WASHINGTON – Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Andy Harris (R-Md.) on July 3 introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives condemning the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to restore Russia’s voting rights.
“The Council of Europe’s decision to restore full voting rights to Russia and its dictator Vladimir Putin is deeply concerning,” the co-chairs said in a joint statement. “Russia was justifiably expelled from the Council of Europe after its malevolent invasion of Ukrainian sovereignty in Crimea. Not only have Russian forces remained in Crimea, Russia has continued to wage a deadly war in the Donbas region of Ukraine, as well as carry out destabilizing disinformation campaigns across the globe undermining the world’s democratic institutions. This includes Russia’s dangerous naval assault and illegal seizure of 24 Ukrainian sailors and three vessels in the Kerch Strait, which are still in Russian captivity. Russia must not be rewarded for its repeated anti-democratic behavior. We ask that all of our House colleagues support this bipartisan resolution condemning the Council of Europe’s decision to restore Russian voting rights.”
The text of the resolution states that the House of Representatives: “reiterates its support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and recognition of Crimea as a part of Ukraine; reaffirms the support of the United States for the sovereignty of Ukraine; reaffirms the commitment of the United States to ensure that democratic principles, the rule of law, and human rights protections are upheld in the illegally occupied territory of Crimea; condemns all human rights and territorial violations carried out by Russia with respect to Crimea; condemns Russia’s violations of its obligations under international agreements with respect to sovereignty of nations and the protection of human rights; condemns PACE’s decision to restore full rights to Russia in the Council of Europe.
Source: Office of Rep. Marcy Kaptur