Royce blames administration for lack of aid to Ukraine

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) on Monday blamed the Obama administration for not doing enough to bolster Ukraine in response to Russia’s transfer of weapons to separatists there.

{mosads}“Up until now, the administration has not really helped Ukraine on the ground, so you’ve got this massive influx of Russian agents and Russian heavy weaponry, and we haven’t done anything in response,” Royce said on CNN.

Just recently, Russia has transferred 150 tanks, rocket launchers and other equipment to eastern Ukraine, Royce said. The U.S. suspects a Buk missile was used to shoot down MH17 last Thursday, leaving nearly 300 people dead.

Earlier this year, lawmakers like as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) urged the administration to provide weapons to Ukraine’s government, but the administration has only provided nonlethal assistance to Ukraine.

{mosads}Royce said he has visited eastern Ukraine and met with local leaders who he said all conveyed the same message: “’Tell the Russians to butt out; they’re bringing the weapons in.’ As long as Putin does that, it keeps this chaos going.”

The international community, Royce added, should approve the resolution the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on Monday to demand international access to the crash site.

“Afterward, they should look at international sanctions,” he said. “This is the first opportunity we have to force Putin’s hand.”

Asked if additional sanctions would have any influence on Putin, Royce explained that previous rounds haven’t been as effective because some governments, such as the Dutch, haven’t come on board.

After the crash, Royce said “I can guarantee you” the Dutch, Malaysia, Central and East Asian governments will change their positions on sanctions.

Royce said an international coalition must isolate Putin “not just diplomatically, but economically in terms of sector sanctions.”

European leaders are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss further sanctions.

Last week’s crash happened a day after President Obama announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russian banks and energy companies.