U.S. arms to Ukraine, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken

The United States is in a "ongoing dialogue" with Ukraine about the weaponry it requires, including Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

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"When we talk to the Ukrainians, anything they put on the table is something we're going to look at, something we're going to consider," Blinken said in an interview with Scott Pelley on Friday. "We'll use our best judgment to determine what will be most successful for them."

The Ukrainian government has asked the United States to supply ATACMS, which are longer-range missiles than the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) that the United States has previously provided to Ukraine to help it battle Russia's ongoing invasion. Russia's Foreign Ministry warned earlier this month that supplying Ukraine with longer-range missiles would cross a "red line" and turn the country into a "party to the conflict."

Blinken detailed 20 drawdowns of defensive equipment that the US had previously supplied to Ukraine, beginning months before Russia's incursion earlier this year, in his 60 Minutes interview. Stinger and Javelin missiles, as well as anti-tank and anti-aircraft armament systems, were among the items delivered. According to Mary Glantz of the United States Agency of Peace, a government-funded research institute, this US military help, notably HIMARS, has proved "critical" to Ukrainian fighting achievements.

Blinken stated that while considering supplying additional weaponry to Ukraine, the US considers various factors.

"When we think about it, when we work on it, we try to do it in a complete way, to make sure that, yes, they have the weapons they need, that they know how to use them, and that they know how to maintain them," Blinken stated.

When challenged about the limitations of US assistance for Ukraine, Blinken stated that Americans must recognize the implications for the US and beyond.

"Yes, this is about an invasion against Ukraine and horrendous crimes against innocent people. However, it is also an act of assault against the entire international system "Blinken explained. "If one country can commit acts of aggression against another, if it can simply go in and say, 'You know what? I'm going to rule that country. I'm going to alter its boundaries. I'm going to take over its domain.' What happens if that is allowed to happen with impunity?"