resolution. it is to be explained by the chad is very concerned to note the continuing escalation of the crisis in the ukraine despite of the repeated appeals of the international community, are to go really from the security council for restraint and calm. we think it is still possible forparties to open the way national reconciliation and maintaining ukraine's territorial integrity by engaging explosive dialogue between the various components. diversity, human rights and the rights of minorities, chad reiterates its

call for the upholding of the territorial integrity and nonuse of force and diesel settlement of disputes in step with united nations charter. , we would like to once again appeal to calm and res traint and believe the solution can only be a political and negotiated one. >> i now give the floor to the representative of jordan. madamnk you, president. in favor ofoted the draft resolution mentions in .he document 2014 out of the belief of jordan

and respect of ukraine's sovereignty and political independence and noninterference in affairs. ofcomes upon the adherence the charger, especially one there of. and resorting to peaceful means to settle a dispute. jordan confirms the importance of holding the authority of crimea tocluding ukrainian sovereignty including the memorandum of understanding of 1994 and the agreement of a friendship between ukrain and

1997.n federation of the representative of jordan for that statement. i shall make a statement, speaking as the representative of luxembourg. --embourg deeply reset regrets of the resolution of prepared by the united states of the america was not adopted because of the member of the council russia. voted in favor of the resolution. why? this draft resolution was anchored on principles of dialogue. this draft resolution was intended to record the principles of the united nations

, particularly in article two of the charger. it was intended to research the support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of ukraine with in its internationally recognized borders. the security council should be unanimous and upholding these principles. chartered nations stated that the security council shall act in accordance with the purposes and principles of the united nations. they presented the security council from complying -- prevented the council from complying. now dialogue and implementation of chapter six, the draft resolution before the council this morning was intendeto

immediately tos seek a peaceful settlement i direct this. and to engage fully in international mediation efforts. organized for tomorrow is intended to amend agains tht the will of ukraine. this would be a unilateral act which would run risk of seriously destabilizing ukraine in the entire region. the member states of the united nations have conferred on the

council the chief responsibility for keeping this. we prevented the security out thisrom carrying responsibility and interest in ukraine and europe. the referendum organized tomorrow runs contrary to the constitution of ukraine that says the territory is indivisible. the referendum is contrary to the constitution of the .utonomous republic of crimea the international community can in no way recognize its res ult. this is part of a vicious cycle. of russiane the use armed forces on ukrainian territory and subsequent actions consequent the international law. these actions violate the commitments russia entered into within the framework of the

budapest manure and him. -- referendum. the draftn adopted, resolution would have been a contribution to halt this vicious cycle and it's accompanyhining nationalism. essentially for russia. would it be naive to hope failure we can find a peaceful resolution? luxembourg is not wish to abandon this hope. diplomatic efforts must continue

to achieve a solution respecting the political independent territorial integrity with in ukraine within the interest of prosperity in europe. i shall resume my function as president of the council. i now give the floor to the representative of ukraine. thank you, madam president, distinguished members of the security council. i would like to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the security council for the overwhelming support of the resolution as well as for your support in trying to resolve the crisis by diplomatic and political means. theuld like to thank all of cosponsors of the resolution for your support. we really need your support. i want to assure you that it is highly appreciated by the people of ukraine.

i would like to particularly member states under the budapest memorandum who supported ukraine. states, united kingdom, france, and china to several times a voice in favor -- who several times voice in favor of territorial integrity. the russian federation violated its own obligations. this appeals to the russian leadership. very successful. today, are discussing the crisis in ukraine in crimea. ago. a call 40 minutes russian troops entered the mainland on the south from crimea.

now we're facing new developments. face further dangers. i ask you to find the means and measures as well as the bilateral level to do what is responsible to stop the aggressor. surprise this comes at custom for any measures to maintain international peace and security. it is giving commissions in syria. .t brought thousands

we will speak about the reforms of the security council. two cases, syria and crimea will be considered of examples of how the council behaves when peace is needed. in that particular part of my intervention i would like to say some words in russian. >> the representative of the russian federation has a stated it's great to be to achieved through the blood of the second world war. i would like to recall that this was collective bloodshed.

bloodshedipulate this is in the miscible. -- inadmissible. you're manipulating the veto right on new blood, the blood on your hands. george and blood, now it ukrainian. -- georgian blood, now ukrainian. should come to an end now. today i take an optimistic you of what is going on. that what the russian federation expressed was not the voice of the russian federation but that of the soviet union.

thousands and thousands of people have come to express their desire to protect ukraine and the territorial integrity. this the democratic future of them. it is on this basis we will build fraternal ties. there is the fall of the whole system of value established over the years. members.tiring work of a system of collective security. a process of nonproliferation. they demonstrated the unity, it ukrainian events. it protects the system. to protect the global security

there is a new approach. i am confident we are capable of this. thank you. >> i think the representative of ukraine for that statement. -- theresented representative of the russian federation has asked for the floor. >> thank you. today went tos high levels. i have to note that the ukrainian colleague went far beyond anything permissible to forward to speak of blood. the blood is not on our hands but on the hands of your friends. the blood of the ukrainians who were shot by snipers in february

of this year and to actually upheld certain ideals reasonably and said that they have fought with the soviet union. i have to note that something jumps out at me. they have discussed not very developed argumentation on the elements ofstorted our position. i will not, and on everything which was heard today. i will make a few notes. it didn't not notice the smallest hint of violence.

two citizens were killed by fighters. the violence had to be noted. it hope it -- it happened over the month. violence. it threatens to spread to other regions. they blamed russia with the illegal pursuit of the ambitions. that does not go to us. this is from the political foreign-policy arsenal of the u.s.. they spoke of truth. they would be very interested to know if washington would pay -- play the truth about this.

they spoke about the terrines and aspirations while you negating the right of the people willimea to express their rea during the referendum. my colleagues that they were pushing for but had not excepted responsibility. the people of the region were the ones that should have been involved rather than intimidating people who spoke russian there. convened?is not that there isoven not any ideology of national radicals. wasrtunately, much time lost. we would repeal to all to stop this confrontation and to begin

constructive confrontation. includes the eastern and southeastern regions. >> i think the representative of the russian federation for that statement. there are no further speakers. this has concluded the examination. the meeting stands adjourned. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] >> see you on monday. >> the u.n. breaking up this meeting. they voted on a resolution that wanted being vetoed. they were in favor of the draft resolution.

this is a permanent member of the security council. crimea holding a referendum tomorrow to decide whether to stay part of ukraine or become part of russia. draft resolution would have held the referendum and crimea was not valid. could beeu sanctions imposed as early as monday. delegations from the u.s. senators were also in ukraine today. we will bring you their remark later. from thisan article that says 50,000 people are rallying in moscow against russian intervening in -- and crimea. president obama met earlier this week with ukrainian prime minister at the white house. from wednesday.

this is about 15 minutes. >> it is a pleasure to welcome prime minister yatsenyuk to the oval office, to the white house. i think all of us have seen the courage of the ukrainian people in standing up on behalf of democracy and on the desire that i believe is universal for people to be able to determine their own destiny. and we saw in the maidan how ordinary people from all parts of the country had said that we want a change.

and the prime minister was part of that process, showed tremendous courage, and upheld the principles of nonviolence throughout the course of events over the last several months. obviously, the prime minister comes here during a very difficult time for his country. in the aftermath of president yanukovych leaving the country, the parliament, the rada, acted in a responsible fashion to fill the void, created an inclusive process in which all parties had input, including the party of former president yanukovych. they have set forward a process to stabilize the country, take a very deliberate step to assure economic stability and negotiate with the international monetary fund, and to schedule early

elections so that the ukrainian people, in fact, can choose their direction for the future. and the prime minister has managed that process with great skill and great restraint, and we're very much appreciative of the work that he has done. the most pressing challenge that ukraine faces at the moment, however, is the threat to its territorial integrity and its sovereignty. we have been very clear that we consider the russian incursion into crimea outside of its bases to be a violation of international law, of

international agreements of which russia is a signatory, and a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of ukraine. and we have been very firm in saying that we will stand with ukraine and the ukrainian people in ensuring that that territorial integrity and sovereignty is maintained. i think we all recognize that there are historic ties between russia and ukraine, and i think the prime minister would be the first one to acknowledge that. and i think the prime minister and the current government in kiev has recognized and has communicated directly to the russian federation their desire to try to manage through this process diplomatically. but what the prime minister i think has rightly insisted on is, is that they cannot have a country outside of ukraine dictate to them how they should arrange their affairs. and there is a constitutional process in place and a set of elections that they can move forward on that, in fact, could lead to different arrangements

over time with the crimean region, but that is not something that can be done with the barrel of a gun pointed at you. and so secretary kerry is in communications with the russian government and has offered to try to explore with his counterpart, foreign minister lavrov, a diplomatic solution to this crisis. we are in close communication with the ukrainian government in terms of how we might proceed going forward. but we will continue to say to the russian government that if it continues on the path that it is on then not only us, but the international community -- the european union and others -- will be forced to apply a cost to russia's violations of international law and its encroachments on ukraine. there's another path available,

and we hope that president putin is willing to seize that path. but if he does not, i'm very confident that the international community will stand strongly community will stand strongly behind the ukrainian government in preserving its unity and its territorial integrity. let me just make two final points. obviously, because of the political turmoil, the economic situation in ukraine has become more challenging, not less. and that's why i'm very proud

that not only as critical members of the international monetary fund, the imf, we are working with the prime minister and his team in a package that can help to institute necessary reforms inside of the ukraine, but also help to stabilize the situation so that people feel confident that in their daily lives they can meet their basic necessities. we're also asking congress to act promptly to deliver on an aid package, including a $1 billion loan guarantee that can help smooth the path for reform inside of ukraine and give the prime minister and his government the capacity to do what they need to do as they are also organizing an election process. so i would just ask both democrats and republicans, who i know are unified in their

support of ukraine, to move quickly to give us the support that we need so that we can give the ukrainian people the support that they need. and then, finally, mr. prime minister, i would ask that you deliver a message on behalf of the american people to all the ukrainian people, and that is that we admire their courage; we appreciate their aspirations. the interests of the united states are solely in making sure that the people of ukraine are able to determine their own destiny. that is something that here in the united states we believe in deeply. i know it's something that you believe in deeply as well. and you can rest assured that you will have our strong support as you move forward during these difficult times. thank you. >> thank you, mr. president. and we highly appreciate the support that you have given to the ukrainian people. and my country feels that the united states stands by the ukrainian people.

mr. president, it's all about the freedom. we fight for our freedom. we fight for our independence. we fight for our sovereignty. and we will never surrender. my country has faced a number of challenges. the military one is a key challenge today, and we urge russia to stick to its international obligations, to pull back its military into barracks, and to start the dialogue with no guns, with no military, with no tanks, but with the diplomacy and political tools. on behalf of my government, i would like to reiterate that we are absolutely ready and open for talks with the russian federation. we adhere to all international obligations. and we as the state of ukraine will fulfill all bilateral and multilateral international treaties. on the economic side, mr. president, we highly appreciate the support of the united states and the decision to guarantee $1 billion loan for the ukrainian economy. you know that we resumed talks with the imf. we do understand that these are

tough reforms, but these reforms are needed for the ukrainian state. and we are back on track in terms of delivering real reforms in my country. as i already informed you, probably in the nearest future, next week or in 10 days, ukraine is to sign a political part of -- association agreement with the european union, and we want to be very clear that ukraine is and will be a part of the western world, and our russian

partners have to realize that we are ready to make a new type or to craft a new type of our relationship where ukraine is a part of the european union, but ukraine is a good friend and partner of russia. so much will depend on whether russia wants to have this talk and whether russia wants to have ukraine as a partner or as a subordinate. as i already indicated, we will never surrender and we will do everything in order to preserve peace, stability, and independence of my country. and we appreciate your personal support, the support of your government, support of the american people to the ukrainian people. thank you, mr. president. >> mr. prime minister, thank you very much. [inaudible] >> julie, we completely reject a referendum patched together in a few weeks with russian military personnel basically taking over crimea. we reject its legitimacy. it is contrary to international law.

it is contrary to the ukrainian constitution. i know that we've heard from the russian federation this notion that these kinds of decisions are often made in other places, and they've even analogized it to scotland or other situations of that sort. in each of those cases that they've cited, decisions were made by a national government through a long, lengthy, deliberative process. it's not something that happens in a few days, and it's not something that happens with an outside army essentially taking over the region.

as you just heard the prime minister indicate, the people of ukraine recognize historic ties with the people of russia. the prime minister you just heard say, repeat what he said often, which is they're prepared to respect all international treaties and obligations that they are signatories to, including russian basing rights in crimea. the issue now is whether or not russia is able to militarily dominate a region of somebody else's country, engineer a slapdash referendum, and ignore not only the ukrainian constitution but a ukrainian government that includes parties that are historically in opposition with each other -- including, by the way, the party of the previous president. so we will not recognize, certainly, any referendum that goes forward. my hope is, is that as a

consequence of diplomatic efforts over the next several days that there will be a rethinking of the process that's been put forward. we have already put in place the architecture for us to apply financial and economic consequences to actions that are taken. but our strong preference is to resolve this diplomatically. and as you heard the prime minister say, this idea that somehow the ukrainian people are forced to choose between good relations with the west or good relations with russia, economic ties with the west or economic ties with russia, is the kind of zero-sum formulation that in the 21st century, with a highly integrated, global economy, doesn't make any sense and is not in the interests of the ukrainian people. i actually think, in the end,

it's not in the interests of russia either. russia should be thinking about how can it work with ukraine to further strengthen its economic ties and trade and exchanges with europe. that will make russia stronger, not weaker. but obviously mr. putin has some different ideas at this point. we do not know yet what our diplomatic efforts will yield, but we'll keep on pressing. in the meantime, the main message i want to send is that we are highly supportive of a government in kiev that is taking on some very tough decisions, is committed to law and order, inclusivity, committed to the rights of all ukrainian people, and is committed to fair and free elections that should settle once and for all any questions that there may be about what's transpired since former president yanukovych left the country.

and the most important thing to remember is this is up to the ukrainian people. it's not up to the united states. it's not up to russia. it's up to the ukrainian people to make a decision about how they want to live their lives. that's what all of us should support. and certainly that's the reason why i'm so pleased to have the prime minister here today. crimeaions mounting as

prepares for referendum. it is being held tomorrow. ukraine's military says in mobilized aircraft and ground troops to repel an intent to lend on a narrow strip of land that was near the occupy crimean peninsula. the foreign affairs ministry issued strong and categorical protest against the russian landing in the past day in southern ukraine. and demanding that russia side immediately withdraw the military forces from the ukrainian territory. the grainy and saying it reserves the right to use all necessary measures to stop the military invasion by russia. that is from the ukraine ministry of foreign affairs. a delegation of u.s. senators is in ukraine today. they spoke their including john mccain, dick durbin. we will bring you their remarks

letter. the cream prime minister also spoke recently at the atlantic council on wednesday. he talked about russians intervention in ukraine and the transatlantic unity's response to the situation. this is about 40 minutes. >> good afternoon. you to this very and meeting with -- ukrainian prime minister prime minister. he is coming directly to us from

the white house. welcome. usnk you for including injured busy and import in itinerary. we have assembled a very large and powerful community. any of you who would like to spread the word please use #ukraine. extend a welcome to the ukrainian ambassador to the united states with whom we worked enormously closely as well as several others of your officials. we worked in different positions. it is a testament to the importance of your message and your country. ambassadors members of the press are here today. out in cities across

the country. they can destabilize ukraine. the prime minister has risen to this crisis. in rallying the international community behind the united democratic ukraine. has sent a clear signal to the world of u.s. support by inviting the prime minister on the eve of the illegal referendum. he arrived in washington, leaders issued a hard-hitting statement calling for a halt of the referendum saying that they would not recognize this result as legal.

this could have grave implications. for the legal orders that test the unity and sovereignty of all states. federation wesian should take this collectively. i have seldom seen such a strong statement. statement. we have the ambassadors for germany and the u.k. here, a strong sign of solidarity. to use the u.s. ambassador to the ukraine's call to action, your moment is now. this demands urgency of focus but we must plan for the long game. the atlantic council has been doing both, acting urgently and planning for the long game. we have launched our own 100 day action plan which will take us through the may elections and into the first month of the new

president's term. this will be part of a larger commitment to work on ukraine. thanks go to george and members of the atlantic council board to help us ramp up our work on this issue. the prime minister was appointed on february 27. he was a central galvanize her of the protest and a key architect of the then opposition strategy to ensure peaceful, constitutional transfer of power in ukraine. this job prepared. from 2001-2003 he served as minister of the economy of crimea and later led the central bank, minister of economy, and had of the talks to join the world trade organization all before taking in leadership roles as foreign minister and then chairman of the ukraine parliament.

he's uniquely prepared to provide the steady hand that ukraine now needs to balance its many challenges. mr. prime minister, welcome. the floor is yours. [applause] >> it's a great pleasure and honor to address such a distinguished audience. i will give a short introduction but it's must -- much more important to me to listen to your advice and questions. this is a very dramatic time for my country.

what's going on was entirely unpredictable to me and i'll accept multiple world. with no reason, with no grounds, our partner in the past, but i believe this country will be a partner in the future started an incursion into ukrainian territory, started to invade an independent and sovereign country. my country is facing both military and economic challenges. we still believe the option to tackle the military crisis with a political and somatic tool. as the clock is ticking, these

chances is not as big as they were last week. these options, these tools, they are still on the table. we asked the russian federation to immediately pull back their forces and to start real talks and negotiations. we, as the new ukrainian government, are ready to hold an open dialogue on how to tackle these genetic crisis of the 21st century. and this is not the crisis just between ukraine and russia. worse. it is a global crisis. this would definitely undermine

the entire global security. i am wondering about the goals of russia to draw the 's, revise the outcomes of the second world war, to restore the soviet union, or to preserve peace and stability in the region. on behalf of the ukrainian government, i would like to underline that we adhere to all international, multilateral, and bilateral obligations including the russian black sea deployment treaty.

we ask russia to stick to its conditions and to execute international obligations. we are facing an ongoing economic crisis. that is the consequence of rampant corruption and we believe the talks we resume with the imf would help successfully accomplish. the imf program, we need to overhaul the entire financial such are and to move further in terms of economic success and prosperity. we have relaunched and restarted negotiations with our european

partners and we command of the american people that you demonstrated to the ukrainian people. all eu member states, heads of government, president am a that day made in a statement last week saying that ukraine is to be a sovereign, independent country. they're going to make a very solvent and strong step in order to make ukraine an integral part of the european union. what is at stake today? the future of my country and the freedom of my people. it's all about freedom. we want to be very clear. we will never surrender. we will do whatever we can in order to help my country remain an independent one. we have to rely on the support and we do understand that it is up to the ukrainian people to shape our future.

the new ukrainian government is ready to deliver change. we are ready to deliver that you cannot do it with russian tanks and russian soldiers on your soil.

i feel very out of mystic. -- i feel very optimistic. i believe that we will find a solution, that we will tackle this crisis, that we will do everything to make ukraine a prosperous state. i'm ready for any type of q and a. let's get down to business. [applause] >> mr. prime minister, thank you , executive vice president here and i would like to extend are welcome to you. thank you for those remarks. ukraine will never surrender. i want to get, and started and then we will turn to the audience. we were watching in real time as he was sitting there with president obama and getting a very strong statement of support on the eve of the vote in crimea. what can you tell us? how have your talks gone? do feel comfortable that the

u.s. and the union are now going to operate in service of operate in service of ukraine? >> it was a very open and frank discussion. we avoided the diplomatic language. we appreciate the support that the american people, this bipartisan support that you have demonstrated. it is great to have the eu and

the u.s. eking in one simple voice. i see that the western world is determine to presents ukrainian independence. what we already got was the package of financial aid on the table. the key factors that the united states already announced $1 billion in guarantees for this they believed in -- for the stability of ukraine. they said that they will do whatever they can to support the ukrainian people. i'm satisfied with the way that

the u.s. and the eu helps us to understand this crisis. >> if i may, you said in your remarks that you would never surrender, ukraine would never surrender. we have heard the strategies that have become a strategy for ukraine today and this crisis. how do you see this playing out? what is ukraine's strategy? you follow the peaceful process but it is not inevitable that it can continue. help us understand in terms of this crisis. >> much will depend on the strategy of russia. much will depend on the personal vision and stance of president clinton. i would like to reiterate that

we still want to have a free and equal partnership with russia. you cannot do it having a military incursion. we do not consider a military option as the best option to fix this crisis. in a new, globalized world we need to figure out the better strategies and i insist on political and somatic tools. what is the best strategy? the best strategy is to sit and negotiate. the best approach is to stop and calm down. >> what do you think president putin's strategy is? how far is he willing to take this? is his calculation affected by what's going on in brussels

today? >> he's the only person who knows. there are different scenarios. they made this incursion on artificial grounds. that was absolutely astonishing. that's not only because of she speaks russian. as the new ukrainian government, we will preserve the rights of all minorities including russian speakers. in the first days of new government, they are revealed and decided. the russian speaking minority is under the comprehensive.

another reason was the so-called anti-somatic. this is the first government where deputy prime minister represents the jewish community. we will fight with anyone who proclaims something that resembles fascism. the best scenario for president who missed takeover crimea in another form. they definitely have another case scenario how to take over ukraine. including the ukrainian capital. it all depends on personal goals.

you probably do remember his speech that the biggest disaster of the last century is the collapse of the soviet union. i will say that the biggest disaster of this century would be the restoration of the soviet union. >> thank you, mr. prime minister. i think that's an important statement. i will ask one more. i have just come back from kiev and walking through even through the streets of the my don -- maidan today. people recognize the ukraine is

in a crisis and need to come together. how is this time different? grade up ms. and was undermined as infighting undermining unity. political jockeying challenging actual governance. how is this a different opportunity for ukraine? how do you get your task right? >> the quest has happened -- look what has happened. the previous regime killed 101 innocent people. the death toll is more than 100 people. for what? for their fight to have a free country?

for their freedoms and liberties/ the revolution of 2004 and then in 10 years, the bloodstains on the jacket of the former president and the former government. the sentiment is very different. on the other hand, people are very united. they have shown their determination to fight for the country. this is really the great find of this country. we do not have just the territory after this revolution. we have the nation. this is the outcome. >> let me turn to the audience

ask a quick question. >> michael gordon, "the new york times." you are interested in a political solution. could you elaborate what your vision of what a political solution might look like? under what conditions and circumstances might there be a referendum in crimea or ukraine as part of that solution? thank you. >> thank you. starting with taxes and ending

with language issues. we're ready to start the dialogue of the constitutional one in the ukrainian parliament, having everyone sitting in the table. making each step in the constitutional manner, this is a referendum with an expected result and it seems to me that they already hit the toll. my message is clear. this is illegitimate and constitutional -- unconstitutional. there is no legitimate government in crimea. there are some people who get the support of 18,000 russian soldiers and to seize unconstitutionally and grab the power.

>> let me pick up these to the questions right here. >> although you said it is unconstitutional, we know the crimea referendum is getting nearer. negotiating to solve this kind of problem and after you met with barack obama and john kerry today, but is the most difficult thing in solving the crisis? >> we will take the question right next to her so you can take both. >> thank you for your stirring remarks.

i went to fast forward a bit. this could easily make crimea into afghanistan. could you comment on the prospect of an insurgency? there are already reports of jihad us to move into crimea. >> that is what we want to avoid. take into consideration that crimea is a heavily populated area. this could raise an ethnic question, too. that's the reason why the ukrainian government is very cautious and prudent.

allowing the president to use military force, they expected us to do the same and to start the military operation. for example, i can give you the numbers of aircraft facilities excluding the nuclear aspect. i would like to reiterate again that we need to do everything we can. everyone in the world who wants to preserve peace and stability. if it stops, there will be no end. >> let me turn to the next question here. and then we will pick up this one right here. >> mr. prime minister, how

confident in the people of the ukraine and your government, the western support that is being promised including economic sanctions will actually be realized? history of assurances to ukraine are not very encouraging. i know the international pledging conference for chernobyl met its goal. >> a warm welcome to you. is this an urgent crisis. and a little more than two months this is scheduled.

how confident are you they will be able to hold elections on the 25th? how ready will you be to have credible elections everyone can recognize? ukraine, as i mentioned. it is about the global security. let me remind you that in 1994, a budapest memorandum emerged where signatures guaranteed an independence and integrity of the ukrainian states. and look what has happened. we abandoned our nuclear weapons. right? we did. we executed this memorandum. and today we asked for the protection. if we don't get this protection, tell me the way how the world is to reinforce or ask another

country to stop their nuclear progress? it's impossible to convince, in this case, someone to hold nuclear proliferation programs. this is the global problem. and it's up to all of us to fix it. david, on the elections, on the presidential elections, the elections are scheduled for the 25 of may. and we are ready to hold free and fair elections. we do understand that a number of folks will do everything in

order to undermine this election, to stop them, to postpone, to delay, to have another kind of uncertainty in my country. but we launch this. the central election commission is working within scheduled. so we are ready to hold free and fair presidential elections. we asked an international observer to observe these elections. and i still believe -- not just believe, i am sure of it, that elections are to be held as scheduled. and it is on the 25 of may. the new president will -- not the new president, but on the 25th of may we will have a clear picture who is to be the new president. because this is a two-round plex, and a horse race and another two rounds. >> i'll move to the mic in the back. >> i'd like to first congratulate you on rising to

the challenge of this situation which poses a risk to ukraine, obviously, and you and your government and the people as a whole have obviously risen to this challenge with great fort tude and conviction. because you and the nation recognize a risk. my question is, does the rest of the world, in your opinion, recognize the risk? this is not just a risk to ukraine, but it is a risk really to the stable world order. it is a risk that forbodes the

possibility of a new wave of aggression that spreads not just in eastern europe, but throughout the globe. in your estimation, in dealing with this problem, do you feel that the international community sufficiently recognizes what's at stake? >> thank you. just pass the mic down. >> just for the audience, he of the ambassador of georgia. >> my question is, obviously, what we are witnessing these days is not the first instance when russia is violating the international law. or to the end of the cold war. [inaudible] so my question would be, how do you mitigate these circumstances? what are the lessons hurt learned on the one hand for your government? on the other hand, what are the lessons to be learned from the international community to be more effective in this case in

this crisis? >> thank you. why don't we take those and then i will move to the back. >> thank you. congratulations. somebody will send me -- some people sent me condolences. we are ready to sacrifice in order to protect. my government is ready to sacrifice its political capital in order to protect. >> you even referred to the task as political suicide. >> oh, sometimes it happens. so let me put it this way. on the conflict in 2008 in georgia, these are the implications of bucharest -- impolitics.

if you don't have map, you have something else, like military aggression. and this is the dramatic lesson for all of us. we need to articulate a real response to this kind of situation. there is be frank -- no clear-cut response. we are trying to figure out how to handle it. but the collective bodies that are responsible for this global security are not as efficient as they have to be. and this way i use very diplomatic language. >> we move to the back.

i went to pick up jackson diehl, this woman right here, and then in the back, yes, this will be our last round, please. >> jackson deal, "the washington post." the ee you and united states -- the eu and united states are discussing sanctions next week. is the government of ukraine contemplating sanctions toward crimea? in particular, are you planning to continue water, energy, and imports to crimea? >> jack, why don't you pass the mic down to the woman down to this row? >> from public television. mr. prime minister, we would like to know what kind of actions do you expect next week from your neighboring countries like slovakia, hungary, romania, and poland? thank you. >> and let me take the final question here from honors. >> thank you for a very impressive statement to us

today, mr. prime minister. we really wish you the very best. on that line, what is the wish list with regard to the national security that you would put to the united states and the european union today? thank you. >> our ability to provide water and electricity to crimea. i want to be very clear, crimea is a vital part of ukraine. and we will do everything in order to deliver food, water, because this is our territory, and they are our citizens. on the european side, we expect that on the 21st, the ukraine to sign a political association

agreement. best reply and the best answer the eu could make. i have already said they will unilaterally apply an economic package. from the dcf ta. this will essentially support the ukrainian economy. what is the best way to reform the country is to stick to the political association agreement, and to execute every treaty in this deal. and the last question, what we ask for? i already unfolded everything. we need to undertake -- we need to act boldly, wicely, and -- wisely and strongly. and to use all tools, all tools that are acceptable. the u.s. is a powerful country.

the e.u. is very strong, and they can and will, i believe, do everything to preserve ukrainian independence. if we speak in one voice, we act in concert, we can save my country and preserve peace and stability in the region. i want to be open and frank. we are not as powerful, and we did not have enough capacity to if we speak in one voice, if we act in concert, we can save my country and preserve peace and stability in the region. >> thank you very much, mr. prime minister. [applause]

please join me in thanking mr. arseniy yatsenyuk. >> thank you for joining us. please be seated until we exit, and we will be exiting you guys shortly. thank you. >> and some news on the ukraine from the "washington post," washington forces including helicopter gunships and armored vehicles took control of 80 village near the crimean border ahead of the referendum that is scheduled for tomorrow on whether crimea should seek annexation by russia. the group -- the village is about six miles north of the border between crimea and ukraine's region. about 100 20ays russian soldiers took control of a natural gas distribution station in the village, and the ukrainian foreign ministry

confirms the village was seized what sets the force consists of about 80 soldiers and did not mention the gas station. about two hours ago, the united nations held a security meeting and the council voted on a resolution vetoed by russia that would have declared the crimea referendum tomorrow not valid. a final vote in the u.n. with a 13 member countries in favor with one, which was russia, opposed, and china abstaining. if you missed the speech is running of oh, we will show them later today on the c-span network am a and a group of u.s. senators are in ukraine. they made remarks earlier and some tweeted, including illinois senator dick durbin, saying that ofsupport peaceful ending in crisis. continued russian aggression will not be tolerated. and senator john mccain of arizona tweeting with senator

durbin and u.s. marines that are in the sea in kiev. here are some of the remarks the aboutrs made from kiev tensions between russia, ukraine, and the international community and what they have been seeing over there. they spoke for about half an hour. >> good afternoon. i am senator john mccain of arizona and i am pleased to be joined today with a bipartisan group of my colleagues, senator the durbin of illinois, senator chris murphy of connecticut, senator ron johnson of wisconsin , senator john barrasso of , senator sheldon whitehouse of rhode island, senator john holden of north dakota, and my fellow senator from arizona, jeff flake. won't forget when senator murphy and i were here months ago, we stood in the trade union building and watched as hundreds of thousands of ukrainian patriots stood in the

freezing cold and demanded freedom, rule of law, and a european future. we are honored to be here to congratulate you on all that you have accomplished, and all of us joined the ukrainian people in wanting more than 100 -- in morning more than 100 brave souls who gave their lives for the ukraine's future. we met with the prime minister, government leaders, including the governor of dennis with leaders from across the political spectrum including the party's regions, and with representatives from ukraine's business communities, civil society, and the model movement.

we are also deeply concerned about reports today of russian military movement into areas around eastern ukraine. these movements are deeply disturbing. ukrainian government is legitimate, constitutional, and have them portend popular mandate for change, but change will not be easy. it is essential now for the government here to reach out to all ukrainians and take steps to unify the country. among these are strengthening democracy, the rule of law, reforming the economy, and the moving ukraine toward europe. we are confident the government is committed to these principles. the government must also prepare the country for elections on may 25. during our visit, we have heard overwhelming supports for proceeding with elections on schedule, and we believe it is critical. ukraine's journey will be difficult, but ukrainians will

not make that journey alone. your otherstates and partners will be with you. many of us here serve on our foreign relations committee in the senate, and last week, we pass bipartisan legislation to and support rods prepare for elections, enhance security kwok ration, it imposes severe sanctions on those responsible for violence and human rights abuses against peaceful ukrainian and those who threaten ukrainian stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and on russian officials, responsible for core and here -- for corruption here. we want to assure you the united states senate will pass this legislation imminently, and we

are confident a consume become law. finally, let me say up word about military assistance, and this is my personal view. ukraine is going to need a long-term he meant to -- military assistance program from the united states, equipment both lethal and nonlethal. i see ukraine has been invaded. russia is blasting forces on the border, provoking unrest, threatening to annex part of the sovereign that -- sovereign nation and possibly wortse. victims of aggression wish to protect themselves and their homes from further aggression and when they ask for some modest means that can help them resist, i believe we should provide it. false hoper warfel harbored ourselves, but simple because it is the right and decent thing to do. i also want to add there are now thousands of brave ukrainian members of the military who are surrounding bases in crimea.

we are deeply concerned about after this phony referendum that is going to take place that the lives and welfare of these individuals could be in danger. russians tourge the and to respect the lives and welfare of these brave ukrainian servicemen and women who are serving in that country. senator durbin. i want to thank my colleague, john mccain, and others who joined me. this is on extraordinary visit that we have made to ukraine. it is maybe the largest to senate delegation to visit ukraine in history. and the moment we came we thought was the right moment. we wanted to save the people of ukraine and million to support ukraine across the world that we stand shoulder to shoulder with ukrainian people who are seeking a new future in a new opportunity. we know that they have a new

government, with many challenges, including economic challenges. and we know that they are of law, too the rule open and free elections, and we stand by them in this commitment. we have met with the president, prime minister, and leaders of this government. and the message we have given them is that we will be by your side on a bipartisan basis in the united states senate. the visit of the secretary of state john kerry, the meeting between the prime minister and the president just a few days of are further indications the strengthening alliance between the united states and ukraine. but we also, this moment because we know we are only hours away from the soviet style election in crimea. we know the outcome. we always knew the outcome of elections long before they took place. keep in mind there was also a vote today just hours ago in the un security council where the nations of the world serving a

security council were asked to stand with ukrainian project this referendum. of course, the russians voted no. he chinese abstained. all other nation stood with the ukraine and the united states. it is an indication of the growing world support for the future of ukraine and resistance to what the russians are threatening now in crimea. we owe it to the people of ukraine and those in crimea to speak up or them at this moment and to tell russia we will not of invasionhistory and aggression, which is too common in this part of the world. and we also need to make it like that when countries the united states, the united kingdom, russia, and ukraine inter-into an agreement, the budapest memorandum, that it means something. when a country will step away from its nuclear arsenal, only asking for protection of its territories and its future, we

need to stand by them, and that is why we are here as well. we want a more peaceful world and we believe that standing with ukraine is the way to achieve that. i am proud of my colleagues are with me. i'll hope you understand the significance of our visit to the ukraine at this moment in history. >> good afternoon. is chris murphy, senator from connecticut and chairman of the foreign relations subcommittee on europe. senator mccain and i had the opportunity in december to stand idan looking out over the almost one million protesters assembling peacefully , all united by the temperament that they wanted to bring dignity back to their country and to their existence. many were there because they wanted an orientation with your. others were there because they wanted to leaders in government, but they all held in common the basic simple belief that it should be the people of this country, no outside entity, that dictates the future of this

great nation. it is difficult in washington these days to get a group of politically diverse as those that are standing here today to agree on much of anything. ,ut we are standing here united republicans and democrats, as we did in the foreign relations committee last week, making it clear that the united states is going to stand with a free and sovereign ukraine. that we are going to stand with this new government to help them do what it takes in order to prosper. we pass, as a senator mccain said, a strong bill for the foreign relations committee, with republicans and democrats supporting it, that will offer aid to keep ukraine's economy on its feet and deliver a strong message to russia that there will be consequences for the actions that have already been taken, and we are confident well that we will be able to join with our european allies in delivering an economic blow to russia that will make it clear

that there is a price to be paid for this type of aggression. the next several days will be critical. broad scope ofhe the history of this nation. we know that there are several thousand ukrainian troops whose lives are in jeopardy. tell there today to russian forces that we hold them directly responsible for the safety of those brave young men and women who are now cornered in different parts of crimea. , and the is watching message that we bring today, both to ukraine and to russia, is that the united states senate is watching as well. senator johnson. you, mike. my name is ron johnson. i'm a senator from the state of wisconsin. i want to thank senator mccain for leading this delegation. i want to thank my colleagues were standing together. the main reason we're here is to show that strong unified support

for the courageous people of ukraine. unfortunately, i was not here for senator mccain and senator murphy when they stood with the ukrainians on the maidan, but we did walk down to the maidan. it was a moving experience. incredibly moving experience to understand what has happened, and i tell you what, my standpoint, there is one person i hold accountable for this agrees -- this aggression, and it is vladimir putin. and if there is further bloodshed, there is also one person i will hold responsible. there is one person that can stop it, that can prevent it, and that is vladimir putin. now, senator mccain and senator murphy mentions the brave members of the ukrainian military now garrisoned in crimea and those stationed along the border. i have seen moving pictures of journalists that have real courage throughout this process. i want to thank all of you, and

i want to ask you to maintain that courage, bring the pictures to the world of what is happening here, this aggression. it is probably the single most important thing that can be done to prevent further bloodshed. again, i want to thank our host, i want to thank my colleagues for showing the strong level of support, and i want to thank you for reporting and preview pictures to the world so that we can prevent further bloodshed. thank you. >> i am senator whitehouse from rhode island, and i think senator the cane and senator durbin for leading this delegation. we have all been moved and inspired by our visit to ukraine and by ukraine's commitment to freedom, a simplified by the bloodstained maidan. we hope our country can be helpful as ukraine rids itself of the shackles of corruption

that have burdened its people and injures a new day. shadowed byw day is minutes, however. russia's conduct is already outside the conduct of the civilized nation. and russia has failed to provide the world adequate assurances that its conduct will not yet be even worse. we intend to take a unified message back to our presidents that he should support ukraine with strongest action he feels he can. to deter further aggression by russia, to protect ukraine's and territorial integrity. including imposing painful and damaging shanks -- sanctions on russia and its industries and oligarchs. russia cannot expect to live in a halfway world in which it enjoys the benefits of a community of civilized nations

without conducting itself like one. and in the days ahead, let us all remember the ukrainian ukrainiand other forces garrisoned in the crimea. thank you very much. my name is john barrasso. i am a united states senator from the state of wyoming. a number of us on wednesday had a chance to meet with your prime great couragen of and determination, and to do so in washington, d.c., to see how the people in the united states could be helpful to the people of the ukraine. we told him that we did not think making -- meeting with him about ukraine was enough just there. we wanted to come here to show our commitment. two people of ukraine, and that is why we are here in a unified way, bipartisan, republicans and

democrats from all different spectrum of politics in the united states. we walked the maidan. we saw the bullet holes in the trees and in the buildings. we saw the faces and the pictures of over 100 martyrs, those who gave their lives, and those faces are burned into our brains, and they will never be forgotten. we had a chance to meet and listen to members of the indership of various parties the government. we have had a chance to visit with people from different parts of the country, and what we heard from them and what we told them as well is a unified message of -- this will not stand. we cannot allow vladimir putin to do what he appears to be doing. concerns for those who are surrounded right now in the military barracks in the

crimea, and we will hold vladimir putin personally responsible for anything, the damage that may occur to them. brave men and women risking their lives for freedom. thank you. >> i am john hoven from the state of note north dakota. governor -- ie served as the governor of my stay for 10 years. during that tenure timeline, i organized several trade organizations to come to the ukraine. let's make him i had dinner with leaders from 10 different companies representing many other companies in many associations across the ukraine. and ourfrom one state country, just one state. i make that point because we have so many relationships which we the united states and the ukraine. we have much in common. we're here to show our

solidarity. that we way of showing truly are united. as senators, representatives of ourcongress and of country, i want to read a short note that i took a few minutes ago when we were meeting with the ukrainian prime minister. throughon want to go this for just a minute is because it was said by senator dick durbin, who is a democrat, and i am a republican, and i want to show that the support is truly bipartisan because i could not have agreed more with the point that he was making to reassure your prime minister that we stand with you. he said we need to take economic, diplomatic, and political sanctions against theia, that we need to use act to taket -- the strong action, and have it

passed by the full sun as soon as we get back. we need to undertake economic assistance to the ukraine, and we need to work with the imf to make sure that we provide that economic assistance as well as loans, not only from our country but also from the european union. we need to work with the that when wen so say we stand with ukraine, we mean not only the united states but all of the european union and the world as well. jeff flake, arizona. up on him andost senator jeff flake from the state of university -- thank you. my name is senator jeff flake from the state of arizona. my colleagues talk about walking the maidan, and to see the needed inion that is the coming weeks and months,

just they were to russia -- this is not your grandfather's war. people are watching today like they never have watched before. there is no drama in tomorrow's referendum. unsaid, what is still left unknown, is how russia will treat soldiers garrisoned in crimea and what they do thereafter or don't do in eastern ukraine. people are watching like ever before. people can organize like never before. so we hope to have an outcome that is fitting and honors those who have fallen here. i am pleased to be here with my colleagues today. >> the time is running out for the referendum. we have talked about the opinions of the congress of the united states that it is better

for ukraine to keep up crime here and concentrate on the eastern part of the country. do you agree with that? >> we do not agree at all. that vladimire putin has a license to invade a sovereign nation, as was mentioned by senator durbin. an agreement in 1994 that was made when ukraine gave up its nuclear inventory and return for guarantees of its territorial integrity, so we do not, and the last thing we want to do is send any message to people in crimea that we have abandoned them. yes, sir. >> cnbc. you wrote today, three u.s. presidents have sought to work with president putin when interests converge. those interests do not converge

much. he will always insist on being our arrival. rivalryaway is that between the u.s. and west and russia from becoming a new cold war? >> i do not believe there will be a reignition of the cold war. but i do believe it is long overdue that we understand vladimir putin for who he is and what he is and what his ambitions are. this is a person that stated that the greatest catastrophe of the 20th century was the breakup of the soviet union. this is a person who wants to restore it. this is a person that occupies arts of the sovereign nation of moldova,that occupies that has now acted in an act of naked aggression. and again, all of us are concerned about recent reports of additional military buildup in this area, and so we have to , and him for what he is that does not reignite the cold war, but it means we enact steps vladimir it clear to

putin that his images will not be -- his ambitions will not be realized by the great community of nations that would resist. i will give you a couple of things wrote quick. one, start the missile defense system again in poland and the czech republic that we abandoned once. look forward to perhaps moldova and georgia and ukraine, if they wish, to become partners in nato. have some military exercises latvia, baltic france, estonia, lithuania, that are under severe pressure by hooton. -- by putin. vladimirk to counter putin's ambitions without reigniting a cold war and without reigniting a conflict. famoust thatcher is words about ronald reagan is

that he won the cold war without firing a shot, and that can be accomplished. >> senator mccain, senator durbin mentioned that china today abstained from the bow. do you think there is a greater role that china can play in helping to defuse this crisis? pre-k's what i let senator durbin -- >> i talked today to some powers, the member's -- the u.s. ambassador to the united nations, and she was trying mightily to bring in china to vote with us. the abstention is something, but we with that they had been with been we wish that they had with us. we will continue to work with them. we need to increase that family of nations across the world that are willing to stand up, and i hope they will be part of it in the future.

>> mr. senators, [speaking foreign language] >> there is lots of information regarding the u.s. position on the crisis. obamaularly president that if russian forces crossed the border from the crimea into that this would mean a state of war exists, and the united states could potentially take part. is that a possibility? >> senator durbin and i just got off the phone with

secretary kerry. i can assure you that the congress and the president will president ofth the the united states. this is too serious for any partisanship. say what thely reaction would be because it would have to be the extent and size and other aspects of it, but i am confident that the united states of america with our european allies would have a very vigorous response. >> i would just say that when we ,et with the prime minister arseniy yatsenyuk, in washington last week and again today, he made it clear that he is not anticipating be so-called military action of boots on the ground. that is not being discussed. we are talking about other ways that we can help ukraine, other ways that we can put pressure on russia and other aggressors. >> i's i would just add --

would just add that the line has already been crossed. there is no moving from crimea into ukraine. crimea as part of ukraine. so our message to russia and to vladimir putin is that he needs to take immediate steps to de-escalate a situation in crimea, and if he does not -- regardless of whether there is any additional incursion -- there is going to be an escalating series of steps from both the united states and europe to make it clear that the actions that have been undertaken already are completely unacceptable within the scope of the world community. china should be involved in this issue. nation should care about this because this essentially reorders the roles of the game when nations are allowed to unilaterally change borders. that is why this moment in our world's history is so important. >> what i would like to add is -- i do not think we should prescribe all the things we will or won't do right here, right now. it is incumbent on russia and president putin to step back and

defuse the situation. respond as that situation develops. the important point here is that we are together and we are solid with ukraine. >> can i just point out -- we have proven that economic sanctions can be very powerful weapons. we have seen the effect that it had on the iranians. most of us, all of us agree that it rot them to the bargaining table. the severe regimen of economic sanctions on individuals, corporations, and even governments, i think, can have a significant beneficial impact. i can volunteer one other thing that can help will stop we are producing a lot of energy and our country. my state is a great example. we are producing more natural gas every day. we are flaring it up. we need markets. what better way then to start bringing some of that liquefied natural gas over here and putting some real pressure in an

economic sense on russia and helping ukraine and the eu, which right now depend on russia for so much of their energy. there are many things we can do. that is just one example. and that is a solution that helps on a long-term basis. >> jimi hendrix pos. i'm from out his era america. there was a report of an -- an incursion into a ukrainian territory property. are veryur ideas long-term, including economic and military aid. the russians are actually moving today on the ground. do you have any reaction or response to the immediate incursion by the russians rather than the long-term economic and military aid? again, it is hard for any of us to respond to hypotheticals.

mentioned, we are deeply concerned about reports of russian military units moving and in a more tactical way around eastern ukraine. and i can't say exactly what our response will be, but i think it will be a breach of such themous consequence that united states of america and our european allies will be contemplating action that we have not ever in our relations with russia, to be honest with you. >> we talked but unity. we are united, democrat, republican. we are united from the senate to the house. we are united from congress to the present, we are united from you america to the european union. the other thing we learned, and

let's face it, the reason we came here was to show that unity, show that support for the ukrainian people. the one thing we learned, and one message that was given to us loud and clear is the ukrainians will defend themselves. they will defend themselves. even though the odds are against them, they will defend themselves, which is again while i was -- why i will point out cane is one person that prevent further bloodshed. that person is vladimir putin. we will hold them accountable. >> thank you very much. thank you. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] >> and a look at a "new york article. spokesman for russian president

putin sees no cold war because of ukraine saying he is sure there would be no cold war connection with the situation there and hoping both they and their partners have enough political wisdom to avoid sliding into an even deeper confrontation. then again from the "new york times." to get your take on the situation in ukraine tomorrow on "washington journal," taking your calls and facebook comments on the vote is scheduled to be held tomorrow in crimea for crimea to leave ukraine and join russia. we will hear from former russia and eurasia intelligence officer angela stent. at 9:15 be our guest eastern time. we will also be taking a look at air travel in light of disappearance of malaysia --oflot flight re-seven the malaysia airlines flight 370. and details on the democratic party and the koch brothers. will have more on that topic. we will also be taking a look at

the headline starting live at 7:00 a.m. eastern here on c-span. the senate foreign relations committee remarked of a measure $1 billion of loan guarantees for ukraine as well as expanding be lending authority of the international monetary fund. held wednesday and runs about an hour and 15 minutes. >> this committee markup will come to order. we are here to work up legislation that sends a message to russia and the world that we will support the ukraine and the sovereignty of the ukrainian people. the russian invasion in parts of ukraine is the most recent

example requiring little imagination to connect the dots of disruptive russian the heavier throughout the world. in my view, president putin has miscalculated by starting a game of russian roulette with the international community, and we will never accept this violation of international law. this committee and the u.s. congress have a role to play, which is why i am offering, along with the ranking member, the chairman's mark of this legislation, which includes the following components, because it provides for ukrainian loan guarantees, consistent with the $1 billion announced by the administration in recent days and mirrors the house bill. it provides for the obama administration to assist the ukrainian government to identify, secure, and recover assets linked to acts of corruption by viktor yanukovych or any other former or current members of their administration. it assists ukraine and other

states in central and eastern europe. it allows for additional sanctions, complimenting the president's recent order. against ukrainians and others as possible for human rights abuses, against antigovernment protesters, and those spots will for undermining the peace, stability, sovereignty, or the territorial integrity of the ukraine. it provides for charges against russians complicit in or responsible for corruption of the ukraine. finally, it provides for united states -- which allows the united states to leverage significant support from the i.m.f. for ukraine today and for similar unforeseen crises in the future. now, as far as offsets, the i.m.f. reform section of this bill does carry a cost, and we

have worked very hard to make sure we have a real offset. c.b.o. has scored it at $315 million. we have identified offsets working with appropriators. in some cases these funds are drawn from unobligated balances. -- from under executing programs and executed from unobligated balances. in all cases, offsets were carefully considered, given the national security interests of approving the i.m.f. i want to say in conclusion, any support this committee, this congress, and our nation ultimately provides to the ukraine will be nothing new. it will abe long milestone in a long 40-year road of support. americanr road of support. today, the ukraine faces a red, and we need to stay with the ukrainian people to help their russianiny without

interference. i want to thank senator corker for his cooperation and his work so we could get to this today. to address american interests in the spirit of bipartisanship, and i am happy to recognize him. >> mr. chairman, thank you for getting us to this point today. i think it has been another one of those excellent, bipartisan processes. i hope we will have a very successful markup today and look forward to this becoming law at some point soon. you know, this bill, this piece of legislation that we're dealing with today, cements more fully 60 years worth of u.s. national interests, and that is ensuring that europe remains democratic and free. that's what this legislation is about. we all know with the bucharest memorandum we signed a treaty that said we would ensure the sovereignty of ukraine when they gave up their nuclear weapons

when they were a part of the former soviet union. when they did that in 1994, we agreed that we would support their sovereignty, as did russia, as did europe. i believe we're at a defining moment now, and i hope that friends and allies that we have in the area are watching to see if we are going to do those things that are appropriate to ensure that sovereignty stays in place, and i think this bill absolutely meets that test and generates that balance. as the chairman mentioned, these are paid for legitimately. i want to thank the chairman. i know this is one of the more difficult things we deal with in this process. i want to thank you so much for working with us in that regard. as was mentioned, this bill has serious sanctions on multiple levels.

as a matter of fact, sanctions we have never put in place before. sanctions for economic extortion. sanctions for corruption. this is a very, very strong bill. and people of the committee have made it much stronger. loan guarantee was discussed. u.s. security assistance, democracy, technical assistance. i.m.f. quota reforms. let's face it. this is an issue that will be a little bit more difficult on our side of the aisle, i'll put it that way. this is something that's incredibly important. our nation agreed to this. ukraine is a poster child for why we need the i.m.f. doing what it needs to do in order to help transition ukraine, transition

its government, transitions the way it deals with fuel, transition the way it deals with corruption. i strongly support the i.m.f. reforms. with that, this bill i think helps ensure we have significant geo-political effect on what's happening. i look forward to the amendment process we're getting ready to go through and hopefully passing a bill out of this committee in the next 30 minutes or hour. thank you. >> thank you, senator corker for a strong statement in support of the bill. let us get started. i have a technical amendment to get started that makes several technical fixes that do not affect the substance of the bill. i will go through these quickly. the earlier draft is -- two earlier amounts come from the offset for the i.m.f. reform without changing the total amount, and the word "act" in section 11

is amended to say the plurp -- the plural "acts." let's start off there with those technical amendments to the bill. does anyone want to speak to those? so move. move by senator corker, all those in favor say aye. no? the ayes have it, and the technical amendment is adopted, and therefore the underlying text now starts with that technical amendment. are there those that wish to offer any amendments? senator mccain? i said is there any member now -- the legislation is open to amendment. any member who wishes to offer a commitment. senator mccain. >> i have an amendment, number one. first of all, i would like to thank you and senator corker for the hard work and other members for the hard work you have

done on this legislation. obviously there are issues that may be controversial, but the amendment i believe that is the support of our offices and the american people, and i want to thank or competent staff for the effort they made on this legislation. i thank you. the amendment i'm proposing would give the president authority on targeted sanctions. that would be asset freezes and visa bans on the most corrupt officials in russia. it would be permissive and not mandatory. it gives the president discussion. it includes a waiver.

what the magnitsky act did for human rights in russia this would do for corruption. it would not attack russian's financial institutions, it would focus squarely on the most corrupt officials in the russian government and their close associates. the sanctions we have in this legislation are good, but we should not only focus on russian corruption in ukraine, we should target russian corruption in russia. we don't want to send a message to russian people that we care about russian officials' corruption in ukraine but not their corruption in russia. this amendment would provide the president with additional authority to impose further costs on putin if events call for it. this is a pro-russia provision. corruption is the most salient issue in russia today. it is what motivated the protests in ukraine to drive yanukovych from power. this amendment will say that putin may back corruption, but