Ukrainian President's Plea For Weaponry Denied, Despite Some U.S. Support

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko continues to urge the United States Congress for lethal aid to bolster U.S. support for his strategy in handling Russian-backed separatists, according to The Associated Press.

"I strongly encourage the United States to give Ukraine a special security and defense status which reflects the highest level of interaction with non-NATO allies," Poroshenko said in an emotional speech to the House of Representatives and Senate, the AP reported.

Poroshenko asked for more aid for Ukraine's military, going beyond equipment such as night-vision goggles that Washington has already sent, according to the AP.

"They need more political support throughout the world. They need more military equipment, both lethal and non-lethal," Poroshenko said, the AP reported.

"Blankets, night-vision goggles are also important, but one cannot win the war with blankets," he added, according to the AP.

Poroshenko also pushed for more sanctions against Russia for its seizure of Crimea from Ukraine and backing of the separatist movement, the AP reported.

"I also asked that the United States be forceful and reflect its principles with the respect of further sanctions against the aggressor," Poroshenko said, according to the AP.

As Poroshenko visited the U.S. Capitol, President Barack Obama's administration pledged $53 million in fresh aid to Ukraine for its struggle against Russia's incursion, including counter-mortar radar equipment, the AP reported.

Ukraine and Kremlin-backed separatists have been locked in a months-long fight for control of eastern Ukrainian cities that sit on Russia's border, according to the AP.

Despite some support for Poroshenko's request within the Obama administration, officials said the president continues to oppose lethal assistance and does not envision directly arming the Ukrainian military as an effective way to end the conflict, the AP reported.

"President Putin has upended the international order, and a slap on the wrist will not deter future Russian provocations," Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's said, according to the AP. "In the face of Russian aggression, Ukraine needs our steadfast and determined support, not an ambiguous response. We are left with no choice but to apply tough sanctions against Russia, coupled with military assistance to Ukraine."

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