ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION).
STORY: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko appealed to the U.S. Congress for help on Thursday during a visit to Washington to bolster U.S. support for his strategy in handling Russian-backed separatists.
"Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian people, Ukrainian boys and girls, now on the front for freedom and democracy, they need your support," Poroshenko said in an emotional speech to the House of Representatives and Senate. He was interrupted frequently by applause and standing ovations.
Poroshenko also pushed for more sanctions against Russia for its seizure of Crimea from Ukraine and backing of the separatist movement.
As Poroshenko visited the U.S. Capitol, President Barack Obama's administration pledged $53 million in fresh aid to Ukraine for its struggle against Russia's incursion, including counter-mortar radar equipment.
