Seven senators to visit Ukraine this weekend

Updated 1:18 p.m.

Seven senators plan to visit Ukraine this weekend to meet with the country's political leaders and show support for the country's ongoing standoff with Russia.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is leading the delegation, confirmed to reporters that he and "a large number" of senators of both parties would be making the trip. He declined to give names, but the full delegation includes McCain and Sens. John Barasso (R-Wyo.), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), according to aides familiar with the plans.

McCain said that the country's three leading political leaders invited him and other senators to come and show support for the Ukrainian people. The Arizona senator traveled to Ukraine in December, where he and Murphy addressed opposition protesters in Kiev's Independence Square. McCain also visited the country during the 2004 "Orange Revolution."

McCain confirmed the trip as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to approve an aid package for Ukraine Wednesday afternoon that differs from a measure approved by the House last week.