The Day asked American Council member, former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst to state his opinion on whether the appointment of the new head of the Pentagon means that Ukraine may expect a breakthrough on the arms delivery issue and what the US should do following Russia’s breach of the Minsk Accords.
Ash Carter said at his confirmation hearings earlier this month that he supports arming Ukraine. This is one more sign of support within the Administration for that policy. The President has not made up his mind, but I believe the violations of the ceasefire by the separatists around Debaltseve will increase the pressure in Washington for the President to agree to provide arms to Ukraine.
“Ukraine should receive weapons, while it is not too late. Mr. Putin’s ambitions in Ukraine do not end at Debaltseve. My advice for Washington is:
♦ provide arms to Ukraine;
♦ work with Europe to maintain and strengthen sanctions on Russia;
♦ within NATO, increase defense measures in the Baltic states, and prepare contingency plans for a hybrid war there;
♦ work with non-NATO members in the former Soviet Union to address the revisionist policies of the Kremlin.
