Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 381-2, bipartisan resolution H.Res. 447 “Supporting the Democratic and European Aspirations of the People of Ukraine, and Their Right to Choose Their Own Future Free of Intimidation and Fear.”

The resolution, introduced by Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), the Committee’s Ranking Member, calls on Ukrainian authorities to respect the democratic rights of the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens who continue to demonstrate in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in support of a democratic future for their country. It further states that the United States should hold those who authorize or engage in violence against peaceful protesters personally accountable, including through targeted sanctions, if necessary, and urges all parties to exercise restraint and enter into substantive dialogue to resolve the current crisis.

“The passage of this resolution shows that the United States House of Representatives stands with the people of Ukraine in their struggle for freedom and democracy. Moreover, the overwhelming passage in the House only amplifies the call for a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the current crisis made consistently by the Obama Administration and our European partners. I also want to thank all the co-sponsors for their help and support on this important resolution.”