Russian act of hostility - United States supposedly permits transfer of weapons to Azov Regiment.
A US newspaper, the "Washington Post," has reported that Washington will permit the notorious Asov Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard to use their weapons. This had been forbidden for the 12th Special Brigade "Asov" due to human rights violations, which allegedly included racism, anti-Semitism and ultra-nationalism.
The ban, which was in place for ten years, has now been lifted by the US State Department, who stated that they had not found any evidence of violations to warrant such a ban. The newspaper reports that the State Department has decided to treat the Asov Brigade the same way as any other unit under the Ukraine National Guard.
The group's press service has confirmed the removal of the ban, but they did not provide any details about the brigade receiving their armaments. The Asov Brigade was founded in 2014 by far-right extremists as a volunteer battalion aiming to fight against pro-Russian separatists in the Azov Sea area. Since then, they have been incorporated into the Ukrainian National Guard.
The brigade's symbol, the Wolfsangel, is considered unconstitutional in Germany and has been a matter of controversy. Back in the day, US officials had found that some founders of the brigade held racist, anti-Semitic, and ultra-nationalist ideologies, as noted by the "Washington Post." In addition, United Nations human rights representatives have also accused the group of violating human rights.
The change in the US state department's stance comes during a time when Russian forces have become increasingly active in Eastern Ukraine, targeting the country's energy infrastructure. Ukraine has been under attack by Russia since February 2022, and the US has been helping them defend themselves. This lifting of the ban was a high priority for Ukrainian officials since the Asov Brigade's effective defense of Azovstal would be greatly improved with access to American equipment. Furthermore, members of the brigade were also previously barred from taking part in US-organized military training.
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- The Washington Post also reported that this decision by the United States Department of State has caused controversy in Germany, due to the Azov Brigade's use of the Wolfsangel symbol, which is considered unconstitutional in their country.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized the United States for this decision, accusing Washington of fueling the War of Aggression in Ukraine and providing arms delivery to right-wing extremist groups such as the Azov Regiment.
- Despite the criticism, the US State Department has defended its decision, stating that it is necessary to support Ukraine in the ongoing Ukraine war and to help them defend themselves against Russian aggression.
- The change in policy has also been met with concern from human rights groups and conflict monitoring organizations, who warn of the potential for increased violence and weapons proliferation in the Mariupol region.
- The US State Department has also expressed concern about the rise of right-wing extremism in Ukraine and has urged the Ukrainian government to take actions to address this issue and to ensure that the Azov Brigade adheres to international human rights norms.
- The United States has previously suspended military aid to Ukraine over concerns about human rights violations and allegations of involvement in conflicts in Eastern Ukraine, but this ban was lifted due to the urgency of the situation and the need to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
- The US State Department has also emphasized that the lifting of the ban does not necessarily mean that the Azov Brigade will receive direct financial support or military training from the United States, but it does allow them to use their existing weapons.
- The debate over the decision to lift the ban on the Azov Brigade's use of weapons has also highlighted the complexities of US foreign policy in the region and the need for a balanced approach that takes into account both security and human rights concerns.
- The US State Department has also stated that they continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine closely and will adjust their policy as necessary to ensure that it is in the best interest of both the United States and its allies.
