U.S. should look at giving weapons to Ukraine - top U.S. official

Ukrainian government forces members stand guard outside a polling station during a parliamentary election in the eastern Ukrainian town of Slaviansk, October 26, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's choice to fill the number two spot at the State Department, Anthony Blinken, spoke favourably on Wednesday about the possibility of providing weapons to Ukraine, which is grappling with pro-Russian separatists.

Testifying at a congressional hearing on his nomination to be Obama's deputy secretary of state, Blinken said the administration should consider rethinking its policy of not providing lethal aid to Kiev.