WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – European Union member states have largely opposed the United States arming Ukraine with lethal weapons over concerns that it could escalate the conflict between Kiev and independence supporters in the southeast.
"I would send weapons to Ukraine," Walker said in the debate of 10 leading Republican candidates hosted by Fox News and Facebook in Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday night.
Washington has backed Ukraine in its fight against militias in the country’s southeast, although its support has been limited to training and non-lethal aid.
"I would put forces on the eastern border of Poland and the Baltic nations, and I would re-instate, put back in place the missile defense system in the Czech Republic," Walker said.
Both Washington and the European Union have accused Russia of providing support to militia in Ukraine’s southeast, although the claims have not been supported with any factual evidence and have been repeatedly denied by Russia.
Walker vowed to set up "steel" US defenses. He never referred to Russia by name, but spoke about defending Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic states from undefined enemies.
"We need to have a national security that puts steel in front of our enemies."
Walker, the governor of the US state of Wisconsin, has been running in third place in the US presidential race in most national and state polls behind billionaire Donald Trump and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
