Asked to comment on Russian president Putin's recent characterization of Ukraine's incursion in Russia's Kursk region as "the West being at war with Russia," Mr. Kirby said during a press meeting in the White House:

"The only people at war in Ukraine are the Russians; they’re the ones that invaded Ukraine.  And Ukraine is defending itself against that aggression.  This is Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, pure and simple.  Always has been since the beginning."

"I’m not going to talk about Ukrainian military operations," he added. 

"I’ll let them speak to what they’re doing.  We’re in close touch with them, as you might expect we would be, and that will continue those conversations."

Mr. Kirby continued: "But make no mistake about it: This is Putin’s war against Russia.  And if he doesn’t like it, if it’s making him a little uncomfortable, then there’s an easy solution: He can just get the hell out of Ukraine and call it a day."