Washington, D.C. - Today, in advance of Thursday’s House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the situation in Ukraine, Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) issued the following statement.
“Time is of the essence. The U.S. and our allies must make crystal clear to Russia now that its aggression against Ukraine will have major adverse consequences. We must lead our allies to take a strong and unified stand. Otherwise, Russian President Putin will be emboldened to take more far-reaching action, increasing the risk of wider conflict and making any diplomatic resolution all the more difficult. The Western response should include financial, economic and diplomatic leverage to press Russia to respect international norms and the right of the Ukrainian people to determine their own future. The time for those tough actions is now, before the democratic hopes of Ukrainians are crushed.
“The Committee’s focus in the days ahead will be to press for a quick and vigorous U.S. response. Russia’s aggression has already set back Russia’s relations with the U.S. and our allies. Mr. Putin’s actions in the next few days will determine just how badly damaged the relationship becomes."
What.
Hearing: “U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Ukraine "
When.
9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 6
Where.
2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Witnesses.
Mr. Eric Rubin
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
U.S. Department of State
**Important planning note for press covering hearing**
The hearing will be webcast at foreignaffairs.house.gov.
The hearing room will likely not be able to accommodate all members of the media wishing to cover the hearing from the press viewing area.
Only Congressionally credentialed members of the media will be allowed access to the press viewing area in the committee hearing room and must RSVP to their respective Press Gallery by NOON on Wednesday, March 5.
All television crews must RSVP to the House Radio TV Gallery at 202-225-5214.
Gallery contact information.
House Radio/TV Gallery: 202-225-5214
House Periodical Gallery: 202-225-2941
House Daily Press Gallery: 202-225-3945
Photographer Gallery: 202-224-6548.
