and the actual decisions from ukraine joining the nato. it might take some time. it would require additional efforts on interoperability. um, so a timing on the security situation ending the war and etc. throughout this period, we have to start in vice thing is in our defense and learning the lessons from the war and preventing brush up from having a hunger with the poor to or without him. to give the answer to the question that any aggression is possible. that's why security guarantees are the major instrument at this stage. it is possible we have a trust horse who reliable strong partners who have been supporting your bread militarily. and this supports should be on the strategic basis. and this should be a signal also for the defense industries to be able to adjust their production based on this security guarantees. because the worst so last time. but our security guarantees um from, from nato and natal partners even worth having even, it's not,

it's a ton of collective or an individual basis. i mean, because you've had assurances before, i'm thinking back, you know, 19942008. and it appears to have meant nothing, as well as there's been a declaration, but not the guarantees at so and the declaration is not something that is needed because it would have plenty of them already of the various, uh, the various stages. but security guarantees is again about transforming ukraine defense capacity, sustainable and most of military supports for a long period of time based on the, on the target south strengthening you frames, air defense, land forces, and all the elements of that. and mess of a mess of engagement um through military defense supports, but also an immediate political response in case of another act of aggression based on the lessons we've already learned from this war

earlier this year. and i'd like to turn now to ukraine's you emissions as well. um, earlier this year, the prime minister said that he had set what he called an ambitious goal of ukraine, joining the e u in 2 years. is it fair for ukraine and the ukrainian prime ministers who expect the you to grant membership that quickly to uh, well, uh, uh, uh, what you meant by the, by this message is by to we will be ready for that as a country. so we're taking it as a homework of restructuring or reorienting our way of life on our operation based on the emissions on becoming a member of the u. r. a fully fleshed parts of the single market, the contribution to the single market and the your economy. so that would require a mess of legal and regulatory adjustment. so to our understanding and our plan and cycle is up to 2 years to make sure that we're capable to, to, to join the you add,

provide, we'd spend, but by be of the year, european leaders will take another. and i would say the less political decision to open the accession, thoughts to align our expression process with the reconstruction and financial support to that regard. but, but you know, there are some reports that are coming in. that's something you capitals have private lead, chastised both the ukranian officials for expecting the process to be completed in rapid time and the blocks leadership as well for encouraging those hopes. when you throw out time tables like 2 years aren't, aren't you raising false hopes among your public as well? again, we're talking about 2 years to build our own prepare desk for, for membership. and it's really important. and it is the way to communicate to uh, to people. um there's a very big difference between nature and,

and the end you accession on new york session people in ukraine, 91 percent of the population support thing that they understand that either is already a formal process. it is well communicate that it's well controlled by civil society . so there is a huge leverage of know which in that regard the part of the support itself. so i think that the major target for us is to make sure that we are competitive strong and capable member of european union, and that our economies are only benefit from that. so at this stage, we need to launch the expression of the docs to be able to uh, to have these negotiations and the states for us. it's really important that it wouldn't be up your m technocratic negotiations process without delays, political delays, and etc. so much work has to be done, including further measures against corruption, tightening laws, against money laundering, and the excessive influence of ukraine's wealthy oligarchy. how do you expect to

effectively do so during a full scale invasion? a worst situation, it usually increases, for example, the risk of corruption, the, oh well i, i would on agree uh in the, in the very front that it is increases the risk of corruption. if it has to be very opposite the fact that all the instruments we've been trying to are legal and institutional system, they are no fully operational operational. but they are also backed up by a 0 tolerance to any corruption in times of war. especially if it comes to the uh to be administrative services or everything related to the functioning or, or the state. so it has really an opposite. the ellipse turned back to your defense to your security, which relies on billions in a from, from western partners. and also equipment, it's been said that the u. s. and european countries have drawn down their own stocks without a clear plans with this

date of the news live from the and then you're watching special coverage of the nato defense contact for you. good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, lloyd austin, very much for being am i going to tell my pleasure to press conferences by tight questions from the media and the 3rd and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general mark, milly, the secretary and the chairman will deliver opening remarks and then have time to take a few questions. please note that i will moderate those questions and call on journalist given are tight schedule and ask that you please limit your follow ups to give your colleagues a chance to ask their questions. and i appreciate your assistance with this. with that, i'll turn it over to secretary austin. thanks patrick. and good afternoon everyone . and thanks for being here. we just wrapped up our 13th meeting of the ukraine defense contact group. and it once again demonstrated the unity and the results that have characterized as group ever since our very 1st meeting, we continue to be inspired by the ukranian people. as i told the contact group

today of the missile strikes that hit a residential building in pre very reminded us, all of the fence was suffering, but the, the people of ukraine having door but they remain and on it. and so do their leaders. we're fortunate to be joined yet again by my good friend, ukrainian administrative defense, all actually original cost. as always, this contact group benefits hugely from here and firsthand from him and his team about the state of the battlefield. and you frames most urgent needs. as i've told alexi, we have great confidence in the training and the capabilities of the ukrainian armed forces. thanks and large part of the tireless and combined work of the contact group groups. members. now we all know that the premiums have been engaged and a tough fight to defend their sovereign territory and take back the, the occupied territory. and we have all seen the skill encourage of ukraine's

defenders ever since the start of russia's invasion. of course, we've given ukraine's forces, important training and impressive capabilities. but war is fluid, dynamic and unpredictable. ukraine's fight is not some easy sprint to the finish line. and our message remains clear. we will stand by the frame for as long as it takes. so let me talk a bit more about today's contact group. in addition to the briefings from ukraine, we heard from the leaders of us european command. and they've reached us on future training plans as well as efforts to maintain and sustain the equipment that we've already provided and to ensure that you frame can do this or do so for future equipment as well. we also heard from our friends from germany and poland on their

work that sustaining ukraine's new leper types. us and our colleagues from the netherlands in denmark. here are the progress that they've made on plans to train ukrainian pilots on for generation fighter aircraft including se exchange. but it brings me back to one of the very top priorities of this contact group. we remain laser focused on meeting ukraine's urgent needs for ground based air defense systems. and that's especially important since rushes since rusher has ruthlessly ramped up its missile and drone attacks over the past month against ukraine cities . these attacks have killed scores of ukrainian civilians. and that's just part of my scouts reckless and lawless attempt to break the will of the crating and people . but you, crazier defenders have served a save countless lives using air defense systems and intercepts intercepted

missiles donated by members of this contact group. and our ongoing support will ensure that ukraine can continue to defend its volumes. it's seriously, instead of its cities and it's critical infrastructure. now several countries stepped up today with new commitments for ukraine. canada committed another $500000000.00 package to support ukraine. and that will include more than 200 critical air defense missiles to help ukraine skies help protect ukraine skies. and united states along with the u. k. denmark and the middle lunch all contributed funding for additional critical air defense missiles for ukraine. italy also announced as late as front of assistance, which includes highly, highly critical capabilities that meet ukraine's most urgent needs to defend itself . and several allies are beginning to think about supporting ukraine for the long term. norway in germany announced multi year packages in denmark. just announce is

own nearly $2600000000.00 package for military assistance through 2024. all these contributions underscore are unity and supporting ukraine in a defending the rules based international order that keeps us all secure. ukraine has overcome so many obstacles, but more lie ahead. and you cries, troops and citizens do not stand alone. thanks to the historic support of nations of goodwill from around the world. ukraine as well position for the challenges still to come. as president biden has said, our support will not waiver our resolves, will not falter in our unity will not correct make no mistake. we will stand with ukraine, crated people for as long as it takes with that, i'll turn it over to a gentleman with. thank you. certainly. awesome. good afternoon everyone. let's with us here today for 16 months. the international community is to, together in defense of the rules based international order this call elections

commitment. at this 13th meeting of the training defense contact group demonstrates our on way ring dedication to the ideals of sovereignty and self determination. first, let me think, se austin over his steadfast leadership in fostering his global coalition from the 1st meeting to the 13th today without his leadership days would not be happening. and thank you also to the ministers in chase of defense from some 50 nations that joined us today. the grant administer defense resnick off my kind of parts and was losing it. it was not here today, but i did have a chance to talk to him the other day. i and his representative general might say, who was here. thank you for your unflinching resolve and determination the face of a man's adversity. and thank you also for the incredible bravery of the ukrainian people we stand there today, not simply as a group of nations, but as the united front standing for the values that are much larger than ourselves

. we stand for the bedrock principles of national sovereignty and liberty principles that rushed as their legal and unprovoked invasion of ukraine. clearly undermine hooton's war of choices, not just a transgression against ukraine. it is literally a frontal assault on the very international order. the guarantees, peace, prosperity, and freedom all nations. the brave ukrainian people continue to demonstrate their spirit of resilience, fighting relentlessly to reclaim the homeland from russian occupation each day. the ukrainians fight not just with steel and weapons or they are in well of the spirit . as presidents the want to ski is announced recently the ukrainians have embark on the offensive operation, deliberate, their country. they're in the early stages and it's far too early to make any definitive assessments. but i can tell you that each day ukrainians demonstrate the

courage and tenacity needed to methodically regain their territory. we have said before that war is dynamic. it is a contest of wills. as the secretary just said, it's on certain it's violent. and there's always high cost, but we can be sure, state ukrainian bravery competency and preparedness will carry the day. we can be confident that this contact group is given ukraine, the tools that it needs to succeed. and we know that the will of the training people will continue to resume far beyond their board, as in fact, it will resonate throughout the blow. their actions echo the voices of all people who cherish freedom and the rights to determine their own faith against tyranny. our assistance to ukraine supports their cause to remain free and independent, represents our commitment to what binds us as nations operating within the rules

base international order. we have and we will continue to offer wide ranging support from providing sophisticated combined arms capabilities to intelligence. the training of ukrainian forces to be more effective on the battlefield through a global effort, more than 6000 ukrainians are being trained right now. at 40 different locations, training locations, and 65 courses in 33 nations on 3 continents. that is all happening right now today since the beginning of the war, the united states is trained over 11000 ukrainians and combined ours maneuver and staff training us training at for it has created 12 and over of a times nearly 5000 operators that are fighting those machines right now along with their combined arm staffs, we are currently training.