WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Washington’s reluctance to provide lethal military aid to Ukraine is preventing other European nations from arming Ukraine, former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“Because there is no signal from Washington, the Czechs, Slovaks, Bulgarians, a number of others are refusing to provide even spare parts but also equipment to Ukraine precisely for the reason because they don’t want to stand alone [when] Washington is not on board,” Saakashvili said on Wednesday.
Saakashvili explained that because US President Barack Obama has not authorized weapons to Ukraine causing other nations in the region not wanting to take the lead.
Saakashvili is currently the chairman of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s International Advisory Council On Reforms.
Atlantic Council Vice President Damon Wilson told the Committee the US could be part of a six-nation coalition that would be “on board” with providing arms to the Kiev government.
“I think the greatest likelihood is first the United Kingdom, Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Canada, Australia, a collection of countries that would stand with us first,” Wilson stated.
Those countries would likely response to the United States if there were “a clear decision” about providing lethal aid, but Wilson argued there is “nervousness” among them because the US decision is ambivalent.
Wilson added there are concerns that a unilateral US provision of weapons “will split the alliance,” referring to NATO.
Both Wilson and Saakashvili noted that Germany was an unlikely partner in providing military equipment to Ukraine.
The United States has not armed Ukraine, but the White House has stated it is still considering the measure. A number of European countries including Germany, France, Italy and Spain have stated their opposition to providing military support to Ukraine.
