[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 18032]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                UKRAINE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Shimkus) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the recent actions 
taken by the Ukrainian Government on its own citizens. A couple weeks 
ago, I stood here hopeful, urging their government to look westward as 
they entered the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius. While Georgia 
and Moldova have moved forward in signing association agreements with 
the European Union, the Government of Ukraine failed to sign this 
agreement. This move is disappointing and even more so for the 
Ukrainian citizens who long for closer ties with Europe.
  Due to President Yanukovych's lack of action, Ukrainians have taken 
to the streets in protest and have been met with extreme brutality. I 
join with the State Department in urging the Ukrainian Government to 
respect the rights of its people and allow freedom of expression and 
assembly. Ukraine should not bully or take violent action if they 
desire to be a peaceful, democratic nation.
  I will continue to support the citizens of Ukraine as they pursue 
democracy and freedom in their country. It is my wish that Ukraine will 
seek other means of integration with Europe and not fall to demands and 
pressure from Russia. It is time to look to the future, not to the 
Soviet-style rule that has plagued their past for countless years.

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