U.S. House passes resolution urging Obama to send weapons to Ukraine

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a resolution urging President Barack Obama to send lethal weapons to Ukraine to protect its sovereignty in its fight against Russian-backed rebels.

The resolution was approved Monday by a vote of 348 to 48.

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There is bipartisan support in Congress to provide the arms to Ukrainian forces battling the rebels. Russian President Vladimir Putin denies arming rebels in the war in eastern Ukraine, which began in April after Moscow annexed the mostly Russian-speaking Crimean Peninsula.

U.S. State Department officials say Obama administration officials are discussing lethal assistance to Ukraine but are waiting to see whether the agreements that led to February’s cease-fire are implemented.