US weapons intended for Ukraine may be redirected to Middle East — Marco Rubio
Photo: Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State (Getty Images)
The US may redirect weapons that were intended for Ukraine to operations in the Middle East, states US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a conversation with journalists.
The US Secretary of State was asked to comment on rumors that the Pentagon is considering redirecting weapons intended for Ukraine.
"Well, it hasn't happened yet. Nothing yet has been diverted, but it could. I mean, frankly, it's not diverted. These are not diverted weapons. These are our weapons. These are sales. These are military sales through Pearl, paid for by NATO," said Marco Rubio.
According to him, if a situation arises in which the US needs to replenish its stockpiles or carry out any missions in the national interest, America’s needs will always come first. And this principle applies to every country in the world.
He added that the redistribution of weapons originally intended for Ukraine could happen at any time.
"So far, Pearl's been unaffected by this operation," the Secretary of State said.
Rumors about US aid to Ukraine
Earlier, The Washington Post, citing sources, reported that Pentagon officials were considering sending to the Middle East weapons that had been designated for Ukraine.
Commenting on this information, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that the supply of US weapons to Ukraine, which Allied countries purchase from the US under the PURL program, is ongoing.
He noted that, in particular, Ukraine is receiving missiles for Patriot air defense systems through this program.
