Ukrainian Caucus Statement Condemning Violence in Ukraine

Statement

The Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Sander Levin (D-MI), Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), today released the following statement regarding the recent horrific violence in Ukraine, in which it has been reported that over 26 individuals have been killed and hundreds more have been seriously injured:

"The Congressional Ukrainian Caucus condemns in the strongest terms the recent violence and calls on all sides to take immediate steps to deescalate the situation--the most critical of which is the Government of Ukraine cancelling any planned action, including those under the pretext of "anti-terrorism' operations, to clear the Maidan through the use of violence or military force.

"The recent violence across Ukraine is the latest and most brutal example of illegitimate tactics utilized by President Yanukovych's administration to quell freedoms of speech and assembly in Ukraine. It requires a swift and strong response from the United States, the European Union and the wider international community.

"Specifically, the Caucus calls on the Obama Administration to immediately impose targeted travel and financial sanctions on any Ukrainian government official, including President Yanukovych, who are credibly found to be responsible for violence and human rights violations. If warranted, sanctions should also target the responsible government officials' financial backers, whose support has facilitated violence against peaceful demonstrators. In addition, the Caucus calls on the Obama Administration to ensure that all U.S. financial assistance to Ukraine is strictly limited to recipients that support democratization, the development of independent civil society and media and respect the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Ukrainian people.

"Ukraine stands at the brink, but there is still time to reverse the current course and once again put the country on a path to a democratic and prosperous future. A democratic and truly independent Ukraine will not be borne from authoritarian violence and the resulting ashes. To the contrary, a Ukraine worthy of its citizens' noble aspirations will be the product of a representative political dialogue, constitutional and electoral reform and a categorical rejection of the tactics of government repression. The Congressional Ukrainian Caucus stands ready to work with its colleagues in the Verkhovna Rada toward these goals."

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