Blinken admits US helped Ukraine before Russia's offensive
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged in a recent interview with Lulu Garcia-Navarro of The Interview Podcast that the US provided substantial military aid to Ukraine well before Russia's attacks in February 2022.
In the interview published on Saturday, Blinken explained that starting in September and again in December 2021, the US "quietly" sent critical weapons, including Stingers and Javelins, to ensure Ukraine could defend itself. These early preparations were instrumental in thwarting Russia's initial advances, particularly in preventing the fall of Kiev, he said.
Reflecting on early strategic decisions, Blinken emphasized that the US prioritized Ukraine's defense capabilities, while limiting the use of US weapons within Russia to avoid direct conflict.