US President Barack Obama said sending weapons to Ukraine may still be an option however added that a decision was yet to be made on the matter.
"It is true that if, in fact, diplomacy fails, what I've asked my team to do is to look at all options," said Mr Obama. "But I have not made a decision about that yet."
His remarks came at a joint press conference with German chancellor Angela Merkel, after talks at the White House on Monday. “I’ve consulted with not just Angela [Merkel] but will be consulting with other allies about this issue,” said Mr Obama. He further added,
"Can we be certain that any lethal aid that we provide Ukraine is used properly, doesn't fall into the wrong hands, does not lead to over-aggressive actions that can't be sustained by the Ukrainians? What kinds of reactions does it prompt, not simply from the separatists but from the Russians? Those are all issues that have to be considered."
Mr Obama has been facing domestic pressure from the Republican party to send weapons to Ukraine, with Senator John McCain telling a security conference in Munich this weekend "the Ukrainians are being slaughtered and we're sending them blankets and meals."
"Blankets don't do well against Russian tanks."
During his consultations with the German chancellor, Mr Obama said he and Ms Merkel had agreed sanctions on Russia must continue, but Ms Merkel said she was against arming the Ukrainian government in its fight against pro-Russians separatists.
“I understand the debate but I believe that more weapons will not lead to the progress Ukraine needs. I really doubt that,” she said.
Meanwhile European Union foreign ministers approved further visa bans and asset freezes on an increasing number of Ukrainian separatists and Russians. See more from Reuters here.