IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 315
Expressing the sense of Congress that construction by the Russian Federation 
of a dam in the Kerch Strait region raises major concerns for the 
territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 29, 2003
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of Congress that construction by the 
Russian Federation of a dam in the Kerch Strait region 
raises major concerns for the territorial integrity of 
Ukraine, and for other purposes.
Whereas the United States Government has and continues to 
recognize its commitment to the independence and terri-
torial integrity of the sovereign nation of Ukraine; 
Whereas the United States is a guarantor of Ukraine’s secu-
rity under Memorandum on Security Assurances for 
Ukraine in connection with Ukraine’s accession to the 
Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of De-
cember 5, 1994; 
Whereas Ukraine became one of the original members of the 
United States-led coalition to fight international ter-
•HCON 315 IH 
rorism, and has the fourth largest military contingent 
participating in joint stabilization forces in Iraq; 
Whereas Ukraine has taken major steps to stem nuclear pro-
liferation by ratifying the START I Treaty on nuclear 
disarmament and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of 
Nuclear Weapons, subsequently, on June 1, 1996, turn-
ing over the last of its Soviet-era nuclear warheads, and 
agreeing, in 1998, not to assist Iran with the completion 
of a nuclear power plant in Bushehr, which was thought 
to possibly produce weapons of mass destruction; 
Whereas in accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty of 
Friendship, 
Cooperation 
and 
Partnership 
between 
Ukraine and the Russian Federation of May 31, 1997, 
parties agreed to respect each country’s territorial integ-
rity and confirmed borders; 
Whereas Article 3 of this Treaty provides that the parties 
shall build their relations on the principles of mutual re-
spect and sovereign equality, territorial integrity, respect 
of borders, non-interference in internal affairs, coopera-
tion among states, fulfillment of international obligations 
and other universally recognized norms of international 
law; 
Whereas in accordance with Article 5 of the Treaty between 
Ukraine and the Russian Federation on Ukrainian-Rus-
sian State Border of January 28, 2003, issues relating 
to adjacent sea islands are to be settled by agreement of 
the two parties pursuant to international law; and 
Whereas construction by the Russian Federation of a dam in 
the Kerch Strait region raises major concerns for the ter-
ritorial integrity of Ukraine: Now, therefore, be it
•HCON 315 IH 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—
(1) preserving independent, sovereign, and 
democratic Ukraine within its existing internation-
ally recognized borders fully corresponds to the na-
tional interests of the United States as it has been 
reiterated since the establishment of diplomatic rela-
tions between the United States and Ukraine and 
such independence and sovereignty should not be 
challenged in any form; 
(2) the Government of the Russian Federation 
should adhere to the provisions of the Treaty of 
Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between 
Ukraine and the Russian Federation of May 31, 
1997, and other major agreements pertaining to res-
olution of this matter; 
(3) the Russian Federation should desist from 
any actions that may infringe upon the territorial in-
tegrity and borders of Ukraine; 
(4) all differences arising between Ukraine and 
its neighbors, including the Russian Federation, 
should be resolved on the principle of sovereign 
equality and mutual respect without resorting to 
threat or use of force; and