The action came as Senate lawmakers in the United States advanced a bill to guarantee $1 billion in loans to Ukraine’s new pro-European government with an added $100 million in direct aid. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the measure has broad bipartisan support.

Sen. Harry Reid: “Ukraine needs this money. We had Senator Durbin on a Sunday show, Senator Ayotte on a Sunday show, speaking together that this country needs our help. And without this money, help that we give will be a pat on the back, not really much help. So, I’m very grateful to have the support of Democrats and Republicans, as in bipartisan, to move this aid package forward this evening. I hope that the obstruction will stop. I’m hopeful and somewhat confident that this legislation will receive the strong bipartisan support that it deserves.”