"Brain centers" call for military assistance to Ukraine

Three major US research centers called on the administration of President Barack Obama to immediately begin the delivery of lethal defensive assistance to Ukraine, arguing that the Russian aggression in Eastern Ukraine must be countered with "decisive actions."

The joint report of the Brookings Institution, the Atlantic Council and the Chicago Council on Global Issues was compiled by eight former high-ranking officials.

The document says that helping Ukraine "to deter attacks and defend itself not only does not contradict the search for a peaceful political solution, but is an integral factor in achieving it."

The authors claim that the Ukrainian army does not have enough armor-piercing systems to counter Russian T-80 tanks. Of the same, there are 70 percent are inoperable.

About 70 percent of victims are killed by Russian rocket and artillery fire, but Ukraine does not have anti-battery radars that can detect sources of shelling, or UAVs that can spot them from the air.

Among the authors of the report are former Deputy Defense Minister Michel Flurna, former US Permanent Representative to NATO Ivo Daalder, former US Under-Secretary of State, and now President of the Brookings Institute, Strobe Talbott, and others.

The drafters of the document recommend that the United States provide Ukraine with military aid in the amount of 1 billion dollars already in 2015 and plan for these purposes 2 billion dollars in 2016-2017.

After such a contribution by the United States, they note, European members of NATO, such as the United Kingdom and Poland, may also consider providing military assistance.

The study says that the US government should change its policy and begin to provide lethal assistance to the Ukrainian military.

In addition, the authors recommend that the United States apply to other NATO countries for the supply of military aid to Ukraine. The main purpose of this assistance should be to increase the defensive potential of Ukraine. This, in particular, should be about the supply of anti-battery radars to determine the sources of rocket and artillery strikes, drones, electronic warfare against enemy drones, secure communications, Humvee all-terrain vehicles and auxiliary medical equipment.

Assistance should also include lethal defensive equipment, especially light armor-piercing missiles, the report says.

“In combination with the remaining solid Western economic sanctions, considerable military assistance to strengthen the defense potential of Ukraine will make it clear that the West does not accept the use of force to change the borders in Europe,” the authors write in the introduction to the report. “We urge the Obama administration and the governments of NATO member countries, with the help of the Congress and parliaments of the allied countries, to act quickly and implement these recommendations. President Putin may hope to be famous for the restoration of Russia's dominance over her neighbors, taking advantage of intimidation and force. But in order to achieve peace, it is necessary to counter this decisive action. ”

Commenting on the report, the Washington Post newspaper in an editorial indicates that "no one, including the democratic government of Ukraine, believes that Ukraine can win the war against Russia."

“But defensive weapons could weaken Putin’s offensive and raise his costs in a way that could deter him,” the publication concludes, according to Voice of America.