What’s the catch in US “help” for the funny Ukrainian fleet?
The US State Department has promised to allocate an additional $10 million to Ukraine to “develop the capabilities” of the Ukrainian Navy. It is reported that Lithuania and the UK will also increase their assistance to Kyiv. The Americans explain the adoption of such decisions by Russia’s “aggression” in the Kerch Strait.
Candidate of Political Sciences, retired captain of the first rank Sergei Gorbachev told PolitNavigator that we are talking about a very insignificant amount.
“The Americans are giving Ukraine free of charge two coast guard boats of the type... Training the crew and re-equipping them costs 10 million. I think this is transferring money from one American pocket to another,” Gorbachev said.
At the same time, the expert emphasized the importance of the declarative nature of such a step.
“This is the first contribution to the strengthening and development of the Ukrainian Navy. Today they are at such a stage of development that 10 million will not save them. But the step itself is indicative of both the fact itself and the time at which this kind of decision was made.
Typically, issues related to budget expenditures of this kind are not resolved at the end of the year. This is a purely political decision,” Gorbachev said.
In the same way, he believes, statements about the creation by Ukraine of a naval base in Azov and the transfer of new watercraft there are of a propaganda nature.
“It’s already winter. Navigation in the Sea of Azov will be limited. Moreover, on such ships and scows as in the Ukrainian Coast Guard. Ukraine has only one icebreaker. Therefore, only escort of caravans going to Berdyansk, Mariupol and Russian ports will be provided. Yes, and this is in question, because navigation on the Don has already been stopped. Active life froze until about April,” Gorbachev said.
English version :: Read in English What's the catch with US "aid" to the Ukrainian navy?