The White House is growing increasingly weary of the crisis in Ukraine. Efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Eastern Europe made it to Washington earlier this week, with a key meeting between President Obama and one of his strongest allies.
A ceasefire is a temporary suspension of fighting, typically for the purpose of peace talks to find a solution to conflict.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with President Obama at the White House on Tuesday. The two discussed the growing violence in eastern Ukraine and the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukrainian forces, something Ms. Merkel opposes.
Ohio senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown have joined other lawmakers from both political parties in forming a committee that will press the United States to provide military equipment. Ms. Merkel has plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in hopes of finding a diplomatic solution.
Merkel is the first female chancellor of Germany. A chancellor can refer to various officials of high rank. In some European countries like Germany, the chancellor is the head of government.