Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday and addressed the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, admitting that he is “ashamed” of the United States and President Obama for failing to help the Ukrainians defend themselves from pro-Russian separatists.
“The Ukrainians aren’t asking for American boots on the ground,” McCain explained to host Bob Schieffer. “That’s not the question here. They’re asking for weapons to defend themselves. And they are being slaughtered, and their military is being shattered.”
“This is a shameful chapter,” the former GOP presidential candidate added. “I’m ashamed of my country, I’m ashamed of my president, and I’m ashamed of myself that I haven’t done more to help these people. It is really, really heartbreaking.”
Ukraine has continued to erupt in chaos despite the fact that Germany and France helped broker a ceasefire between the Ukrainian government and the rebels just one week ago.
“We should give [the Ukrainians] weapons with which to defend themselves,” McCain urged Sunday. “There are Russian tanks in Eastern Ukraine, Bob, that they have no weapon to fight against. Some of the best Russian special forces are there and they will continue this aggression for as long as they can get away with it.”
“Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine not to be part of Europe and he is succeeding in doing so,” concluded the Arizona lawmaker.
Over the weekend, an explosion — believed to have been set off by pro-Russian separatists — killed two individuals in an eastern city beyond the territory that is currently being held by the rebels.
