MINISTER GABRIELIUS LANDSBERGIS: (by means of translator): Colleagues, Mr. Secretary, it’s a very joyful day. We’re very happy to welcome the U.S. Secretary of Protection right here in Vilnius, Lithuanian. We most likely would not discover a extra essential day than this that was chosen for the Secretary’s visits. We face an unprecedented scenario the place Russia has constructed — has mobilized greater than 130,000 troops close to the Ukrainian border and in Belarus.
And this example is a direct menace — direct navy menace to Ukraine. Nevertheless it additionally poses a menace to your entire area. Russia is able to rewrite the European safety structure; the structure which was primarily based on agreements, on treaties and on diplomacy.
Russia is displaying that it’s selecting the way in which that’s primarily based on power. And this solution to nations comparable to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia is particularly harmful one as a result of our safety is dependent upon conserving our agreements.
Subsequently at present we have to ship a really clear and an unambiguous sign to Russia and say that rewriting Europe’s safety structure is not going to go unnoticed by NATO. And the rewritten safety order might be confronted by a really clear and powerful response. That response might be given to Russia by means of sanctions. Response might be given to Ukraine within the type of help.
And we additionally mentioned at present that the Baltic nations are additionally anticipating a response. We anticipate stronger help and extra capabilities to guard the three Baltic nations.
And on the finish I can say that we should always go away an area on the desk of diplomacy to those that wish to be at that desk. However we should always — but when that seat on the desk stays empty, we have to state clearly that we’re able to defend ourselves. Thanks.
STAFF: Secretary Austin, the ground is yours.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Nicely good afternoon, everybody. Minister Landsbergis, I wish to thanks for internet hosting me at present and please go alongside my finest needs to Minister Anušauskas and my regrets that he could not be part of us at present. And I hope — I want him a speedy restoration.
I am very pleased to be in Vilnius on my first journey to this area as Secretary of Protection. And I am glad that our colleagues from Estonia and Latvia will be capable to be part of us a bit later as properly.
For months now, Russia has been increase its navy forces in and round Ukraine, together with in Belarus. They’re uncoiling and now poised to strike. And that is precisely why I am right here at present. I need everybody in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia to know and I need President Putin and the Kremlin to know that the USA of America stands with our allies.
As I made clear in Brussels this week, we take our obligations to NATO and to our allies critically. Our dedicated to Article V is ironclad. We’ve despatched further U.S. forces eastward to bolster NATO allies and we have now 1000’s on-call able to deploy if NATO prompts its response forces.
And we’re grateful to Lithuania for internet hosting a number of hundred U.S. troops right here, a posture that I imagine is essential. Collectively we’re bettering our mixed readiness and including NATO’s deterrence and protection capabilities. We’re additionally devoted to working with our companions within the Ukrainian armed forces to additional strengthen their protection capabilities. And for years, we have been working intently with Lithuania and different allies and companions to help Ukrainian protection reform and to boost Ukraine’s potential to defend itself.
I am happy that different nations have stepped as much as help Ukraine now in its time of want, not solely Lithuania but in addition Estonia and Latvia and Poland have demonstrated management by offering anti-air and anti-armor capabilities to Ukraine. Your actions converse volumes.
Fairly than sowing division amongst allies, which we all know Mr. Putin wish to see, NATO has shored up its protection and deterrence posture. Russia’s actions have solely additional united the alliance. Mr. Putin says he would not wish to see a robust NATO on his western flank. And as I’ve mentioned earlier than, that’s precisely what he is getting.
However battle just isn’t inevitable. Mr. Putin can select a special path. And the USA, in lockstep with our allies and accomplice — companions have provided him a possibility to pursue a diplomatic resolution. We hope that he takes it. We hope that he steps again from the brink of battle and we hope that he deescalates.
It doesn’t matter what, the USA will stand with our allies and companions. And collectively, we are going to work to beat any problem to European peace and stability. Thanks and now we’ll take a few questions.
STAFF (by means of translator): Thanks, U.S. secretary. We’ll now have time for questions and this press — press convention, we’ll have 4 questions. Two might be requested by the Lithuanian media and two by the U.S. media. So that you at the moment are welcome to ask your questions. When you’re given the microphone, please introduce your self, point out the media you are representing and please inform us who you’re addressing your query to.
Q: Thanks. Good afternoon my identify is Saulius Jakučionis, and I work in Baltic News Service…News Company. I’ve a query for protection secretary concerning the information I’ve heard on doable further American capabilities right here. Lithuanian President Nauseda met with Vice President Harris in Munich and mentioned that U.S. is contemplating to bolster Baltic states and that he expects a call quickly.
After the assembly with you at present, he mentioned he expects a U.S. everlasting rotational battalion on Lithuanian soil. So Minister Landsbergis simply mentioned that he expects further capabilities as properly, so my query actually is did you make the choice but? And how much reinforcement will Lithuania will get and when? And query for Minister — Minister Landsbergis might be do you suppose that warfare in Ukraine is inevitable? Thanks.
SEC. AUSTIN: Nicely, thanks in your query. As I mentioned, we’re very grateful for Lithuania’s super hospitality in internet hosting the lots of of troops that we have now at the moment working right here and coaching right here. I haven’t got any — any bulletins to make at present by way of troop presence. However as I mentioned, I have been saying all lengthy, we are going to proceed to evaluate conditions and seek the advice of with our allies. And because the safety atmosphere evolves we’ll seek the advice of with our allies and make any vital changes. However, once more, no bulletins to make at present.
MIN. LANDSBERGIS: I’ll reply in English. The warfare is all the time avoidable. Nevertheless it’s as much as Russia now and Mr. Putin to determine which path he desires to decide on. Upon the intelligence that we have now, that was shared with us and primarily based on the already public bulletins by a number of political leaders throughout the globe it’s clear that Russia has all of the capability that it wants in an effort to wage full-scale warfare in opposition to Ukraine.
So to reply your query, they’re prepared however they’ll return.
STAFF: Thanks, subsequent query please.
Q: I believe that President Biden mentioned final night time that he believed that Putin had decided to invade Ukraine. You simply mentioned that you just thought Putin was uncoiling and was poised to strike. However you additionally voiced hope that he won’t undergo with it. Is not there a contradiction there? And likewise in the event you do imagine he poised to strike are you able to give us and perception to whenever you suppose that is going to occur? We had been in a day or two away?
And to the Minister, you known as for U.S. troops to strengthen the Baltic defenses. What number of do you suppose are required? What sorts of capabilities ought to they’ve and may they be everlasting? And on the broader level, how would a Russian invasion of Ukraine change the calculus, the safety assumptions within the Baltic states?
SEC. AUSTIN: Initially by way of — thanks for the questions, Phil, however by way of timing we mentioned all alongside that he has the potential within the space to maneuver any time that he chooses. Now I agree with President Biden that he has made his determination. And in the event you simply have a look at what we’re taking a look at within the area, important fight forces ahead. These forces at the moment are starting to uncoil and transfer nearer to the border.
And that facilitates their onward motion. And the kind of forces, not solely fight forces however logistics, fight aviation, area hospitals. All these issues are within the command and controls modes. All these issues are within the space and so having accomplished this earlier than, I can let you know that that is precisely what you could assault and the stance that you could be in to assault.
Now whether or not or not that is in opposition to us persevering with to attempt to pursue a diplomatic resolution, I do not suppose so. And, Phil, I’d level to you that again in 1994 we had been poised to conduct an operation into Haiti and Lieutenant Colonel Austin was truly in an airplane with the 82nd Airborne Division with a parachute on his again about prepared to leap in and we had been airborne. And by some means en-route a diplomatic resolution was reached and — and we turned that — that operation round.
So I imagine that we should always proceed to attempt up till the final minute, till it is now not doable. However I believe — I believe in the event you have a look at the stance that he’s in at present, it is obvious that he has decided and that they are — they’re — they’re transferring into the fitting positions to have the ability to conduct an — an assault.
MIN. LANDSBERGIS: Nicely, I discussed that in my preliminary remarks that what we’re seeing is not only yet one more Russian doable act of aggressions of the like that we have seen since 2008 after which later in 2014, nevertheless it’s truly the rewriting of the European safety order. Subsequently, our response can also be not simply what is occurring on the Ukrainian border, however how the area is beginning to look, and it is already very completely different.
The troop buildup in Belarus, it is instantly threatening to the entire area, to the nations — the Baltic nations, to Poland. And subsequently we have now to be very — very critical not simply concerning the deterrence but in addition concerning the doable — chance of protection. And we have now to indicate that we’re prepared in case Russia builds on its supposed successes. And we’re able to defend Baltic states and Poland and different nations within the area.
Whereas the numbers are a tactical situation, and I believe that after the 2014 when Ukraine was first attacked, the Baltic area was bolstered with — Lithuania was bolstered with further U.S. troops, German troops, different Baltic nations with different allies. And I believe we’re already at — on the level the place we have now to inform that adversary that we’re reinforcing Baltic nations, that that is already a response, that that is already taking place, that there’s a response to what — what he began, to what Russia began.
STAFF: Thanks for the query. Third query.
Q: Thanks for this chance. It’s Vaidas Saldžiūnas, I’m from Delfi. Only a follow-up on the reinforcement questions, and like what the president mentioned about Russian intention — intentions to escalate in the direction of warfare in Ukraine, and what the Russians made clear, their solutions to the USA, that principally they respect the U.S. opinion most of all, not NATO however the U.S. opinion, they do not need U.S. forces right here within the area for the Lithuania.
Simply questioning the place does U.S. stand right here? Will you help Lithuanian expectations to see not simply reinforcements, however additional presence in Lithuania by Poland, particularly given what’s talked about concerning the Belarusian issue with the Russian power posture there with the 30,000 troops inside 100 clicks from right here, at Lida Airport, had been they deploying helicopters there yesterday?
Or would you simply be content material with help items like NATO’s EFP group is doing in Lithuania and different Baltic nations sending air protection artillery, et cetera, simply to allow your armored protection battalion primarily based in Lithuania to function extra successfully?
And second query, if I could make clear one factor, that each Russia and the USA appear to be no less than keen to speak about and perhaps to agree upon arms management, particularly, the INF vary missiles deploying to Europe. Now U.S., NATO have formally indicated that these missiles could be deployed to Europe. Might you give us readability? Is that also the plan? To maneuver standard INF vary missiles clearly to Europe if Russia strikes ahead with their plans in opposition to Ukraine or is that also on the negotiating desk? And if that’s the case, what makes you belief Russia is that they violated the INF Treaty within the first place?
SEC. AUSTIN: So simply to recap right here, the primary query is whether or not or not we’ll — we’ll place forces right here on a everlasting foundation, if we’re contemplating that due to the sign that that sends to Russia.
And the second query, as I heard you, was whether or not or not we’re — we intend to revisit INF points if Russia assaults?
On the primary situation, once more I haven’t got any bulletins to make at present by way of everlasting basing of forces. These had been issues that we proceed to evaluate. I wish to go away you with two issues on this situation. Primary we think about Lithuania to be an extremely essential accomplice. Quantity two, we’re completely dedicated to Article V. And so any assault in opposition to Lithuanian is an assault in opposition to us all.
And so that you and your countrymen ought to relaxation assured that our President is completely critical about his statements right here.
And the second — concerning the second query by way of whether or not or not we might entertain any modifications to positioning of nuclear forces, I do not wish to get entangled with any hypotheticals. However once more if and when he assaults and I believe us and all of our allies, all of our NATO allies and the remainder of our European companions within the area actually must sort of check out what the strategic set now seems like and what’s vital to make sure that we’re in a position to deter however most significantly defend NATO nations ought to one thing occur.
So, once more, these are very, as , very complicated issues. Definitely issues that we might not entertain in a vacuum, issues that we might seek the advice of with our allies and companions on, however I will not — I will not deal with any hypotheticals at present.
STAFF: (by means of translator): The ultimate, fourth query, please.
Q: Thanks, each, for doing this. Mr. Secretary, the President mentioned he believes that Russia will goal Kiev. So have you ever ordered U.S. troops to assist the U.S. diplomatic presence transfer to Lviv or elsewhere? After which can I get your response to Russia’s nuclear drills they’re having at present?
After which additionally, Mr. Minister, you mentioned one thing concerning the Baltic nations anticipating a response. Are you able to elaborate what response from Russia are you anticipating as you have a look at what is going on on in Belarus and in and round Ukraine?
After which particularly whenever you discuss reinforcements, what navy functionality do you most want?
SEC. AUSTIN: Thanks, Carla. On the primary query concerning safety of U.S. residents in Kiev; primary the President has been clear about that indisputable fact that we do not — he doesn’t intend to introduce U.S. forces into Ukraine. On the second query — again on that query, Secretary of State Blinken has been very emphatic, most lately right here, warning Americans that now’s the time to go away, and we — and we’ll proceed to try this. And we hope that Americans will take heed.
On the second query concerning the strategic forces train that we’re at the moment seeing, the regarding situation is that Putin now has 150,000 or so forces deployed within the border area of Ukraine and forces in Belarus as properly. This has created a whole lot of stress that we’re making an attempt to resolve by means of diplomacy and we’re — we’re asking him to deescalate.
However the administration of these forces and the — and — and, , the prevention of — of unintended occasions occurring is — is troublesome when you’ve got that many forces which are sort of leaning ahead. Once you layer on high of {that a} very refined train with strategic nuclear forces, that makes issues sophisticated to a level that you might have an accident or a mistake that might be made.
And so it might make sense to attempt to separate these two occasions, if in any respect doable. However that does create concern not solely with me however with all of my colleagues across the globe, so we’ll see what occurs right here.
Q: Can I comply with up with, with when the president mentioned that he thinks that he thinks that Kiev might be attacked. Is it protected to maintain U.S. diplomats there? Is it protected to delay transferring them out?
SEC. AUSTIN: Nicely, we all the time do an evaluation of — of the scenario. We all the time have plans to — if it — if the indications and warning are such that, , we have to transfer individuals to, , in another country from that location, then we’ll try this. And I can assure that our diplomats, our navy personnel have drilled this very, very onerous.
And so primarily based upon the nice info that our intel neighborhood is offering us, we imagine that we’ll be capable to make — we’ll be capable to see these indications and warning and take motion.
STAFF: Thanks all for the questions.
MIN. LANDSBERGIS: I’ve — I’ve mentioned in my preliminary remarks that we’re — what we’re seeing is that one of many motives behind Putin’s actions at the moment might be his — what he would see as successes from the earlier incursions in 2014 and 2008. That implies that in his calculations, it’s a chance that the western response was too — too gradual and too — too small for him to be stopped.
That is — that implies that he is constructing on his earlier successes. And if he would imagine that his present exercise can also be profitable, then — in the event you ask your self a query then who’s subsequent, who’s — who might be the subsequent goal? And this is the reason you see so many anxious individuals in — in right here and in Lithuania as a result of that is a pure development.
Subsequently, , after we’re saying that to battle for Ukraine, it is a battle for Europe. If he isn’t stopped there, he’ll go additional. And — so, we can’t let Putin have this success. Ukraine must be helped. And I am — I am grateful that with the U.S. administrations help, we’re doing our half in right here in Lithuania and different Baltic states. We rely ourselves for instance of what must be accomplished and we hope that different nations would comply with this instance.
However so as to add to that, we have to be sure that he sees that his actions are making a response within the Baltic area as properly. And we’re bolstered, we’re strengthened, and we don’t permit him to even take into consideration wanting this — at this route. If we’re speaking about — about specifics, we had a dialog. We shared some concepts about which sectors might be bolstered essentially the most. However more often than not we’re speaking about everlasting troop presence, everlasting U.S. troop presence, right here in — within the territory of Lithuania. Thanks.
STAFF (by means of translator): Thanks very a lot. Thanks everybody for the questions. Thanks. The press convention is over.
