Ukraine Seeks American Javelin Missiles For Giving Up on Nuclear Weapons

Ukraine has sought a thousand US-made Javelin shoulder-fired missiles for giving up on its nuclear warheads arsenal in the past.

"We need to understand that we must be prepared for any situation in the southeast. And also need to understand that Ukraine, which gave (up) 1,240 nuclear warheads, should have the right to receive, if necessary, at least a thousand Javelins", Ukraine’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the US Valeriy Chaly was quoted as saying by Ukraine's Mirror Weekly newspaper on Friday.

On Thursday, US Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman Nominee Joseph Dunford said in his confirmation hearing that it would be “reasonable” to provide Ukraine with anti-tank missiles.

Ukrainian authorities have often requested western states for lethal aid after Russia annexed its Crimea province and Russia-backed rebels are waging a separatist war against Kiev.

Ukraine had given up over 1250 nuclear warheads which fell into its possession following the break up of the Soviet Union by signing the Budapest memorandum between the US, Russia, the UK and itself some 20 years ago. A decision it now regrets.

The European Union is opposing the  US arming of Ukraine with lethal weapons but Chaly has revealed that Ukraine is receiving arms, including lethal weapons, from more than ten European nations.

"We are receiving weapons, including lethal weapons, and nobody can deny a sovereign Ukraine doing this.” Chaly added.

The nation does not reveal the list of countries, which provide weapons, “But there are more than ten countries just in Europe.” He said

We have various levels of military-technical cooperation with them, and at this stage it is developing," Chaly is quoted as saying by Ukraine's Mirror Weekly newspaper.