Thursday, August 3, 2017

How Will Russia Respond If The U.S. Begins To Arm Ukraine?



Defense News: US arming Ukraine? A look at how Moscow might respond

MOSCOW — The last time the United States considered arming Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons — about three years ago — the proposal was ultimately dropped over concern for Russia’s reaction. But amid a flash in tension between Moscow and Washington, the U.S. Defense Department is back at it.

According to a Monday report in The Wall Street Journal, the Joint Chiefs of Staff — with the support of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker — has drawn up a proposal to deliver anti-tank weapons (some have speculated this includes advanced Javelin missile systems) and anti-aircraft missiles to Kiev’s military.

Although U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly not been briefed on the proposal yet, renewed talk of arming Ukraine is already drawing attention in Moscow, especially over speculation that the proposed delivery includes Javelin missiles.

Read more ....

Previous Post: U.S. State Department And Defense Are Preparing Plans To Provide Arms To Ukraine (August 1, 2017)

Update #1: U.S. reportedly mulls sending antitank missiles to Ukraine. It may be two years too late. (Alex Horton, Washington Post).
Update #2: Oil on Flames: Why is US Sending Arms to Ukraine?. (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: Adding even more weaponry into a region where the ceasefire is barely holding is only going to result in escalating the situation and having more people killed. As to what Russia may do .... they are the signatories to the Minsk agreement that calls for the integration of the rebel regions of the east with Ukraine .... I do not see them changing their position. But if the war does escalate significantly .... even returning to all-out war .... that will change the geopolitical situation profoundly in ways that we can only imagine.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that Putin's meddling in the US elections was inherently personally motivated and retaliatory in nature to some extend...The sanctions are blowback because of his choices. Arming Ukraine is something that was considered a long time but was avoided to not inflame the situation. Now,Russia hacking the presidential elections based on Putin's despise of Clinton was a stupid thing to do and just lead to a further escalation of already bad tensions. And Russians should realise why their pay check will be worth less than last year. .because of these actions. It's simple as that. The US has the bigger stick. And Putin will soon realise that even he is replaceable and that his pool numbers can slide. Especially if he keeps up with the innocent boy act

Anonymous said...

He he, time will tell.