US withholding aid to Ukraine 'unacceptable’, ex-president Poroshenko says

This is "not just a package of assistance for Ukraine", but "an investment in American security", former Ukrainian president Poroshenko said.

Delaying the vote on the Ukrainian package is "a very dangerous sign", he added, warning that the lives of Ukrainians fighting for freedom and democracy were at stake.

However, Poroshenko insisted he was "still an optimist", saying he was counting "on the American people" and "on the European people". 

An EU summit next week is supposed to decide on some €50 billion in financial aid for Kyiv, as well as the formal opening of EU membership talks. But Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is threatening to block both steps.

Asked if there was a stalemate on the front line in Ukraine, Poroshenko conceded that "we need [more] weapons now to stop Putin", but insisted Ukraine "can win".