I wonder what the hysterical anti Trumpeters think about Trump upping the ante on Russian imperialism. I can’t waot to see what bizarre contortions they put themselves through while maintaining claims of moral, intellectual and political purity. This should be amusing.
Javelin Missiles for Ukraine
Russia is unhappy the U.S. is selling antitank weapons to Kiev.
The Editorial BoardDec. 25, 2017 4:30 p.m. ET
The White House took another useful step Friday to get Russia’s attention on Ukraine, deciding to sell Javelin antitank missiles to the Kiev government trying to defend against Kremlin-backed invaders. Armored vehicles are a major Russian advantage in the conflict that Vladimir Putin has been escalating in recent weeks.
“The United States has decided to provide Ukraine enhanced defensive capabilities as part of our effort to help Ukraine build its long-term defense capacity, to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to deter further aggression,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Friday.
The Javelin is America’s most effective portable antitank weapon; it is infrared-guided and maneuvers to hit tanks at the top, where the armor is weakest. The Javelins won’t end the conflict, but they will help Ukraine impose a higher cost on Mr. Putin for his aggression. The Kremlin reacted with anger and said the weapons could “derail” the peace process, but Russia has been derailing that for four years. Mr. Putin continues to violate the Minsk de-escalation accord of 2015.
Critics say the arms sale could increase U.S.-Russian tension, but these are some of the same people who say President Trump colluded with Mr. Putin to win the election and wants to appease him now. Ukraine is a major obstacle to better Russian relations with the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Putin won’t take Minsk or the West seriously on Ukraine until he is convinced the price of his imperialism is higher than the political gains it provides at home.
Mr. Putin has been waiting to see if Mr. Trump would bend on Ukraine, and the Javelin sale is a strong message that he won’t.
Javelin Missiles for Ukraine
Russia is unhappy the U.S. is selling antitank weapons to Kiev.
The Editorial BoardDec. 25, 2017 4:30 p.m. ET
The White House took another useful step Friday to get Russia’s attention on Ukraine, deciding to sell Javelin antitank missiles to the Kiev government trying to defend against Kremlin-backed invaders. Armored vehicles are a major Russian advantage in the conflict that Vladimir Putin has been escalating in recent weeks.
“The United States has decided to provide Ukraine enhanced defensive capabilities as part of our effort to help Ukraine build its long-term defense capacity, to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to deter further aggression,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Friday.
The Javelin is America’s most effective portable antitank weapon; it is infrared-guided and maneuvers to hit tanks at the top, where the armor is weakest. The Javelins won’t end the conflict, but they will help Ukraine impose a higher cost on Mr. Putin for his aggression. The Kremlin reacted with anger and said the weapons could “derail” the peace process, but Russia has been derailing that for four years. Mr. Putin continues to violate the Minsk de-escalation accord of 2015.
Critics say the arms sale could increase U.S.-Russian tension, but these are some of the same people who say President Trump colluded with Mr. Putin to win the election and wants to appease him now. Ukraine is a major obstacle to better Russian relations with the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Putin won’t take Minsk or the West seriously on Ukraine until he is convinced the price of his imperialism is higher than the political gains it provides at home.
Mr. Putin has been waiting to see if Mr. Trump would bend on Ukraine, and the Javelin sale is a strong message that he won’t.
