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Since putschists usurping power in Ukraine launched war without mercy in April 2014 against freedom fighters in Donbass rejecting fascist rule, Washington provided political and military support.
Under Obama, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) funding included hundreds of millions of dollars to Kiev for weapons and other material support, along with training by US special forces.
Trump may increase support for escalated aggression. A Pentagon and State Department proposal calls for supplying Javelin missiles, possibly along with anti-aircraft weapons.
Claiming these and other US-supplied weapons are only for defense, not offense, ignores where they’ll be deployed – along the contact line, separating armed forces of both sides, used for cross-border attacks, Kiev’s aggressive strategy.
Its regime systematically breached Minsk ceasefire terms since agreed on. War without mercy continues, civilians suffering most. Cross-border shelling targets residential areas, placing them in harm’s way.
Defense Secretary Mattis and National Security Advisor McMaster reportedly support escalated war, supplying Kiev with heavy weapons to wage it.
It’s unclear where Trump stands. Having delegated warmaking authority to generals, he’ll likely go along with what they propose, making US/Russia relations even frostier.
Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker was manipulated on his first visit to Kiev. He was shown a large residential building on the front line in Avdiivka, destroyed by Ukrainian forces, falsely blamed on Donbass freedom fighters, part of a scheme to convince Washington to supply ruling putschists with heavy weapons.
During a BBC interview, Volker said Kiev needs defensive arms and munitions from America – despite facing no threats. War it’s waging on Donbass is naked aggression, not humanitarian intervention or democracy building.
“I’m not…predicting where we go on this. That’s a matter for further discussion and decision, but I think that argument that it would be provocative to Russia or emboldening of Ukraine is just getting it backward,” Volker absurdly claimed.
US supported naked aggression on Donbass continues with no resolution in prospect because neocons infesting Washington want endless conflict, not resolution – another excuse to bash Russia for its own high crimes.
Originally published on 2017-08-02
About the author: Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967. He remained there until retiring at year end 1999. Writing on major world and national issues began in summer 2005. In early 2007, radio hosting followed. Lendman now hosts the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. Distinguished guests are featured. Listen live or archived. Major world and national issues are discussed. Lendman is a 2008 Project Censored winner and 2011 Mexican Journalists Club international journalism award recipient.
Source: Stephen Lendman
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