Donald Trump 'actively reviewing' whether to arm Ukraine
The US reasserts its support for Kiev ahead of huge Russian military exercises
The US is considering sending arms to Ukraine after it was revealed at least 3,000 Russian troops are now stationed in the east of the country. Such a move would seriously increase the tension between Washington and Moscow.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, US Defence Secretary James Mattis said President Donald Trump was "actively reviewing" whether to send lethal weapons and reiterated that the US would stand by Ukraine.
Stopping short of a concrete promise to supply military hardware, Mattis said the US would continue to put pressure on Moscow over "aggressive behaviour" and its failure to abide by the Minsk ceasefire agreement, which was intended to end separatist violence.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Despite Russia's denials, we know they are seeking to redraw international borders by force, undermining the sovereign and free nations of Europe," Mattis told reporters.
The US has supported Ukraine since a pro-Western government took power after massive street protests in 2014. The resulting conflict between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed militias led to the formal annexation of Crimea by Russia and the deaths of more than 10,000 people.
Despite repeated requests, the Obama administration shied away from sending weapons to the country, and during the US election campaign last year, Trump "stoked fears in Kiev he might mend ties with Moscow at Ukraine's expense", suggesting Crimea is a legitimate part of Russia, says the Daily Express.
These fears were "heightened following the release of a report which claimed North Korea's recent successful missile tests were only possible with the black market purchase of powerful rocket engines from a Ukrainian factory", the paper adds.
However, if Trump had hoped to mend ties with Russia, "his first few months in office have not seen a rapprochement", says Newsweek.
The latest snub to Russian President Vladimir Putin comes as Russia prepares to mount what could be one of its biggest military exercises since the cold war.
Western officials and analysts estimate that up to 100,000 military personnel could take part in the Zapad (West) 17 exercise, which will take place next month in Belarus, Kaliningrad and Russia. It will be "a display of power that will be watched warily by Nato against a backdrop of east-west tensions", says The Guardian.
Earlier this year, The Independent reported scores of tanks and other US fighting vehicles landed in Germany on their way to take part in Operation Atlantic Resolve, "which foresees the continuous presence of an American armoured brigade combat team in Europe on a nine-month rotational basis".
The mission represents the biggest transfer of American armour to the region since the fall of the Soviet Union, it says, and "was meant to help allay concerns held by Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and other Nato allies about Russia".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The art world and motherhood: the end of a final taboo?
Talking Point Hettie Judah's new touring exhibition offers a 'riveting riposte' to old cliches
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Musk's reliance on China draws rising scrutiny'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Biba: the story of a 'legendary emporium'
The Week Recommends Brand's 60th anniversary is being marked with retrospective celebrating the 'iconic shop's cultural importance'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Islamic State targeting Russia?
Today's Big Question Islamist terror group's attack on 'soft target' in Moscow was driven in part by 'opportunity and personnel'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Where has the Wagner Group gone?
Today's Big Question Kremlin takes control of Russian mercenaries after aborted mutiny and death of leadership
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published