Kyiv: commencement of American weapons supplies to Ukraine depends only on the political decision of US leadership
The commencement of deliveries of American weapons to Ukraine currently depends only on the political decision of the US leadership, stated Viktor Muzhenko, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"We have such prospects [regarding the supplies of lethal weapons to Ukraine]. All the lists have been agreed upon, and the procedural matters have been discussed. Now we await a political decision [by the White House]," he said in an interview with Ukrinform.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is currently in the United States. During this visit, he expects to discuss the expansion of cooperation with the country’s military leadership.
"Now there is a question regarding the possible expansion of [bilateral] cooperation in matters of strategic reform. The question concerns changes in structures such as the General Staff and the Department of the Armed Forces, as well as the Defense Ministry of Ukraine, in order to improve communication and obtain appropriate opportunities not just at the operational, but also at the strategic level," Muzhenko explained.
He added that the Ukrainian delegation went to the US at the invitation of the Pentagon, to attend a conference hold by NATO and its partner chiefs dedicated to the fight against terrorism.
"In addition, our program provides for familiarization with the State of California’s National Guard centers, as well as the holding of a number of bilateral meetings, beginning with the US National Security Council, [and] ending with the military leadership of the Pentagon," added the Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Previously, the US developed a plan to supply Ukraine with anti-tank missiles and other weapons. In September, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko confirmed that American leader Donald Trump had promised to supply non-lethal armament to Kyiv.