Sen. Carl Levin is in his second day in Kiev, Ukraine,
today and he delivered public remarks calling for tougher sanctions on Russia,
in particular on the Russian banks and the
oil and gas sector.
today and he delivered public remarks calling for tougher sanctions on Russia,
in particular on the Russian banks and the
oil and gas sector.
The chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Levin metwith reporters and said that he also favors supplying U.S.-made body armor to Ukrainian troops who are facing
pro-Russian militants in the eastern provinces near Crimea.
Here are Levin’s opening remarks as prepared for
delivery:
delivery:
“Today I am
completing a 2-day visit to Ukraine to understand the security situation facing
this country. I have met with senior Ukrainian political and military leaders,
including Prime Minister Yatsenuk, Acting President Turchynov, and Defense
Minister Koval.
completing a 2-day visit to Ukraine to understand the security situation facing
this country. I have met with senior Ukrainian political and military leaders,
including Prime Minister Yatsenuk, Acting President Turchynov, and Defense
Minister Koval.
“I also visited the
Maidan, where the Ukrainian people put their lives on the line to fight for a
unified, democratic Ukraine. They are going to need to carry on in the same
spirit to pull off a free, fair election – as they want to do – in the face of
unrelenting pressure and threats from the Russian Armed Forces and the people
they have brought in to support them.
Maidan, where the Ukrainian people put their lives on the line to fight for a
unified, democratic Ukraine. They are going to need to carry on in the same
spirit to pull off a free, fair election – as they want to do – in the face of
unrelenting pressure and threats from the Russian Armed Forces and the people
they have brought in to support them.
“Our support for
the Ukrainian people must also be resolute. There are a number of steps that we
can take to support them in their struggle.
the Ukrainian people must also be resolute. There are a number of steps that we
can take to support them in their struggle.
“First, we must
expedite the aid that we have already promised them, to make sure that it
arrives promptly.
expedite the aid that we have already promised them, to make sure that it
arrives promptly.
“Second, we should
provide additional support, including body armor and fuel that the Ukrainians
need to protect themselves.
provide additional support, including body armor and fuel that the Ukrainians
need to protect themselves.
“Third, we should
make more robust use of the powers established in Executive Order 13661, which
authorizes sanctions against the Russian financial, energy, metals, mining,
engineering, and defense sectors, to ensure that Putin pays a price for his
illegal actions against Ukraine, and his efforts to undermine democratic
processes in this country.
make more robust use of the powers established in Executive Order 13661, which
authorizes sanctions against the Russian financial, energy, metals, mining,
engineering, and defense sectors, to ensure that Putin pays a price for his
illegal actions against Ukraine, and his efforts to undermine democratic
processes in this country.
“Finally, we should
use this authority to sanction Russian banks in addition to the one that we
have already sanctioned, and to take on Russia’s manipulation of energy prices
and supplies, which it uses to coerce not only Ukraine, but also many of its
neighbors. To be effective, these actions must be taken in close coordination
with our friends and allies in Europe – many of whom are directly affected by
Russia’s abuses and threatened by its actions.
use this authority to sanction Russian banks in addition to the one that we
have already sanctioned, and to take on Russia’s manipulation of energy prices
and supplies, which it uses to coerce not only Ukraine, but also many of its
neighbors. To be effective, these actions must be taken in close coordination
with our friends and allies in Europe – many of whom are directly affected by
Russia’s abuses and threatened by its actions.
“Earlier this week,
I visited Afghanistan, where the Afghan people stood up to the threats and
violence of the Taliban to vote in record numbers for a peaceful transfer of
power. I am confident that the people of Ukraine, buoyed by the spirit of the
Maidan, will show similar resolve in their struggle for a united, democratic
country.”
I visited Afghanistan, where the Afghan people stood up to the threats and
violence of the Taliban to vote in record numbers for a peaceful transfer of
power. I am confident that the people of Ukraine, buoyed by the spirit of the
Maidan, will show similar resolve in their struggle for a united, democratic
country.”
