In a move that has sparked controversy with Russia, the United States has lifted its longstanding ban on supplying weapons and training to Ukraine's Azov brigade, despite its origins being mired in controversy over alleged links to far-right groups.

A state department spokesman, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that a vetting process was conducted on Ukraine's National Guard's 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade and found no evidence of gross human rights violations committed by the brigade. This decision by the US marks a significant shift in policy towards Ukraine, which had previously faced restrictions due to concerns over the brigade's alleged ties to far-right organizations.

The Azov brigade, which is now part of Ukraine's National Guard, hailed the lifting of the ban, asserting that Russia's "lies... received a devastating blow." The brigade's statement emphasized that the weapons and training from the US would enhance their combat capabilities and safeguard the lives and health of its personnel.

However, the decision has not been received well by Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the move, accusing the US of being willing to "flirt with neo-Nazis" to suppress Russia. It is important to note that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made false claims about a "neo-Nazi regime" in Kyiv to justify his actions, including the annexation of Crimea peninsula in 2014 and the subsequent invasion in 2022.

The US state department spokesman clarified that the Azov brigade should not be conflated with a separate militia called the "Azov Battalion," which was formed to defend Ukraine against Russian invasion in 2014. The spokesman argued that Russian disinformation was attempting to distort the perception of the brigade and its mission.

The Azov brigade's origins trace back to May 2014 when it was established as a volunteer militia battalion to combat Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. It was later incorporated into Ukraine's interior ministry before being transferred to the National Guard. While some members were reported to have had links to far-right and ultra-nationalist groups at the time, several of them, including the first commander, left the unit.

The lifting of the weapons ban follows a UN report in 2016 that accused the Azov regiment, at that time, of engaging in looting and displacing civilians in eastern Ukraine. The current leadership of the Azov brigade asserts that its members have no ties to far-right organizations or extremist groups, though independent verification of this claim remains unavailable.

For many in Ukraine, the Azov fighters are considered national heroes for their defense of the southern city of Mariupol against a brutal Russian assault. However, it is important to note that there are allegations of Ukrainian soldiers, including members of the Azov brigade, being held as prisoners of war by Russia and subjected to torture in captivity.

The lifting of the ban on supplying weapons and training to the Azov brigade marks a significant development in US-Ukraine relations. However, it also escalates tensions with Russia, which views the move as an alliance between the US and far-right groups. The repercussions of this decision may have broader implications for the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and the geopolitical dynamics in the region.