The Obama administration continues to consider sending military aid to the Ukrainian government in Kiev, in what would be a major escalation of U.S. involvement. In meetings with Ukrainian leaders on Thursday, Secretary of State John Kerry accused Russia of “aggression” in eastern Ukraine, and said he expects a decision on U.S. military aid “soon.”

Secretary of State John Kerry: “We talked about the largest threat that Ukraine faces today, and that is Russia’s continued aggression in the east. There’s no other way to call it. We’re not seeking a conflict with Russia. No one is. … The president is reviewing all of his options. Among those options, obviously, is the possibility of providing defensive — defensive — assistance to Ukraine. And those discussions are going on. The president will make his decision, I am confident, soon.”

The weaponry under consideration includes antitank missiles, battlefield radars and reconnaissance drones.