SHAHEEN WELCOMES UKRAINIAN AGREEMENT, URGES IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF YULIA TYMOSHENKO

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement after the Ukrainian government and opposition leaders struck a fragile deal to end deadly violence in the country and the Ukrainian parliament passed a bill that could free jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko:

“I strongly urge the Ukrainian Government and President Yanukovych to ensure Ms. Tymoshenko is released without delay. This has been an especially tragic week for the people of Ukraine.  The political agreement announced today holds the promise of greater stability, democracy, and freedom, but its true test will be on the more challenging question of implementation.  Through it all, I will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as they work to secure the bright future they demand and deserve.”

As a former chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs, Shaheen has been a longtime supporter of the Ukrainian people. She has repeatedly called for opposition leader Tymoshenko’s freedom dating back to 2012.