US authorizes $300mln in lethal defensive aid and training to Ukraine

YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS: The United States authorized providing Ukraine defensive lethal aid and training that the country needs to protect its sovereignty, US Senate Armed Forces Committee Chairman John McCain said in a press conference, Armenpress reports, citing RIA Novosti.

McCain noted the National Defense Authorization Act forFiscal Year 2015 also provides equipment supplies and training toSoutheast Asian nations tobuild maritime capabilities.

“We authorized providing Ukraine and the defensive lethal assistance that it needs tobuild combat capability todefend its sovereign territory.”

“We authorized 300 million dollars forweapons forUkraine.”

The Senator had said earlier he was "ashamed" ofUS President Barack Obama fornot providing enough help toUkraine amidthe ongoing crisis inthe country.

McCain had repeatedly called onthe Obama administration todeliver weapons toUkraine asthe Kiev government forces carried outa military operation againstthe self-proclaimed republics ofLuhansk and Donetsk inthe country's east.

Earlier inthe day, the draft ofthe US defense budget for2016 was approved bythe US Senate Armed Services Committee.

The 2016 defense authorization bill, totaling $612 billion, was passed bya 22-4 vote duringa closed-door discussion.

It is yet the subject forconsideration ofthe Senate, the upper house ofthe US Congress.

Washington has also provided training forthe Ukrainian servicemen. In particular, a year afterthe beginning ofthe armed conflict, the US Army announced that some 300 US paratroopers arrived inthe western Ukraine city ofYavoriv totrain Ukrainian troops.

In February, the Republican-held US House ofRepresentatives introduced a bill that would authorize $1 billion infunds fortraining, equipping, and providing lethal defensive military aid toUkraine throughSeptember 2017.

Russia called the legislation provocative, warning that such an approach could escalate violence inUkraine. The United States has so far refrained fromproviding Ukraine withlethal weapons.

Photo by AFP