The United States announced Wednesday that it is sending small unarmed drones, armored Humvees and other assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russian-backed separatists – but for the first time the White House said arming Ukraine hasn't been ruled out. Some lawmakers are upset that lethal weapons haven't already been included as part of $75 million in new aid announced Wednesday. Asked during a White House press briefing to confirm that the U.S. won't send weapons to the former Soviet nation, Press Secretary Josh Earnest said, 'That's not necessarily accurate.' 'I can't,' he said. 'The President, I think, in his own mind, is continuing to evaluate the situation in eastern Ukraine,' Earnest told reporters, 'and continuing to assess the risk that's associated with providing additional lethal assistance to the Ukrainian military.'Obama spokesman cites 'risk assessment' and says president wants to 'de-escalate' military action, not ramp it upThe US is sending another $75 million in nonlethal aid but won't commit to arming Ukrainian troops against Vladimir Putin's RussiaGroup of 13 Republican and Democratic senators want Congress to appropriate money specifically to buy 'defensive weapons' for UkraineTwo other senators, one from each party, say the US should be 'equipping Ukraine with the means to impose a greater military cost on Russia'
Members of Congress from both parties have repeatedly urged _ to provide Ukrainian soldiers with lethal weapons to defend themselves.