The State Department confirmed a New York Times report that the Obama administration is considering arming the Ukrainian government in its fight against separatists backed by Russia.
Spokesperson Jen Psaki said Monday that the US is “constantly assessing our policies” in Washington’s bid to assist Kiev’s fight against militants seeking autonomy, but added that “the decision hasn’t been made.”
She said that the administration is “particularly concerned about escalating separatist violence” beyond the September 2014 armistice line agreed to in Minsk
The relative calm in eastern Ukraine deteriorated in early January. Both separatists supported by Moscow and the Ukrainian military violated the ceasefire dozens of times, according to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Psaki also said that the US prefers seeking a “a political a diplomatic solution” but that it hasn’t “taken options off the table.”
She refused, however, when asked by a reporter, to describe a scenario in which Washington sends weapons to Kiev as the US engaging in a proxy war with Russia—a situation that the Obama administration is reportedly anxious about embarking upon, according to a report published Monday by the Associated Press.
On Sunday, The New York Times reported that the leader of US forces in Europe and NATO’s commander, Gen. Phillip Breedlove, supports giving lethal weaponry to Ukraine–a proposal that Secretary of State John Kerry, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Martin Dempsey, and outgoing Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel have reportedly been willing to consider.
Senate Foreign Relations committee member Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who two weeks ago called on the US to arm the Ukrainian military, tweeted on Monday morning that the report made for “an important read.”
The Times’ editorial board, however, said that sending arms to Kiev “could open a dangerous new chapter in the struggle.”
It also said the administration must prioritize working toward a ceasefire, and that the US and their allies should be amenable toward talks with Russia if Moscow seeks “federation in which the pro-Russian provinces would have relative autonomy.”
The US currently gives the Ukrainian military “non-lethal aid” that includes types of radar assistance, body armor and night-vision goggles.
On Monday, as part of its 2016 fiscal year budget proposal, the Obama administration said it wanted Congress to approve “an additional $117 million in foreign assistance funds directed specifically toward countering Russian aggressive acts in Ukraine.”
