Former US Ambassador to Ukraine John E. Herbst Thinks Kyiv Should Be Better Armed
John E. Herbst, a former ambassador to Ukraine, thinks the country should be better armed to defend itself against Russia. He made this comment after Russia’s recent strike on the city of Dnipro.
Herbst said that Russia’s use of a medium-range ballistic missile called “Oreshnik” is likely a response to the US allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory with American ATACMS missiles. He believes this action shows that Putin is determined to subjugate Ukraine and thinks Washington should be more resolute in its support.
Herbst thinks that if he was shaping policy, he’d provide Ukraine with “Tomahawks”, a type of missile. He also said that some people in the US might use Russia’s strike as an excuse not to help Ukraine, but that there are also reasonable people who understand that showing strength is the best way to avoid a major war.
The comments from Herbst come at a time when US officials are reportedly having talks with Ukraine about potential negotiations with Russia.