WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States should share intelligence on the developments in Eastern Ukraine with Kiev, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wesley Clark said.
“There are two specific actions that could be taken within the lines of the current policy framework of not providing lethal assistance,” Clark stated on Monday. “And that is to provide and do some joint indications and warning analysis with Ukraine, and provide them the missing information that they need so they can have firm warning of renewed Russian offensive.”
The second option, according to Clark, is to prepare and have the package of lethal assistance to Kiev ready.
“This is the time they need the assistance,” Clark said. “We should change the policy as it is and provide that assistance.”
The United States has already agreed to provide Kiev with non-lethal assistance, including drones and Humvee vehicles. On Monday, the first batch of nearly 200 Humvees arrived in Ukraine.
On March 24, the US House of Representatives approved a resolution urging US President Barack Obama to deliver lethal arms to Ukraine.
Obama's has so far shied away from providing lethal assistance to Ukraine, arguing that any lethal assistance could lead to greater bloodshed and escalation of the conflict.
Russia has called US-passed legislation seeking to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine provocative, and has warned that such approach could escalate violence in the country. Moreover, Russia has repeatedly expressed concern that NATO is amassing weapons near its borders.
