The U.S. is considering supplying arms to the Ukrainian armed forces.
NATO’s military commander, Philip M. Breedlove, now supports providing defensive weapons and equipment to Kiev’s beleaguered forces, as do other representatives of the White House and the Pentagon.
President Obama has made no decisions on providing such lethal assistance. But after a series of striking reversals that Ukraine’s forces suffered in recent weeks, the Obama administration is taking a fresh look at the question of military aid.
Secretary of State John Kerry, who plans to visit Kiev on Thursday, is open to new discussions about providing lethal assistance, Interfax reports with the reference to the New York Times.
Fueling the broader debate over policy is an independent report to be issued on Monday by eight former senior American officials, who urge the United States to send $3 billion in defensive arms and equipment to Ukraine, including anti-armor missiles, reconnaissance drones, armored Humvees and radars.
For now, the White House has limited American aid to “non-lethal” items, including body armor, night-vision goggles, first-aid kits and engineering equipment.
