H. Res. 447 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
February 10, 2014. 
Whereas a democratic, prosperous, and independent Ukraine 
is in the national interest of the United States; 
Whereas the Government of Ukraine has declared integration 
with Europe a national priority and has made significant 
progress toward meeting the requirements for an Associa-
tion Agreement; 
Whereas on November 21, 2013, following several months of 
intense outside pressure, Ukrainian President Viktor 
Yanukovych abruptly suspended negotiations on the As-
sociation Agreement one week before it was due to be 
signed at the European Union’s Eastern Partnership 
Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania; 
Whereas this reversal of stated government policy precip-
itated demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of 
Ukrainian citizens in Kyiv as well as in cities throughout 
the country; 
Whereas the demonstrators have been overwhelmingly peace-
ful and have sought to exercise their constitutional rights 
to freely assemble and express their opposition to Presi-
dent Yanukovych’s decision; 
Whereas the demonstrators have consistently expressed their 
support for democracy, human rights, greater govern-
•HRES 447 EH 
ment accountability, and the rule of law, as well as for 
closer relations with Europe; 
Whereas on November 30, 2013, police violently dispersed 
peaceful demonstrators in Kyiv’s Independence Square, 
resulting in many injuries and the arrest of several dozen 
individuals; 
Whereas on December 11, 2013, police raided 3 opposition 
media outlets and the headquarters of an opposition 
party; 
Whereas 
on 
December 
11, 
2013, 
despite 
President 
Yanukovych’s statement the previous day that he would 
engage in talks with the opposition, police attempted to 
forcibly evict peaceful protesters from central locations in 
Kyiv; 
Whereas several journalists, including from Radio Free Eu-
rope/Radio Liberty, and civic activists supporting the 
demonstrators have been brutally attacked; 
Whereas on January 16, 2014, the Ukrainian parliament 
passed, and President Yanukovych signed, legislation 
which severely limits the right of peaceful protest, con-
strains freedom of speech and the independent media, 
and unduly restricts civil society organizations; 
Whereas the passage of these undemocratic measures and 
President Yanukovych’s refusal to engage in substantive 
dialogue with opposition leaders precipitated several days 
of violence and resulted in several deaths and hundreds 
of injuries, as well as numerous allegations of police bru-
tality; and 
Whereas in the face of spreading demonstrations, Ukrainian 
Government representatives and opposition leaders have 
entered into negotiations which on January 28, 2014, re-
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sulted in the resignation of the Prime Minister and his 
cabinet and the repeal of most of the anti-democratic 
laws from January 16, 2014: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) greatly values the warm and close relationship 
the United States has established with Ukraine since 
that country regained its independence in 1991; 
(2) supports the democratic and European aspira-
tions of the people of Ukraine, and their right to choose 
their own future free of intimidation and fear; 
(3) calls on the United States and the European 
Union to continue to work together to support a peaceful 
resolution to the crisis, and to continue to support the 
desire of millions of Ukrainian citizens for democracy, 
human rights, government accountability, and the rule of 
law, and closer relations with Europe; 
(4) urges the Government of Ukraine, Ukrainian 
opposition parties, and all protesters to exercise the ut-
most restraint and avoid confrontation, and calls on the 
Government of Ukraine to live up to its international ob-
ligations and respect and uphold the democratic rights 
of its citizens, including the freedom of assembly and ex-
pression, as well as the freedom of the press; 
(5) condemns all acts of violence and calls on the 
Government of Ukraine to bring to justice those respon-
sible for violence and brutality against peaceful pro-
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testers, and to release and drop any criminal charges 
against those detained for peacefully exercising their 
democratic rights; 
(6) welcomes the repeal by the Ukrainian par-
liament of most of the anti-democratic measures adopted 
on January 16, 2014, and urges President Yanukovych 
to continue to engage in substantive talks with opposi-
tion leaders to address the legitimate grievances of the 
opposition, and to take additional steps to de-escalate 
tensions; 
(7) urges the United States and the European 
Union to continue to make clear to Ukraine’s leaders 
that those who authorize or engage in violence against 
peaceful protesters will be held personally accountable; 
(8) supports the measures taken by the Department 
of State to revoke the visas of several Ukrainians linked 
to the violence, and encourages the Administration to 
consider additional targeted sanctions against those who 
authorize or engage in the use of force; and
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(9) urges all parties to engage in constructive, sus-
tained dialogue in order to find a peaceful solution to 
Ukraine’s current political and economic crisis. 
Attest: 
Clerk.