White House: Ukraine already confirms ceasefire “conquest” of Russia

Kirby, the White House Coordinator of Strategic Communications for the National Security Council, answered questions from reporters in a daily online press briefing. Saying that the images they released of the US MQ-9 UAV, which crashed into the Black Sea with the Russian Su-27 jet harassing them, confirmed their own statements, Kirby said the images also revealed that the statements from the Russian side on this issue were not correct.

Kirby claimed that “the Russian plane was flying aggressively and recklessly and crashed into the UAV they were dumping fuel on” and that this was seen as deliberate harassment, Kirby said, he refutes. he used the phrase.

On the other hand, Kirby said that they did not know if the Russian pilots had the intention of hitting the UAV, adding: “It is quite possible that the pilot did not want to shoot down the plane, but frankly, it should not have been the case.” in the same airspace as the UAV. The UAV was acting in accordance with international law, it was definitely not doing anything wrong. So there was no reason for the Russian fighter jet to be so close.” saying.

Kirby stressed that they do not want to conflict with Russia and on the other hand, they will continue to support Ukraine.

“THE ATTRACTION IN THE UKRAINE CONFIRMS THE ‘CONQUEST’ OF RUSSIA”

Noting that they support a possible phone conversation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kirby said it is important for China to listen to Ukraine’s perspective on the Russia-Ukraine war.

Kirby, on the other hand, claimed that the implementation of the 12-point peace plan offered by China could mean Russia’s “occupation” of Ukrainian lands, saying: “Although this (the ceasefire) sounds like something very reasonable and good, a ceasefire is basically the way in which Russia (Ukraine) confirms its conquest.” He made his assessment.

Noting that a ceasefire, as China is currently proposing, would legitimize Russia’s territorial gains in Ukraine, Kirby noted that this would also violate the United Nations Charter.

Kirby, when asked about the possibility of Russia harassing US drones in Syria, creating a conflict with this country, expressed the opinion that there are channels to prevent conflicts with Russia in Syria and Europe, and that there is no reason to let this grow and become a conflict. “We’re not looking for a conflict with Russia,” Kirby said. he used the phrase.

When asked about Poland’s plan to send 4 Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, Coordinator Kirby said this was the countries’ sovereign decision and the US position on giving F- 16 to Ukraine has not changed. Kirby recalled that the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is not on the agenda at the moment.

SUPPORT TO JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA

Expressing his satisfaction with the resumption of bilateral security negotiations and the establishment of an economic security dialogue between the leaders of Japan and South Korea, Kirby said they will continue to support the two countries within the scope of US efforts. to strengthen defense and security. Alliances in the Indo-Pacific.

Kirby stated that they “strongly” condemned North Korea’s launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and stressed that they would continue to develop their cooperation with Japan and South Korea.

Coordinator Kirby noted that they called on Israeli leaders to reach a consensus on the tension in Israel and supported the efforts of President Isaac Herzog on this issue.

A STATEMENT BY THE KURILLA FROM THE CENTCOM COMMAND

US Central Forces (CENTCOM) Commanding General Michael Kurilla said Russia has increased its flights with munitions-carrying planes against ground targets over bases where US soldiers are stationed in Syria.

Kurilla made assessments with US African Forces (AFRICOM) Commander Michael Langely on US military activities in Africa and the Middle East at the Senate Armed Services Committee.

RUSSIA FROM RUSSIA TO US ARMY IN SYRIA

Stating that despite the war in Ukraine, there was no significant decrease in Russia’s military presence in Syria, Kurilla said: “Recently, we see that the Russian Air Force has been less professional and more dangerous in the region.” he used the phrases.

Asked by a senator to give an example, Kurilla said: “They are flying over our bases with planes with ground target munitions on their wings to provoke. This is really dangerous and unprofessional.” saying.

Stating that the United States asks Russia to act professionally, Kurilla said: “They want to renegotiate the protocols for the safe separation of forces, which they violate almost every day.” he said.

Kurilla said that Russia’s behavior is not new, but that there has been a significant increase in these flights since March 1.

In 2015, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the US and Russia for the safe separation of forces in air operations.

“IF IRAN GETS NUCLEAR WEAPONS, THE MIDDLE EAST WILL BE CHANGED FOREVER”

Iran’s nuclear weapons program was also discussed at the session. General Kurilla said Iran has the largest and most diverse missile capability, with thousands of cruise and ballistic missiles at its disposal to strike anywhere in the Middle East.

Noting that Iran also has the most effective UAV power in the region, Kurilla said: “Tehran can enrich uranium much faster than 2 years ago. Iran’s nuclear weapons will change the Middle East overnight and forever.” saying.

Stating that the Iran-Saudi Arabia deal to normalize diplomatic relations is a three-year negotiation and that China has been involved in the past three months, Kurilla said the most important point of the deal is the implementation of the deal.

Recalling that they confiscated the weapons that Iran sent to Yemen 5 times in the last three months, Kurilla said they will see if Saudi Arabia will hold China responsible if Iran sends weapons to Yemen.

Expressing that the intelligence capacity in the region decreased after the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, Kurilla noted that they were looking for ways to penetrate Afghanistan.

When asked, Kurilla said: “My commanders estimate that they (DEASH-H) will reach their ability to carry out a foreign operation against us or Western interests in less than 6 months.” warned.

EVENTS IN CHINA

At the meeting, both US commanders stressed that China has increased its influence in Africa and the Middle East, and that this works against the US.

On the other hand, stating that China has increased its arms sales in the Middle East by more than 80 percent in the last 10 years, Kurilla noted that the integration of China’s military equipment in the region may put US interoperability at risk. USA with many countries in the future. future.

Explaining that the United States accelerated the integration of military equipment in the region before China penetrated the region, Kurilla said that the US administrations were slow in foreign military sales, especially in the Middle East.

Emphasizing that the United States could not sell weapons and equipment to its partners fast enough, Kurilla said: “What China is doing is that they come, open the whole catalog and offer them fast delivery, without conditions of use and financing. They are much faster.” he said.

“ALL GLOBAL OPERATING PLANS ACCOUNTS CHANGE”

AFRICOM Commanding General Langely also drew attention to China’s activities in Africa.

Noting that the United States had a definite superiority in Africa for a long time, but China was closing the gap, Langely said that China was looking to establish a military base in many African countries.

Langely said: “China’s base in West Africa changes all the calculations of global geostrategic plans to protect the country (US). This puts them in an advantageous position.” saying.

The American commander asserted that the United States is competing with Russia and China in arms sales and partnerships in Africa, but much slower than Washington’s rivals. (AA)