A recent statement from White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby addressed comments made by President-elect Donald Trump regarding the Biden administration's authorization of Ukraine's use of US-supplied long-range missiles inside Russia. Kirby clarified that the decision to allow the use of these missiles was made before Trump was elected in November.
During a virtual gaggle with reporters, Kirby emphasized that the decision regarding the missiles was an internal one made by the current administration in response to Putin's deployment of North Korean troops, a move that occurred prior to the election. Kirby refrained from engaging in a back-and-forth with the president-elect or his team, underscoring that the decision was made based on existing circumstances.
Trump had expressed his disapproval of the missile authorization during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, stating that he believed it was a mistake to allow missiles to be fired into Russia without consulting him, especially so close to his upcoming inauguration. He questioned why such a decision was made without his input.
Despite Trump's concerns, Kirby assured that the Biden administration has been actively engaging with the incoming team since the election, providing insights into national security matters, including the situation in Ukraine. Kirby stressed that the administration has been transparent in explaining their actions and decisions to ensure that there are no surprises for the incoming administration.
Overall, the response from the White House underscores the complexities of national security decisions and the importance of continuity in addressing ongoing global challenges. The dialogue between the outgoing and incoming administrations aims to facilitate a smooth transition and ensure a cohesive approach to critical issues such as the conflict in Ukraine.
