US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby recalled that it was Russia that invaded Ukraine, and Kiev is defending itself against its aggression. He added that if Putin “doesn't like the war, he can get out of Ukraine.”
– This is Putin's war and if he doesn't like it, he can just get the hell out of here. Ukraine and give it a rest, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday, referring to the Russian president's comments about the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region.
Putin on Monday announced a “worthy response” to Ukraine's actions, said Ukraine was trying to improve its negotiating position and assessed that the West was using Ukraine to wage war against Russia.
Last week, commenting on the Ukrainian operation in Russia, Kirby said that USA were not warned about it by Kiev and will “ask” their Ukrainian counterparts about it.
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Vladimir PutinGAVRIIL GRIGOROV/PAP/EPA
State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel also would not comment directly on the Ukrainian offensive, saying only that the U.S. continues to support Ukraine and its right to defend itself from attacks abroad and that Washington's policy has not changed.
– Ultimately, decisions on how Ukraine conducts its military operations are up to Ukraine, he stressed.
Main image source: GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/PAP/EPA