Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY) will lead a bipartisan congressional delegation to Ukraine from Monday, April 21 to Wednesday, April 23. In Kiev, the delegation will meet with U.S. and senior Ukrainian officials to assess the effect of ongoing U.S. efforts to support Ukraine.

"Royce said: 'Ukraine is in crisis and the U.S. should do what we can to bolster its government against Russian aggression. Our delegation will be an important show of support for a country under increasing economic strain and security threats. It will also be an opportunity for the Foreign Affairs Committee at this critical time to take a measure of the Obama Administration’s efforts to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty.'

"Engel said: 'Ukraine is at a critical juncture. The United States, our European partners, and the international community need to stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the right of its people to choose their own future free of intimidation and pressure. President Obama has made it clear that the U.S. supports the aspirations of Ukrainians to live in a democratic, prosperous, and just state, and our delegation will reaffirm this position. This visit is intended to show our bipartisan support for the government and people of Ukraine in the face of continued Russian aggression.'

"While in Ukraine, the delegation will meet with major presidential candidates from across the political spectrum, non-governmental organizations that will assist with implementing a free and fair election next month, and representatives of ethnic and religious minority communities.

"The delegation will also examine Ukraine’s efforts to diversify its energy supply and assess efforts to expand hours and quality of U.S. international broadcasting (Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) into eastern Ukraine and counter Russian propaganda. Congress recently passed, and the President signed, legislation originally authored by Chairman Royce and co-sponsored by Ranking Member Engel to expand these broadcasts.

"Other Members to be included in the visit to Ukraine include Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA), and Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL)."

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