The Columbus Dispatch reports that “asserting that economic sanctions alone ‘are unlikely to deter’ Russia’s efforts to destabilize Ukraine, Sens. Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown of Ohio want the Obama administration to ship defensive military aid to the beleaguered Ukrainian army.”  

“In a letter drafted by Portman, R-Ohio, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., a growing number of senators want President Barack Obama to supply Ukraine with anti-tank weapons, armored Humvees and radar to fight eastern Ukraine’s rebels, who are supplied by Russian President Vladimir Putin.”  

“’Unfortunately, sanctions alone are unlikely to deter Putin,’ an early draft of the letter read. ‘As such, Ukraine needs an immediate infusion of effective defensive military equipment and financial aid to thwart Putin’s naked aggression.’”