VOA标准英语2014--Merits of Giving Ukraine Lethal Aid Debated

（单词翻译）

Merits of Giving Ukraine Lethal¹ Aid Debated

STATE DEPARTMENT—

U.S. Vice² President Joe Biden has condemned³ what he calls Russia’s “aggression” in Ukraine, but stopped short of saying the United States will provide Ukraine with lethal aid during comments made before wrapping up a visit to Ukraine that included talks with President Petro Poroshenko. But the White House nominee⁴ to fill the number two position at the State Department has said the United States should consider giving Ukraine lethal military equipment.

In a joint⁵ appearance with Poroshenko, Biden said Russian action in Ukraine is in violation⁶ of a September peace deal.

“We have seen more provocative⁷ actions, more blatant⁸ disregard for the agreement that was signed not long ago by Russia,” said Biden.

The United States and other Western powers have accused Russia of backing pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine with weapons and troops.

The United States has restricted its help to Ukraine to non-lethal aid, such as body armor and vehicles. But the question of defensive⁹ lethal assistance to Ukraine has never been off the table, said Deputy National Security Advisor¹⁰ Tony Blinken.

“It remains¹¹ on the table. It is something that we are looking at,” Blinken said.

Blinken told a Senate panel that Russia’s actions in Ukraine warrant a stronger response.

“I believe that given the serious Russian violations¹² of the agreement that they signed, the Minsk accord, that one element that could hopefully get them to think twice and deter¹³ them from further action is strengthening the capacity of the Ukrainian forces, including with defensive lethal equipment,” he said.

Blinken appears to have support for his position. Ukraine needs to defend itself, said Republican Congressman¹⁴ Steve Stockman.

“The photographs, if you see what is happening [in Ukraine], are important and people who look at them cannot even look at what is happening.  And yet, we stand silent.  You cannot defend a nation without defensive weapons,” said Stockman.

But Russia-Ukraine researcher Keith Darden thinks the Ukrainian government’s problem lies more with its internal organization, rather than its military hardware.  

“Strengthening the Ukrainian state does not mean arming Ukraine with American weapons, because they are a weapons producer.  This is not the problem for them,” said Darden.

Meanwhile, Russia has warned that U.S. lethal aid to Ukraine would further destabilize the country's crisis.