ICYMI: SFRC Advances Ukraine Genocide Resolution Cosponsored by Shaheen

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, applauded the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s passage of a bipartisan resolution recognizing Russian actions in Ukraine as genocide. Shaheen is a cosponsor of the resolution, which is led by Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). 
 
“Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine are horrifying and must be condemned without equivocation. Today and always, we stand by Ukrainians as they defend their people, their freedom and their democracy. This resolution ensures that the U.S. remains forward-looking to ensure there is accountability for the crimes and actions carried out by the Kremlin,” said Shaheen. “Putin must pay a heavy price for violating our rules-based international order and committing acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people. This resolution sends a clear message that the Senate will not look away from his gross human rights abuses against innocent civilians. I’m encouraged by the continued bipartisan support in the Senate for Ukraine and urge Senate leadership to bring this resolution to the floor quickly to build on that progress.” 
 
Specifically, the resolution: 

• Condemns Russia for committing acts of genocide against the people of Ukraine; 
• Calls on the United States, along with NATO and EU allies, to support the government of Ukraine to prevent further acts of Russian genocide against the Ukrainian people; 
• Supports tribunals and international criminal investigations to hold Russian political leaders and military personnel accountable for a war of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide; and 
• Urges the president to use Global Magnitsky sanctions on those responsible or complicit in Russia’s genocide in Ukraine. 

Text of the resolution as introduced can be found here. 
 
Also a member of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, Senator Shaheen has led action in the Senate in support of Ukraine. In March, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Shaheen that would ensure the U.S. undertakes coordinated efforts to collect and maintain evidence of war crimes and atrocities committed by Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine. Recently, legislation co-led by Shaheen to speed up military assistance to Ukraine and Eastern European nations was signed into law. Earlier this year, Shaheen and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) led a bipartisan delegation to Ukraine, where they met with President Zelenskyy and members of his administration. Before the Shaheen-Portman congressional delegation visit to Ukraine in January, Shaheen led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, last June. 

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