WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was into only the second sentence of an impassioned speech before Congress when House Speaker John Boehner whipped out a white hankie to wipe away tears.
Boehner — known as the weepiest politician in DC — choked up after Poroshenko thanked Congress for its support in standing up to Russian aggression.
“It is impossible to imagine how I am feeling right now — how symbolic is the unity of the United States Congress and solidarity with Ukraine,” Poroshenko said as he stood before lawmakers gathered in the House.
Boehner had invited Poroshenko as a poke in the eye to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and lawmakers responded with an overwhelming show of support for Ukraine, the embattled former Soviet republic.
Poroshenko pleaded for more help in the form of weapons.
“Blankets and night-vision goggles are important, but one cannot win a war with a blanket,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader, asking for a special security and defense status with the US, charged that Russia had an “imperialistic mindset” when it invaded Crimea.
The White House announced a $46 million package for Ukraine including radar, vehicles, patrol boats and body armor — but no offensive weapons.