The White House has condemned Russia's strikes on the Okhmatdyt children's clinic and promised a "very strong set of signals and messages" to Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. This was stated by the White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby to journalists on July 8, UNN reports citing Voice of America.
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Kirby said that it is "normal for Putin to hit civilian infrastructure," and he "doesn't care if people are in hospitals or homes.
At the briefing, he was asked whether such an attack by the Russians is a certain signal on the eve of the NATO summit, which is scheduled to take place from July 9 to 11 in Washington.
I cannot emphasize enough that this is a message. But, as I said, what you will see over the course of this week is a very strong set of signals and messages to Mr. Putin that he cannot wait out NATO, he cannot wait out the United States. We will continue to support Ukraine
According to Kirby, Russia has intensified its campaign against Ukraine's energy system, deliberately "depriving civilians of light" before the fall and winter. The White House official announced that the NATO summit will include "some serious steps" to strengthen Ukraine's air defense.
Kirby also clarified whether the attack on Okhmatdyt and other infrastructure could change the US position that Ukraine cannot launch direct strikes on Russian airfields with US weapons deep into Russia. It is from those airfields that Kyiv believes missiles were fired on July 8.
"There has been no change in our policy. The President instructed Ukraine a few weeks ago that they could use the weapons we provide to strike targets directly overseas. That still stands," Kirby said.