WASHINGTON — The top Republican and Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday called for $1 billion in lethal defensive aid to Ukraine as Congress increased pressure on President Barack Obama to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian-backed rebels.
Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, the panel’s chairman, and Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., introduced legislation that would provide training, equipment and lethal defensive weapons to the national security forces of Ukraine through Sept. 30, 2017, to help secure “its sovereign territory against foreign aggressors.”
“It seems Russia has decided to go back to the Cold War,” Smith said during a news conference, citing Russia’s takeover of Crimea and push into eastern Ukraine. The imposition of economic sanctions “has not at all changed President (Vladimir) Putin’s calculus.”
Fighting intensified Tuesday in eastern Ukraine as pro-Russia rebels and Ukrainian troops sought to extend their gains ahead of crucial peace talks, and the government accused the separatists of shelling a town far behind the front lines, killing 12 people and wounding scores.
Germany, which has joined with France to try to broker a peace deal, urged Russia and Ukraine to compromise and called on the warring parties to refrain from hostilities that could derail a four-way summit Wednesday in Minsk, Belarus.
Obama, who is considering lethal aid for Ukraine’s military, on Tuesday spoke with the leaders of both Russia and Ukraine, one day before they meet for talks aimed at reaching an elusive peace deal.
The White House said Obama reiterated U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty in his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and emphasized the importance of reaching a diplomatic resolution.
