Russia attempted to manipulate Blinken's statement on weapons for Ukraine - National Security and Defense Council.

Manipulations regarding U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's statement that the United States supplied Ukraine with certain types of weapons long before the start of the full-scale Russian aggression are spreading in Russian propaganda materials.

According to the Center for Countering Disinformation on Facebook, propagandists claim that this statement proves that Ukraine was preparing for war against the so-called 'DNR' and 'LNR' and directly against Russia. Kremlin-controlled media resources are using this as a justification for the invasion.

_'Ukraine did not plan any offensive operations. The U.S. provided Ukraine with weapons in 2021 after the concentration of Russian troops was detected at the border and suspicions of preparations for an invasion of Ukraine. Blinken confirmed that the supplies included Stinger anti-aircraft systems, Javelin anti-tank systems, and other defensive weapons'_ - the agency noted.

This was also stated by the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova.

In response, the Center for Countering Disinformation stated that such statements are primitive manipulation.

As a reminder, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken assessed the situation at the front in Ukraine.