The U.S. Senate is united in its support of Ukraine and will make every effort to get the funds required to arm Ukraine within the next fiscal year, starting October 1, 2015, according to U.S. Senator (Republican) Robert Portman.

He said this during a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center, adding that he would personally fight for military assistance for Ukraine.

Portman said he supports extending sanctions aimed at countering Russian aggression in Ukraine which are due to be reviewed by the end of June – early July.

"Economic sanctions will stay unless Russia pulls back and respects the sovereign borders of Ukraine. Anything short of that will not be tolerated. We have to remember that sanctions have been imposed not only in response to the Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, but after the annexation of Crimea," he said.

As a former U.S. Trade Representative, Portman highlighted the need for Ukraine to diversify its exports in order to cut its over reliance on the Russian market. He said that there is a particular interest in Ukraine's agriculture industry amongst American businesses.

On the other hand, he said the Ukrainian authorities have to significantly improve the protection of intellectual property in order to develop productive trade relationships between the two countries.

He added that Ukraine's independent choice in favor of economic development and political freedom is the main criteria for the U.S., NATO member states and the whole world.