WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 14-3 to advance legislation to provide aid to Ukraine and impose sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian officials responsible for challenging Ukraine’s sovereignty:

This winter, the Ukrainian people boldly took to the streets to demand a corruption-free government and a future of partnership with Europe rather than control from Moscow. They asked for the support of the United States, and today, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee delivered a clear, strong message to the Ukrainian people that we stand with them in their continuing struggle. This legislation will authorize the U.S. to join with our European partners in offering an economic lifeline to Ukraine that will stabilize its economy, while also requiring that they make the tough economic reforms necessary to prosper in the long run. The legislation sends a strong message to Russia, including some of the toughest sanctions that this committee has authorized in recent history.

 

Russia invaded Ukraine because they didn't believe consequences would be handed down from the rest of the world community. Today, we began the process of proving the Russians wrong. And we helped cement the reality that no matter what happens in Crimea, with this economic support, the remaining 43 million Ukrainians are closer to European integration, rendering Russian efforts to rebuild its empire null and void.

 

Senator Menendez should be applauded for working across the aisle to secure broad bipartisan support for this package, and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues on swift passage on the floor.