US aid might come to Ukraine as crisis worsens

According to Ukrainian officials, at least 16 civilians have been killed in the past 48 hours in renewed fighting city of Debaltseve. Five Ukrainian soldiers have also been killed and more than 30 others wounded. There is no confirmation of any deaths on the side of pro-Russian rebels.

Heavy shelling has left a trail of destruction as an estimated 10,000 people – that’s half the population – remain in the city. “You have to try to find shelter in time. Some people were too late. There are so many people lying on the ground, covered with blankets. There’s no way to bury them because nobody will dig graves during the shelling,” explained one resident.

Kyiv troops are trying to defend the strategic city of Debaltseve against pro-Russian rebels who are advancing trying to connect two rebel strongholds. On Monday, the shelling stopped for two hours while some of the injured were taken out. But a longer one will be needed to evacuate the rest of the city.

PRO-RUSSIAN ARMY

Separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko announced that the rebels are looking to build an army of 100,000 fighters: "It does not mean we will take in 100,000, but the joint army of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics' army should be 100,000." because “this is the reserve which will guarantee us an ability to withstand any attack, and in case of success, to develop a counter-attack," he added.

The rebel leader said that new recruits will be trained and separated into several army brigades.

The U.S. has blamed Russia for sending both troops and weapons such as tanks to fight for the rebels, something which Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied.

USA POSSIBLE AID

U.S. officials are considering sending lethal aid such as defensive weapons to the government of Ukraine in its ongoing battle against pro-Russian rebels. "Although our focus remains on pursuing a solution through diplomatic means, we are always evaluating other options that will help create space for a negotiated solution to the crisis," said Bernadette Meehan, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council.

As The New York Times noted on Monday, an independent report was issued by Michèle A. Flournoy, a former senior Pentagon official; James G. Stavridis, a retired admiral who served as the top NATO military commander, and Ivo Daalder, the ambassador to NATO during Mr. Obama’s first term, among others, which urges President Barack Obama to send $3 billion in defensive arms and equipment to Ukraine. This aid would include weapons such as anti-armor missiles and armoured Humvees.

While Obama has not yet announced the U.S.'s next step in the war, Secretary of State John Kerry is set to visit Kiev on Thursday.  The President of United States will host German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House on Monday. She has said Germany would not supply weapons to Kyiv’s military but has not objected to Washington doing so.