Ashton Carter, US President Barack Obama's pick to be next defense secretary, has said that he is inclined to increase support to Ukraine by sending weapons to the country to help it fight Russia-backed rebels.
According to the BBC, Ashton Carter's remarks came at his confirmation hearing before a Senate panel, as successor to Chuck Hagel.
The US has been actively supporting Ukraine in its fight against pro-Russian rebels by providing the Ukrainian troops with non-lethal assistance such as night-vision goggles and radios.
However, in the wake of escalating conflict, Obama is now reconsidering his position.
Former deputy secretary of defence, Carter appeared in front of the Senate Armed Service committee to face questioning ahead of a wider Senate vote.
On being asked by Senator John McCain if he was in support of delivering defensive weapons to Ukraine, Carter said that he was very much inclined in that direction as he believed that the US needed to support the Ukrainians in defending themselves.
