By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

Russia’s continued actions against Ukraine represents one of the worst blows to democracy in the modern era, Ukraine’s president told the U.S. Congress on Thursday as he called for his country to receive special NATO status.

“The aggression against Ukraine has become one of the worst setbacks for the cause of democracy in the world in years,” Petro Poroshenko said to a boisterous joint session of the body. “With just one move, the world has been thrown back in time to the reality of the territorial claims, zone of influence, criminal aggression and annexation.”

Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March, and has since unofficially backed pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country with arms and training, the U.S., EU and Ukraine allege.

Poroshenko called on lawmakers to back special status for Ukraine within NATO to bolster its military standing against the regional heavyweight.

“I strongly encourage the United States to give Ukraine a special security and defense status which reflects the highest level of interaction with non-NATO ally,” he said.

Russia has warned against the transatlantic alliance making such a move.

Washington should also supply Ukraine’s military with lethal military assistance, something it has previously stopped short of, Poroshenko told lawmakers, saying, “Blankets, night vision goggles are also important, but one cannot win the war with blankets.” 

U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to announce an additional $53 million to assist the central government Thursday, the vast majority of which will be used to support Ukraine’s military and border guards, according to the White House. It is currently unclear if that announcement will include the type of assistance Poroshenko requested.

The two leaders are scheduled to meet at the White House later today.

The U.S. sent Ukraine roughly $291 million in assistance this year alone, and provided an additional $1 billion loan guarantee.

As Washington and its allies in Europe work to bolster Ukraine’s central government in Kiev, they have simultaneously worked to ramp up economic pressure on Russia.

“Economic sanctions are important for many reasons. They help to distinguish between good and evil. They help us to defend and stand the moral high ground,” Poroshenko said.

The U.S. has enacted several rounds of sanctions against Russia for what it says is its destabilizing role in the country, and most recently blacklisted Russia’s largest bank by assets, Sberbank.

www.aa.com.tr/en