English subtitles for clip: File:President Obama Hosts Chancellor Merkel at the White House.webm
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1 00:00:01,134 --> 00:00:01,734 The President: Good morning, everybody. 2 00:00:01,735 --> 00:00:03,803 Please be seated. 3 00:00:05,004 --> 00:00:08,375 As always, it is a great pleasure to welcome 4 00:00:08,375 --> 00:00:12,145 my close friend and partner, Chancellor Angela Merkel, 5 00:00:12,145 --> 00:00:15,014 back to the White House. 6 00:00:15,014 --> 00:00:17,183 Angela, of course, has been here many times. 7 00:00:17,183 --> 00:00:21,320 But this visit is a chance for me to congratulate her 8 00:00:21,321 --> 00:00:23,490 on two achievements. 9 00:00:23,490 --> 00:00:27,394 Well into her third term, Angela is now one of Germany's 10 00:00:27,394 --> 00:00:30,063 longest-serving chancellors. 11 00:00:30,063 --> 00:00:32,564 Perhaps more importantly, this is my first opportunity 12 00:00:32,564 --> 00:00:35,535 to publicly congratulate Angela and Germany 13 00:00:35,535 --> 00:00:37,537 on their fourth World Cup title. 14 00:00:37,537 --> 00:00:43,510 As we all saw in Rio, Angela is one of her team's biggest fans. 15 00:00:43,510 --> 00:00:46,879 Our U.S. team, however, gets better each World Cup, 16 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:49,582 so watch out in 2018. 17 00:00:49,582 --> 00:00:51,651 (laughter) 18 00:00:51,651 --> 00:00:56,022 Germany is one of our strongest allies, so whenever we meet 19 00:00:56,022 --> 00:00:58,391 it's an opportunity to coordinate closely 20 00:00:58,391 --> 00:01:00,492 on a whole range of issues 21 00:01:00,493 --> 00:01:03,663 critical to our shared security and prosperity. 22 00:01:03,663 --> 00:01:07,232 As Angela and our German friends prepare to host the G7 23 00:01:07,233 --> 00:01:12,138 this spring, it's also important for us to be able 24 00:01:12,138 --> 00:01:15,608 to coordinate on a set of shared goals. 25 00:01:15,608 --> 00:01:17,911 And at our working lunch this afternoon, 26 00:01:17,911 --> 00:01:20,680 we'll focus on what we can do to keep the economy growing 27 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:22,682 and creating jobs. 28 00:01:22,682 --> 00:01:23,750 As strong supporters 29 00:01:23,750 --> 00:01:27,587 of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, 30 00:01:27,587 --> 00:01:30,790 we agree that there needs to be meaningful progress this year 31 00:01:30,790 --> 00:01:33,426 toward an agreement that boosts our economies 32 00:01:33,426 --> 00:01:36,029 with strong protections for consumers and workers 33 00:01:36,029 --> 00:01:37,831 and the environment. 34 00:01:37,831 --> 00:01:39,966 I look forward to hearing Angela's assessment of how 35 00:01:39,966 --> 00:01:43,702 Europe and the IMF can work with the new Greek government to find 36 00:01:43,703 --> 00:01:46,172 a way that returns Greece to sustainable growth 37 00:01:46,172 --> 00:01:49,542 within the Eurozone, where growth is critical 38 00:01:49,542 --> 00:01:53,913 to both the United States and the global economy. 39 00:01:53,913 --> 00:01:56,482 And we'll be discussing our work to get all major economies 40 00:01:56,483 --> 00:01:59,419 to take ambitious action on climate change, 41 00:01:59,419 --> 00:02:02,387 including our initiative to limit public financing 42 00:02:02,388 --> 00:02:06,693 for coal-fired power plants overseas and our global efforts 43 00:02:06,693 --> 00:02:10,229 to phase down some of the most dangerous greenhouse gases. 44 00:02:10,229 --> 00:02:13,533 Our discussion this morning 45 00:02:13,533 --> 00:02:16,335 focused on global security issues. 46 00:02:16,336 --> 00:02:20,073 We reaffirmed our commitment to training Afghan security forces 47 00:02:20,073 --> 00:02:25,144 and supporting a sovereign, secure and united Afghanistan. 48 00:02:25,144 --> 00:02:27,480 We agree that the international community has to continue 49 00:02:27,480 --> 00:02:31,518 enforcing existing sanctions as part of our diplomatic effort 50 00:02:31,518 --> 00:02:34,487 to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, 51 00:02:34,487 --> 00:02:37,557 even as the P5-plus-1 works closely together 52 00:02:37,557 --> 00:02:40,459 to do everything we can to try to achieve 53 00:02:40,460 --> 00:02:43,396 a good, verifiable deal. 54 00:02:43,396 --> 00:02:46,399 Two issues in particular that dominated our workday 55 00:02:46,399 --> 00:02:49,669 this morning -- Russia's aggression against Ukraine 56 00:02:49,669 --> 00:02:52,672 and the international fight against ISIL. 57 00:02:52,672 --> 00:02:56,543 With regard to Russia and the separatists it supports 58 00:02:56,543 --> 00:03:00,613 in Ukraine, it's clear that they've violated just about 59 00:03:00,613 --> 00:03:02,916 every commitment they made in the Minsk agreement. 60 00:03:02,916 --> 00:03:05,418 Instead of withdrawing from eastern Ukraine, 61 00:03:05,418 --> 00:03:08,087 Russian forces continue to operate there, 62 00:03:08,087 --> 00:03:11,124 training separatists and helping to coordinate attacks. 63 00:03:11,124 --> 00:03:14,093 Instead of withdrawing its arms, Russia has sent in more tanks 64 00:03:14,093 --> 00:03:18,464 and armored personnel carriers and heavy artillery. 65 00:03:18,464 --> 00:03:20,466 With Russian support, the separatists have seized 66 00:03:20,466 --> 00:03:23,703 more territory and shelled civilian areas, destroyed 67 00:03:23,703 --> 00:03:26,773 villages and driven more Ukrainians from their homes. 68 00:03:26,773 --> 00:03:29,609 These are the facts. 69 00:03:29,609 --> 00:03:32,478 But Russian aggression has only reinforced the unity 70 00:03:32,478 --> 00:03:34,881 of the United States and Germany and our allies 71 00:03:34,881 --> 00:03:35,915 and partners around the world. 72 00:03:35,915 --> 00:03:38,551 And I want to thank Angela for her strong leadership 73 00:03:38,551 --> 00:03:41,887 and partnership as we've met this challenge. 74 00:03:41,888 --> 00:03:44,657 Chancellor Merkel and Vice President Biden met with 75 00:03:44,657 --> 00:03:48,227 Ukrainian President Poroshenko in Munich over the weekend, 76 00:03:48,227 --> 00:03:49,395 and Angela also shared with me 77 00:03:49,395 --> 00:03:52,498 the results of her talks in Moscow. 78 00:03:52,498 --> 00:03:56,869 We continue to encourage a diplomatic resolution 79 00:03:56,869 --> 00:03:58,538 to this issue. 80 00:03:58,538 --> 00:04:01,841 And as diplomatic efforts continue this week, 81 00:04:01,841 --> 00:04:05,478 we are in absolute agreement that the 21st century 82 00:04:05,478 --> 00:04:11,651 cannot stand idle -- have us stand idle and simply allow 83 00:04:11,651 --> 00:04:15,688 the borders of Europe to be redrawn at the barrel of a gun. 84 00:04:15,688 --> 00:04:19,091 So today we've agreed to move forward with our strategy. 85 00:04:19,091 --> 00:04:21,995 Along with our NATO allies, we'll keep bolstering 86 00:04:21,995 --> 00:04:24,631 our presence in central and Eastern Europe -- 87 00:04:24,631 --> 00:04:27,933 part of our unwavering Article 5 obligation 88 00:04:27,934 --> 00:04:29,936 to our collective defense. 89 00:04:29,936 --> 00:04:33,873 We will continue to work with the IMF and other partners 90 00:04:33,873 --> 00:04:38,211 to provide Ukraine with critical financial support as it pursues 91 00:04:38,211 --> 00:04:41,347 economic and anti-corruption reforms. 92 00:04:41,347 --> 00:04:44,049 We discussed the issue of how best to assist Ukraine 93 00:04:44,050 --> 00:04:48,454 as it defends itself, and we agreed that sanctions on Russia 94 00:04:48,454 --> 00:04:51,124 need to remain fully in force 95 00:04:51,124 --> 00:04:55,161 until Russia complies fully with its obligations. 96 00:04:55,161 --> 00:04:58,898 Even as we continue to work for a diplomatic solution, 97 00:04:58,898 --> 00:05:01,834 we are making it clear again today that if Russia continues 98 00:05:01,834 --> 00:05:05,972 on its current course -- which is ruining the Russian economy 99 00:05:05,972 --> 00:05:10,443 and hurting the Russian people, as well as having 100 00:05:10,443 --> 00:05:14,013 such a terrible effect on Ukraine -- Russia's isolation 101 00:05:14,013 --> 00:05:17,784 will only worsen, both politically and economically. 102 00:05:17,784 --> 00:05:21,820 With regard to ISIL, Germany and the United States remain united 103 00:05:21,821 --> 00:05:26,559 in our determination to destroy this barbaric organization. 104 00:05:26,559 --> 00:05:29,529 I thanked Angela for her strong support as a member 105 00:05:29,529 --> 00:05:34,500 of the international coalition that is working in Iraq. 106 00:05:34,500 --> 00:05:36,636 In a significant milestone in its foreign policy, 107 00:05:36,636 --> 00:05:39,839 Germany has taken the important step of equipping Kurdish forces 108 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:42,542 in Iraq, and Germany is preparing to lead 109 00:05:42,542 --> 00:05:45,945 the training mission of local forces in Erbil. 110 00:05:45,945 --> 00:05:48,448 Germany is a close partner in combating the threat 111 00:05:48,448 --> 00:05:51,616 of foreign terrorist fighters, which was the focus 112 00:05:51,617 --> 00:05:54,120 of a special session of the U.N. Security Council 113 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:55,955 that I chaired last fall. 114 00:05:55,955 --> 00:05:59,292 And under Angela's leadership, Germany is moving ahead 115 00:05:59,292 --> 00:06:02,195 with new legislation to prevent fighters 116 00:06:02,195 --> 00:06:06,498 from traveling to and from Syria and Iraq. 117 00:06:06,499 --> 00:06:09,368 At the same time, both Angela and I recognize 118 00:06:09,368 --> 00:06:11,871 that young people in both our countries, especially 119 00:06:11,871 --> 00:06:14,073 in Muslim communities, are being threatened and targeted 120 00:06:14,073 --> 00:06:17,075 for recruitment by terrorists like al Qaeda and ISIL. 121 00:06:17,076 --> 00:06:21,647 And protecting our young people from this hateful ideology, 122 00:06:21,647 --> 00:06:24,784 so that they're not vulnerable to such recruitment, is, 123 00:06:24,784 --> 00:06:29,589 first and foremost, a task for local communities, families, 124 00:06:29,589 --> 00:06:33,593 neighbors, faith leaders who know their communities best. 125 00:06:33,593 --> 00:06:36,362 But we can help these communities, starting with 126 00:06:36,362 --> 00:06:39,198 the tone and the example that we set in our own countries. 127 00:06:39,198 --> 00:06:44,370 So I want to commend Angela for her leadership, 128 00:06:44,370 --> 00:06:48,074 speaking out forcefully against xenophobia and prejudice 129 00:06:48,074 --> 00:06:51,277 and on behalf of pluralism and diversity. 130 00:06:51,277 --> 00:06:53,346 She's made it clear that all religious communities have 131 00:06:53,346 --> 00:06:57,884 a place in Germany, just as they do here in the United States. 132 00:06:57,884 --> 00:06:59,886 And we're grateful that our German friends 133 00:06:59,886 --> 00:07:01,888 will be joining us at our summit next week 134 00:07:01,888 --> 00:07:04,857 on countering violent extremism, because this is a challenge 135 00:07:04,857 --> 00:07:07,727 our countries have to meet together. 136 00:07:07,727 --> 00:07:10,996 And let me end on an historic note. 137 00:07:10,997 --> 00:07:13,533 This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end 138 00:07:13,533 --> 00:07:15,635 of the Second World War. 139 00:07:15,635 --> 00:07:19,505 It marks the 25th anniversary of the reunification of Germany. 140 00:07:19,505 --> 00:07:22,308 So in a time when conflicts around the world sometimes 141 00:07:22,308 --> 00:07:29,482 seem intractable, when progress sometimes seems beyond grasp, 142 00:07:29,482 --> 00:07:32,351 Germany's story gives us hope. 143 00:07:32,351 --> 00:07:34,620 We can end wars. 144 00:07:34,620 --> 00:07:36,656 Countries can rebuild. 145 00:07:36,656 --> 00:07:38,858 Adversaries can become allies. 146 00:07:38,858 --> 00:07:40,026 Walls can come down. 147 00:07:40,026 --> 00:07:42,695 Divisions can be healed. 148 00:07:42,695 --> 00:07:45,397 Germany's story -- and the story of Angela's life -- 149 00:07:45,398 --> 00:07:47,667 remind us that when free people stand united, 150 00:07:47,667 --> 00:07:50,770 our interests and our values will ultimately prevail. 151 00:07:50,770 --> 00:07:54,674 And as we look to the future, as I prepare to visit Bavaria 152 00:07:54,674 --> 00:07:57,876 in June, I'm grateful for my partnership with Angela, 153 00:07:57,877 --> 00:08:02,882 as Americans are grateful for their partnership 154 00:08:02,882 --> 00:08:04,650 with the people of Germany. 155 00:08:04,650 --> 00:08:06,852 Chancellor Merkel. 156 00:08:11,090 --> 00:08:12,090 Chancellor Merkel: (as interpreted) 157 00:08:12,091 --> 00:08:13,926 Thank you, President, dear Barack. 158 00:08:13,926 --> 00:08:16,229 I'm delighted to be back in Washington. 159 00:08:16,229 --> 00:08:18,431 Nine months ago, we were here for the last time, 160 00:08:18,431 --> 00:08:20,866 and this visit here has a lot to do with, 161 00:08:20,867 --> 00:08:23,469 first and foremost, the fact that we have assumed 162 00:08:23,469 --> 00:08:26,171 the presidency of the G7 presidency this year, 163 00:08:26,172 --> 00:08:29,442 and that we coordinate on these matters very closely, 164 00:08:29,442 --> 00:08:30,409 as we do on others. 165 00:08:30,409 --> 00:08:32,912 And obviously, we'll address issues related 166 00:08:32,912 --> 00:08:36,515 to the global economy when we meet in Bavaria, 167 00:08:36,515 --> 00:08:40,119 in Schloss Elmau, in the summer. 168 00:08:40,119 --> 00:08:44,390 From a European vantage point, I think we can say that we have 169 00:08:44,390 --> 00:08:47,093 made significant progress in a number of areas. 170 00:08:47,093 --> 00:08:49,694 We have countries who are now back on the growth path. 171 00:08:49,695 --> 00:08:51,664 Ireland comes to mind here in particular, 172 00:08:51,664 --> 00:08:53,032 but also Spain and Portugal. 173 00:08:53,032 --> 00:08:56,836 After a strong phase of structural reforms, 174 00:08:56,836 --> 00:09:00,873 they have now made significant progress. 175 00:09:00,873 --> 00:09:04,677 The new Commissioner that's come in office has launched 176 00:09:04,677 --> 00:09:09,215 a growth program in which Germany will participate. 177 00:09:09,215 --> 00:09:14,320 We will pin our hopes basically on growth and infrastructure, 178 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:17,390 but also on other growth projects. 179 00:09:17,390 --> 00:09:18,891 For example, the digital economy. 180 00:09:18,891 --> 00:09:21,694 If I think of the state of the digital economy 181 00:09:21,694 --> 00:09:24,664 in the United States, there is a lot of things 182 00:09:24,664 --> 00:09:26,632 to be done by the Europeans now. 183 00:09:27,867 --> 00:09:30,036 I would say that a free trade agreement, 184 00:09:30,036 --> 00:09:32,405 the conclusion of a free trade agreement, for example, 185 00:09:32,405 --> 00:09:34,406 would also go a long way towards boosting growth. 186 00:09:34,407 --> 00:09:37,576 We know that you are very much engaged in the Asia Pacific area 187 00:09:37,576 --> 00:09:39,745 -- there are a lot of free trade agreements there as well. 188 00:09:39,745 --> 00:09:44,750 And Germany will come out very forcefully in seeing that 189 00:09:44,750 --> 00:09:47,954 the negotiations between the EU and the United States 190 00:09:47,954 --> 00:09:51,991 on free trade agreements are pursued in a vigorous manner. 191 00:09:51,991 --> 00:09:54,393 It's in our own vested interest -- in the interest 192 00:09:54,393 --> 00:09:57,196 of the United States but also in the German interest. 193 00:09:57,196 --> 00:10:02,101 We are dealing basically in our G7 agenda with health issues. 194 00:10:02,101 --> 00:10:05,404 Let me just mention one -- what sort of lessons have we drawn, 195 00:10:05,404 --> 00:10:09,375 for example, from the terrible Ebola epidemic. 196 00:10:09,375 --> 00:10:11,677 I think the one thing that we've learned is that 197 00:10:11,677 --> 00:10:14,313 the international organizations, the international community 198 00:10:14,313 --> 00:10:17,316 has to be quicker in reacting to such epidemics. 199 00:10:17,316 --> 00:10:19,785 And the G7 can give a very important contribution 200 00:10:19,785 --> 00:10:20,419 to doing this. 201 00:10:20,419 --> 00:10:23,356 And we're also interested, for example, 202 00:10:23,356 --> 00:10:26,325 in seeing Gavi be successful. 203 00:10:26,325 --> 00:10:28,361 We're delighted to be able to conclude 204 00:10:28,361 --> 00:10:31,864 the replenishment conference that has just been completed 205 00:10:31,864 --> 00:10:33,966 in Germany so successfully. 206 00:10:33,966 --> 00:10:36,869 Then we dealt with security issues this morning. 207 00:10:36,869 --> 00:10:39,105 It is true Germany this year celebrates 208 00:10:39,105 --> 00:10:42,241 the 25th anniversary of its reunification. 209 00:10:42,241 --> 00:10:43,742 This would not have been possible, 210 00:10:43,743 --> 00:10:46,579 not have been achievable without our transatlantic partners, 211 00:10:46,579 --> 00:10:49,281 without the support of the United States of America. 212 00:10:49,281 --> 00:10:51,250 And we will always be grateful for this. 213 00:10:51,250 --> 00:10:55,087 And it is one case in point that it is well worth the effort 214 00:10:55,087 --> 00:11:00,259 to stand by one's values for decades to pursue 215 00:11:00,259 --> 00:11:03,696 long-term goals and not relent in those efforts. 216 00:11:03,696 --> 00:11:07,800 After we thought in the '90s maybe that things would turn 217 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:11,503 out somewhat more easily, somewhat less complicated, 218 00:11:11,504 --> 00:11:14,173 now we see ourselves confronted with a whole 219 00:11:14,173 --> 00:11:16,842 wealth of conflicts, and very complex ones. 220 00:11:16,842 --> 00:11:18,310 We worked together in Afghanistan -- 221 00:11:18,310 --> 00:11:19,744 we talked about this as well. 222 00:11:19,745 --> 00:11:24,450 Germany has decided, in its fight against ISIL, 223 00:11:24,450 --> 00:11:28,621 to give help to deliver training missions, 224 00:11:28,621 --> 00:11:33,225 to deliver also weapons, and, if necessary. 225 00:11:33,225 --> 00:11:36,228 We work together on the Iran nuclear program, 226 00:11:36,228 --> 00:11:40,699 where we also enter into a crucial phase of negotiations. 227 00:11:40,699 --> 00:11:46,038 One particular priority was given to the conflict between 228 00:11:46,038 --> 00:11:48,207 Ukraine and Russia this morning. 229 00:11:48,207 --> 00:11:52,044 We stand up for the same principles of inviolability 230 00:11:52,044 --> 00:11:53,612 of territorial integrity. 231 00:11:53,612 --> 00:11:55,481 For somebody who comes from Europe, 232 00:11:55,481 --> 00:11:58,150 I can only say if we give up this principle 233 00:11:58,150 --> 00:12:01,420 of territorial integrity of countries, then we will not 234 00:12:01,420 --> 00:12:04,256 be able to maintain the peaceful order of Europe 235 00:12:04,256 --> 00:12:05,624 that we've been able to achieve. 236 00:12:05,624 --> 00:12:08,094 This is not just any old point, it's an essential, 237 00:12:08,094 --> 00:12:10,629 a crucial point, and we have to stand by it. 238 00:12:10,629 --> 00:12:15,201 And Russia has violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine 239 00:12:15,201 --> 00:12:20,639 in two respects: in Crimea, and also in Donetsk and Luhansk. 240 00:12:22,475 --> 00:12:25,845 So we are called upon now to come up with solutions, 241 00:12:25,845 --> 00:12:30,583 but not in the sense of a mediator, but we also stand up 242 00:12:30,583 --> 00:12:33,586 for the interests of the European peaceful order. 243 00:12:33,586 --> 00:12:36,355 And this is what the French President and I have been 244 00:12:36,355 --> 00:12:37,923 trying to do over the past few days. 245 00:12:37,923 --> 00:12:39,492 We're going to continue those efforts. 246 00:12:39,492 --> 00:12:43,795 And I'm very grateful that throughout the Ukraine crisis, 247 00:12:43,796 --> 00:12:46,031 we have been in very, very close contact with 248 00:12:46,031 --> 00:12:51,637 the United States of America and Europe on sanctions, 249 00:12:51,637 --> 00:12:53,606 on diplomatic initiatives. 250 00:12:53,606 --> 00:12:56,040 And this is going to be continued. 251 00:12:56,742 --> 00:12:59,178 And I think that's, indeed, one of the most important messages 252 00:12:59,178 --> 00:13:02,982 we can send to Russia, and need to send to Russia. 253 00:13:02,982 --> 00:13:06,519 We continue to pursue a diplomatic solution, 254 00:13:06,519 --> 00:13:09,021 although we have suffered a lot of setbacks. 255 00:13:09,021 --> 00:13:12,858 These days we will see whether all sides are ready 256 00:13:12,858 --> 00:13:15,861 and willing to come to a negotiated settlement. 257 00:13:15,861 --> 00:13:18,464 I've always said I don't see a military solution 258 00:13:18,464 --> 00:13:21,600 to this conflict, but we have to put all our efforts 259 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:23,302 in bringing about a diplomatic solution. 260 00:13:23,302 --> 00:13:26,839 So there's a whole host of issues that we need to discuss. 261 00:13:26,839 --> 00:13:30,242 Over lunch, we will continue to talk about climate protection, 262 00:13:30,242 --> 00:13:31,743 about sustainable development 263 00:13:31,744 --> 00:13:34,947 and the sustainable development goals. 264 00:13:34,947 --> 00:13:37,550 So yet again, thank you very much 265 00:13:37,550 --> 00:13:41,487 for the very close cooperation, very close coordination, 266 00:13:41,487 --> 00:13:43,622 and the possibility to have an exchange of views 267 00:13:43,622 --> 00:13:45,558 on all of these crucial issues. 268 00:13:45,558 --> 00:13:48,427 I think not only in hindsight can we safely say 269 00:13:48,427 --> 00:13:50,729 that the United States have always stood by us, 270 00:13:50,729 --> 00:13:54,233 have helped us to regain our unity in peace and freedom, 271 00:13:54,233 --> 00:13:58,536 but we can also say we continue to cooperate closely 272 00:13:58,537 --> 00:14:02,174 if it is about solving the conflicts of the world today. 273 00:14:02,174 --> 00:14:03,909 Unfortunately, there are many of them, 274 00:14:03,909 --> 00:14:05,978 and we will continue to do so in the future. 275 00:14:05,978 --> 00:14:08,546 Thank you for your hospitality. 276 00:14:09,415 --> 00:14:11,550 The President: First question, Steve Mufson, 277 00:14:11,550 --> 00:14:13,484 The Washington Post. 278 00:14:17,489 --> 00:14:17,923 The Press: Thank you. 279 00:14:17,923 --> 00:14:22,361 You've said -- stressed that U.S. and Europe need to have 280 00:14:22,361 --> 00:14:24,763 cohesion on the issue of sanctions 281 00:14:24,763 --> 00:14:28,167 and on dealing with Ukraine, and yet the administration 282 00:14:28,167 --> 00:14:30,502 is discussing sending lethal weapons to Ukraine, 283 00:14:30,502 --> 00:14:32,738 which is very different from what the Chancellor 284 00:14:32,738 --> 00:14:34,340 has said over the weekend. 285 00:14:34,340 --> 00:14:37,610 So I was wondering whether this was a good cop-bad cop act, 286 00:14:37,610 --> 00:14:41,413 or is this a real reflection of difference of views 287 00:14:41,413 --> 00:14:43,549 in the situation on the ground. 288 00:14:43,549 --> 00:14:47,853 And more broadly, if there's no agreement this week, 289 00:14:47,853 --> 00:14:49,555 what lies ahead? 290 00:14:49,555 --> 00:14:52,790 Are we looking at a broader set of sanctions? 291 00:14:52,791 --> 00:14:55,961 What makes us think those set of sanction will change 292 00:14:55,961 --> 00:15:00,132 the Russian President's mind any more than the current ones? 293 00:15:00,933 --> 00:15:06,071 The President: Well, let me start with the broader point. 294 00:15:06,071 --> 00:15:12,011 I think both Angela and I have emphasized that the prospect 295 00:15:12,011 --> 00:15:20,886 for a military solution to this problem has always been low. 296 00:15:20,886 --> 00:15:25,391 Russia obviously has an extraordinarily 297 00:15:25,391 --> 00:15:28,526 powerful military. 298 00:15:28,527 --> 00:15:33,699 And given the length of the Russian border with Ukraine, 299 00:15:33,699 --> 00:15:39,070 given the history between Russia and Ukraine, 300 00:15:39,071 --> 00:15:46,478 expecting that if Russia is determined that Ukraine 301 00:15:46,478 --> 00:15:53,385 can fully rebuff a Russian army has always been unlikely. 302 00:15:53,385 --> 00:15:57,423 But what we have said is that the international community, 303 00:15:57,423 --> 00:16:02,761 working together, can ratchet up the costs for the violation 304 00:16:02,761 --> 00:16:06,231 of the core principle of sovereignty 305 00:16:06,231 --> 00:16:07,499 and territorial integrity. 306 00:16:07,499 --> 00:16:09,134 And that's exactly what we've done. 307 00:16:09,134 --> 00:16:13,305 And Russia has paid a significant cost for its actions 308 00:16:13,305 --> 00:16:17,242 -- first in Crimea and now in eastern Ukraine. 309 00:16:17,242 --> 00:16:21,814 It has not yet dissuaded Mr. Putin from following 310 00:16:21,814 --> 00:16:30,089 the course that he is on, but it has created 311 00:16:30,089 --> 00:16:34,593 a measurable negative impact on the Russian economy, 312 00:16:34,593 --> 00:16:38,530 and that will continue. 313 00:16:38,530 --> 00:16:43,802 My hope is that through these diplomatic efforts, 314 00:16:43,802 --> 00:16:48,607 those costs have become high enough that Mr. Putin's 315 00:16:48,607 --> 00:16:52,377 preferred option is for a diplomatic resolution. 316 00:16:52,378 --> 00:16:55,681 And I won't prejudge whether or not they'll be successful. 317 00:16:55,681 --> 00:16:58,984 If they are successful, it will be in part 318 00:16:58,984 --> 00:17:03,188 because of the extraordinary patience and effort 319 00:17:03,188 --> 00:17:06,992 of Chancellor Merkel and her team. 320 00:17:06,992 --> 00:17:11,696 If they are not, then we will continue to raise those costs. 321 00:17:11,696 --> 00:17:14,098 And we will not relent in that. 322 00:17:14,098 --> 00:17:15,967 And one of the things I've very encouraged about 323 00:17:15,968 --> 00:17:20,272 is the degree to which we've been able to maintain 324 00:17:20,271 --> 00:17:25,277 U.S.-European unity on this issue. 325 00:17:25,277 --> 00:17:32,551 Now, it is true that if, in fact, diplomacy fails, 326 00:17:32,551 --> 00:17:34,352 what I've asked my team to do is to look 327 00:17:34,353 --> 00:17:36,955 at all options -- what other means can 328 00:17:36,955 --> 00:17:44,362 we put in place to change Mr. Putin's calculus -- 329 00:17:44,363 --> 00:17:47,866 and the possibility of lethal defensive weapons 330 00:17:47,866 --> 00:17:50,135 is one of those options that's being examined. 331 00:17:50,135 --> 00:17:52,905 But I have not made a decision about that yet. 332 00:17:52,905 --> 00:17:55,741 I have consulted with not just Angela, 333 00:17:55,741 --> 00:18:00,446 but will be consulting with other allies about this issue. 334 00:18:00,446 --> 00:18:05,650 It's not based on the idea that Ukraine could defeat 335 00:18:05,651 --> 00:18:08,520 a Russian army that was determined. 336 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:13,258 It is rather to see whether or not there are additional things 337 00:18:13,258 --> 00:18:16,628 we can do to help Ukraine bolster its defenses in the face 338 00:18:16,628 --> 00:18:20,331 of separatist aggression. 339 00:18:20,332 --> 00:18:24,703 But I want to emphasize that a decision has not yet been made. 340 00:18:24,703 --> 00:18:27,206 One of the bigger issues that we're also concerned with, 341 00:18:27,206 --> 00:18:29,908 though, is making sure the Ukrainian economy is functioning 342 00:18:29,908 --> 00:18:35,179 and that President Poroshenko and Prime Minister Yatsenyuk 343 00:18:35,180 --> 00:18:40,752 can continue with the reform efforts that they've made. 344 00:18:40,752 --> 00:18:43,555 And I'm glad to see that because of our cooperation 345 00:18:43,555 --> 00:18:47,759 and our efforts, we're starting to see a package come together 346 00:18:47,759 --> 00:18:52,564 with the IMF, with the European Union and others that can help 347 00:18:52,564 --> 00:18:56,068 bolster the European economy so that they have the space 348 00:18:56,068 --> 00:18:59,404 to continue to execute some of the reforms 349 00:18:59,404 --> 00:19:03,275 and anti-corruption measures that they've made. 350 00:19:03,275 --> 00:19:06,445 One of the most important things we can do for Ukraine 351 00:19:06,445 --> 00:19:09,548 is help them succeed economically, because that's how 352 00:19:09,548 --> 00:19:13,619 people on the ground feels this change, this transformation, 353 00:19:13,619 --> 00:19:15,521 inside of Ukraine. 354 00:19:15,521 --> 00:19:20,192 If that experiment fails, then the larger project 355 00:19:20,192 --> 00:19:22,694 of an independent Ukraine will fail. 356 00:19:22,694 --> 00:19:25,531 And so we're going to do everything we can 357 00:19:25,531 --> 00:19:26,965 to help bolster that. 358 00:19:26,965 --> 00:19:31,602 But there is no doubt that if, in fact, diplomacy fails 359 00:19:31,603 --> 00:19:36,174 this week, there's going to continue to be a strong, 360 00:19:36,174 --> 00:19:40,178 unified response between the United States and Europe. 361 00:19:40,178 --> 00:19:41,547 That's not going to change. 362 00:19:41,547 --> 00:19:43,215 There may be some areas where there are 363 00:19:43,215 --> 00:19:46,251 tactical disagreements; there may not be. 364 00:19:46,251 --> 00:19:50,889 But the broad principle that we have to stand up for 365 00:19:50,889 --> 00:19:53,425 not just Ukraine, but the principle 366 00:19:53,425 --> 00:19:55,761 of territorial integrity and sovereignty, 367 00:19:55,761 --> 00:19:58,830 is one where we are completely unified. 368 00:20:01,967 --> 00:20:03,969 Chancellor Merkel: (as interpreted) 369 00:20:03,969 --> 00:20:06,605 The French President and I have decided 370 00:20:06,605 --> 00:20:11,777 to make one further attempt 371 00:20:11,777 --> 00:20:15,380 to make progress through diplomatic means. 372 00:20:15,380 --> 00:20:17,950 We have the Minsk agreement -- the Minsk agreement 373 00:20:17,950 --> 00:20:19,318 has never been implemented. 374 00:20:19,318 --> 00:20:21,353 Quite the contrary is true. 375 00:20:21,353 --> 00:20:23,088 The situation has actually worsened on the ground. 376 00:20:23,088 --> 00:20:27,091 So now there is a possibility to try and bring about 377 00:20:27,092 --> 00:20:36,435 a cease-fire and to also create conditions that are in place 378 00:20:36,435 --> 00:20:40,739 where you have not every day civilians dying, 379 00:20:40,739 --> 00:20:43,875 civil victims that fall prey to this. 380 00:20:43,875 --> 00:20:47,879 And I'm absolutely confident that we will do this together. 381 00:20:47,879 --> 00:20:50,916 I, myself, actually would not be able to live 382 00:20:50,916 --> 00:20:52,684 with not having made this attempt. 383 00:20:52,684 --> 00:20:57,755 So there is anything but an assured success in all of this 384 00:20:57,756 --> 00:21:00,392 -- I have to be very clear about this. 385 00:21:00,392 --> 00:21:03,729 But if at a certain point in time, 386 00:21:03,729 --> 00:21:10,469 one has to say that success is not possible even if one puts 387 00:21:10,469 --> 00:21:14,239 every effort into it, then the United States and Europe 388 00:21:14,239 --> 00:21:19,244 have to sit together and try and explore further possibilities 389 00:21:19,244 --> 00:21:21,312 of what one can do. 390 00:21:21,313 --> 00:21:24,316 Just let me point out here that foreign ministers 391 00:21:24,316 --> 00:21:27,452 of the European Union last week already tasked the Commission 392 00:21:27,452 --> 00:21:30,055 to think about further possible sanctions. 393 00:21:30,055 --> 00:21:34,693 On the issue of what is effective and what not, 394 00:21:34,693 --> 00:21:37,029 I'm somewhat surprised sometimes. 395 00:21:37,029 --> 00:21:41,333 Just let me mention Iran. 396 00:21:41,333 --> 00:21:44,136 For a fairly long period of time we have had sanctions 397 00:21:44,136 --> 00:21:46,672 in place there; people don't seem to question them. 398 00:21:46,672 --> 00:21:48,874 And I think they have been fairly successful, 399 00:21:48,874 --> 00:21:51,510 if we look at the current state of affairs with the negotiations 400 00:21:51,510 --> 00:21:52,644 on the nuclear program. 401 00:21:52,644 --> 00:21:58,050 So I think, in parallel, I think it was a very good thing to put 402 00:21:58,050 --> 00:22:02,187 some costs onto the Russians through these sanctions 403 00:22:02,187 --> 00:22:05,823 that we agreed on because we see also that Russia 404 00:22:05,824 --> 00:22:07,959 seems to be influenced by this. 405 00:22:07,959 --> 00:22:11,430 And this is why I am a hundred percent behind these decisions. 406 00:22:11,430 --> 00:22:17,135 As to the export of arms, I have given you my opinion. 407 00:22:17,135 --> 00:22:21,073 But you may rest assured that no matter what we decide, 408 00:22:21,073 --> 00:22:26,678 the alliance between the United States and Europe will continue 409 00:22:26,678 --> 00:22:29,314 to stand, will continue to be solid, 410 00:22:29,314 --> 00:22:32,984 even though on certain issues we may not always agree. 411 00:22:32,984 --> 00:22:36,288 But this partnership, be it Ukraine and Russia, 412 00:22:36,288 --> 00:22:39,691 be it on combating terrorism on the international state, 413 00:22:39,691 --> 00:22:46,732 be it on other issues, is a partnership that has stood 414 00:22:46,732 --> 00:22:50,836 the test of time and that is -- I mean, in Europe, 415 00:22:50,836 --> 00:22:52,304 we're very close. 416 00:22:52,304 --> 00:22:54,639 But this transatlantic partnership for Germany 417 00:22:54,639 --> 00:22:56,274 and for Europe is indispensable. 418 00:22:56,274 --> 00:22:58,810 And this will remain so. 419 00:22:58,810 --> 00:23:00,812 And I can say this also on behalf of my colleagues 420 00:23:00,812 --> 00:23:03,180 in the European Union. 421 00:23:05,083 --> 00:23:07,652 Sorry, I have to call you myself. 422 00:23:10,388 --> 00:23:12,524 From DPA, the German Press Agency. 423 00:23:12,524 --> 00:23:13,725 The Press: President, you said that 424 00:23:13,725 --> 00:23:15,459 you have not yet made a decision 425 00:23:15,460 --> 00:23:18,230 as to whether weapons ought to be delivered to Ukraine. 426 00:23:18,230 --> 00:23:19,765 What would be your red line? 427 00:23:19,765 --> 00:23:21,666 What would be the red line that needs to be crossed 428 00:23:21,666 --> 00:23:27,405 for you to decide an armament of the Ukrainian army? 429 00:23:27,405 --> 00:23:31,042 And what do you think -- will this hold by way of a promise? 430 00:23:31,042 --> 00:23:33,043 Because the Chancellor said it will make matters worse. 431 00:23:33,044 --> 00:23:36,414 And what can the Nobel Laureate Obama 432 00:23:36,414 --> 00:23:39,017 do more to defuse this conflict? 433 00:23:39,017 --> 00:23:42,521 And, Madam Chancellor, President Putin today demanded 434 00:23:42,521 --> 00:23:45,724 yet again that the government in Kyiv negotiate directly 435 00:23:45,724 --> 00:23:46,825 with the separatists. 436 00:23:46,825 --> 00:23:50,362 When do you think the right moment has come to do this? 437 00:23:50,362 --> 00:23:53,999 And with looking at all of the big issues that you discussed, 438 00:23:53,999 --> 00:23:59,271 this breach of confidence due to the NSA affair, 439 00:23:59,271 --> 00:24:04,009 of the U.S.-German relations, has that played a role today? 440 00:24:07,779 --> 00:24:10,582 The President: Do you want to go first on this? 441 00:24:11,149 --> 00:24:12,851 Chancellor Merkel: (as interpreted) 442 00:24:12,851 --> 00:24:16,121 I can gladly start. 443 00:24:20,625 --> 00:24:23,762 The question as to how one assesses the effectiveness 444 00:24:23,762 --> 00:24:26,398 of certain measures has been actually dealt with. 445 00:24:26,398 --> 00:24:29,466 The President has not yet made a decision, as he said. 446 00:24:29,467 --> 00:24:33,572 What's important for me is that we stand very closely together 447 00:24:33,572 --> 00:24:38,342 on the question of a renewed diplomatic effort. 448 00:24:38,343 --> 00:24:40,812 We keep each other informed. 449 00:24:40,812 --> 00:24:42,680 We're in close touch. 450 00:24:42,681 --> 00:24:47,519 And nobody wishes more for a success than the two of us 451 00:24:47,519 --> 00:24:49,054 who stand here side by side. 452 00:24:49,054 --> 00:24:52,691 But this would also mean not only having a cease-fire 453 00:24:52,691 --> 00:24:56,228 in place, but to also, over and above that, 454 00:24:56,228 --> 00:24:56,995 having certain rules in place. 455 00:24:56,995 --> 00:24:59,397 And you said the Russian President himself thinks 456 00:24:59,397 --> 00:25:00,899 there ought to be direct contacts. 457 00:25:00,899 --> 00:25:03,400 Let me just point out to you, these direct contacts 458 00:25:03,401 --> 00:25:06,471 already exist through the trilateral contact group 459 00:25:06,471 --> 00:25:09,507 with representatives from Donetsk and Luhansk. 460 00:25:09,507 --> 00:25:12,377 And the problem over the last few days, and the problem 461 00:25:12,377 --> 00:25:16,581 of the last meetings actually was rather more than that, 462 00:25:16,581 --> 00:25:19,618 there was not really that much of an end result -- 463 00:25:19,618 --> 00:25:23,955 if they matter at all, or if representatives 464 00:25:23,955 --> 00:25:26,524 from Donetsk and Luhansk were there at all. 465 00:25:26,524 --> 00:25:27,825 Sometimes they didn't even arrive. 466 00:25:27,826 --> 00:25:29,928 And this was, after all, for me, the core 467 00:25:29,928 --> 00:25:31,396 of the Minsk agreement, that there are 468 00:25:31,396 --> 00:25:34,399 local elections in accordance with the Ukrainian 469 00:25:34,399 --> 00:25:36,801 constitution and that the outcome of that 470 00:25:36,801 --> 00:25:40,071 is that you have representatives, authorities 471 00:25:40,071 --> 00:25:42,006 that can speak for those regions. 472 00:25:42,007 --> 00:25:45,777 And the Ukrainian President has paved the way for this, 473 00:25:45,777 --> 00:25:49,214 to giving certain specific status to the oblasts 474 00:25:49,214 --> 00:25:51,182 of Luhansk and Donetsk. 475 00:25:51,182 --> 00:25:55,053 And these elections are an essential point that will then 476 00:25:55,053 --> 00:25:58,890 enable us to say, well, maybe now there can be contacts 477 00:25:58,890 --> 00:26:00,392 even without a trilateral group. 478 00:26:00,392 --> 00:26:03,228 And this is actually on the agenda of the many talks 479 00:26:03,228 --> 00:26:04,729 that we need to make. 480 00:26:04,729 --> 00:26:07,332 But I can very well understand the Ukrainian side, 481 00:26:07,332 --> 00:26:12,537 that the territory they consider to be part of their territory 482 00:26:12,537 --> 00:26:15,206 and that anything else would violate 483 00:26:15,206 --> 00:26:18,409 their territorial integrity, that they want to actually 484 00:26:18,410 --> 00:26:19,978 see that elections take place there. 485 00:26:19,978 --> 00:26:25,183 And that has also been stated by President Putin that he wishes 486 00:26:25,183 --> 00:26:27,218 to see those elections happening there. 487 00:26:27,218 --> 00:26:29,054 Now, on the NSA issue. 488 00:26:29,054 --> 00:26:32,357 I think there are still different assessments 489 00:26:32,357 --> 00:26:36,461 on individual issues there, but if we look at the sheer 490 00:26:36,461 --> 00:26:40,198 dimension of the terrorist threat, we are more than aware 491 00:26:40,198 --> 00:26:42,767 of the fact that we need to work together very closely. 492 00:26:42,767 --> 00:26:46,171 And I, as German Chancellor, want to state here very clearly 493 00:26:46,171 --> 00:26:49,107 that the institutions of the United States of America have 494 00:26:49,107 --> 00:26:52,444 provided us and still continue to provide us with a lot 495 00:26:52,444 --> 00:26:55,280 of very significant, very important information 496 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:57,182 that also ensure our security. 497 00:26:57,182 --> 00:26:59,484 And we don't want to do without this. 498 00:26:59,484 --> 00:27:02,253 There are other possibilities, through the cyber dialogue, 499 00:27:02,253 --> 00:27:07,692 for example, to continue to talk about the sort of protection 500 00:27:07,692 --> 00:27:11,429 of privacy versus data protection 501 00:27:11,429 --> 00:27:13,098 and so on, and security. 502 00:27:13,098 --> 00:27:15,934 But this was basically -- combating terrorism 503 00:27:15,934 --> 00:27:18,336 was basically in the forefront today. 504 00:27:19,270 --> 00:27:21,473 The President: On providing lethal weapons to Ukraine, 505 00:27:21,473 --> 00:27:24,442 it's important to point out that we have been providing 506 00:27:24,442 --> 00:27:27,445 assistance to the Ukrainian military generally. 507 00:27:27,445 --> 00:27:30,281 That's been part of a longstanding relationship 508 00:27:30,281 --> 00:27:32,917 between NATO and Ukraine. 509 00:27:32,917 --> 00:27:38,423 And our goal has not been for Ukraine to be equipped to carry 510 00:27:38,423 --> 00:27:46,931 on offensive operations, but to simply defend itself. 511 00:27:46,931 --> 00:27:50,001 And President Poroshenko has been very clear -- 512 00:27:50,001 --> 00:27:53,104 he's not interested in escalating violence, 513 00:27:53,104 --> 00:27:58,309 he is interested in having his country's boundaries 514 00:27:58,309 --> 00:28:02,147 respected by its neighbor. 515 00:28:02,147 --> 00:28:04,916 So there's not going to be any specific point at which I say, 516 00:28:04,916 --> 00:28:10,088 ah, clearly lethal defensive weapons 517 00:28:10,088 --> 00:28:11,356 would be appropriate here. 518 00:28:11,356 --> 00:28:15,894 It is our ongoing analysis of what can we do 519 00:28:15,894 --> 00:28:21,199 to dissuade Russia from encroaching 520 00:28:21,199 --> 00:28:24,369 further and further on Ukrainian territory. 521 00:28:24,369 --> 00:28:27,105 Our hope is, is that that's done through diplomatic means. 522 00:28:27,105 --> 00:28:31,609 And I just want to emphasize here once again for the benefit 523 00:28:31,609 --> 00:28:35,280 not just of the American people but for the German people, 524 00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:39,783 we are not looking for Russia to fail. 525 00:28:39,784 --> 00:28:43,455 We are not looking for Russia to be surrounded 526 00:28:43,455 --> 00:28:46,624 and contained and weakened. 527 00:28:46,624 --> 00:28:53,098 Our preference is for a strong, prosperous, vibrant, 528 00:28:53,098 --> 00:28:57,569 confident Russia that can be a partner with us 529 00:28:57,569 --> 00:29:00,504 on a whole host of global challenges. 530 00:29:00,505 --> 00:29:01,606 And that's how I operated 531 00:29:01,606 --> 00:29:05,543 throughout my first term in office. 532 00:29:05,543 --> 00:29:10,681 Unfortunately, Russia has made a decision that I think is bad 533 00:29:10,682 --> 00:29:16,821 for them strategically, bad for Europe, bad for the world. 534 00:29:16,821 --> 00:29:20,625 And in the face of this aggression 535 00:29:20,625 --> 00:29:28,766 and these bad decisions, we can't simply 536 00:29:28,766 --> 00:29:32,704 try to talk them out of it. 537 00:29:32,704 --> 00:29:35,005 We have to show them that the world is unified 538 00:29:35,006 --> 00:29:39,277 in imposing a cost for this aggression. 539 00:29:39,277 --> 00:29:42,413 And that's what we're going to continue to do. 540 00:29:42,413 --> 00:29:43,515 With respect to the NSA, 541 00:29:43,515 --> 00:29:47,652 I'll just make this point very briefly. 542 00:29:47,652 --> 00:29:52,257 There's no doubt that the Snowden revelations 543 00:29:52,257 --> 00:29:58,763 damaged impressions of Germans with respect to 544 00:29:58,763 --> 00:30:02,766 the U.S. government and our intelligence cooperation. 545 00:30:02,767 --> 00:30:09,841 And what I have done over the last year, year and a half, 546 00:30:09,841 --> 00:30:14,445 is to systematically work through some of these issues 547 00:30:14,445 --> 00:30:18,316 to create greater transparency and to restore confidence 548 00:30:18,316 --> 00:30:22,987 not just for Germans but for our partners around the world. 549 00:30:22,987 --> 00:30:26,024 And we've taken some unprecedented measures, 550 00:30:26,024 --> 00:30:30,093 for example, to ensure that our intelligence agencies 551 00:30:30,094 --> 00:30:40,405 treat non-U.S. citizens in ways that are consistent 552 00:30:40,405 --> 00:30:43,474 with due process and their privacy concerns -- 553 00:30:43,474 --> 00:30:47,312 something that I put in a presidential order, and has not 554 00:30:47,312 --> 00:30:52,116 been ever done not only by our intelligence agencies 555 00:30:52,116 --> 00:30:54,485 but I think by most intelligence agencies 556 00:30:54,485 --> 00:30:56,321 around the world. 557 00:30:56,321 --> 00:30:58,156 There are going to still be areas 558 00:30:58,156 --> 00:31:01,826 where we've got to work through these issues. 559 00:31:01,826 --> 00:31:03,861 We have to internally work through some of these issues, 560 00:31:03,861 --> 00:31:06,564 because they're complicated, they're difficult. 561 00:31:06,564 --> 00:31:13,238 If we are trying to track a network that is planning 562 00:31:13,238 --> 00:31:19,277 to carry out attacks in New York or Berlin or Paris, 563 00:31:19,277 --> 00:31:24,616 and they are communicating primarily in cyberspace, 564 00:31:24,616 --> 00:31:31,923 and we have the capacity to stop an attack like that, 565 00:31:31,923 --> 00:31:35,059 but that requires us then being able to operate within 566 00:31:35,059 --> 00:31:39,330 that cyberspace, how do we make sure that we're able to do that, 567 00:31:39,330 --> 00:31:41,899 carry out those functions, while still meeting 568 00:31:41,899 --> 00:31:44,302 our core principles of respecting the privacy 569 00:31:44,302 --> 00:31:46,337 of all our people? 570 00:31:46,337 --> 00:31:50,975 And given Germany's history, I recognize the sensitivities 571 00:31:50,975 --> 00:31:52,476 around this issue. 572 00:31:52,477 --> 00:31:58,049 What I would ask would be that the German people recognize that 573 00:31:58,049 --> 00:32:02,620 the United States has always been on the forefront of trying 574 00:32:02,620 --> 00:32:06,056 to promote civil liberties, that we have traditions 575 00:32:06,057 --> 00:32:10,094 of due process that we respect, that we have been 576 00:32:10,094 --> 00:32:15,533 a consistent partner of yours in the course of the last 70 years, 577 00:32:15,533 --> 00:32:20,004 and certainly the last 25 years, in reinforcing 578 00:32:20,004 --> 00:32:22,206 the values that we share. 579 00:32:22,206 --> 00:32:25,109 And so occasionally I would like the German people to give 580 00:32:25,109 --> 00:32:27,611 us the benefit of the doubt, given our history, 581 00:32:27,612 --> 00:32:33,384 as opposed to assuming the worst -- assuming that we have been 582 00:32:33,384 --> 00:32:37,255 consistently your strong partners and that we share 583 00:32:37,255 --> 00:32:38,656 a common set of values. 584 00:32:38,656 --> 00:32:41,926 And if we have that fundamental, underlying trust, 585 00:32:41,926 --> 00:32:44,696 there are going to be times where there are disagreements, 586 00:32:44,696 --> 00:32:49,067 and both sides may make mistakes, 587 00:32:49,067 --> 00:32:50,735 and there are going to be irritants like there are 588 00:32:50,735 --> 00:32:54,938 between friends, but the underlying foundation 589 00:32:54,939 --> 00:32:59,544 for the relationship remains sound. 590 00:32:59,544 --> 00:33:02,580 Christi Parsons. 591 00:33:03,214 --> 00:33:05,216 The Press: Thank you, Mr. President. 592 00:33:05,216 --> 00:33:08,953 The Iran nuclear negotiators have now missed two deadlines. 593 00:33:08,953 --> 00:33:11,322 Should the upcoming March deadline for talks 594 00:33:11,322 --> 00:33:13,190 be the final one? 595 00:33:13,191 --> 00:33:15,393 And what are the circumstances in which you think 596 00:33:15,393 --> 00:33:18,629 it would be wise to extend those talks? 597 00:33:18,629 --> 00:33:22,332 Also, sir, some have suggested that you are outraged 598 00:33:22,333 --> 00:33:25,670 by the Israeli Prime Minister's decision to address Congress. 599 00:33:25,670 --> 00:33:27,071 Is that so? 600 00:33:27,071 --> 00:33:29,706 And how would you advise Democrats 601 00:33:29,707 --> 00:33:32,643 who are considering a boycott? 602 00:33:35,246 --> 00:33:38,015 The President: First of all, we understood 603 00:33:38,015 --> 00:33:43,855 I think from the start, when we set up the interim agreement 604 00:33:43,855 --> 00:33:49,060 with Iran, that it would take some time to work through 605 00:33:49,060 --> 00:33:54,399 incredibly complex issues and a huge trust deficit 606 00:33:54,399 --> 00:33:58,034 between the United States and Iran, and the world and Iran, 607 00:33:58,035 --> 00:33:59,804 when it comes to their nuclear program. 608 00:33:59,804 --> 00:34:06,110 So I think there was always the assumption that, 609 00:34:06,110 --> 00:34:09,447 although the interim agreement lasted a certain period of time, 610 00:34:09,447 --> 00:34:15,520 that we would probably need more time to move forward. 611 00:34:15,520 --> 00:34:16,754 The good news is, is that there have been 612 00:34:16,754 --> 00:34:17,955 very serious discussions. 613 00:34:17,955 --> 00:34:20,891 That time has been well spent. 614 00:34:20,891 --> 00:34:24,828 During this period of time, issues have been clarified; 615 00:34:24,829 --> 00:34:27,231 gaps have been narrowed; 616 00:34:27,231 --> 00:34:30,268 the Iranians have abided by the agreement. 617 00:34:30,268 --> 00:34:35,606 So this is not a circumstance in which, by talking, 618 00:34:35,606 --> 00:34:37,642 they've been stalling and meanwhile advancing 619 00:34:37,641 --> 00:34:39,076 their program. 620 00:34:39,076 --> 00:34:39,710 To the contrary. 621 00:34:39,710 --> 00:34:42,847 What we know is the program has not only been frozen, 622 00:34:42,847 --> 00:34:44,949 but with respect to, for example, 623 00:34:44,949 --> 00:34:48,453 20 percent enriched uranium, they've reversed it. 624 00:34:48,453 --> 00:34:50,321 And so we're in a better position than we were before 625 00:34:50,321 --> 00:34:55,025 the interim program was set up. 626 00:34:55,025 --> 00:34:58,428 Having said all that, the issues now are sufficiently narrowed 627 00:34:58,429 --> 00:35:02,099 and sufficiently clarified where we're at point where 628 00:35:02,099 --> 00:35:06,404 they need to make a decision. 629 00:35:06,404 --> 00:35:11,175 We are presenting to them, in a unified fashion -- 630 00:35:11,175 --> 00:35:16,781 the P5-plus-1, supported by a coalition of countries 631 00:35:16,781 --> 00:35:21,953 around the world, are presenting to them a deal that allows 632 00:35:21,953 --> 00:35:29,293 them to have peaceful nuclear power but gives us 633 00:35:29,293 --> 00:35:33,364 the absolute assurance that is verifiable that 634 00:35:33,364 --> 00:35:37,068 they are not pursuing a nuclear weapon. 635 00:35:37,068 --> 00:35:42,573 And if, in fact, what they claim in true -- which is they have 636 00:35:42,573 --> 00:35:46,611 no aspiration to get a nuclear weapon, that, in fact, 637 00:35:46,611 --> 00:35:47,912 according to their Supreme Leader, 638 00:35:47,912 --> 00:35:52,283 it would be contrary to their faith to obtain a nuclear weapon 639 00:35:52,283 --> 00:35:55,853 -- if that is true, there should be the possibility 640 00:35:55,853 --> 00:35:56,587 of getting a deal. 641 00:35:56,587 --> 00:35:59,557 They should be able to get to yes. 642 00:35:59,557 --> 00:36:02,158 But we don't know if that's going to happen. 643 00:36:02,159 --> 00:36:06,297 They have their hardliners; they have their politics. 644 00:36:06,297 --> 00:36:12,937 And the point, I guess is, Christi, at this juncture, 645 00:36:12,937 --> 00:36:17,975 I don't see a further extension being useful if they have 646 00:36:17,975 --> 00:36:22,980 not agreed to the basic formulation and the bottom line 647 00:36:22,980 --> 00:36:25,683 that the world requires to have confidence that 648 00:36:25,683 --> 00:36:28,619 they're not pursuing a nuclear weapon. 649 00:36:28,619 --> 00:36:31,989 Now, if a framework for a deal is done, 650 00:36:31,989 --> 00:36:36,160 if people have a clear sense of what is required 651 00:36:36,160 --> 00:36:42,332 and there's some drafting and t's to cross and i's to dot, 652 00:36:42,333 --> 00:36:44,302 that's a different issue. 653 00:36:44,302 --> 00:36:46,304 But my view -- and I've presented this 654 00:36:46,304 --> 00:36:52,176 to members of Congress -- is that we now know enough 655 00:36:52,176 --> 00:36:54,511 that the issues are no longer technical. 656 00:36:54,512 --> 00:36:58,916 The issues now are, does Iran have the political will 657 00:36:58,916 --> 00:37:02,620 and the desire to get a deal done? 658 00:37:02,620 --> 00:37:04,721 And we could not be doing this were it not for 659 00:37:04,722 --> 00:37:11,028 the incredible cohesion and unity that's been shown 660 00:37:11,028 --> 00:37:16,533 by Germany, by the other members of the P5-plus-1 -- 661 00:37:16,534 --> 00:37:19,470 which, I should acknowledge, includes Russia. 662 00:37:19,470 --> 00:37:21,872 I mean, this is an area where they've actually served 663 00:37:21,872 --> 00:37:22,873 a constructive role. 664 00:37:22,873 --> 00:37:25,376 And China has served a constructive role. 665 00:37:25,376 --> 00:37:31,349 And there has been no cracks in this 666 00:37:33,618 --> 00:37:35,620 on the P5-plus-1 side of the table. 667 00:37:35,620 --> 00:37:41,926 And I think that's a testament to the degree to which we are 668 00:37:41,926 --> 00:37:45,462 acting reasonably in trying to actually solve a problem. 669 00:37:45,463 --> 00:37:50,968 With respect to Prime Minister Netanyahu, as I've said before, 670 00:37:50,968 --> 00:37:56,973 I talk to him all the time, our teams constantly coordinate. 671 00:37:56,974 --> 00:38:01,879 We have a practice of not meeting with leaders 672 00:38:01,879 --> 00:38:03,881 right before their elections, 673 00:38:03,881 --> 00:38:06,484 two weeks before their elections. 674 00:38:06,484 --> 00:38:09,854 As much as I love Angela, if she was two weeks away 675 00:38:09,854 --> 00:38:12,288 from an election she probably would not have received 676 00:38:12,289 --> 00:38:14,725 an invitation to the White House -- 677 00:38:14,725 --> 00:38:16,794 (laughter) 678 00:38:16,794 --> 00:38:22,799 -- and I suspect she wouldn't have asked for one. 679 00:38:26,137 --> 00:38:27,171 (laughter) 680 00:38:27,171 --> 00:38:32,276 So this is just -- some of this just has to do with 681 00:38:32,276 --> 00:38:34,979 how we do business. 682 00:38:37,014 --> 00:38:44,555 And I think it's important for us to maintain these protocols 683 00:38:44,555 --> 00:38:51,127 -- because the U.S.-Israeli relationship is not about 684 00:38:51,128 --> 00:38:52,129 a particular party. 685 00:38:52,129 --> 00:38:59,236 This isn't a relationship founded on affinity between 686 00:38:59,236 --> 00:39:01,238 the Labor Party and the Democratic Party, 687 00:39:01,238 --> 00:39:03,573 or Likud and the Republican Party. 688 00:39:03,574 --> 00:39:07,645 This is the U.S.-Israeli relationship that extends 689 00:39:07,645 --> 00:39:12,750 beyond parties, and has to do with that unbreakable bond that 690 00:39:12,750 --> 00:39:17,188 we feel and our commitment to Israel's security, 691 00:39:17,188 --> 00:39:19,690 and the shared values that we have. 692 00:39:19,690 --> 00:39:23,260 And the way to preserve that is to make sure that it doesn't 693 00:39:23,260 --> 00:39:29,233 get clouded with what could be perceived as partisan politics. 694 00:39:33,404 --> 00:39:36,507 Whether that's accurate or not, that is a potential perception, 695 00:39:36,507 --> 00:39:39,143 and that's something that we have to guard against. 696 00:39:39,143 --> 00:39:41,846 Now, I don't want to be coy. 697 00:39:41,846 --> 00:39:45,716 The Prime Minister and I have a very real difference 698 00:39:45,716 --> 00:39:49,386 around Iran, Iran sanctions. 699 00:39:49,386 --> 00:39:53,157 I have been very clear -- and Angela agrees with me, 700 00:39:53,157 --> 00:39:55,159 and David Cameron agrees with me, 701 00:39:55,159 --> 00:39:58,295 and the others who are a member of the negotiations agree -- 702 00:39:58,295 --> 00:40:04,201 that it does not make sense to sour the negotiations a month 703 00:40:04,201 --> 00:40:06,604 or two before they're about to be completed. 704 00:40:06,604 --> 00:40:09,439 And we should play that out. 705 00:40:09,440 --> 00:40:12,977 If, in fact, we can get a deal, then we should embrace that. 706 00:40:12,977 --> 00:40:16,212 If we can't get a deal, then we'll have to make 707 00:40:16,213 --> 00:40:20,117 a set of decisions, and, as I've said to Congress, 708 00:40:20,117 --> 00:40:23,120 I'll be the first one to work with them to apply 709 00:40:23,120 --> 00:40:25,656 even stronger measures against Iran. 710 00:40:25,656 --> 00:40:31,796 But what's the rush -- unless your view is that 711 00:40:31,796 --> 00:40:34,330 it's not possible to get a deal with Iran 712 00:40:34,331 --> 00:40:36,834 and it shouldn't even be tested? 713 00:40:36,834 --> 00:40:40,437 And that I cannot agree with because, as the President 714 00:40:40,437 --> 00:40:43,607 of the United States, I'm looking at what the options are 715 00:40:43,607 --> 00:40:45,609 if we don't get a diplomatic resolution. 716 00:40:45,609 --> 00:40:48,011 And those options are narrow and they're not attractive. 717 00:40:48,012 --> 00:40:50,314 And from the perspective of U.S. interests -- and 718 00:40:50,314 --> 00:40:52,716 I believe from the perspective of Israel's interests, 719 00:40:52,716 --> 00:40:56,020 although I can't speak for, obviously, 720 00:40:56,020 --> 00:40:58,556 the Israeli government -- it is far better if we can get 721 00:40:58,556 --> 00:41:00,024 a diplomatic solution. 722 00:41:00,024 --> 00:41:03,627 So there are real differences substantively, 723 00:41:03,627 --> 00:41:06,831 but that's separate and apart from the whole issue 724 00:41:06,831 --> 00:41:13,337 of Mr. Netanyahu coming to Washington. 725 00:41:13,337 --> 00:41:16,340 All right? 726 00:41:16,340 --> 00:41:22,546 The Press: Ms. Merkel, you just said the question is 727 00:41:22,546 --> 00:41:26,149 what will be effective in the Ukrainian crisis. 728 00:41:26,150 --> 00:41:28,786 And diplomacy, as you said yourself, has not really 729 00:41:28,786 --> 00:41:30,821 made all that -- has not really brought about 730 00:41:30,821 --> 00:41:31,889 that much of a progress. 731 00:41:31,889 --> 00:41:34,358 Can you understand the impatience of the Americans 732 00:41:34,358 --> 00:41:39,096 when they say we ought to now deliver weapons? 733 00:41:39,096 --> 00:41:41,866 And what makes you feel confident that diplomacy 734 00:41:41,866 --> 00:41:45,603 will carry the day in the next few days and weeks? 735 00:41:45,603 --> 00:41:48,839 And on Greece, obviously I also have to ask you, 736 00:41:48,839 --> 00:41:51,508 what is your comment on the most recent comments 737 00:41:51,508 --> 00:41:55,546 of the Greek Prime Minister who says let's end those programs, 738 00:41:55,546 --> 00:41:58,115 and I'm going to stand by the promises I made 739 00:41:58,115 --> 00:41:59,250 during the election campaign? 740 00:41:59,250 --> 00:42:01,585 How do you envisage the further cooperation 741 00:42:01,585 --> 00:42:03,153 with the Greek government? 742 00:42:03,153 --> 00:42:06,089 And to you, Mr. President, I address the question, 743 00:42:06,090 --> 00:42:10,294 there is quite a lot of pressure by members of your government 744 00:42:10,294 --> 00:42:14,932 who say weapons should be delivered to the Ukrainians. 745 00:42:14,932 --> 00:42:17,935 Now, you yourself have said you want to ratchet 746 00:42:17,935 --> 00:42:22,740 up the cost that Putin has to bear and then make 747 00:42:22,740 --> 00:42:25,408 him relent and give in maybe. 748 00:42:25,409 --> 00:42:27,711 And you said all options have to be on the table, 749 00:42:27,711 --> 00:42:29,013 so apparently also weapons. 750 00:42:29,013 --> 00:42:33,750 So what makes you so sure that these weapons will not only 751 00:42:33,751 --> 00:42:36,687 go into the hands of the regular Ukraine army, 752 00:42:36,687 --> 00:42:41,191 but will then also perhaps get into the hands of separatists 753 00:42:41,191 --> 00:42:44,560 or militias on the Ukrainian side, who are accused 754 00:42:44,561 --> 00:42:46,330 by Amnesty International and other NGOs 755 00:42:46,330 --> 00:42:48,265 of having violated human rights? 756 00:42:48,265 --> 00:42:50,868 Thank you. 757 00:42:51,702 --> 00:42:52,970 Chancellor Merkel: (as interpreted) 758 00:42:52,970 --> 00:42:54,071 Whenever you have political conflict, 759 00:42:54,071 --> 00:42:57,708 such as the one that we have now between Russia and Ukraine, 760 00:42:57,708 --> 00:43:02,446 but also in many other conflicts around the world, 761 00:43:02,446 --> 00:43:07,618 it has always proved to be right to try again and again 762 00:43:07,618 --> 00:43:08,953 to solve such a conflict. 763 00:43:08,953 --> 00:43:12,957 We've spoken at some length about the Iranian conflict. 764 00:43:12,957 --> 00:43:16,727 Here, too, we are expected to try time and again. 765 00:43:16,727 --> 00:43:18,595 And there's always a point where you say, well, 766 00:43:18,595 --> 00:43:20,596 all of the options are on the table, 767 00:43:20,597 --> 00:43:24,401 we've gone back and forth, but then one has to think again. 768 00:43:24,401 --> 00:43:28,205 Looking just at the Middle East conflict, for example, 769 00:43:28,205 --> 00:43:31,075 how many people have tried to bring about a solution 770 00:43:31,075 --> 00:43:31,674 to this conflict? 771 00:43:31,675 --> 00:43:35,179 And I've welcomed it every time, and I'm going to participate 772 00:43:35,179 --> 00:43:37,448 and support it every time because I think every time 773 00:43:37,448 --> 00:43:38,781 it has been well worth the effort. 774 00:43:38,782 --> 00:43:41,552 Now, when you have a situation now where every night you see 775 00:43:41,552 --> 00:43:43,921 people dying, you see civilian casualties, 776 00:43:43,921 --> 00:43:48,692 you see the dire conditions under which people live, 777 00:43:48,692 --> 00:43:51,295 it is incumbent upon us as politicians, 778 00:43:51,295 --> 00:43:54,732 we owe it to the people to explore every avenue 779 00:43:54,732 --> 00:43:56,867 until somebody gives in. 780 00:43:56,867 --> 00:43:59,503 But we've grown up under conditions -- 781 00:43:59,503 --> 00:44:02,039 I have to point to this again -- 782 00:44:02,039 --> 00:44:05,442 where we said nobody would have dreamt of German unity. 783 00:44:05,442 --> 00:44:09,313 The people who have said in West Germany, remember they said, 784 00:44:09,313 --> 00:44:12,883 well, should we keep citizenship of Germany for the GDR? 785 00:44:12,883 --> 00:44:14,917 They've been criticized by people 786 00:44:14,918 --> 00:44:19,323 as some who have revisionist ideas. 787 00:44:19,323 --> 00:44:22,393 And then think of President Reagan when he said, 788 00:44:22,393 --> 00:44:24,528 "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall," 789 00:44:24,528 --> 00:44:26,629 standing in front of the Brandenburg Gate. 790 00:44:26,630 --> 00:44:29,333 Many people said at the time, how can he possibly say that? 791 00:44:29,333 --> 00:44:30,367 But it was right. 792 00:44:30,367 --> 00:44:31,769 We have no guarantee. 793 00:44:31,769 --> 00:44:33,870 I cannot give you a guarantee for the outcome 794 00:44:33,871 --> 00:44:35,939 of the Wednesday talks or for other talks. 795 00:44:35,939 --> 00:44:37,941 And maybe nothing will come out of it. 796 00:44:37,941 --> 00:44:40,144 But then we're called upon again to think about 797 00:44:40,144 --> 00:44:41,745 a new possibility. 798 00:44:41,745 --> 00:44:45,281 And since we thought about every step of the way, 799 00:44:45,282 --> 00:44:48,786 will this be effective or not, we will continue to do so. 800 00:44:48,786 --> 00:44:51,922 A lot of things have to be thought about, 801 00:44:51,922 --> 00:44:54,458 and I'm very glad that with the American President, 802 00:44:54,458 --> 00:44:57,261 I have always been able to put all of the cards on the table 803 00:44:57,261 --> 00:44:59,663 and discuss the pros and cons. 804 00:44:59,663 --> 00:45:03,133 In my speech in Munich, I gave you clearly where I stand. 805 00:45:03,133 --> 00:45:06,336 But we'll continue to try it. 806 00:45:06,937 --> 00:45:08,672 I think that's why we are politicians, 807 00:45:08,672 --> 00:45:10,307 that's why we chose this profession. 808 00:45:10,307 --> 00:45:13,243 Others have to do other things -- researchers have to, 809 00:45:13,243 --> 00:45:16,346 all of the time, find new things to explore 810 00:45:16,346 --> 00:45:20,984 and we have to see that the well-being, 811 00:45:20,984 --> 00:45:22,953 the prosperity of our people is ensured. 812 00:45:22,953 --> 00:45:26,757 But we never have a guarantee that the policies we adopt 813 00:45:26,757 --> 00:45:29,293 will work, will have the effect -- oh, sorry, Greece. 814 00:45:29,293 --> 00:45:29,960 I almost forgot. 815 00:45:29,960 --> 00:45:32,729 Yes. 816 00:45:34,832 --> 00:45:38,769 On Wednesday, there's going to be a Eurogroup meeting. 817 00:45:40,170 --> 00:45:44,908 And I think what counts is what Greece will put on the table 818 00:45:44,908 --> 00:45:48,145 at that Eurogroup meeting or perhaps a few days later. 819 00:45:51,615 --> 00:45:56,019 The German policy, ever since 2010, has been aimed at 820 00:45:56,019 --> 00:45:58,354 Greece staying a member of the Eurozone. 821 00:45:58,355 --> 00:46:00,424 I've said this time and again. 822 00:46:00,424 --> 00:46:03,460 The basic rules have always been the same. 823 00:46:03,460 --> 00:46:06,363 You put in your own efforts, and on the other side, 824 00:46:06,363 --> 00:46:09,232 you're being shown solidarity as a quid pro quo. 825 00:46:09,233 --> 00:46:12,636 The three institutions of the Troika -- the ECB, 826 00:46:12,636 --> 00:46:15,806 the European Union Commission, and the IMF -- 827 00:46:15,806 --> 00:46:19,376 have agreed on programs. 828 00:46:19,376 --> 00:46:23,480 These programs are the basis of any discussion we have. 829 00:46:23,480 --> 00:46:26,683 I've always said I will wait for Greece to come 830 00:46:26,683 --> 00:46:30,754 with a sustainable proposal and then we'll talk about this. 831 00:46:32,122 --> 00:46:33,290 The President: The point Angela made I think 832 00:46:33,290 --> 00:46:38,128 is right, which is we never have guarantees 833 00:46:38,128 --> 00:46:41,565 that any particular course of action works. 834 00:46:41,565 --> 00:46:47,971 As I've said before, by the time a decision reaches my desk, 835 00:46:47,971 --> 00:46:52,075 by definition, it's a hard problem with no easy answers. 836 00:46:52,075 --> 00:46:54,745 Otherwise somebody else would have solved it 837 00:46:54,745 --> 00:46:58,649 and I would never even hear about it. 838 00:46:58,649 --> 00:47:06,490 The issue that you raised about can we be certain that 839 00:47:06,490 --> 00:47:12,162 any lethal aid that we provide Ukraine is used properly, 840 00:47:12,162 --> 00:47:14,665 doesn't fall into the wrong hands, 841 00:47:14,665 --> 00:47:24,141 does not lead to overaggressive actions that can't be sustained 842 00:47:24,141 --> 00:47:28,445 by the Ukrainians, what kinds of reactions does it prompt 843 00:47:28,445 --> 00:47:30,714 not simply from the separatists but from the Russians -- 844 00:47:30,714 --> 00:47:34,817 those are all issues that have to be considered. 845 00:47:34,818 --> 00:47:37,387 The measure by which I make these decisions is, 846 00:47:37,387 --> 00:47:42,526 is it more likely to be effective than not? 847 00:47:42,526 --> 00:47:51,667 And that is what our deliberations will be about. 848 00:47:51,668 --> 00:47:57,174 But what I do know is this -- that the United States 849 00:47:57,174 --> 00:48:01,078 and Europe have not stood idly by. 850 00:48:01,078 --> 00:48:05,682 We have made enormous efforts, enormous investments 851 00:48:05,682 --> 00:48:13,890 of dollars, of political capital, of diplomacy, 852 00:48:13,890 --> 00:48:16,292 in trying to resolve this situation. 853 00:48:16,293 --> 00:48:18,495 I think the Ukrainian people can feel confident 854 00:48:18,495 --> 00:48:21,330 that we have stood by them. 855 00:48:21,331 --> 00:48:25,969 People like Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Kerry 856 00:48:25,969 --> 00:48:31,341 have spent countless hours on this issue, 857 00:48:31,341 --> 00:48:36,980 as has Angela and her team on the German side. 858 00:48:36,980 --> 00:48:44,388 And just because we have not yet gotten the outcome that we want 859 00:48:44,388 --> 00:48:48,091 doesn't mean that this pressure is not, over time, 860 00:48:48,091 --> 00:48:50,827 making a difference. 861 00:48:50,827 --> 00:48:54,331 I think it's fair to say that there are those inside of Russia 862 00:48:54,331 --> 00:49:00,170 who recognize this has been a disastrous course 863 00:49:00,170 --> 00:49:02,139 for the Russian economy. 864 00:49:02,139 --> 00:49:05,242 I think Mr. Putin is factoring that in. 865 00:49:05,242 --> 00:49:09,379 But, understandably, until the situation is entirely resolved, 866 00:49:09,379 --> 00:49:11,448 we're going to have to keep on trying different things 867 00:49:11,448 --> 00:49:16,653 to see if we can get a better outcome. 868 00:49:16,653 --> 00:49:19,923 What I do know is, is that we will not be able to succeed 869 00:49:19,923 --> 00:49:24,294 unless we maintain the strong transatlantic solidarity 870 00:49:24,294 --> 00:49:28,432 that's been the hallmark of our national security 871 00:49:28,432 --> 00:49:31,401 throughout the last 70 years. 872 00:49:31,401 --> 00:49:36,239 And I'm confident that I've got a great partner in Angela 873 00:49:36,239 --> 00:49:38,542 in maintaining that. 874 00:49:38,542 --> 00:49:39,609 Thank you very much, everybody.