03.27.14

Hoeven Statement on the Senate's Passage of Legislation to Impose Sanctions on Russia and Aid Ukraine

Events in Ukraine Also Underscore Importance of U.S. Energy Security

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s passage of the Ukraine Support Act, which authorizes sanctions against Russia to deter its aggression against Ukraine and provides assistance to Ukraine in the form of loan guarantees. Senate passage means the bill now goes to the House for final approval.

Hoeven last week was in Ukraine as part of a U.S. Senate mission. There he met with Ukrainian officials and North Dakota business leaders who are operating in the country to gather information on the ground and to determine an appropriate response to the Russian incursion into Ukraine.

“Having visited with Ukrainian officials, I witnessed firsthand the need to provide Ukraine with assistance both to deter Russian aggression and to support democracy. Our legislation does that by providing them with the loan guarantees they need to help them defend their country and secure its economic survival.

“On deeper reflection, recent events in Ukraine also illustrate the importance of developing our own domestic energy resources to achieve energy security, which is central to economic and national security. Currently, the European Union imports 30 percent of its natural gas from Russia and half of that is transported via pipelines through Ukraine. We need to make sure we produce more energy domestically and work with our neighbor and ally Canada to produce more energy than we need in North America.

“The people of the United States and North Dakota stand with the people of Ukraine in supporting their independence and democratic aspirations in their efforts to build a better future for themselves and for their children.”