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The New York Times: US plans to send Ukraine $3b in defensive arms

02 February 2015 08:10 (UTC +04:00)

According to the newspaper, fueling the broader debate over policy is an independent report to be issued Monday by eight former senior American officials, who urge the United States to send $3 billion in defensive arms and equipment to Ukraine, including anti-armor missiles, reconnaissance drones, armored Humvees and radars that can determine the location of enemy rocket and artillery fire.

“Michèle A. Flournoy, a former senior Pentagon official who is a leading candidate to serve as defense secretary if Hillary Rodham Clinton is elected president, joined in preparing the report. Others include James G. Stavridis, a retired admiral who served as the top NATO military commander, and Ivo Daalder, the ambassador to NATO during Mr. Obama’s first term.

Secretary of State John Kerry, who plans to visit Kiev on Thursday, is open to new discussions about providing lethal assistance, as is Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, officials said. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who is leaving his post soon, backs sending defensive weapons to the Ukrainian forces.

Poland, the Baltic States, Canada and Britain, the report says, might also provide defensive weapons if the United States takes the lead.

In recent months, Susan E. Rice, Mr. Obama’s national security adviser, has resisted proposals to provide lethal assistance, several officials said. But one official who is familiar with her views insisted that Ms. Rice was now prepared to reconsider the issue,” noted in the newspaper.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko said that Ukraine has recently taken many steps to enter to international arms market and get opportunities to acquire modern weapons to respond to Russia’s aggression. He mentioned that although Ukraine isn’t provided with high-tech lethal weapons yet, it has significantly improved the capabilities to achieve it. “Kalashnikovs” is out of the question. We have enough tanks. We are able to produce tanks and other weapons. We need high-tech weapons, anti-artillery batteries, counter-sniper and mine equipment,” he said.