HARTFORD—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs, released the following statement regarding the growing public unrest in Ukraine in the wake of President Viktor Yanukovich’s refusal to sign accords to establish closer ties with the European Union:

The Ukrainian people understand that they have gotten a raw deal from their government. Ukrainians are protesting in the streets today because they know they’re being sold out by their government for short-term monetary gain from Russia, and they rightly fear the long-term economic cost to Ukraine's economy.

 

While the United States was not a party to the negotiations between Ukraine and the European Union, we have been very clear with President Yanukovich about the choice his government is making and about the consequences of turning away from a relationship with Europe and United States. 

 

If President Yanukovich is truly committed to democracy, he would be wise to weigh heavily the will of his people and reconsider this decision.