The Kyiv Post quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John Herbst on the need for stronger sanctions, better military equipment for Kyiv, and a heavier NATO presence in the Baltics:

Former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, now director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council, also called for lethal aid to Kyiv.

“It is in the vital interests of the United States deal [Russian President Vladimir] Putin a defeat in Ukraine,” he told the crowd. “In order for that to happen we need a clear policy that addresses all of Mr. Putin’s substantial vulnerabilities.”

Herbst advocated stronger sanctions, better military equipment for Kyiv and a heavier NATO presence in the Baltics.

“There is no excuse for the refusal of the United States to provide Ukraine defensive lethal weapons,” he said.

Herbst faulted NATO for a lack of leadership in recent years, and said the allies should position “serious Western military assets in the Baltic states to make it clear to Mr. Putin that he goes no further.”

Speaking to the Kyiv Post prior to his address, Herbst rejected the notion that US arms would only inflame the situation. “That’s a very weak argument,” he said. “The Ukrainian people have already been subject to Kremlin aggression. The Kremlin has escalated its aggression half a dozen times in the past year as Ukraine has not received weapons.

Read the full article here.

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