WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Thursday, US Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman Nominee Joseph Dunford said in his confirmation hearing that it would be “reasonable” to provide Ukraine with counter battery systems as well as anti-tank missiles.
“We continue to review and examine all Ukrainian requests for assistance as we have,” Kirby said, when asked if the United States might start arming Ukraine after Dunford’s statement.
The spokesperson stressed that Washington has not changed its policy about assistance to Kiev.
“The focus of the support that’s been provided has been on non-lethal side.”
After Kiev began a military operation to suppress independence supporters in Donbas in April 2014, Ukrainian authorities repeatedly asked western states for lethal aid.
Washington has provided non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine, but has stopped short of extending lethal aid over concern it will escalate the conflict. US officials have stated the option remains on the table.
The European Union largely opposes Washington arming Ukraine with lethal weapons.
