00:00Mr. Secretary, there were reports earlier this week that you and the President were unaware that the Pentagon had made a decision to at least temporarily halt the arms shipments to Ukraine.
00:10What's your take on that decision by the Pentagon, and what is your general take?
00:15Well, I think that decision has been, yeah, that decision, unfortunately, was mischaracterized.
00:18It was a pause-pending review on a handful of specific type munitions.
00:23That, frankly, is something that is logical that you would do, especially after an extended engagement that we saw both in defense of Israel and in defense of our own bases.
00:32And so it was a very limited review of certain types of munitions to ensure that we had sufficient stockpiles.
00:40And it's typical when you do these reviews that there's a short-term pause because if, in fact, the review comes back that you have a shortage, you can't pull it back once it's been sent.
00:49But generally speaking, aid to Ukraine continues along the schedule that Congress appropriated.
00:55Which types were caused?
00:57Huh?
00:57Which types of weapons were caused?
00:59Largely defensive in nature.
01:01Some were offensive.
01:02But, again, the ones that were expended in recent conflicts in the Middle East.
01:05And, again, not because there is a shortage, but because it's prudent to look at it and say, okay, do we have enough of these in our stockpiles for all of our obligations around the world,
01:13both in defense of our bases in the Middle East, but also our obligations to our Indo-Pacific partners and any other contingencies that might arise.
01:21But in the end, I would say that the overwhelming majority of military aid that the United States provides Ukraine has never been paused and continues along the same schedules that it's been.
01:31I think there's a broader issue unrelated to the pause, and that involves the defense productive capabilities of the West, not just us, but of Europe.
01:38As an example, one of the things that the Ukrainians need is more Patriot batteries.
01:43There are Patriot batteries available in multiple countries in Europe, yet no one wants to part with them.
01:48So I hope that will change.
01:49If, in fact, Ukraine is the priority that so many countries in Europe say it is, they should be willing to share batteries that right now they don't have a need to use.
01:59So hopefully we'll be able to convince some of our NATO partners to provide those Patriot batteries to Ukraine, because there are a number of countries that have them, but no one wants to part with what they have.
