"Lethal equipment, I think is something we should consider, and I would be in favor of [providing] lethal defensive equipment,” General Milley said during a Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing.
Milley was responding to a question by Senator John McCain whether he thinks Washington should arm Ukraine with counter-battery systems.
NATO began boosting its military presence near Russia's western borders following Crimea's reunification with Russia in March 2014 and the armed conflict that ensued in southeastern Ukraine between independence supporters and Kiev government forces.
In April 2015, US Ambassador to Russia John Tefft said that Washington was not going to deliver to Ukraine the much sought after Javelin missile system. Meanwhile, European Union member states have largely opposed the United States arming Ukraine with lethal weapons.
US Should Increase Ground Forces in Europe
The United States should consider temporarily increasing its ground forces in Europe to "deter Russia" and assure Washington’s allies, General Mark Milley said.
Milley noted that the US Army had already began placing activity sets and preposition equipment in the region to “reinforce capabilities” and to use them for various training exercise, when asked by US Senator Kelly Ayotte what additional resources EUCOM would need in the context of “Russia as the most significant threat” to the United States.
In addition to a growing number of rapid reaction force drills in the region, NATO maintains a policing mission in Baltic airspace.
Russia, however, has repeatedly stressed it is not a party to the Ukrainian conflict and that NATO military expansion toward Russian borders increases tension by threatening regional and international security.
