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Washington may provide Kyiv with weapons within two or three months - Herbst

01/02/2019 06:47:28 pm
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Washington may provide Kyiv with weapons and introduce new sanctions against the Russian Federation in two or three months. Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, director of the Atlantic Council John Herbst stated this in an interview to Radio Liberty, - Interfax-Ukraine reports.

"In two to three months, one may see the USA supplying weapons to Kyiv and announcing new sanctions against Russia in connection with that aggression (in the area of the Kerch Strait – ed.). I think a much stronger response from the USA will be given in next eight to ten, maximum twelve weeks. And, in addition to the sanctions, it will be military assistance to Ukraine", – he stated.

According to Herbst, there are now enough grounds to provide Ukraine with anti-ship missiles, patrol ships, and other military equipment.

"The USA has enough Harpoon cruise missiles, based on technologies developed 30 years ago, and this is what we can already provide. And, possibly, more modern missiles", – the ex-Ambassador said.

Herbst called expedient a restriction against the largest Russian bank, or a ban on entry into American ports by Russian ships among the sanctions that may be imposed by the USA.

Furthermore, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine stressed that support for Ukraine in the U.S. Congress is currently quite strong. "It will remain at least as serious, and perhaps, will even intensify", – Herbst believes.

According to him, Ukraine has already done a lot, strengthening its defense in the east, and should "now think about strengthening its defense in the south. Especially in the Azov Sea region. Perhaps, in the Odessa region as well. And, I hope we will see commitments regarding changes and thorough reforms after the presidential and parliamentary elections".