WirePOLITICS: Congressional Ukranian Caucus calls for increased American involvement in Ukraine

By Tom Waring
Wire Staff Writer

U.S. Rep Mike Fitzpatrick and fellow Reps. Sander Levin and Marcy Kapture — co-chairs of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus — last week marked the one-year anniversary of Ukraine’s Euromaidan demonstrations with the introduction of a resolution calling for increased American economic and governmental involvement on the behalf of Ukraine.

“A year ago, the people of Ukraine rallied behind the ideas of economic and governmental reform during the Euromaidan demonstrations — today, the United States must take action to see their goals achieved,” Fitzpatrick said. “This bipartisan resolution calls on Congress and the White House to work in the best interest of our friend and ally, Ukraine, and support a safe and sovereign nation through common-sense measures: Supporting serious reform efforts, calling on President Obama to follow through with the provision of financial and defensive military aid, and encouraging the continuation of anti-corruption efforts in Kiev.”

The resolution calls for the United States to assist Ukraine with economic, social and governmental reform efforts; urges Obama to immediately act on approved financial and defensive military aid; and encourages Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko to continue anti-corruption efforts.

Introduction of the resolution coincides with the one-year anniversary of the Euromaidan demonstrations in Kiev urging economic expansion with the European Union and government reform. Ultimately, the protests led to the election of a pro-Western government and a return to the 2004 Ukrainian constitution. One-hundred and ten civilians and 28 police officers lost their lives in the Euromaidan.