Resolution calling to expedite lethal weapons aid to Ukraine passed Senate

Resolution S. Res. 72 calling on President Obama to expedite the provision of lethal weapons aid to Ukraine passed the Senate unanimously on Tuesday.

This is reported by Coruption.info   citing website of Senator Ron Johnson, the author of the resolution. 

"Senator Ron Johnson's (R-Wis.) resolution (S. Res. 72) calling on the president to prioritize and expedite the provision of defensive lethal aid to Ukraine and condemning attacks by Russian-backed rebels on civilians in Mariupol passed the Senate unanimously," the website reads.

"It is absolutely necessary that President Obama prioritize and expedite the provision of defensive lethal and non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine in light of the January attacks by Russian-backed rebels on the civilian population in Mariupol. I am pleased that Ranking Member Shaheen and I could work together to bring about bipartisan agreement on this in the Senate. The administration should now respond, providing Ukraine with what they desperately need," Sen. Johnson said following the resolution's passage.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko spoke before a joint session of Congress on Sept. 18, 2014 and asked the United States for desperately needed aid, including military aid. He told Congress that Ukraine's defense forces need more military equipment, both lethal and non-lethal, urgently. Blankets and night-vision goggles are important, Poroshenko said, "but one cannot win the war with blankets. Even more, we cannot keep the peace with a blanket."

Poroshenko also said that the EU, U.S., and other countries will urgently provide Ukraine with lethal weapons when Russian aggression escalates. President Obama's Administration said repeatedly that at current stage, supplies of the U.S. lethal aid to Ukraine might fuel the conflict.

On March 23, the House of Congress of the United Stated passed the bill calling on Obama to urgently provide Ukraine with lethal weapons.