Obama Pledges $46 Million to Ukraine, No Weapons

President Barack Obama pledged $46 million in new assistance to Ukraine's military on Thursday.

But he stopped short of granting President Petro Poroshenko's urgent request for lethal aid to help his country defend itself against Russian-backed separatists.

Poroshenko expressed gratitude for the political and financial support he has received, adding it's crucial that the world help his country stand up to Russia.

"The war that these young men are fighting today is not only Ukrainian war. Everybody should understand that. It is Europe's. And it is Americans' war, too. It is the war for the free world. For the free world," Poroshenko said.

"They need more political support throughout the world. They need more military equipment, both lethal and non-lethal -- urgently need," he added.

Poroshenko called for Russian troops to withdraw from his county's territory and for hostages to be immediately released.