US Officials See Arming Ukraine as Chance to ‘Pressure’ Russia

Trump Opposed Arms Shipments During Campaign, But Fears Looking 'Weak'

Jason Ditz 

Posted onAugust 13, 2017CategoriesNewsTagsRussia, Trump, Ukraine

During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump was adamantly opposed to the idea of arming Ukraine, seeing it as contrary to a potential diplomatic rapprochement with Russia. As with a lot of candidate Trump’s positions, President Trump’s position seems to be shifting.

Such a move is potentially risky, because Ukraine is in the midst of a shaky ceasefire with eastern rebels, a ceasefire the US hasn’t publicly endorsed. The armament of one side could be seen as overtly trying to undermine the ceasefire, and encouraging Ukraine to attack the rebels.The possibility of arming Ukraine is now the topic of intense debate within the cabinet, with        proponents arguing that such arms would be a great way to increasingthe pressure on Russia after a flurry of anti-Russia sanctions.

Practical reasons not to make such a move might not matter, however, as President Trump is seen to be under serious pressure to accept any serious plan that would be anti-Russia, as part of an ongoing effort to escape the “pro-Russia” label.

http://news.antiwar.com/2017/08/13/us-officials-see-arming-ukraine-as-chance-to-pressure-russia/