It's been nearly one year since pro-Russian separatists began seizing territory in the Crimean region of Eastern Ukraine, enabling Russia to annex the peninsula and set off months of increasingly bloody clashes between pro-Russian forces and the Ukrainian government. Now, President Obama is coming under increasing pressure from Democrats, Republicans, and former defense and national security officials to do what he has resisted for months: send lethal weapons to the Ukrainian government.

The conflict, which largely faded into the background amid more immediate threats to U.S. security like the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is taking on renewed urgency as increased fighting between pro-Russian rebels and the Ukrainian military is resulting in more and more civilian deaths.

Those who argue in favor of giving the Ukrainianmeasures and it's delayed the Russians will see that as weakness and it may even spark further adventurism," he said.

Despite his previous reluctance to provide arms to the Ukrainians, Mr. Obama is now reportedly reconsidering. Secretary of State John Kerry, who was in Kiev Thursday meeting with Ukrainian leaders, said the president is reviewing "all of his options."

"The president will make his decision, I am confident, soon, but not before he's had a chance to hear back from myself, from others who are having conversations in Europe at this time - the meetings at the Munich conference and, of course, the meeting with Chancellor Merkel will be very important on Monday. And then when the President deems it necessary or is ready, he will make his decision," Kerry