Thread by @jseldin

NEW: US to increase rotational forces in #Australia, including US bombers, fighters and @USArmy capabilities, per @SecDef, follow mtg w/@SecBlinken & their Australian counterparts

MORE: #Japan also invited to integrate w/US-#Australia force posture, per @SecDef

US help w/nuclear powered subs "will transform #Australia's strategic posture" per #Australian DefMin @RichardMarlesMP

#COVID19 vaccines - "I've not seen any hard data that directly links the COVID mandate to an effect on our recruiting" per @SecDef

#Russia "weaponizing winter...is the daily & nightly reality" in #Ukraine, per @StateDept's @SecBlinken

US has not "encouraged or enabled" #Ukraine to strike targets in #Russia, per @SecBlinken

Increased rotations of US land, air & sea forces to #Australia - complete details still to be worked out, per @SecDef

"The interests of the United States are clearly in helping #Ukraine" defend itself against #Russia, per @SecBlinken

"What's at stake in Ukraine are vitally important principles" he adds, warning allowing #Moscow to violate norms & rules will open a "Pandora's box"

"#China's watching very carefully what's happening in Ukraine...what they've seen is countries coming together in extraordinary ways" per @SecBlinken

"That has to have an impact on China's thinking" re #Taiwan

IS US preventing #Ukraine from developing its own long-range weapon systems?

"No, we're absolutely not doing that" per @SecDef

#Ukraine matters to everybody" per #Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong

Says entire world is insecure if #Russia is allowed to use force to change borders

"We are completely committed to standing w/#Ukraine for as long as it takes" per #Australia Defense Minister Richard Marles

"We will increase rotational presence of US forces in #Australia" per @SecDef

"That includes rotations of bomber task forces, fighters & future rotations of @USNavy & @USArmy capabilities" he said "We'll also expand our logistics & sustainment cooperation"