AKIPRESS.COM - Ukraine's interim government has appealed for U.S. military aid, including arms, ammunition and intelligence support, The Wall Street Journal reported referring to senior U.S. officials. But the Obama administration has agreed to send military rations, wary of inflaming tensions with Russia.

The U.S. decision reflects the Pentagon's reluctance to be seen as directly supporting Ukraine's beleaguered armed forces during the standoff with Russia.

The risk of escalation was underscored by Russia's move on Thursday to conduct another military exercise near Ukraine. The Kremlin also confirmed it has sent six Sukhoi fighter jets and three transport planes to neighboring Belarus for joint patrols.

Belarusian officials said the move came in response to increased air patrols in the region by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization amid the Ukraine crisis.

“It's not a forever no, it's a no for now,” a senior U.S. official said of Ukraine's request for lethal military support.

Ukraine's request coincided with this week's visit to the White House by the country's new Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and came just before Secretary of State John Kerry was scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart in London for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. A referendum Sunday could decide whether the region of Crimea breaks away from Ukraine and joins Russia.