I know many proponents of sending arms to Ukraine sincerely believe it will check Russian aggression and save lives. If the sales go forward and it indeed helps reduce violence in the frontline zone, I will be delighted to have been wrong. But if this move instead triggers escalation and subjects Donbass civilians to a new round of death and misery, will proponents still be paying attention?

Brian Milakovsky is from Maine and works for humanitarian organizations in eastern Ukraine. He focuses on livelihoods and economic recovery for war-affected civilians.