Hoyer Statement on Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on Sunday’s parliamentary elections held in Ukraine: 

“Sunday's free and fair election in Ukraine reflects the will of the Ukrainian people to shape their own future. By electing candidates committed to closer ties with Europe and the United States, Ukrainians chose to stay the course towards further integration with the West.  Regrettably, President Putin's forces in eastern Ukraine prevented residents from choosing their own representatives, a denial of the most basic democratic rights of Ukrainians.  

“I will continue to work with my colleagues in both parties to demonstrate to President Putin the high cost of continuing to occupy Ukrainian territory and support the separatists.”