Washington, D.C. – Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) today delivered the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery, at a U.S. Helsinki Commission hearing titled, “Ukraine: Confronting Internal Challenges and External Threats”:

“Over a couple of short months, some extraordinary events have occurred in Ukraine and the Crimea. On February 21, pro-European Union protesters legally marched in the streets of Kiev to demand reform from their government. The protesters won out and Yanukovych, who was president at that time, stepped down.  

“We all know what happened next.  Russia immediately condemned the new Ukrainian government as illegitimate. Then, under the guise of “freeing” the Russian-speaking citizens of Crimea, Russia invaded and annexed a piece of a sovereign nation.  

“Russian foul play may not end there. Earlier this week, armed protesters swarmed Donetsk, a city 300 miles to the north of Crimea. Ukraine and U.S. officials allege the protesters were organized by Russia. The protesters themselves then called on President Putin to send in troops to help them. If true, Donetsk could be the next domino to fall to illegal Russian aggression. 

“This cannot stand. Doing its part, the United States’ Congress has acted. We passed a $1 billion loan guarantee for Ukraine. Further, Congress passed separate legislation that requires President Obama to ban visas and seize assets from the people responsible for undermining the peace and stability of Ukraine. 

“We can also take steps to help Ukraine in other ways. Yesterday in the Energy and Commerce Committee, we had a markup of The Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act. It is the purpose of the bill to move forward with exporting the excess amount of Liquefied Natural Gas, also known as LNG, produced in the United States to our friends and allies overseas.  

“This kind of export could be extremely helpful to Ukraine, which could buy the gas from the United States, instead of having to rely on Russia. In fact, Ukraine, along with Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland have all endorsed the legislation saying that it would have this desired effect.    

“The Administration, however, has failed to act. And frankly, I believe that it’s because of the recent actions, or inaction, by the Administration that President Putin has operated with near impunity. Recently, “red lines” and ultimatums followed up with non-action by the Obama Administration have set a dangerous precedent going forward. 

“Four years ago, Hillary Clinton, who was Secretary of State at the time, said we must hit the reset button on our relationship with President Putin. This sent a terrible message to the rest of the world. It implied that the United States, which has always stood firm for freedom and democracy, is willing to work diplomatically with President Putin. Putin is not to be trusted. He is still fighting the Cold War and is denying basic freedoms to the people of Russia.

“Indeed, the world is looking to America for leadership.  Together with my friends in Congress and on the Helsinki Commission, we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. 

“I thank the Chairman and I look forward to hearing comments by the witness as to the current situation in Ukraine and what we can do to further deter Russian hostility.”

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is an independent U.S. government agency created in 1976 to monitor and encourage compliance with the Helsinki Final Act and other OSCE commitments. 

The Commission consists of nine Senators, nine members of the House, including Burgess, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.

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