The commander of U.S. forces in Europe called for bolstering Ukraine's defenses against Russian aggression, in eastern Ukraine as well as in the Black Sea.
General Curtis Scaparrotti made the comments on March 5 in testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.
Scaparrotti spoke just over three months after Russian naval forces seized three Ukrainian vessels operating in the Kerch Strait, near Crimea and the Sea of Azov. A total of 24 Ukrainian sailors were also detained.
Russia has insisted Ukrainian vessels were illegally crossing maritime borders.
Scaparrotti, who is also the top commander of NATO, said the United States has already sold Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine.
But he told senators there were other things -- "like sniper systems, ammunition"-- that Washington could provide to strengthen Ukraine's forces.
He also said Washington might consider boosting naval defenses in the Black Sea, though he did not specify how.
Moscow "continues to arm, train," and even "fight alongside antigovernment forces in eastern Ukraine," Scaparrotti said. He also accused Moscow of violating the 2015 Minsk agreement designed to end the conflict.
Related
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
'Don't Underestimate Them': Ukrainian Troops Describe Capture Of North Korean POWs
2As Russia and China Step Up Arctic Presence, Greenland Grows In Importance For U.S.
3Russian Forces Tried To Stop Removal Of Captured North Korean Soldier From Battlefield
4Russia Targets Ukraine's Key Lithium Reserves
5The Rich Ukrainian Who Gave Up His Yachts For Drones On The Front Line
6Who Is Ahmed Al-Awda, The Man Who Could Be A Threat To Syria's New Rulers?
7How Ukrainian Troops Blocked Russian Bid To Cross Dnieper River
8Exclusive: Dogged By Debts, Disputes, And Divorce, A Russian Oligarch Also Draws FBI Scrutiny
9Fresh Protests Erupt In Romania Over Canceled Presidential Election
10Massive Russian Attack Targets Ukraine Energy Sites Amid Winter Freeze
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
