US Senator Robert Menendez has called for weapons to be provided to Ukraine to fight against a “direct invasion by Russia” as clashes continued in South-Eastern Ukraine.

Menendez, who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN,

"We should provide the Ukrainians with the type of defensive weapons that will impose a cost upon Putin for further aggression... This is no longer the question of some rebel separatists, this is a direct invasion by Russia. We must recognise it as that."

Speaking on the current situation, amid reports of the first naval clashes breaking out, Menendez added, that the option of sending arms to Ukraine was being discussed at the White House, saying,

"I think that may very well be on the table right now. These are changed circumstances."

His comments come as Russia's President Vladmir Putin called for talks to discuss the matter of "statehood" for eastern Ukraine.

Menendez's call was joined by other leading US Senators, including Senator John McCain who said, "This is not an incursion. This is an invasion.". McCain went on to say,

"Give them [the Ukrainian government] the weapons they need. Give them the wherewithal they need. Give them the ability to fight."

Earlier the European Union had called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine or face further sanctions. See our earlier post:

EU warns Russia of more sanctions if troops do not withdraw from Ukraine (31 August 2014)