During Wednesday’s press conference, Gray TV’s White House News correspondent, Jon Decker, pushed Jen Psaki’s limits on Team Biden’s provision of weaponry to the Ukrainian military.
Team Biden has stated that defensive weapons will be sent to Ukraine. When the list of what they’re actually sending is scrutinized, it’s clear that at least some of the weaponry might be used offensively. The list includes hundreds of grenade launchers, anti-tank weapons, and even armed drones.
Decker was eager to quiz Psaki on the subject. He began by displaying a catalog of weaponry.
100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 handguns, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns are among the weapons. “Are you claiming that those weapons aren’t offensive?”
“They’re armaments that help the Ukrainian people fight against an attack by a foreign country,” Psaki added, without answering.
Yes, but that wasn’t the point of the query. So Decker responded, “They can be used offensively, couldn’t they?” ”
Decker finally got to ask his inquiry and make his point after a little more back and forth, saying:
“All right, then. This distinction between offensive and defensive weapons is something you’re making. Anyone looking at the list of weapons I just provided would immediately conclude that they are offensive.
If a Ukrainian military officer or enlisted possesses one of these weapons, he or she can eliminate a Russian military official of some sort. They’re inherently offensive. So, why not provide the Ukrainian military with more offensive weaponry like this? ”
As predicted, Psaki did not respond directly by saying, “Well, first of all, we are providing a range of rifles, et cetera. There is a difference between a plane and planes and massive military systems — I think anybody would recognize this — and what we’re talking about, which is giving rifles and pistols to many of them farmers and people living in the countryside to defend themselves. I think there’s a difference that most people recognize.”