Russia’s EU Rep Calls US Weapons Supplies to Kiev the ‘Worst Idea’

Potential US arms supplies to Ukraine can escalate the confrontation and increase the number of victims, Vladimir Chizhov claims.

Russia's permanent representative to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, said that potential supplies of US weapons to Ukraine would be "the worst idea under the current circumstances."

"My opinion is clear and simple. This is the worst idea possible under the current circumstances," Chizhov said in an interview to Brussels’ EurActiv.

He also added that arms supplies may lead to the escalation of the confrontation and increase the number of victims. “This is a civil conflict, which can be resolved only by political means. Those, who pour oil on the flame, will be responsible for the continuing fighting and further victims,” Chizhov said.

According to Chizhov, a number of EU countries support his opinion and believe that such step would not resolve the conflict. “There are several statements of EU leaders to support this view," he said.

Ten US senators, including John McCain, have called on Obama administration to provide Ukrainian government with lethal arms. McCain, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, also said on Thursday that additional US military advisors will be required on the ground if the United States provides the Ukrainian government with lethal military equipment.

Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to NATO with a request for arms supplies. However, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said earlier that the alliance should not send weapons to Ukraine as the problem is to be resolved on the basis of peaceful negotiations.