A US diplomat to Ukraine says Washington will provide Kiev with more lethal weapons to help build up its naval and air forces in the face of what they call Russian threat.
US Special Envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker told The Guardian that the administration of President Donald Trump was “absolutely” prepared to go further in supplying such weaponry to Ukraine.
The West accuses Moscow of providing support for the pro-Russia forces fighting in eastern Ukraine, a charge Russia resolutely denies.
“They [Ukrainians] are losing soldiers every week defending their own country,” said Volker. “And so in that context it’s natural for Ukraine to build up its military, engage in self-defense, and it’s natural to seek assistance and is natural that other countries should help them. And of course they need lethal assistance because they’re being shot at.”
He said Kiev and Washington are engaged in negotiations “about naval capability…