U.S. should help Ukraine protect itself – Condoleezza Rice

14:44, 14.03.2016 1 min read

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says that the United States should help Ukraine improve its security.

"I surely believe we should help Ukraine protect itself. I believe people should have an opportunity to defend themselves with firearms, though the American government decided not to choose that way and I understand that," Rice said in an interview with ICTV on March 13 in Kyiv.

Rice said Russia had repeatedly breached the Minsk ceasefire agreements. She said the West had imposed sanctions on Russian officials in response and that the decline in oil prices has hurt Russia's economy.

The truce violations are constant, but they should be addressed patiently and persistently.

Rice urged Ukrainian leaders to press on with economic reforms. She said Ukrainian officials must work harder to achieve implementation of improved policies.

Rice has long advocated shipments of lethal defensive weapons for Ukraine to counter Russian aggression. She is also known for supporting additional economic sanctions against the Russian authorities.