US providing Ukraine with supplies in case Russia uses chemical weapons, says White House
The United States is providing Ukraine with lifesaving equipment and supplies in case Russia deploys chemical or biological weapons in its attack against the nation, the White House said on Friday.
Replying to a question whether the US is supplying protective equipment to Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “The United States and members of the international community have repeatedly warned about the potential for Russia to use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine and that Moscow is possibly planning a false-flag operation.”
Jen Psaki confirmed that the US is providing Ukraine with lifesaving equipment and supplies in the event of use of chemical weapons by Russia.
She, however, added that the US aid to Ukraine does not compromise the former’s domestic preparedness.
“It does not compromise our domestic preparedness in any way, shape, or form — just for everybody’s awareness — but we are providing it as we are providing a range of materials and equipment,” the White House said on Friday.
Earlier, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg had raised concerns that Russia may use chemical weapons in a ‘false flag’ attack in Ukraine. A false flag operation refers to an act committed with the intent of disguising the actual perpetrator and pinning the blame on the other party.
“We are concerned Moscow could stage a false flag operation in Ukraine, possibly with chemical weapons,” Stoltenberg said.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden had said that Nato would “respond” if Russian President Vladimir Putin used a chemical weapon in his war on Ukraine.
“We will respond if he uses it. The nature of the response would depend on the nature of the use,” Biden said after a NATO summit in Brussels in March.
Meanwhile, the US allotted $300 million in “security assistance” for Ukraine on Friday to bolster the country’s defense capabilities. The new aid adds to the $1.6 billion Washington has committed since Russia invaded in late February.