General Wesley Clark: West Should Arm Ukraine.

[elleng]

'Retired US Army General Wesley Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, has campaigned since 2014 to convince Western governments to provide lethal aid to Ukraine to fend off Russia's occupation of 9 percent of its territory.

In a wide-ranging interview, he talked about why this hasn't happened and about Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine and Europe, his Syrian strategy, and his overall game plan.
"We should have given defensive lethal weapons to Ukraine," he said. "If we'd given them defensive weapons, many lives could have been saved. There are major human consequences here."

Overall casualties now mount to 9,100--up from 6,200 in spring 2015--according to a United Nations report issued December 9. Russia denies direct military involvement but no one believes that. Moscow claims separatists are in charge, but NATO, Clark, and the UN have evidence to the contrary. Russia's involvement is direct and murderous.

On December 11, UN Ambassador Samantha Power, Acting Chair of the UN Security Council, bluntly stated: "Russia continues to arm, train, support, and fight alongside separatists in eastern Ukraine."

As matters stand, Clark said, Russia could invade Ukraine with a few brigades, but it won't for two reasons. The current strategy of harassment and destabilization serves Putin's overall purpose, and, second, by not overtly using military troops Putin believes he can get the Europeans to ease sanctions.' >>>

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-m-francis/general-wesley-clark-west_b_8819918.html

[comradebillyboy]

1. This veteran thinks the Ukraine/Russia spat is

a wonderful opportunity for the US to mind its own business.

[tech3149]

2. I'm with you!

As much as I respect Gen Clark I think his opinion is distorted by the cold war paranoia that affects so many of us of a similar age. It's time we stopped pissing in other peoples sandboxes and treat the rest of the world as equals not adversaries or resources.

[shadowmayor]

3. Uh Nope

Sorry General,

On many issues I find you to be a voice of reason. On throwing more fuel onto the Ukraine fire I couldn't disagree more. Why in the world would anybody think adding more weaponry will solve anything? Let's give peace a chance. I expect this from John Magoo er McCain, but it hurts to hear a Democrat speak of these things.

[newthinking]

4. He forgot the narrative "the rebels are bombing their own cities"

For months it has been only the cities in the east that have been fired upon. Cities and villages on the other side of conflict are not getting any serious fire. And Ukraine is not following through on the conditions. And of course the narrative we still hear is the opposite.

Let me ask this... Why would Russia be investing in a bridge costing billions to crimea and then jeopardize that by putting fuel to the fire? It makes absolutely no sense.

[BlueMTexpat]

5. Sorry, Gen Clark, but no. eom

[KoKo]

6. He tends to swing back and forth about our Endless Wars....

And.....Its Causes. I'm thinking he's looking for a new position in the coming Administration.........on either side--whichever side wins.

He stakes himeself out as the "reasonable one" and while that may be true...this particular article paints him as a
"Cold War" Advocate. Haven't we had enough of that?