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US Must Consider Providing Lethal Weapons to Ukraine - European Command Chief

Sputnik News

17:27 28.03.2017(updated 20:00 28.03.2017)

The United States must consider giving Ukraine lethal defensive weapons to aid Kiev in its fight in the eastern part of the country, US European Command commander Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti stated on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Last week, Ukraine's Defense Ministry published photos from the latest training exercises in Lviv region, where Ukrainian servicemen are being trained up to NATO standards by instructors from the United States, Canada, Poland and Lithuania.

"I personally believe that we need to consider lethal defensive weapons for Ukraine," Scaparrotti told the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee.

Scaparrotti noted that US and European forces were assisting Ukraine with military training and government reforms.

The EUCOM commander also said he was impressed with Ukraine's military discipline and eagerness to learn more.

US Senator John McCain, who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee, called last month for the United States to send anti-tank missiles and other military equipment to Ukrainian forces.

In September 2016, the US House of Representatives approved legislation to allow the supply of lethal "defensive" weapons to Ukraine, but the law still needs to be approved by the US Senate and signed by the US President.

Russian officials have repeatedly warned against arms deliveries to Ukraine, stressing that it would only escalate the situation in the eastern part of the country.

Different European politicians, including former OSCE Chairman and German President-elect Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as NATO Military Committee Chairman Peter Pavel have also spoken against arms deliveries to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government has been conducting a military operation in the country's eastern regions since April 2014, after local residents refused to recognize the new government in Kiev. In February 2015, Kiev and the Donbass militias signed a ceasefire deal. Despite the agreement, both sides have been reporting violations of the ceasefire.

© Sputnik