Senators rip administration over Ukraine

The leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are chiding the Obama administration’s response to Russia’s ongoing aggression toward Ukraine.

“It’s pretty evident we’re not going to do much” beyond making statements, Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said during a Tuesday hearing, labeling the White House’s refusal to provide lethal weapons to Kiev’s military “feckless” and a “blight on U.S. policy.”

“I’m not quite sure why we cannot move ahead,” said Sen. Robert Menendez (N.J.), the panel’s top Democrat. 

Menendez said the U.S. keeps “working on this aspirational basis” that the security situation will be resolved diplomatically, “while Russia works effectively” to take more territory in eastern Ukraine.

The criticism comes the day after the pair sent a letter to President Obama asking for an update on plans for providing defensive lethal assistance to Ukraine.

The report to Congress, which is required by law under the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, was due on Feb. 15.

Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland said the administration hoped to provide the update “in coming weeks, if not coming days.”

She said more than 6,000 Ukrainians have been killed in the conflict, which began a year ago when Moscow annexed Crimea. More than 1.5 million refugees were forced from their homes, she added. 

Nuland said the picture on the ground is “very mixed,” but that U.S. officials in recent days have seen new transfers of Russian tanks, armored vehicles and heavy artillery to separatists in eastern Ukraine.

When asked by Corker if she still considered Russia’s military actions as an invasion, Nuland replied: “I’m comfortable with that word.”

The bipartisan duo also pressed Nuland and other administration officials on the status of the administration’s yearlong internal debate over providing arms to Ukraine. 

The president has refused to take such action for concern of further provoking Moscow, even though members of his Cabinet have begun to advocate the idea.

Brian McKeon, principal deputy undersecretary of Defense for policy, said officials are reviewing a number of options, including lethal aid. He said that he hoped there would be a resolution “soon, but I can’t put a timetable on it.”

Corker said the situation in Ukraine is starting to resemble the civil war in Syria a few years ago, charging the White House is “playing footsie” with Russia.