Rubio says US is not diverting weapons for Ukraine to Middle East, but it could happen
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States is not diverting weapons purchased by NATO countries for Ukraine to the Middle East, but he has not ruled out that possibility in the future.
Source: Rubio speaking to journalists before departing from France, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Rubio said that as of now, the initiative to procure US-made weapons for Ukraine has not been affected by the operations in Iran. He denied reports that the US has begun redirecting weapons intended for Kyiv to the Middle East, but added that this could happen in the future.
Quote: "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 […] If the United States has a military need, whether it is to replenish our stocks or to fulfil some mission in the national interest of the United States, we're always going to come first when it comes to our weapons."
Details: Rubio added that Washington always allows for this possibility when national interests are involved.
"If we need something for America, and it's American, we're going to keep it for America first. But as of now, that has not happened," he said.
Background:
- Rubio's remarks come amid media reports that representatives of the Trump administration have begun warning countries that US weapons deliveries to Ukraine could be disrupted in the coming months as the Pentagon prioritises their use in the war in Iran.
- However, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said US weapons supplied under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative would continue to be delivered to Ukraine.
- Trump also commented on the reports, saying that the US regularly diverts weapons from different parts of the world.
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