U.S. should give Ukraine more Javelins - Herbst

19.06.2019 10:53

Ukrinform

The response of the West to Russian aggression against Ukraine, which includes assistance to the Ukrainian army, has been essential and substantial but not as effective as it could be.

Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said this at a U.S. Senate hearing on June 18, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

According to Herbst, the United States should strengthen support for Ukraine.

"Western sanctions impose a real cost on Russia's economy. One to 1.5 percent of GDP growth every year is lost because of the sanctions," the expert said.

At the same time, according to him, Western military support, especially advanced weapons like the Javelin anti-tank missile systems, help nullify Moscow's tank advantage.

"I salute President [Donald] Trump for his courage in sending the Javelins to Ukraine. The U.S. should consider sending more Javelins to Ukraine, also sending more counter-battery radars for missiles. These radars reduce Ukrainian casualties," Herbst said.

In addition, in his opinion, the United States should also provide shore radars, Mark V speed boats, and anti-ship Harpoon missiles.

"[This] will help Ukraine to deter Kremlin provocations at sea, which we have seen increasingly over the past 18 months," the expert said.

In this regard, he added: "Western support for Ukraine has been substantial and essential, but it has not been as agile and as effective as it could be."