U.S. Lawmakers Rush To Pass Ukraine Aid

U.S. Senators John McCain (left) and Lindsey Graham were pushing for the United States to also supply Ukraine with defensive weapons and military training.

U.S. lawmakers are scrambling to pass an aid bill for Ukraine and send it to President Barack Obama's desk for signing.

The House of Representatives and the Senate have two separate bills that must be reconciled.

Congressional leaders said there was broad bilateral cooperation on getting a single bill approved by both houses of Congress.

The Senate bill would grant $1 billion in loan guarantees to Kyiv and an additional $100 million in direct aid.

U.S. Senators John McCain (Republican-Arizona) and Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina) were pushing for the United States to also supply Ukraine with defensive weapons and military training.

U.S. defense officials and analysts have said there are between 25,000 and 35,000 Russian troops massed on Ukraine's eastern border with Russia, and Ukraine has warned of a possible invasion.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP