Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced legislation to prohibit the United States from recognizing Russia’s false claims of sovereignty over Crimea or any other forcibly seized Ukrainian territory, including any related airspace or territorial waters.
“For more than three years, the Ukrainian people have fought bravely against Vladimir Putin’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression. Their sacrifice reminds us what it looks like to fight for democracy and freedom. Yet the Trump Administration’s shortsighted policies continue to embolden Putin and dictators everywhere, weaken the Ukrainian cause, and strain U.S. relationships with trusted allies around the world,” said Bennet. “For the sake of U.S. national security and democracy everywhere, our support for Ukraine must remain steadfast. This bill affirms that the United States will never capitulate to recognize Russia’s claims of sovereignty over Crimea and other forcibly seized Ukrainian territory.”
“Remember how Donald Trump promised to end Russia’s war on Ukraine in one day if he was elected? Well, we are more than 100 days into his term with Russia still raining death and destruction upon the people of Ukraine. And instead of ending the war, Donald Trump has alienated and bullied our allies around the world,” said Durbin. “As President Trump continues to negotiate away Ukraine’s freedom and America’s credibility, Congress has an obligation and a Constitutional responsibility to act. Today’s bill reaffirms our commitment to the Ukrainian people and makes clear that the United States will never recognize sovereign Ukrainian territories as part of Russia—period.”
Bennet has staunchly supported the Ukrainian people in their fight to defend their democracy against Russia’s unjustified, unprovoked, and unlawful invasion. Last month, Bennet introduced legislation to impose sanctions on Russia – and actors supporting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine – if Russia refuses to engage in good-faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine or undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty after such a peace is negotiated. In March, Bennet and fellow Senate Finance Committee members demanded that President Donald Trump maintain Congressionally required trade restrictions on Russia. In February, he joined a bipartisan congressional delegation led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) to Kyiv, Ukraine. In September, he called on the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to strike military targets in Russia, which President Joe Biden authorized weeks later. Bennet also visited Lviv, Ukraine with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate colleagues last year.
In addition to Bennet and Durbin, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) cosponsored the bill.
The text of the bill is available HERE.