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U.S. mulling lethal aid to Ukraine; Russian response a concern

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By LOLITA C. BALDOR

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Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, the top NATO commander, told the House Armed Services Committee that he has laid out military options the administration could consider for Ukraine, ranging from sending small arms to more sophisticated weapons that would take longer to arrive and require extensive training.

OH THE IRONY OF THIS MAN'S FAMILY NAME IS PAINFUL!!!

It's too bad that there soon may not be any other way to deal with Putin the war monger. If only someone from within his close group would see the light and realize that letting Putin continue down this path will not bode well for them or anyone in the region and 'remove Putin permanently'. It's quite sad already at how many have lost their lives over this land grab by the washed up ex Soviet Cronies of yesteryear.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

If Russia can supply it's cronies with the latest hardware there is no reason on this planet why NATO shouldn't be able to do the same. Best case is the ceasefire holds and no one need know. Worst case is the old pattern from the Korean war. +1 NATO ally

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Such a move might only escalate Russia's military campaign there. Agreed, but sadly that's exactly what the US hopes to achieve and it WILL approve lethal aid.

KnowBetter: Putin the warmonger? I won't defend Putins actions but the US has bombed MANY more countries since Putin took office! In fact the US has attacked more countries than any other (in that time period) so if anyone is guilty of warmongering, the US takes the cake.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

It's hard to tell at this point. Maybe the ceasefire will take hold, maybe the rebels will attack again. We'll just have to wait and see. Obviously US weapons would increase the human cost on Russia, but the Ukrainians will pay the price for it.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It is obvious that hard core warmongers need action to sell weapons and keep their well paid jobs. When did one of this "commanders" have to go in to the front line. or even better when was one of this weapon mongers involved in serious peace making deal? They are talking defense here while they are in offensive against Russia since 1990. Only one that is defending its very right to exist and rights of Russian speaking people is Russian government. Ukraine didn't need defending until the US-NATO offensive turned it in to a dictatorship and induced the civil war. Governments do not end up in a coup d'etat in the west even when they make most unpopular decisions, they keep doing it until the next election and than they get voted out. So how just was then for the US and EU to induce the coup against the democratically elected government and for what; for accepting 12 billions of solid help with almost no liability instead of bunch of empty promises accompanied with shackles. It is all about turning Ukraine in to another Greece and at the same time forcing Russia in to a corner with sanctions and NATO war ready armies in every country it borders with.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

The risks of conflict with Russia are high if weapons are sent directly to Ukraine. They could be sent covertly and then denied as Russia does, however that would likely just anger Putin.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Worst case is the old pattern from the Korean war.

Disagree. Russian involvement was minimal in Korea; China was the North's main supporter, and looked how they reacted - and this was in an age before modern weapons.

I would be extremely cautious in providing arms to Ukraine unless under rather restrictive circumstances. The bits of Ukraine that Putin wants, Putin will get. More fighting will not change the outcome; it will simply amplify the suffering on innocent civilians.

Better is to amplify further the suffering on Putin and his fellow oligarchs.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Zvonko: It is obvious that hard core warmongers need action to sell weapons and keep their well paid jobs. When did one of this "commanders" have to go in to the front line. or even better when was one of this weapon mongers involved in serious peace making deal? They are talking defense here while they are in offensive against Russia since 1990. Only one that is defending its very right to exist and rights of Russian speaking people is Russian government. Ukraine didn't need defending until the US-NATO offensive turned it in to a dictatorship and induced the civil war. Governments do not end up in a coup d'etat in the west even when they make most unpopular decisions, they keep doing it until the next election and than they get voted out. So how just was then for the US and EU to induce the coup against the democratically elected government and for what; for accepting 12 billions of solid help with almost no liability instead of bunch of empty promises accompanied with shackles. It is all about turning Ukraine in to another Greece and at the same time forcing Russia in to a corner with sanctions and NATO war ready armies in every country it borders with.

You've obviously invested a lot of time in this bullshit.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Such a move might only escalate Russia's military campaign there. Agreed, but sadly that's exactly what the US hopes to achieve and it WILL approve lethal aid. KnowBetter: Putin the warmonger? I won't defend Putins actions but the US has bombed MANY more countries since Putin took office! In fact the US has attacked more countries than any other (in that time period) so if anyone is guilty of warmongering, the US takes the cake.

This is absolute nonsense – and can only be from the small minority of US-haters that somehow thrive in Europe (or maybe on Putin’s payroll). That someone seemingly from Europe would have the gall to criticize the US for any policy in regards to Ukraine is beyond comprehension. Who inflamed this current crisis by barging into Ukraine on 27 Jun and signing an agreement tying the country to their union, enraging Putin – the EU. Who, when things started to crumble and get violent, stood swiftly aside and pointed across the Atlantic – the EU.

It was a very poor choice by Pres Obama to jump forward and allow the EU to stand back and make the US look like the villain. The Europeans provoked Putin – they should be the ones to reign him back in – or directly confront him if he doesn’t. The US should completely stay out of it – by staying in it only accomplishes two things; 1) lets the feckless Europeans off the hook again, 2) – just gives Vlad more opportunity to paint the big bad US as responsible for everything – a propaganda point the author of the post above seems very familiar with.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

SuperLib It's hard to tell at this point. Maybe the ceasefire will take hold, maybe the rebels will attack again.

Last time (December 2014) Mr Poroshenko had attacked , of course in vain

He lost last battle but he stated it.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Lincolman: Putins payroll? Lol, I was born in the UK but am a US citizen, I use my real name instead of hiding behind a avitar. I only speak against the US governments actions, when they unjust or support warmongering actions. My responce was to knowBeter calling Putin a warmonger, as I said, I won't defend Putin but the US track record for warmongering surpasses any other country on the planet (at least within Putins time in power). Deny it all you want but it's a fact.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

I was born in the UK but am a US citizen,

Well, isn't that interesting - born in the UK, but chose US citizenship - yet think "the US has attacked more countries than any other so if anyone is guilty of warmongering, the US takes the cake" - a point of view that has more in common with Moscow than Washington.........

As a US citizen you are entitled to your opinion, and I actually spent a good part of my life defending your right to express that opinion. But if you really believe the US is the root of all evil in the world, and you have any semblance of integrity, you would renounce your US citizenship, turn in your US passport and return to 'ole Blighty.

Would you like me to call the US Embassy for you?

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Lincolnman: Lol, "love it or leave it" mentality, eh? I never said that the US was the root of all evil, I love America and most of its citizens but I don't have blind support of the governments actions nor any other government. Blind nationalism sucks! Supporting every action the government takes would be very un-American, especially when the action is unjust. Though you've used deflection to reply to my comment, you're unable to deny the fact that the US has bombed or invaded far more countries (during Putins term) than Russia or any other country in the world. Maybe it is you who work for the military industrial complex and profit by others misfortunes?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"love it or leave it" mentality, eh? I never said that the US was the root of all evil, I love America and most of its citizens but I don't have blind support of the governments actions nor any other government. Blind nationalism sucks! Supporting every action the government takes would be very un-American, especially when the action is unjust. Though you've used deflection to reply to my comment, you're unable to deny the fact that the US has bombed or invaded far more countries (during Putins term) than Russia or any other country in the world. Maybe it is you who work for the military industrial complex and profit by others misfortunes?

Love the US yet call it a warmonger that surpasses any other country? Here's what you fail to understand Stuart - you can disagree with the polices of your government without calling it names or treating it with disrespect. I happen to think that President Bush's decision to invade Iraq was one of the US's worst foreign policy blunders - but I don't think the US as a country is a "warmonger".

And to say that the US uses force illegitimately more than any other nation on earth - when you have governments from Syria to North Korea to Somalia brutalize their own citizens is ridiculous, let alone Russia invading a sovereign country and attempting to annex it.

Disagree with the US's policies - but don't disrespect it as a nation - if you can't, have some integrity and go back to a country you can respect.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

"such a move might only escalate Russia's military campaign there"

That would be a big mistake by the Russians.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

As a US citizen you are entitled to your opinion, and I actually spent a good part of my life defending your right to express that opinion. But if you really believe the US is the root of all evil in the world, and you have any semblance of integrity, you would renounce your US citizenship,

Seems like you spent that "good part of your life defending (our) right to express [our] opinions without really understanding what that right entails. Pity.

@stuart - I don't necessarily agree with you but thanks for joining the club !

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Seems like you spent that "good part of your life defending (our) right to express [our] opinions without really understanding what that right entails. Pity.

Oh I think I understand the right quite well - what you fail to understand is the difference between offering an opinion and making a insulting and denigrating comment regarding your country, especially one that welcomed you as an immigrant and offered you the value of its citizenship. You're free to express both, just expressing the latter shows a lack of grace, maturity and intelligence. Pity.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Let us look at political insanity in the face.

But first the sanity. The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine sat down together and worked out a truce that seems to be holding, more rather than less. What is US doing in response? Threatening Russia. Considering sending weapons to Ukraine. In short undoing whatever fragile peace exists now in Eastern Ukraine. This nuts. Bad for everyone, including the US, which already has too many enemies.

Yes, a lot of those arms will likely end up in the hands of rebels. Worse, they will end up in the hands of the quasi-private fascist militias that are funded by oligarchs and have been accused of robbery, torture and murder by Amnesty International. These militias may well take their fight to Kiev, and that will be a mess.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Ukraine is collapsing like a black hole. Weapons is the last thing they need but this is what the talking points from the US/IMF pirates are broadcasting from their MSM puppets, and the clowns follow.

The Hryvnia is at a record low of 33.75/USD, lines at the ATM and nothing on the shelves at the supermarket. The panic is growing.

Maybe Nuland will bring some more cookies and tell everyone to "let them eat cookies".

The petro-dollar warmongers in the US and here don't really seem to care about the East or the West Ukrainians. More weapons!! More war!! You should be ashamed of yourselves.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Just do it and then deny any interference. That seems to be the game there these days.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If they gonna do it, then do it and stop worrying about the other side, like a strongman. Ukraine is already being awash with weapons; it's just the way things are now there.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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