2014-09-19 09:10:00

Ukrainian President fails to get U.S. weapons support


(Vatican Radio/agencies) An emotional address by Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko to a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday. The Ukrainian leader renewed his call for American weaponry to fight Russian-backed separatists and was frequently interrupted by applause by lawmakers.  While he expressed appreciation for the non-lethal assistance from the U.S., Poroshenko said it was not enough to quell the violence that has dogged eastern Ukraine. 

The White House announced a new $46 million security package for Ukraine's military that includes counter-mortar radar to detect incoming artillery fire. The U.S. will also provide vehicles and patrol boats, body armor and heavy engineering equipment, while also giving $7 million to humanitarian organizations to assist people affected by the violence.  That stops far short of Poroshenko’s request for lethal weaponry.

Asked by reporters whether he was disappointed to be leaving Washington without that commitment, Poroshenko said he was satisfied with the level of cooperation with the U.S. in the defense and security sector.








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