EU foreign policy chief opposed to lethal weapons supply to Kiev

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union's foreign policy chief on Friday, March 6, came out against a bipartisan call in the United States to provide lethal, defensive weapons to Ukraine in its fight against Russian-backed armed groups, the Associated Press reports.

House Speaker John Boehner and a group of top Democrats and Republicans wrote to President Obama calling for deliveries but so far have found few backers in the 28 nation EU.

Federica Mogherini said Friday, March 6, that "the European Union is doing enough" and insisted that the implementation of the peace deal brokered in Minsk last month "is the way to go forward."

Mogherini said that "what Ukraine needs now is not only the full respect of its sovereignty, of its territorial integrity, but it is also peace."

On Friday, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said arms deliveries "would only stoke the fire." "Our goal must be a ceasefire, not an escalation," Kurz said.

The U.S. lawmakers insisted the so-called Minsk agreements have only consolidated Russian and separatists' gains, and the urged quick approval of additional efforts to support Ukraine. They said the EU was far too slow and meek in its reaction to the crisis.

Britain on Friday continued its policy of providing non-lethal defense assistance to Ukraine as the EU continues to look for a political solution, approving 850,000 pounds ($1.29 million) for first aid kits, night vision goggles, helmets and other equipment.

"Our overall aim is to strengthen the defensive capability of the Ukrainian armed forces and build the resilience that they need," said British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon.

Boehner and others found the EU approach insufficient, especially for a conflict happening on its doorstep, as they urged Obama "to lead Europe" in challenging Putin.