Calay News
In response to Kyiv’s plans to launch a full-scale counteroffensive, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an interview with PBS on Thursday that his government will do everything possible to make up for the shortage of ammunition in Ukraine.
When asked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statements that the counteroffensive “will have to wait” a little longer, Blinken noted that they have been working hard to provide Ukraine with what they need to defend themselves against Russian aggression. They have been working with more than 50 countries to adjust and adapt shipments according to the nature of the conflict, making sure Ukraine has what it needs. If there are deficiencies or shortfalls, they are willing to fill them.
As for the UK’s supply of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine and the US’s reluctance to provide such weaponry, Blinken avoided giving a direct answer. He noted that they have a coalition of countries supporting Ukraine and that each country will do what it can according to its own capabilities. He stressed that US military assistance to Ukraine includes unique elements, but the decision to deliver different types of weaponry is based on whether they fit Ukraine’s needs.
Since the beginning of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, President Joe Biden’s administration has refused to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles, such as ATACMS operational-tactical ballistic missiles, which have a range of 300 kilometers. The Pentagon has explained that this could lead to an escalation of the conflict. In addition, the lack of supply of this type of weaponry is also due to a shortage of reserves, as admitted by the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley.
