House passes resolution in support of Ukraine

The House on Wednesday passed a resolution to express support for Ukraine to establish its own future without interference from other countries, namely Russia.

Passage of the resolution by voice vote comes a day before Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will address a joint session of Congress.

{mosads}House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) said the resolution would send a “message” to the world that the U.S. supports Ukraine.

“This is a historic moment for the Ukraine,” Royce said. “The message will be heard loud and clear, not just in Ukraine, not just in Kiev, but also in Moscow and around the world that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine now and always.”

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said it was “fitting” that Poroshenko would address Congress as Ukraine pushes back against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“It’s fitting that the leader of the Ukrainian people with speak in this chamber where over the centuries our own democracy has grown and thrived,” Engel said. “The people of Ukraine have a right to make determination for themselves as to what their policies would be without intimidation from Mr. Putin or anybody else.”

The resolution further calls on President Obama to continue working with European allies to reaffirm Ukraine’s sovereignty. 

It also “strongly condemns” Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. The resolution additionally demands that Russia remove its military forces from Ukraine.