Crimea latest: US senator calls for military aid to Ukraine

A senior US senator and former presidential candidate John McCain has called for massive military assistance to Ukraine, while warning that Russia's actions in its former Soviet neighbour could lead to unprecedented measures by the United States and it allies.

"Ukraine is going to need a long-term military assistance programme from the United States," 

US Senator John McCain of Arizona told reporters following a US senate delegation visit to the Ukrainian capital, voicing what he said was a personal opinion. 

"When (Ukrainians) ask for some modest means that can help them resist, I believe we should provide it... it's simply the right and decent thing to do."

His comments came shortly before Kiev accused Russia of invading a region in southeast Ukraine, neighbouring Crimea. [AFP]