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NATO Commander Backs US Providing Offensive Weapons to Ukraine

© REUTERS / Jonathan ErnstU.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, commander of the U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, arrives to testify before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 30, 2015
U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, commander of the U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, arrives to testify before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 30, 2015 - Sputnik International
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NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Philip Breedlove said that he supports the idea to provide offensive weapons to Ukraine.

 

Supreme Allied Commander Europe U.S. General Philip M. Breedlove - Sputnik International
NATO Commander: Even Destabilizing Options Should Be Considered in Ukraine
WASHINGTON(Sputnik) — Providing offensive weapons should be a component in the US approach to establishing peace in the conflict in Ukraine, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Philip Breedlove said on Thursday.

“I support the consideration of using offensive weapons to change the decision calculus on the ground [in eastern Ukraine] and to facilitate bringing our opponent to the table for a solution, a final solution,” Breedlove told the US Senate Armed Services Committee.

Breedlove went on by accusing Russia of using “every tool to their great advantage, including the military tool.”

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In his testimony, Breedlove began US European Command's (EUCOM) list of priorities with assuring, deterring, and defending "against Russian aggression."

Russia, in turn, has repeatedly said that supplying Ukraine with offensive weapons would only escalate the conflict.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been increasing its presence in eastern European allied countries and near Russia's border under the European Reassurance Initiative and Operation Atlantic Resolve. The past year’s increases in military exercises and financial commitments by NATO allies come amid strained NATO-Russian relations.

The United States and its allies have accused Russia of meddling in Ukraine’s affairs. Moscow has repeatedly refuted the accusations, expressing concern over the build-up of NATO forces next to its territory.

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