“We’re very much assessing in partnership with our European allies what comes next with respect to economic pressure and other forms of pressure,” Rice said on Friday, commenting on possible providing lethal aid to Ukraine. “We will want to do so in close consultation, and in coordination, with our partners whose unity on this issue with us thus far has been a core element of our strength in responding to Russia’s aggression.”
Rice added that the United States is considering increasing its military assistance to include “lethal defensive equipment” but said no decision has been made.
The US President Barack Obama's administration has faced mounting domestic pressure to provide Ukraine with lethal military assistance. In a Thursday news conference a bipartisan group of US Senators called on the White House to send weapons to Kiev.
US Defense Secretary nominee Ashton Carter said on Wednesday that the United States should provide Ukraine with lethal military assistance.
On Friday German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande headed to Moscow to discuss a peace plan with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Moscow has repeatedly denied being involved in Ukraine’s internal affairs.
