National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov said he hopes that the new U.S. administration will make a decision on granting lethal weapons to Ukraine.
“I do think that Ukraine has a chance to get lethal weapons. I recall Donald Trump was nominated by the Republican Party. The position of the Republican Party towards Ukraine is sufficiently clear and consistent. All their votes in the Congress and in the Senate prove this. Hopefully, President Trump will consistently pursue the Republican Party policy,” Turchynov said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
Turchynov said he expects the new U.S. president to act in the interests of his country and that of the world.
“Hopefully, Russia’s expectations that the U.S. will turn a blind eye to their terrorist activities won’t come true, and their bravado will be replaced more hysterics. I also hope that the new president will be working in the interests of his country and in the interests of the civilized world. And the whole civilized world is interested in putting an end to settlement of political issues through military means, in stopping the redrawing of borders and military conflicts. And this, in turn, is possible if the aggression is not discussed or negotiated about, but stopped,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the U.S. will provide tangible assistance to Ukraine in the defense and security sector reform.
“You know, I want to remind you that Ukraine has given up its nuclear weapons, which was among the five most powerful nuclear arms facilities in the world, in exchange for security guarantees and I believe that these guarantees were not met. I repeat: the obligations were not met! Russia has occupied part of our sovereign territory. The assistance we receive does not match the guarantees given to us by our partners,” Turchynov said.
The NSDC secretary said serious assistance means powerful weapons, financing of strategic defense enterprises, formation of joint ventures, etc.
“This is the assistance that will ensure the full de-occupation of Ukraine,” Turchynov said.
