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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	December 31, 2013 12:09 PM
From:	Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Support democratic and European aspirations of the people of Ukraine

I plan to offer a resolution expressing support for the democratic and European aspirations of the people of Ukraine, and their right to choose their own future free of intimidation and fear. A democratic, prosperous, and independent Ukraine is in the national interest of the United States. Closer relations with the European Union (EU) through the signing of an Association Agreement will promote democratic values, good governance, and economic opportunity in Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainian citizens support closer relations with Europe and the signing of an Association Agreement. The Government of Ukraine has declared integration with Europe a national priority and has made significant progress toward meeting the requirements for the Association Agreement. Ukraine has the sovereign right to enter into voluntary partnerships of its choosing, in keeping with its interests. Ukraine’s closer relations with the EU do not threaten any other country, and will benefit both Ukraine and its neighbors. On November 21, 2013, following several months of intense outside pressure, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych abruptly suspended negotiations on the Association Agreement one week before it was due to be signed at the EU’s Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. This reversal of stated government policy precipitated demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens in Kyiv as well as in cities throughout the country. The demonstrators have been overwhelmingly peaceful and have sought to exercise their constitutional rights to freely assemble and express their opposition to President Yanukovych’s decision, as well as their support for greater government accountability and closer relations with Europe. On November 30, 2013, police violently dispersed peaceful demonstrators in Kyiv’s Independence Square, resulting in many injuries and the arrest of several dozen individuals. Also, on December 9, 2013, police raided 3 opposition media outlets and the headquarters of an opposition party. In addition, on December 11, 2013, despite President Yanukovych’s statement the previous day that he would engage in talks with the opposition, police attempted to forcibly evict peaceful protesters from central locations in Kyiv. United States, European, and other leaders, as well as 3 former presidents of Ukraine, have urged restraint and warned against the use of violence against peaceful protesters, and have called for dialogue with the opposition to resolve the current political and economic crisis. Therefore, the Senate expresses support for the democratic and European aspirations of the people of Ukraine, and their right to choose their own future free of intimidation and fear. The Senate greatly values the warm and close relationship the United States has established with Ukraine since that country regained its independence in 1991. The Senate calls on the United States and the European Union to continue to work together to support a peaceful resolution to the crisis, and to continue to support the desire of millions of Ukrainian citizens for closer relations with Europe through the signing of an Association Agreement, as well as for a democratic future. The Senate also urges the Government of Ukraine, Ukrainian opposition parties, and all protesters to exercise the utmost restraint and avoid confrontation, and calls on the Government of Ukraine to live up to its international obligations and respect and uphold the democratic rights of its citizens, including the freedom of assembly and expression, as well as the freedom of the press. In the event of further violence by government authorities against peaceful protesters, that the President of the United States and Congress consider targeted sanctions against those who authorize or engage in the use of force. The Senate urges all parties to engage in constructive, sustained dialogue in order to find a peaceful solution to Ukraine’s current political and economic crisis. A copy of this resolution will be transmitted to the President of the United States, the presiding officers of each house of Congress, and each member of Congress from Pennsylvania.

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