Blinken addresses weapons policy shift in Ukraine

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)– Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the U.S.’s recent foreign policy pivot to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia.

“Adapt and adjust. And that, as I said, has been a hallmark of our engagement,” Blinken said.

The weapons are meant to counter Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, just miles from the border.

Secretary Blinken addressed the change while meeting with NATO leaders in Prague.

“It reflects a very deliberate determination to make sure we’re getting Ukraine what they need, when they need it,” Blinken said.

Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reacted to the policy shift, saying he couldn’t share details of the move, but believes it could help.

“I want to see in practice what will be, but I think, anyway, this is some step forward,” Zelenskyy said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg defended Ukraine, saying it has the right to self-defense.

“And that includes also the right to strike legitimate military targets inside Russia,” Stoltenberg said.

Secretary Blinken also said the U.S. and allies are working to build a bridge for Ukraine to join NATO. He said more tangible steps will be taken at a summit in Washington this July.

“Ukraine will become a member of NATO. As I’ve said, it’s a bridge you’ll see emerge at the summit that’s both very strong and very well lit,” Blinken said.

The U.S. is pushing back against Russia in other ways, too. In his trip to eastern Europe, Blinken pledged $135 million in aid to Moldova to counter Russian influence.

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