25 June 2010

Statement of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America

 National Demonstration at the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United States

Washington, DC

June 24, 2010

The past several months have demonstrated that Russia is closer than ever before to destroying the democratic aspirations of generations of Ukrainians who long to see their country secure, free, and at peace with its neighbors. With the recent election of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine’s sovereignty and future as a free and democratic nation has come under direct assault.  While Yanukovych has pledged to rule Ukraine in the interests of its people, recent events have proven otherwise, due in large part to Russia’s blatant interference in Ukraine’s internal affairs. 

One of the most disturbing examples of Russia’s desire to strip away the sovereignty of the Ukrainian state has been the return of 19 FSB officials to Crimea.  These Russian intelligence units could be used to help Ukrainian authorities oppress opposition leaders, as well as spy on the Ukrainian people, as has been occurring in Russia for years.

In economic terms, Russia has been very aggressive in leveraging its position to force Ukraine to make economic deals that are not in its best interests.  From obscure gas deals to the recent $2billion dollar loan made by the Russian government to the Ukrainian government present just a few examples that will keep Ukraine dependent upon Russia for years to come.

Another way in which Russia continues to demonstrate its unwillingness to come to terms with a Ukraine that is independent and democratic, is by refusing to acknowledge the horrible genocide, Holodomor, that Stalin perpetrated against the Ukrainian people in the 1930’s, resulting in the deaths of millions of innocent Ukrainian men, women, and children.

Perhaps the most egregious example of Russia’s desire to keep Ukraine from sustaining its independence and sovereignty is the recent signing of an agreement which would keep the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine until the year 2042.  This extension of the lease is in direct violation of the Ukraine’s Constitution and poses a direct and incontrovertible threat to the national security of the Ukrainian state.

Because of the multiple threats that Russia continues to pose to the Ukrainian state, we call upon all free nations and their leaders to remain strong advocates on behalf of a democratic Ukraine.  Any ‘re-set’ in relations with Russia must not be allowed to shift attention away from Ukraine, a country whose people continue to want to build a free and democratic future for themselves and future generations.

As the ‘re-set’ in relations between the United States and Russia continues to play itself out, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) strongly encourages the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress to acknowledge that Ukraine and its democratic aspirations are of utmost importance to United States’ security interests. Our national leaders must go beyond expressing mere statements and occasional visits to Ukraine.  We call upon our leaders to actively support the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States and advocate on behalf of the forces of democracy within Ukraine.

Standing up for a democratic Ukraine and the values of freedom and democracy that we cherish in the United States must never be sacrificed to appease those who would so easily trample upon these same fundamental values and rights.

For more information, please visit the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America website at www.ucca.org