Ukrainian Congressional Caucus Co-Chairman Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) condemned “in the strongest terms” violence in Ukraine on Wednesday that led to 26 deaths and hundreds of injuries as protestors and government forces clashed.
Reps. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), who are also co-chairs of the Ukraine Congressional Caucus, joined Gerlach in speaking out against the violence.
“The recent violence across Ukraine is the latest and most brutal example of illegitimate tactics utilized by President Yanukovych’s administration to quell freedoms of speech and assembly in Ukraine,” the legislators said. “It requires a swift and strong response from the United States, the European Union and the wider international community.”
Members of the caucus called on the Ukrainian government to cancel any planned use of force against protestors, including those carried out under the pretext of “anti-terrorism.”
“Specifically, the caucus calls on the Obama administration to immediately impose targeted travel and financial sanctions on any Ukrainian government official, including President Yanukovych, who are credibly found to be responsible for violence and human rights violations,” the legislators said. “If warranted, sanctions should also target the responsible government officials’ financial backers, whose support has facilitated violence against peaceful demonstrators….”
Members of the caucus also called on the Obama administration to ensure that all U.S. financial assistance to Ukraine is limited to those who support democratization and development of a civil society and media that respects fundamental human rights.