Former Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told VOA Ukraine on Thursday that the United States "enables Ukraine to continue to protect itself and its sovereignty. We are focusing on. "
Kirby, who recently became the coordinator of strategic communications at the National Security Council, said that since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the United States has $ 6 billion, including military equipment such as: He said he provided nearby support. HIMARS, high mobility artillery rocket system.
Ukraine "determines the operation they plan to carry out, and that is their right to the material they obtain from the United States. [It] is now their property. It is Ukrainian property. And they can decide how to use it, "Kirby said.
This is an interview edited for brevity and clarity.
VOA:We know that the American HIMARS [High Mobile Artillery Rocket System] has arrived in Ukraine today. How do you expect them to affect the battlefield at this stage?
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby: Abbreviation for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System The major difference between these HIMARS is distance and its range. It gives Ukrainians the benefit of further standoffs from the Russian army. They have been fighting them every day and are now a much more concentrated geographic area.
VOA:The United States provides Ukraine with an unprecedented level of military aid. Still, some of Kieu and Washington say it's not enough, not fast enough. Do you think the administration has provided Ukraine with enough weapons to make a difference on the battlefield?
Kirby:All these systems make a difference. Even today, they make a difference. And the Ukrainians will tell you that, and it's not just a big system. It is the firearms and ammunition they use literally every day in this battle with the Russians. So it's already influential. And we are clearly the largest donor of security assistance to Ukraine and other countries around the world. Almost $ 6 billion since the invasion began. So it contains a lot of material, and the President has made it clear that we promise to continue to support it.
VOA:We should expect more HIMARS to be sent to Ukraine. And what is the absolute maximum amount that the United States can offer HIMARS and MLRS [Multiple Launch Rocket System] considering its inventory?
Kirby:You will see systems like HIMARS appearing in the future. I think it's likely. I don't want to precede the concrete announcement here. But again, the President was very clear with [Ukraine] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy. Once again, we will help them as soon as possible. And I'll tell you, the material is coming in at record speed. … It is unprecedented speed that security aids are actually at the forefront of Ukraine. There are literally daily shipments. And it's not just from the United States, we are the biggest donors. However, more than 40 other countries around the world also provide Ukraine with some form of security assistance. [we. Secretary of Defense [Lloyd] Austin held the latest Ukrainian contact group in Brussels last week. About 50 countries from all over the world, not just Europe, participate and their ability to protect Ukraine and themselves.
VOA:Can the administration clarify the weapons it is providing to Ukraine to protect themselves and push Russia out of Ukraine?
Kirby:We are serious about ensuring that Ukraine can continue to protect itself and its sovereignty, popular sovereignty and territorial integrity. And, obviously, Ukrainians are participating in this battle. They determine the operation they are trying to perform. And that is their right. The materials they get from the United States are now theirs. It is a Ukrainian property and they can decide how to use it. Now, obviously, we want Ukraine's sovereignty to be fully respected. We hope that Ukraine's territorial integrity will be fully restored. But how it is determined, and it should be determined by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin ending this war. But Zelensky will decide what the victory will look like.
VOA:If the Ukrainians decide to win this war, push the Russians back to the front on February 23, support them and use the weapons provided. Do you support the counterattack?
Kirby:Well, the Ukrainians are already fighting back on their own. That is, see what they were doing in the south and see Kakifu in the north. There, the Russians almost completely surrounded the city [and] the Ukrainians pushed them away and back towards the border. Zelinskyy is the commander-in-chief of his army. We respect it. He can decide how to use those powers and how to define victory. Our job is to make sure he has the tools available to do it in the most efficient and effective way.
VOA:Is the administration preparing for a protracted war? [NATO Secretary-General Jens] I heard that Stoltenberg said he should expect the war to last for a long time. What are your expectations for the American side?
Kirby:When Putin decided to focus on Donbus, I heard American officials say this was possible from almost the beginning. There may be a protracted battle here in the Donbus area. It should be remembered that this is part of Ukraine, where Russians and Ukrainians are literally in conflict since 2014. February 24 is often thought of as the moment of the watershed, but Ukrainian soldiers were dying, fighting, and dying. For their country a few years ago. Therefore, this is part of a country that both troops are familiar with, and both are delving into it. Russians are gradual but have not made consistent progress. Ukrainians are retreating. And it can certainly be a long-term dispute.
VOA:On July 9, [US] President [Joe] Biden signed the Lend-Lease Act [to facilitate the process of sending military aid to Ukraine] 60 The day will come. When is the United States planning to use this mechanism? Also, the weapons that the United States sends through this mechanism are different from what the United States is currently sending.
Kirby:We certainly welcome the support Parliament has given to additional authorities to help Ukraine protect itself. We are still on our way through that particular act, and certain authorities and capabilities that may help us to serve Ukraine. In the meantime, we're already streaming a lot of material through drawdown authority, just pulling it out of our inventory. We have the authority to do that. The president was not shy to use it. And you will continue to watch those trends. Just a few weeks ago, Congress made a supplementary request for about $ 40 million, not all for security assistance, but many. It also has authority through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. This is an authority and last week used a place where the Pentagon could sign contracts for items sent directly to Ukraine. Therefore, there are so many tools in the toolbox. And we are open-minded about using them all.
VOA:There are several reports showing that US intelligence has less information than they would like about Ukrainian operations, personnel and equipment losses. I have. Does this administration see this as a problem in the context of providing military aid to Ukraine?
Kirby:In an interview, I don't want to talk about intelligence issues here. Relations with the Ukrainian army are very strong. And, literally almost every day, we talk to them at various levels, from the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Joint Chiefs of Staff level, including military-to-military contact. And the idea of those conversations is to help give us a better idea of what Ukraine needs in the fight. One of the things we didn't talk about was intentionally because we're doing this in parcels when we talk about aid and how much they're getting and how fast they're getting. To help them in a way related to the battle they are participating in. And the Ukrainians were very honest and open to us about the fights they are participating in and what they need. And they were honest with the rest of the world. And those conversations will continue. And that's really important.
VOA:I heard from Secretary of State Austin and Secretary of State [US] Antony that they want to see Ukraine win, they want to win. Is it still in the position of government?
Kirby: Of course, we want Ukraine to succeed on the battlefield, and in that regard, we want it to succeed in the negotiating table. Well, obviously, we're not at that stage right now. But we believe it is President Zelensky who decides what the victory will look like. So it's his country. He is the Commander-in-Chief and we respect him.Unlike the Russians, we respect the decision of Ukrainian voters to elect him. And we respect his leadership and responsibilities.
VOA:What are the expectations of President Biden's visit to Europe for the G7 (Group of Seven) Summit and the NATO Summit? What are your main expectations?
Kirby: This is a very exciting journey. A year ago, when President Biden attended the G7 and is now attending several NATO summits, the past theme was to see, America is back and American leadership is back. .. And now, without going into any particular deliverable before these conferences, we are now very much looking forward to the theme that American leadership provides to our allies and partners and to the American people. I think it is, in fact, improving our national security, supporting national and global energy security, and continuing to impose costs and consequences on Mr Putin for this unprovoked war. Produces.
VOA:Afghanistan's Russian envoy said Moscow could recognize the Taliban government, regardless of the position of the United States. Do you think such a Russian move could further exacerbate the relationship between Moscow and Washington?
Kirby:There is now enough tension between the United States and Russia as Mr Putin needs to continue to focus on what he has done for the security of the entire European continent. I think there is. Frankly, all over the world. Russia can speak for itself in terms of which government they are trying to recognize, we are not at the stage of being willing to do that with respect to the Taliban. Please do not make decisions in any country in the world, or in any country that certainly borders Afghanistan, that would make the people of Afghanistan less stable and secure than they are today. ..
VOA:The White House states that future meetings between Biden and [Saudi] King Salman and Prince [Mohammed] Bin Salman will promote national security interests. What is the reason the White House decides that the national interest will defeat the objections to authoritarian leaders? And do you see it at any time in the foreseeable future where the White House may decide that it is in the national interest to even sit with Putin?
Kirby:Now, the president spoke to Vladimir Putin and to him before the invasion. The President speaks, meets, talks with leaders around the world, and talks about what he believes will benefit the national security of the American people. That is his job as Commander-in-Chief, and he takes that responsibility seriously. And, as you know, I look back at some of the critics here: values and compliance with human and civil rights are somehow in conflict with practical foreign policy. The facts are just stupid. They go hand in hand, they have to go hand in hand. And the President is very clear that our foreign policy is rooted in values and is never shy about supporting and advancing those values when meeting with leaders around the world. It's not a shop. The two must go hand in hand.
