US Prepares to Ship Arms to Kiev While EU Relies on Minsk Deal - Lawmaker

While Europe relies on the agreements reached by the leaders of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine in Minsk, the US is going to make a decision on lethal arms assistance to Kiev.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The United States is preparing to supply weapons to Kiev, while Europe hopes that Minsk agreements will resolve the Ukrainian crisis, the head of the foreign affairs committee of Russia's lower parliamentary house, Alexei Pushkov, said Sunday.

On Saturday, US Senate urged Secretary of State John Kerry to provide Ukraine with "defensive" weapons.

"While in Europe all the hopes are associated with Minsk [Agreements], the United States with maniac perseverance is preparing to make a decision on supply of weapons to Kiev," Pushkov wrote on his Twitter page.

Both Kiev forces and independence supporters have reported continuing clashes, despite a ceasefire that came into force on February 15.

The ceasefire was negotiated by the leaders of Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine on February 12 in Minsk. Under the agreement, the sides must pull out heavy artillery from the line of contact and carry out an "all-for-all" prisoner swap.