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Ukraine

Ukraine, one of the largest countries in Europe with a population of approximately 43.9 million, is a republic with a semi-presidential political system.  Since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, it has moved towards greater democracy and respect for human rights, although the process has not always been steady.  Since the Euromaidan, which culminated in February 2014, Ukraine has had nominally reformist, pro-Western governments, although much work remains in strengthening the rule of law and combatting corruption.  Russia has been Ukraine’s greatest external threat, especially following the March 2014 illegal attempted annexation of Crimea and aggression in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.  Human rights violations are rife in Crimea and the occupied territories. The Commission has vociferously condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which flagrantly violates all core OSCE principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act. The Commission has a long history of supporting the aspirations of the Ukrainian people for human rights and democracy. Over the decades, the Commission has held numerous hearings, public briefings, and meetings on Ukraine.  The Commission has initiated or been involved in the passage of legislation pertaining to Ukraine, issued numerous statements, reports and media interviews, spoken out about Ukraine at various meetings of the OSCE, and led Congressional delegations to Ukraine. The Commission has observed virtually every national election in Ukraine since 1990.
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Articles

Myths & Facts about Russia’s War on Ukraine

Apr 08, 2025

MYTH: NATO expansion provoked Russia’s war against Ukraine. FACT: Russia’s war on Ukraine is a continuation of Russia’s centuries-long policy of treating Ukraine as a vassal state to be subjugated. […]

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Statements

Bipartisan Helsinki Commission Leadership Marks Sole...

Feb 24, 2025

WASHINGTON—Today, the bipartisan leadership of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, Chairman Senator Roger Wicker (MS), Co-Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02), Ranking Member Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and Ranking Member Representative Steve […]

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In the News

Ukraine Could Get ‘War-Winning Weapons’ ...

Feb 11, 2025

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Statements

Chairman Wilson on the 30th Anniversary of the Budap...

Dec 05, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement on the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum: “Thirty years ago, Ukraine, the United […]

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Press Releases

HEARING – 1000 Days of Russia’s War on Ukraine

Nov 19, 2024

Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2358-A Stream live here On November 19, one thousand days will have passed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s war, rooted in […]

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Briefings

The Future of European Energy Security

Oct 16, 2024

Ukraine’s energy situation is dire. After nearly three years of sustained Russian attacks, Ukraine’s ability to produce, store, and transmit power has been severely impaired—which has far-reaching implications for the […]

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Hearings

Russia’s Persecution of Ukrainian Christians

Jul 24, 2024

Independent Ukraine has enjoyed a robust tradition of religious freedom. As such, Ukrainians today represent a variety of faiths, including many Christian denominations. Unfortunately, Russia—which has little tolerance for independent […]

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Briefings

Russia’s Ecocide in Ukraine: Environmental Des...

Jul 16, 2024

In the ten years since Russia launched its war of aggression against Ukraine, Ukraine estimates that Russia has inflicted some $60 billion in damages to Ukraine’s natural and man-made environments […]

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Press Releases

BRIEFING – Russia’s Ecocide in Ukraine: Enviro...

Jul 11, 2024

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 2:00 p.m. Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2322 Stream live here WASHINGTON—In the ten years since Russia launched its war of aggression against Ukraine, Ukraine estimates […]

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Press Releases

HEARING – Putin’s Syrian Puppet: War Crimes an...

Jul 10, 2024

Rayburn 2247 Stream live here WASHINGTON—For over 13 years, the Assad regime has been perpetrating war crimes and other grave human rights abuses against the Syrian people. The Russian support to […]

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Hearings

Putin’s Syrian Puppet: War Crimes and Complicity fro...

Jul 10, 2024

For over 13 years, the Assad regime has been perpetrating war crimes and other grave human rights abuses against the Syrian people. The Russian support to the regime has been […]

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Hearings

Eyewitness Accounts: Ukrainian Children and Adult Ci...

Jan 31, 2024

  Russia’s abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children and adult civilians as part of its war on Ukraine calls for urgent U.S. and international action to both save Ukraine’s children […]

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