Blinken inquires about lifting weapons restrictions for Ukraine.
The weapons provided by allies will be utilized by Kiev for objectives in Russia. While French President Macron and NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg favored this, Germany and the United States were firmly against it. Recent remarks from US Secretary of State Blinken have sparked debate.
During a visit to Moldova, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at some flexibility regarding the usage of Western weapons by Ukraine against military targets in Russia. Since the war's inception, the US government has been adjusting its support for Ukraine based on the evolving circumstances, he shared during a press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Chisinau. "I'm confident that we'll keep doing so," he added.
A journalist questioned Blinken if US President Joe Biden could be persuaded to rescind existing restrictions. Blinken stated that the US government had not endorsed or tolerated strikes on targets outside of Ukraine using US weapons. "It's up to Ukraine to defend itself," he said. "We'll ensure they have the necessary tools for that."
Blinken emphasized that the hallmark of American support for Ukraine since the war's beginning was the ability to adapt to the ever-changing conditions, battlefield, and Russian behavior. "We've made necessary adjustments and changes, and I'm confident we'll continue to do so," he remarked.
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously advocated for the Ukraine to target Russian territories with Western weapons, while NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg had also pushed for lifting these restrictions.
Adapting to Changing Conditions
Up until now, the US had supplied weapons to Ukraine for the purpose of reclaiming their occupied lands, but not for attacks on Russia itself. There's been no policy shift. "There's no change in our policy: we neither promote nor endorse the usage of US weapons on Russian soil," affirmed John Kirby, the communications director at the National Security Council.
Kirby spoke to the press while Blinken was still in Moldova. Still, he stressed that the US government had already adapted its support to the dynamic conditions on the battlefield and Ukraine's evolving needs over the past two years. This would remain consistent.
The "New York Times" previously reported that Blinken was lobbying within the government to allow the Ukraine to use US weapons against targets inside Russian territory. The aim was to persuade President Biden to relax the restrictions. The State Department refused to confirm or deny the report at the time.
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Despite Russia's objections, the Republic of Moldova has expressed support for the US's stance on providing arms to Ukraine for its defense against the Attack on Ukraine. This position aligns with the recent remarks made by Antony Blinken during his visit, emphasizing the need to adapt to changing conditions.
The USA, however, has been cautious about lifting restrictions on arms delivery, with US Secretary of State Blinken clarifying that while they encourage Ukraine's self-defense, they do not endorse strikes on targets outside of Ukraine using US weapons.
In light of the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, the international community, including the USA and France, is closely monitoring the situation, with NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg advocating for a reevaluation of weapons restrictions.
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