Ukraine crisis: Senator encourages more US support

The leaders of France, Germany and Russia and Ukraine met in Minsk this week, hoping to secure a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The fighting in Eastern Ukraine has already claimed more than 5,000 lives.

In an interview with the BBC's Katty Kay, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said the US should lend more support to the Ukrainian military if diplomacy fails.

"I think that if Russia knows that we're determined to back and help Ukraine, maybe that would help bring them to the table quicker," he said.

Senator Manchin sits on the Armed Services Services Committee.