[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1162 Engrossed in House (EH)]

<DOC>
H. Res. 1162

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     December 11, 2018.
Whereas the United States is committed to supporting international norms and 
        agreements governing the peaceful relations between countries;
Whereas the Russian Federation has repeatedly violated international norms and 
        agreements by its continuing aggression against Ukraine, including 
        directing and arming separatist forces in eastern Ukraine and forcibly 
        occupying and illegally annexing the Ukrainian territory of Crimea;
Whereas the Russian Federation continues to foment conflict in Ukraine in order 
        to undermine the Ukrainian Government and economy;
Whereas these actions have caused tremendous suffering for the Ukrainian people, 
        with thousands of Ukrainians killed both in battle and in their homes, 
        and hundreds of thousands made refugees;
Whereas the Russian Federation continues to deny any responsibility for the 
        destruction of Malaysian Airlines flight 17 over Ukraine, which killed 
        298 innocent civilians;
Whereas the Russian Federation has continuously failed to meet its commitments 
        under the Minsk II agreement;
Whereas the United States and its allies and partners around the world continue 
        to support the Ukrainian people in their efforts to strengthen their 
        government, economy, and military in order to bring peace and prosperity 
        to their country and to the surrounding region;
Whereas the United States and its allies and partners around the world have 
        imposed punitive sanctions and other measures against the Russian 
        Federation for its continued aggression against Ukraine, including its 
        occupation of Crimea;
Whereas the Russian Federation continues to expand its aggression against 
        Ukraine, including militarization of the Azov Sea and blockading the 
        Kerch Strait in contravention of international norms and agreements;
Whereas, on November 25, 2018, the Russian Federation fired upon and rammed 
        Ukrainian vessels attempting to pass through the Kerch Strait and seized 
        the Ukrainian vessels and their crews: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns the Russian Federation's firing upon, ramming, and 
        seizing Ukrainian vessels and crews attempting to pass through the Kerch 
        Strait on November 25, 2018, as violations of binding international 
        norms and agreements;
            (2) calls on the Russian Federation to immediately return the 
        Ukrainian vessels and their crews to Ukraine;
            (3) calls on the Russian Federation to cease its violation of 
        Ukraine's sovereignty and its efforts to prevent Ukrainian vessels from 
        transiting the Kerch Strait, as is Ukraine's right under international 
        norms and agreements;
            (4) reaffirms the United States commitment to provide the people of 
        Ukraine with political, economic, and security assistance to enable them 
        to secure their independence, democracy, and prosperity; and
            (5) encourages the President and allies and partners of the United 
        States to hold the Russian Federation accountable for its ongoing 
        aggression against Ukraine.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.