to in the present day’s press convention of the minister of protection of the Czech Republic, Jana Cernochova, and the secretary of protection of the USA of America, Lloyd James Austin.
First, Madam Minister and Mr. Secretary will summarize their negotiations, after which we are going to take 4 questions.
And now let me hand over to Madam Minister.
CZECH MINISTER OF DEFENSE JANA CERNOCHOVA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): So Secretary Austin, women and gents, I wish to thank Secretary Austin very warmly for accepting my invitation to return to Prague, to the Czech Republic, and that he visited on the Ministry of Protection, and that we had a possibility earlier in the present day to go to what is among the most memorable locations of our nation, and that’s the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius, the place we pay respect to the reminiscence of our courageous troopers.
America is our most necessary ally, they usually present a cornerstone of our collective protection in NATO, in addition to they underpin the present effort of the state of affairs in Europe. The huge help that the USA has been offering to Ukraine proves but once more that America is an indispensable chief of the free world, and I wish to thank sincerely to Secretary Austin and to residents of the USA of America for his or her persevering with willingness of — to defend free world and to defend Europe.
The Czech Republic stands able to help the U.S. on this effort, and we’re growing our protection funding and speed up the event of our army capabilities, together with key armaments tasks. And our purpose is to extend the Czech-American protection cooperation to a degree greater than ever earlier than, and we wish to search particular tasks. To that impact, we’re negotiating a bilateral protection cooperation settlement, which we’ve got already began throughout my go to, throughout — in Washington, D.C., and to offer for sensible cooperation between our Armed Forces.
In the present day, with Secretary Austin and I’ve reconfirmed that each side see this settlement as actually necessary, and that it is going to be quickly, and the Czech Republic is among the prime 5 army suppliers to Ukraine, and it’s due to this fact logical that we touched on this subject very strongly, together with as a result of the — the discussions we had yesterday in Ramstein. We mentioned the choices and methods forward for our nations, for us to, once more, keep united and handle to defeat the aggressor, and for Ukraine on this battle as a result of it’s utterly unprecedented as a result of they had been attacked by Russia, for Ukraine to be victorious.
The Czech Republic considerably contributes to the protection of NATO’s jap flank, and amongst different issues, we lead the NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Slovakia, the place American service personnel are deployed, alongside ours, and we have to have a contemporary, well-equipped army, and I’m very glad to — to have the USA on our facet for the potential improvement.
In conclusion of our assembly, I thanked, once more, Secretary Austin for the donation of eight items of the Venom and Viper helicopters, and at what we mentioned throughout my go to in Washington, D.C. that Secretary Austin saved his promise what — on what we outlined again then, and we’re very grateful on behalf of the federal government of the Czech Republic that we’ll have in whole 20 items of U.S. helicopters that can strongly reinforce our protection posture.
Thanks, Secretary Austin. Secretary Austin, you’ve the ground.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Nicely, good morning, everybody. Minister Cernochova, thanks for internet hosting us right here in Prague.
That is my first go to to the Czech Republic as secretary of protection, and it has been a really productive one. I believed it was particularly necessary to be right here at this crucial time for European safety, and I am honored to be right here whereas the Czech Republic holds the European — European Union presidency.
I believe that lots of you’re monitoring that the Czech Republic will host NATO Days in Ostrava subsequent week, and that is going to be an necessary alternative to bolster the Czech Republic’s robust dedication to alliance interoperability.
I am right here in the present day as a result of the Czech Republic is an important NATO ally, and as you have usually heard me say, the USA stays steadfast in our dedication to the protection and freedom and sovereignty of our allies. And that is particularly necessary as Russia continues its merciless and unprovoked battle of selection in opposition to Ukraine. The Ukrainian persons are combating heroically to defend themselves from Russian aggression, and they’re rightly demanding to stay in freedom and to form their very own future, to not have it’s dictated by Russia.
Now, the minister and I noticed one another yesterday at Ramstein Air Base for the newest Ukraine Protection Contact Group session. We’re all decided to assist Ukraine defend itself for the lengthy haul, and nations for — of goodwill from around the globe are standing united in help of Ukraine’s proper to defend, its residents and its territory.
On the Madrid Summit in June, NATO leaders, together with President Biden, acknowledged that Russian aggression is probably the most vital and direct menace to the safety of our allies, and to — and to peace and stability in Europe. So in the present day, the minister and I had a highly-productive dialogue on strengthening our collective protection in response to Russia’s reckless aggression. We additionally mentioned our bilateral protection cooperation, in addition to the Czech Republic’s protection modernization work to reinforce its interoperability with its NATO allies, and I applaud the Czech Republic’s dedication to extend its protection investments and to develop its capabilities.
On the identical time, NATO is — NATO is strengthening its ahead defenses and enhancing its battlegroups within the jap a part of the alliance as much as brigade degree, and the Czech Republic is taking part in a number one position in that. As you heard the minister say, the Czech Republic is a framework nation for the brand new NATO battlegroup in Slovakia, and the Czech Republic can also be contributing to NATO missions in Latvia and Lithuania, in addition to conducting NATO air policing.
Now, I wish to be clear that NATO doesn’t search confrontation with Russia or pose any menace to Russia. However our defensive alliance, because it at all times has, will defend each inch of NATO territory.
And Madam Minister, we each stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian folks and their democratically-elected authorities.
So we are going to proceed to work collectively to offer Ukraine with the army gear that it must defend itself, and we’ll proceed to face robust with our NATO allies, and we’ll proceed to stain — stand in opposition to Russia’s assault on democracy, sovereignty and the rules-based worldwide order.
So thanks, and I look ahead to taking a few questions.
STAFF: (UNTRANSLATED) Thanks very a lot, Secretary Austin, and let me ask Czech TV.
Q: (inaudible) alternative. Mr. Secretary, simply yesterday, your colleague from the American authorities, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, introduced further assist to Ukraine in quantity of $2 billion. First billion goes on to Ukraine. The second is for 18 European international locations, together with the Czech Republic. Are you able to specify what this assist incorporates in relations to the Czech Republic? Thanks very a lot.
QUESTION (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I’ll ask the Czech minister for the response, as nicely.
SEC. AUSTIN: (inaudible) the Division of State will make the bulletins within the close to future on how these will likely be directed. However I believe what this – what’s necessary about this announcement, it – it encourages further funding in modernization in – which will increase interoperability. We’re delighted to see this, and definitely I do know the international locations that obtain that help will make investments properly so we look ahead to working with them.
MIN. CERNOCHOVA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Sure, additionally on behalf of — of the Czech Republic, I — we welcome this choice, and the Czech Republic stands prepared, together with by the technique of its enterprises and personal companies to be concerned in steady provides of army materiel to Ukraine, and likewise to help with renovation and reconstruction in a postwar effort. We additionally stand prepared to participate within the upkeep and sustainment of the gear that’s being forwarded to Ukraine.
STAFF: Ellie Kaufman, CNN?
Q: Mr. Secretary, yesterday on the Ukraine Protection Contact Group, you stated the main target of the assembly was making ready Ukraine for long-term safety in opposition to Russia. What’s the endpoint of this battle, in your thoughts? What is the best-case situation for Ukraine by the tip of the 12 months and by the tip of 2023?
SEC. AUSTIN: Nicely, I — it is — it is at all times harmful to make predictions about — a couple of — a battle or battle, and so I believe, once more, our purpose is to help Ukraine and assist it defend its sovereign territory.
And by way of defining — defining last states or outcomes, we all know that the Ukrainian management could have the strongest voice in — in that respect. And — and so our — once more, our purpose is to proceed to help them as they — as they proceed to work exhausting to defend their sovereign territory. And we — we have all been impressed by what we have seen: their — their willingness to face as much as a a lot bigger, a lot stronger power and be efficient of their efforts. So we have been impressed by their braveness and their dedication, and — and I believe, you recognize, popping out of the Ukraine Protection Contact Group assembly yesterday, I believe we had been — we proceed to be impressed by — by what we see from the worldwide group by way of a willingness to help Ukraine.
You’ve got heard President Biden say and you’ve got heard me say numerous instances that we will help Ukraine for so long as it takes, and — and I clearly get that — that — that very same robust sentiment from the members of the Ukraine Protection Contact Group. And as you recognize — you had been there yesterday — there have been some 50 members in that group, so that is — that is greater than NATO. That is a global effort to help Ukraine.
So we won’t actually predict how lengthy issues are going to final or what the end result goes to be. We are able to solely do what we have finished to date in persevering with to help Ukraine in order that it might have the strongest hand on the battlefield, and if it — when it goes to negotiations, have the strongest hand on the negotiating desk. Okay.
MIN. CERNOCHOVA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Let me simply add to what Secretary Austin simply stated, that on behalf of the international locations forming the highest 10, the — which embrace the Czech Republic, I can promise on our behalf that we’ll proceed to help Ukraine militarily, in addition to in any other case, and from the — yesterday you fence — Ukraine Protection Contact Group assembly, we — I’ve the impression of a robust unity greater than ever earlier than.
STAFF: Televize Prima?
Q: (inaudible) We would see the intensification of relations between the USA and the Czech Republic, so these bilateral visits are going to be extra regularly? And the second query: How far is DCA? Thanks very a lot.
SEC. AUSTIN: What was the second a part of that query?
Q: How far is the Protection Cooperation Settlement?
SEC. AUSTIN: How far alongside is it? Okay.
Q: (inaudible)
SEC. AUSTIN: So we have had an preliminary assembly on the Protection Cooperation Settlement, and we are going to — and we’ve got — conduct our second assembly in a while this month, twenty first or the twenty third. And you’ve got heard the — the minister say that — that we’re each enthusiastic about concluding that settlement as rapidly as potential as a result of it should facilitate our — our capacity to function collectively, and these are the sorts of agreements that we usually negotiate with — with our NATO allies. So once more, it will increase interoperability. It — it facilitates our capacity to — to get issues finished faster, and I believe it is — it is a — it should present profit for each of us.
When it comes to our relationship, you recognize, my purpose, my private purpose is to guarantee that – is to guarantee that we take this very robust bilateral relationship and work on daily basis to make it even stronger. And you recognize, I’ve been totally impressed by what I’ve seen from the Czech Republic’s army and its management by way of having the ability to get issues finished and having the ability to contribute not simply to — to the Ukraine piece, however to — to numerous points and operations across the globe, so —
MIN. CERNOCHOVA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Our purpose — our purpose is similar, and I can say on behalf of the Czech Republic that my colleagues from the MOD and the Czech Armed Forces have already taken half within the conferences that transfer the DCA settlement ahead, and we concurred with Secretary Austin that we’ll do our greatest to carry the DCA to conclusion as quickly as potential. And I’ll recognize if Secretary Austin may go to the Czech Republic subsequent time so maybe that we will signal the settlement in Prague or in Washington, D.C. to have one other alternative to maneuver our cooperation ahead, as a result of we see each other on common foundation in NATO protection ministerial conferences, and we’re additionally within the Ramstein Ukraine Protection Contact Group, so we’ve got a wonderful cooperation, and I extremely recognize that. And I wish to thank very a lot to Secretary Austin for his open angle to the Czech Republic.
SEC. AUSTIN: (inaudible) again to — to Prague to signal the settlement. I settle for.
(Laughter.)
Thanks, Madam Minister.
MIN. CERNOCHOVA: Thanks, too.
STAFF: Thanks, and the final — the final query.
Q: Whats up, Mr. Secretary, Mrs. Secretary (sic). Thanks a lot for being right here. So over the past couple of days, we have heard from you and we heard from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Common Milley, on how successfully and responsibly Ukraine is utilizing Western-supplied weapons, notably HIMARS. Provided that and — and all the things you have stated in the present day in regards to the necessity of these and their effectiveness, why is there nonetheless reluctance to provide Ukraine longer-range rockets like ATACMS that they’ve stated they’d want as a part of their counteroffensive?
And for Minister Cernochova, your authorities has been a really steady supporter of Ukraine. There have been protests over the past couple of days difficult that help and there’s a presidential election approaching. How assured are you that the federal government of the Czech Republic will be capable to proceed a coverage of help of Ukraine by way of 2023 and past? Thanks.
SEC. AUSTIN: Hey, Pat, thanks in your query. As you have heard me say on numerous events, you recognize, I’m in fixed communication with Minister Reznikov, the Minister of Protection, about how the combat goes, in regards to the assets that they should — to achieve success of their efforts, and — and that communication and issues just like the Ukraine Protection Contact Group conferences, which you attended yesterday, have enabled us to essentially pace numerous functionality to the Ukrainians in a really quick time period, and that functionality has — has been efficient.
And to the purpose that you simply simply made, the HIMARS, utilizing the GMLRS rockets, have been extraordinary by way of enabling the Ukrainians to — to service the targets that they should service inside Ukraine. And they also’ve used these munitions and issues like HARM missiles to start to form the battle area in such a way that they’re altering the — the dynamics on the battlefield.
So we see success in — in Kherson now, we see some success in — in Kharkiv, and — and in order that’s very, very encouraging. But it surely’s not nearly one specific weapon or weapons system, Pat, it is about the way you combine these methods and the way you combine the efforts of — of assorted components within the stock to create results that present benefit to the Ukrainians. And we’re starting to see that.
And — and so I believe — I believe they’ve — they’ve nice functionality, they’re utilizing it — the appropriate approach, and we’ll keep engaged and guarantee that we’re giving them what they — what they have to be profitable. Thanks.
MIN. CERNOCHOVA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Definitely, from the — from the protest demonstration that took half at a spot on Saturday, the lesson realized for the Czech authorities is that we have to have a greater communication in regards to the power disaster, to clarify to the folks what has occurred, that Putin — Putin attacked Ukraine, and that’s how his — how he mitigates the international locations regarding the discontinuation of gasoline provides and the expansion of power costs. This can be a homework for the Czech authorities, to enhance communication.
Now we have no adjustments in anyway within the international coverage of our nation, and from this place, I wish to thank to — the President, whom we are going to go to with Secretary Austin in a while, that his international coverage on the — Putin’s aggression of Ukraine is totally equivalent to the coverage exercised by our authorities, that he condemned the aggression, and because the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the President had — expressed a full help of the federal government of the Czech Republic and he helps the coverage that we train on Ukraine.
And I wish to use this assertion of — by the — by the Czech President, that “there are not any negotiations of a terrorist, there’s solely combating by the terrorists,” unquote. So that is — we’ve got a pro-NATO and robust coverage and it’ll proceed that approach.
And after the change of the President and there will likely be presidential elections coming, I do not anticipate any adjustments, any candidates having likelihood of changing into the President of the Czech Republic. And the query of NATO membership, membership within the European Union, have the identical — mainly the identical positions and I do not assume anyone should be afraid of change — us altering the course.
STAFF: Nicely, I am afraid that is what we’ve got time for. So thanks, Madam Minister, thanks, Mr. Secretary.
