UNITED STATES SENATE
For Immediate Release
Friday, February 22, 2018
Portman and Durbin Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), co-chairs and co-founders of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, introduced a bipartisan resolution commemorating the fifth anniversary of Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity. Five years ago today, after months of protests on the Maidan in Kyiv and across Ukraine, then-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych fled the country and was voted out of office by the Ukrainian parliament.
This resolution recognizes the bravery of the people of Ukraine who participated in the Maidan protests and honors the memory of the more than 100 protestors who were killed. Additionally, it encourages Ukraine to continue its progress over the past five years in implementing crucial reforms to strengthen the rule of law and align the country with Euro-Atlantic norms and standards. Finally, the resolution condemns continuing efforts by Russia to destabilize Ukraine and hamstring its efforts at Euro-Atlantic integration. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bob Casey (D-PA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Doug Jones (D-AL) also cosponsored the resolution.
“I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution with my colleague and Senate Ukraine Caucus co-chair, Senator Durbin,” said Portman. “During the Revolution of Dignity, thousands of brave Ukrainians rose up against their authoritarian past and demanded a free, prosperous, and democratic future. On the fifth anniversary of this historic event, I honor the courage of those who participated in the Maidan protests and the “Heavenly Hundred” who gave their lives in this movement. Despite Russia’s attempts to destabilize Ukraine, since 2014 Ukraine has made great strides in tackling corruption and strengthening the rule of law, and I urge the country to continue along this path to fulfill the promises of the Revolution of Dignity. The United States stands firmly with Ukraine in its efforts to join the Euro-Atlantic community and fight back against Russian malign influence.”
“I will never forget walking through the Maidan with Senator McCain shortly after the momentous events that occurred there five year ago,” said Durbin. “Many brave Ukrainians lost their lives in the hopes of a more democratic and open country -- an aspiration we should continue to advance and protect. We must never take for granted the transatlantic institutions and democratic values fostered for decades by previous American presidents of both political parties to which Ukrainians aspire to join.”
Full text of the resolution can be found here.