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Corker Endorses Expansion of U.S. Sanctions Against Violence and Suppression of Civil Liberties in Ukraine

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today endorsed expanding U.S. sanctions against those involved in violence and suppression of civil liberties in Ukraine.

“With the situation in Ukraine growing worse by the day, I support the administration taking a tough stance through visa sanctions and also extending financial sanctions against anyone responsible for violence, human rights abuses and the Ukrainian government’s suppression of civil  liberties.  I also join the Obama administration in calling on all sides to reject violence and note that Ukrainian citizens across the political spectrum continue to peacefully demand that their voices be heard.  The U.S. must demonstrate resolve in support of Ukraine’s sovereign right to define its own future, one which we hope will ultimately be within Europe—whole, at peace, and free,” said Corker. 

“It is clear President Yanukovych and the actions of the Ukrainian government, modeled on Russian policies to criminalize and crack down on protests, have led to a violent escalation of what had been peaceful demonstrations, threatening the political and economic stability of the Ukrainian state.  He must do his part to bring an end to this violence by convening parliament to repeal repressive laws and by constructively engaging the political opposition in finding a peaceful end to this crisis.” 

Last week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee heard testimony from U.S. State Department personnel and former U.S. National Security Advisor Dr. Zbigniew K. Brzezinski about the crisis in Ukraine and its implications for U.S. policy in the region.    

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