As long as Vladimir Putin or someone like him is in power, even after the end of the war, one cannot be sure that it is really over: even if there is a just peace, there must be a long-term plan and the construction of the Ukrainian army of the future in order to be able to curb any future appetites of Putin. This was during a virtual discussion held by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Victoria Nuland, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, CNN reports..
According to her, the United States is considering not only weapons that will be useful to Ukrainian defenders right now on the battlefield, but also take into account what the Ukrainian Armed Forces will need to further deter the aggressive neighbor after the end of the war..
As an example of Putin's cunning, she recalled 2014, when, after the illegal invasion and seizure of part of the territory of Ukraine, Putin tried to freeze the conflict in order to have time and energy to prepare for a full-scale offensive..
She did not talk about specific capabilities that the US may provide in the near future or in the long term, in particular, Nuland did not answer whether the US will provide jet aircraft or army tactical missile systems (ATACMS) in the near future..
However, she suggested that these types of equipment could be made available for use in deterrence..
“If we think about the army that will be needed after this stops, however it stops, in order to be able to keep Russia from returning, Ukraine must have a sophisticated stable air defense.
They will need much stronger border defenses, better radars and early warning to make sure Russia cannot invade again,” she said..
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As reported, Victoria Nuland also said that the United States, along with G7 allies, is preparing to introduce new restrictions against Moscow on the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine..
In addition, the official added that, according to the United States, Russian military bases in Crimea are legitimate targets for Ukraine..