Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko delivered a plea for military aid to the United States Congress on Thursday.
Poroshenko warned that young Ukranianian boys, "under-equipped and often under-appreciated by the world," are the only thing standing between them and "the new Cold War."
"They need more military equipment," Poroshenko said, "both lethal and nonlethal--urgently need."
"Blankets and night-vision goggles are also important," Poroshenko said, "But one cannot win a war with blankets!"
The United States approved nonlethal aid to Ukraine several months ago.
Poroshenko called Russia's annexation of Crimea "one of the most cynical acts of treachery in modern history," and told the United States that NATO allies are at risk from Russian aggression.
"I urge you not to let Ukraine stand alone in the face of this aggression," said Poroshenko, at which the roomful of congressmen rose to applaud. They stood again moments later, when Poroshenko reminded the United States of their promise to back Ukrainian territorial integrity, and said he hoped they would live up to that promise.
He "strongly encouraged" the United States to grant Ukraine a special security and defense status that would mean the highest level of interaction with a non-NATO ally.
Poroshenko reminded the Congress of the Cold War again later in the speech: "People throughout the world are asking the same question: Are we on the eve of the new Cold War? Is the possibility of the new, terrible, unimaginable European war there? Is what until recently seemed unthinkable now becoming a reality? Sadly, today the answer to all of these questions is 'yes.'"