Rubio comments on missing warnings to Ukraine regarding Russian ballistic missiles
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that he has no information regarding the absent warning for the Russian ballistic attack on Kyiv last night but said that on previous occasions there were "software problems".
Source: Rubio, answering a question from Radio Free Europe correspondent Alex Raufoglu, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Raufoglu asked Rubio about Ukraine's statements that last night it again received no warning before Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv.
Quote from Rubio: "Whatever happened last night, I don't know exactly... I can't comment on what happened last night."
Details: Meanwhile, speaking about such instances in the past, Rubio said there were "software problems".
Quote from Rubio: "I know a few nights ago there was a software problem involving their early warning system."
Details: Commenting on the safety of American citizens and diplomats in Ukraine, Rubio said that "we do meetings on a weekly basis in all our posts, especially those that are in conflict zones, to determine whether or not we can continue to maintain people there".
Quote from Rubio: "As of now, we've not changed our posture or our footprint in Kyiv. We have our presence there, but, of course, we are concerned, we are always concerned about the safety and security of our diplomats and our facilities."
Background:
- On the night of 18-19 October, the Russians launched two waves of ballistic missile attacks. Ukraine received no advance warning from its international partners before the first wave, but did before the second.
- On 18 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the US had resumed sharing intelligence with Ukraine to defend against Russian missile strikes.
- The Washington Post reported that the US intelligence officials warned the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington that the US would immediately halt all intelligence sharing in the event of new strikes against Russian energy facilities.
- On 14 October in an interview with the NPR radio station Zelenskyy confirmed that the Ukrainian generals had received warnings and threats regarding intelligence sharing, but these threats had not yet been carried out.
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