“We will continue to adapt and adjust” aid - Blinken on US restrictions on strikes deep into Russia
Kyiv • UNN
US Secretary of State Blinken announced that the aid would be adapted to Ukraine's needs on the battlefield. The United States is ready to use every dollar of the $61 billion package and expects increased support from its allies.
The United States and its partners are meeting many of the needs outlined in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's "victory plan," and this was the subject of discussions with allies and partners on November 13 at NATO headquarters. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said this during a visit to Brussels, answering a question about the possibility of easing restrictions on long-range weapons strikes deep into Russia, UNN reports citing Voice of America.
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"The criterion for our assistance to Ukraine, starting in February 2022 and continuing until today, is to make sure that we adapt to Ukraine's needs as the battlefield changes, as what Russia is doing changes, where the front is, how the war is going, how the aggression is going. I am convinced that we will continue to adapt and adjust (the aid - ed.) as needed," Blinken said.
The U.S. Secretary of State did not specifically answer questions about long-range weapons, but assured that the current administration is committed to further assistance to Ukraine.
"The President [Biden] is committed to making sure that we put every dollar at our disposal, including the $61 billion package... And we are on our way to doing that. So the withdrawals that we can make from our military equipment will happen, and that's how the funds will move forward. This should ensure that Ukraine continues to get what it needs from us," Blinken emphasized.
The US Secretary of State emphasized that support from allies and partners is equally important.
"I am convinced, based on the conversations we have today and almost every day, that this support will continue, and not only that, I expect it to grow," Blinken summarized.
The U.S. Secretary of State is in Brussels to discuss support for Ukraine in meetings with his NATO and EU counterparts.
In particular, at a meeting with Rutte, he said that the involvement of North Korean troops in the war in Ukraine requires a tough response and will be met with one.
"Today we had a very productive discussion about our continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression. In addition, [there was a conversation] about this additional element of the DPRK, North Korean forces engaged in war and now literally in combat, which requires and will receive a tough response," Blinken said.
