Should The U.S. Send Lethal Arms To Ukraine?

From VICE News: This week, the United States delivered a shipment 10 Humvees to the Ukrainian government — the first installment of a $75 million aid package of non-lethal equipment that is meant to assist the fight against Russia-backed rebels in the country's east.

But despite the overwhelming adoption of a resolution in the US House of Representatives urging President Barack Obama to provide Ukraine with lethal arms, his administration has yet to send such materiel. Debate on this issue centers on whether outfitting the country with lethal aid will serve only to escalate the conflict and trigger a regional arms race between the government and eastern separatists. A question that has received less attention is whether Ukraine's army is even capable of effectively using the weapons it wants.

VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky visited rebel-held areas and the capital of Kiev to explore whether it would be wise for the US to arm Ukraine's poorly trained military with advanced weaponry.

WNU Editor: This is an excellent and must see video report .... kudos to Simon Ostrovsky and VICE news for doing this report. What's my take .... what happened in Yemen will also happen in Ukraine .... U.S. Loses Track Of $500 Million In Weapons Given To Yemen.

U.S. To Delay Training Ukrainian Soldiers

Photo: Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges (Wikipedia)

Wall Street Journal: U.S. Delays Ukraine Military Training, General Says

Washington wary of giving Moscow excuse to scrap truce

WASHINGTON—The Pentagon is delaying a training program for Ukrainian soldiers so as to avoid giving the Kremlin an excuse to scrap the tenuous peace deal struck last month between Kiev and Moscow-backed separatists, a top U.S. general said Tuesday.

Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commander of U.S. Army in Europe, said U.S. officials wanted to make sure such training—which would involve U.S. military instructors deploying to western Ukraine—doesn’t “give the Russians an opportunity to say, ‘Look, the Americans are bringing in all these soldiers, they are not serious about it.’ ”

The general’s comments, at a breakfast with reporters in Washington, reflect a dilemma the West has faced in dealing with Russia’s yearlong push into Ukraine: how to force President Vladimir Putin to back down without provoking him to escalate the fight instead.

WNU Editor: The situation is already explosive .... why add fuel to the fire. But joint military drills and exercises will still go ahead.

More News On The U.S. Decision To Delay Training Ukrainian Soldiers

US Army Puts Off Ukraine Training in Effort to Preserve Ceasefire -- Military.com
U.S. Delays Ukraine Military Training, General Says -- WSJ
Giving arms to Ukraine 'isn't a strategy,' general says -- The Hill
Why Pentagon is hesitant to arm Ukraine -- Anna Mulrine, CSM
Biden And Poroshenko Discuss Ukraine Ceasefire And US Military Aid -- IBTimes

U.S. To Increase The Sending Of 'Non-Lethal' Arms To The Ukraine Military

New York Times: U.S. to Give Ukraine’s Military an Additional $75 Million in Nonlethal Aid

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Wednesday that it would provide another $75 million in nonlethal aid to Ukraine’s military. It also imposed sanctions against a handful of pro-Russian separatists and others blamed for fomenting the civil war that has torn apart Ukraine’s eastern regions.

The new aid does not include the weapons that Ukraine has sought and that many administration officials and members of both parties in Congress have urged President Obama to provide. Instead, the United States will send more radios, first-aid kits, surveillance drones, countermortar radar systems and military ambulances. Mr. Obama also agreed to send 30 armored Humvees and 300 unarmored Humvees.

WNU Editor: Some in Washington are not happy with this policy .... John Boehner rips Obama’s military aid to Ukraine as weak (Washington Times).

More News On The U.S. Sending 'Non-Lethal' Arms To The Ukraine Military

U.S. to send Humvees and unarmed drones to Ukraine — but still no weapons -- Washington Post
White House WON'T rule out sending lethal weapons to Ukraine but limits itself to money and drones for now as Putin's Russia continues military onslaught -- Daily Mail
US to send Ukraine small drones and armoured Humvees -- The Guardian
US sending $75 million, Humvees, non-lethal aid to Ukraine -- CNN
U.S. blacklists more Ukrainian rebels, expands non-lethal aid -- Reuters
US to send more drones, Humvees to Ukraine -- RT
US Sending Drones and Armored Humvees to Ukraine -- Sputnik

Top US General Wants Washington To Arm Ukraine

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)

Time: Top U.S. General Says Washington Should Consider Arming Ukraine

"Putin’s ultimate objective is to fracture NATO," says General Martin Dempsey

The U.S. military’s leading general says Washington should now consider providing Ukrainian forces with lethal aid to help combat the nation’s pro-Kremlin insurgency.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey argued during a Senate hearing on Tuesday that the allegedly Russian-backed rebellion threatens to undo more than six decades of peace in Europe and could potentially splinter the NATO alliance.

WNU Editor: What Ukraine needs right now is a political solution .... not a military solution. Pumping weapons into Ukraine will only escalate the war and suffering, and it will certainly not resolve the conflict. Moscow will also see General Martin Dempsey's remarks as further proof that the post-Cold War status that has kept the peace in Europe since the fall of the Soviet Union no longer exists ... in short ... the old rules and "red lines" no longer apply

More News On US General Martin Dempsey Wanting To Arm Ukraine

Top U.S. general says it is time to consider arming Ukrainian forces -- Washington Post
Dempsey Says It’s Time To ‘Absolutely Consider’ Arming Ukraine -- Defense One
US military chief backs arming Ukraine against separatists -- The Guardian
Dempsey Backs Arming Ukraine With 'Lethal Aid' Against Pro-Russian Separatists -- IBTimes
‘We should absolutely consider lethal aid’ to Ukraine – US Gen. Martin Dempsey -- RT
US Should Arm Ukraine Within NATO Alliance Context – General Dempsey -- Sputnik

U.S. To Deploy National Guard Soldiers To Ukraine

Photo: Col. Michael Foster

Sputnik: US to Deploy Six National Guard Companies to Ukraine This Week

US 173rd Airborne Brigade Commander Michael Foster said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC said the US would deploy personnel by the end of this week to train the Ukrainian national guard.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States will deploy personnel by the end of this week to train the Ukrainian national guard, US 173rd Airborne Brigade Commander Colonel Michael Foster said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC on Monday.

WNU Editor: This is actually old news .... US sending around 600 paratroopers to Ukraine to train troops (FOX News). US 173rd Airborne Brigade Commander Colonel Michael Foster has also made a few other interesting comments on countering the "Russian threat" .... NATO Operation Atlantic Resolve Expands to Bulgaria, Romania - US Colonel (Sputnik), and the following .... Putin Won’t Blitz Baltic States — But NATO Has A Plan…. (Breaking Defense).

U.S. Limits Its Intelligence Sharing With Ukraine

Wall Street Journal: U.S. Intelligence-Sharing Leaves Ukraine in the Dark

Spy-satellite imagery first degraded, delayed to avoid provoking Russia

WASHINGTON—The U.S. is providing spy-satellite imagery to Ukraine to help in its fight against Russia-backed rebels, but with a catch: the images are significantly degraded to avoid provoking Russia or compromising U.S. secrets.

The White House agreed last year to Ukraine’s request to provide the photos and other intelligence. But before delivering them, U.S. officials black out military staging areas on Russian territory and reduce the resolution so that enemy formations can’t be clearly made out, making them less useful to Ukrainian military commanders.

Those steps, which delay the delivery of the images by at least 24 hours, are designed to keep the U.S. out of the so-called kill chain—military jargon for the stages of lethal operations—because of concerns that furnishing actionable intelligence to the Ukrainians could trigger a more aggressive Russian military response.

Update: US Edits Intelligence Data Before Sharing With Ukrainian Military -- Sputnik

WNU Editor: I can guarantee one thing .... if the U.S. shares in intelligence with Ukraine .... that same intelligence will be in the hands of Russian intelligence within the hour. Bottom line .... there are a lot of pro-Russian sympathizers in the Ukraine military, you just cannot vet them all out .... and this limitation of intelligence sharing is a tacit admission from the U.S. that this is the fact.

US Army Europe Commander: U.S. Will Send 600 Paratroopers To Ukraine To Train Troops

U.S. Army Europe commander Ben Hodges speaks as Polish general Boguslaw Samol stands during news conference during a visit to the Multinational Corps Northeast, NATO base at Szczecin in north-west Poland February 11, 2015. Credit: Reuters/Cezary Aszkielowicz/Agencja Gazeta

Reuters: U.S. army to train Ukrainians in March: commander U.S. army Europe

(Reuters) - U.S. Army Europe commander Ben Hodges said on Wednesday the U.S. army will provide training to Ukrainian troops battling Russian-backed separatists in the country's east.

WNU Editor: News of direct U.S. military involvement in Ukraine is raising red flags all over Moscow .... they are now vowing retaliation by "responding asymmetrically against Washington or its allies on other fronts" .... If the U.S. Arms Ukraine, Russia Vows Retaliation (Fiscal Times). If the U.S. wants to torpedo the talks that are now ongoing in Minsk and the probable agreement that it will produce .... this is how you do it.

More News On U.S. Military Support For Ukraine

US military to train Kiev troops fighting in E. Ukraine – US Army commander -- RT
US Army to Start Training Ukrainian Troops, Commander Says -- ABC News/AP
US sending around 600 paratroopers to Ukraine to train troops -- FOX News
US Army commander for Europe: Russian troops are currently fighting on Ukraine's front lines -- Business Insider
Ukraine military aid alone not enough -- William B. Taylor and Kristin M. Lord, USA Today
What a U.S. Military Aid Package to Ukraine Would Look Like -- The Moscow Times

U.S. Congress Push To Deliver $1 Billion In Lethal Aid To Ukraine

Pro-Russian separatists stand next to tanks on the outskirts of Horlivka, eastern Ukraine February 10, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Sputnik: US House Proposes $1Bln in Lethal Aid, Military Assistance to Ukraine

The US House of Representatives introduced new legislation Tuesday, authorizing military and lethal aid to Ukraine through 2017.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US House of Representatives introduced new legislation authorizing military and lethal aid to Ukraine through 2017, according to a US Congress announcement.

More News On The U.S. Congress Approving The Delivery Of $1 Billion In Lethal Aid To Ukraine

US Congress’ bipartisan plan to send Ukraine $1.3bn in weapons -- The Australian/AP
Top GOP, House Dem back $1 billion in lethal aid to Ukraine -- AP
Democrats Are Now Pushing Obama to Give Guns to Ukraine -- Daily Beast
US House Members Ask Foreign Gov’ts to Contribute Sending Arms to Ukraine -- Sputnik
US weapons to Ukraine 'would be matched by Russian arms to rebels' -- The Guardian

The Debate To Arm Ukraine Continues (Updated)

Paul Sonne, WSJ: Should U.S. Arm Ukraine? We List the Pros and Cons

The Debate To Arm Ukraine Continues (Updated)

Calls grow to arm Ukraine, as European leaders scramble for last-ditch peace plan -- FOX News
US, Allies Split Over Supplying Arms to Ukraine -- VOA/Reuters
Ukraine Crisis: US, European Officials Split Over Sending Arms To Ukraine -- IBTimes
US Mulls Course on Ukraine: Diplomacy or Weapons -- ABC News
As Kerry visits Kiev, US mulls arming Ukraine -- Al Jazeera
Kerry: US Won't 'Close Eyes' to Russian Aggression in Ukraine -- VOA
Ukraine conflict tilts U.S. toward arming country against rebels -- CBC/AP
McCain to Sputnik: Ukraine's Use of Cluster Bombs Is US' Fault -- Sputnik
McCain calls for bill requiring U.S. arms to Ukraine if Obama does not act -- Reuters
Senators call for lethal aid to Ukraine -- CBS
Europe reticent about supplying Ukraine with weapons & money -- RT
Ukraine conflict: Why U.S. arms could lead to 'serious trouble' -- CBC
Expert: Sending Weapons to Ukraine Would Embolden Putin -- VOA
How Russia could escape rising American pressure on Ukraine -- Howard LaFranchi, CSM
Proposed US weapons deliveries to Ukraine raise fears of further escalation -- Deutsche Welle
The Moment to Arm Ukraine? -- Adam Chandler, The Atlantic

U.S. Secretary Of State Kerry Hold Talks In Ukraine

Washington Post: Kerry holds talks in Ukraine amid bid by European partners to quell fighting

WNU Editor: I doubt that U.S. Secretary Of State Kerry is involved in Europe's new peace plan .... that it is a coincidence that he will be in the same city while French leader Hollande and German Chancellor Merkel are arriving with their peace plan. The actual reason why John Kerry is there is to discuss lay the groundwork for shipments of U.S. military aid .... a point that even Ukrainian President Poroshenko has already indicated that he was expecting. As to why the German and French leaders have hastily got together and made this rush to Kiev is because I believe that they are trying to stop this arms escalation .... knowing too well that Russia will only respond in kind thereby further escalating the war and bloodshed in Ukraine.

More News On U.S. Secretary Of State Kerry Holding Talks In Ukraine

Kerry goes to Kiev with new peace proposal -- UPI
Kerry flies to Kiev as Ukraine hopes for US arms -- AFP
Kerry: US will not "close eyes" to Russian tanks, forces in Ukraine -- Reuters
John Kerry Says US Not Seeking Confrontation With Russia -- Sputnik
Kerry says peace in Ukraine is up to Russia -- CNN
U.S. envoy John Kerry urges Russia to commit to Ukraine peace -- CBC
Kerry comes to Kiev, as US ponders sending weapons to Ukraine -- RT

The Debate On Giving Weapons To Ukraine Continues

Pro-Russian rebels drive a mobile anti-aircraft system Strela-10 in Donetsk on Tuesday. Photo: maxim shemetov/Reuters

Wall Street Journal: Russian Hard-Line Stance on Ukraine Prompts U.S. to Reconsider Policy

As Kerry Heads to Kiev, Obama Administration Reconsiders Lethal Military Aid

More News And Commentary On Supplying Arms To Ukraine

Pressure to arm Ukraine as war escalates -- The Australian
On Military Aid to Ukraine, the Administration Zig-Zags -- WSJ
Lawmakers push White House to supply arms to Ukraine -- The Hill
Putin’s Invasion Continues To Widen. Let’s Give Ukraine What It Needs To Push Back. -- Janine Davidson, Council On Foreign Relations
It's time for the U.S. to give Ukraine a defensive military boost -- L.A. Times editorial
American Arms for Ukraine: The arguments against aiding Kiev look increasingly naive. -- WSJ
The Escalation Advocates are Wrong on Ukraine -- Sean Kay, War On The Rocks
Want to arm Kiev? Better have a Plan B -- Rajan Menon, L.A. Times
Why Arming Ukraine Will Backfire -- Bloomberg editorial
Why we shouldn't arm Ukraine -- Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune

White House Under Pressure To Arm The Ukraine Army (Updated)

VOA/Reuters: US Dilemma: To Arm Ukraine Troops or Not

WNU Editor: The question on whether the West should arm Ukraine is creating divisions among the U.S. and some of its key allies in Europe .... Ukraine arms request to fight rebels divides US, Germany (CSM). For more on Germany's position .... German Chancellor Rules Out Weapons Aid to Ukraine (NYT). Poland's position is different, and they are prepared to ship arms right now .... Poland Ready to Sell Weapons to Ukraine (AP). There are also now reports that NATO arms are being found in Ukraine .... Donetsk Authorities Claim NATO Ammunition Found in Ukraine (Sputnik). As to what is my position on the U.S. supplying arms to Ukraine .... I find myself in agreement with the editors at Bloomberg .... Why Arming Ukraine Will Backfire (Bloomberg editorial).

More News On Reports That The U.S. May Soon Start To Arm The Ukraine Army

U.S. taking 'fresh look' at weapons for Ukraine: officials -- Reuters
Proxy war? Obama facing rising pressure to send lethal aid to Ukraine -- FOX News
U.S. Weighs Supplying Ukraine With Missiles -- WSJ
Ukraine Violence Worsens as U.S. Weighs Arming Government Troops -- NBC
US sending weapons to Kiev ‘not the answer’ to Ukraine crisis – White House adviser -- RT
The Moment to Arm Ukraine -- Adam Chandler, The Atlantic
U.S. Arms to Ukraine: Tilting the Balance or Fanning the Flames? -- Tony Halpin, Bloomberg
Why Arming Ukraine Will Backfire -- Bloomberg editorial
Explainer: As Ukraine Conflict Intensifies, So Does Debate On Providing Lethal Military Aid -- Radio Free Europe
Ukraine Crisis Calls For Peacekeepers, Not Arms Supplies -- Marcel Michelson
The Escalation Advocates are Wrong on Ukraine -- Sean Kay, War On The Rocks
The influential new report urging Obama to arm Ukraine, explained -- Amanda Taub, VOX
Q&A: Should US send lethal military assistance to Ukraine? -- The Guardian

U.S. Is Considering Supplying Arms To The Ukraine Army

Members of a special unit of the Ukrainian armed forces line up before departing to take part in a military operation, during a farewell ceremony in Kharkiv, January 30, 2015. Credit: Reuters/Stanislav Belousov

New York Times: U.S. Considers Supplying Arms to Ukraine Forces, Officials Say

WNU Editor: This report is an admission from the U.S. that the Ukraine army is losing the war .... and that if military aid is not approved ASAP, there is a very real danger that the Ukraine army will be defeated on the battlefield. What's my take .... this report and its recommendation to ship arms is a recipe for disaster .... and it will all but guarantee a prolongation of the war and the fracturing of Ukraine into two countries.

But what is even more worrisome to me is that if the U.S. does decide to supply weapons to Ukraine .... I know that it will be interpreted in Moscow as a U.S. attempt to wage a proxy war against Russia. And while I do not know what specifically Moscow's reaction would be if the U.S. does ship these weapons to Ukraine .... I do know that it will not only guarantee a return to the Cold War, but Russia will respond forcefully AND OPENLY with its military in Ukraine and elsewhere.

More News On The U.S. Is Now Considering Supplying Arms To The Ukraine Army

U.S. taking new look at giving arms to Ukraine forces - NYT -- Reuters
US reconsidering arming Ukraine's forces: Report -- AFP
US considers providing arms to Ukraine as rebels step up attacks, says report -- The Guardian
Report shows US reconsidering Ukraine arms -- SKY News
Six Ways to Help Ukraine Resist Russia’s Latest Invasion -- David J. Kramer, WSJ

Why Washington Should Avoid The Ukraine Conflict

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry talks to Ukraine Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin at a meeting in Switzerland of foreign ministers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on December 4, 2014. Laurent Gillieron/Pool/Reuters

Doug Bandow, Newsweek: Seven Reasons the U.S. Shouldn’t Help Ukraine’s Fight With Russia

WNU Editor: Doug Bandow's point #7 is spot on .... a negotiated settlement is the only solution to this conflict .... unfortunately no one is interested in going down this road. That is why I am angry about this conflict .... it could have all been avoided last March. At the time pro-Russian leaders in eastern Ukraine simply wanted control of their language and education, some financial and tax powers, and the establishment of a federated system that would protect their rights. Throwing people into jail and sending in the military was the worst thing that the interim Ukraine government could do at the time .... but this is what happened, and it only galvanized the Russian populations in the east to take action .... action that has result in thousands killed, tens of thousands wounded, and a million plus refugees. And as for the U.S. role in this mess .... all that I am going to say is that they have not been helpful and their advice has been disastrous.