'One cannot win the war with blankets': Ukraine asks for lethal aid from U.S.

President Barack Obama welcomed new Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko to the White House, but stopped short of fulfilling his visitor’s urgent request for weapons to fight Russian-backed separatists. On Thursday, Poroshenko had renewed his call for American weaponry during an emotional address to a joint meeting of Congress, where his remarks were repeatedly interrupted by applause from lawmakers in both parties. While he expressed appreciation for other material aid from the U.S., Poroshenko said it was not enough to quell the violence that has dogged eastern Ukraine.

Blankets and night vision goggles are important, but one cannot win a war with a blanket.

Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko

The White House did announce a new $46 million security package for Ukraine’s military that includes counter-mortar radar to detect incoming artillery fire. The U.S. will also give $7 million to humanitarian organizations to assist people affected by the violence. In resisting calls to arm Ukraine’s military, Obama has argued that pouring more weapons into the conflict would not de-escalate the situation.

The more costly the Ukrainians can make any fighting for the Russians, the less Moscow’s interest in resuming the conflict.

Steven Pifer, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine

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