Washington, D.C. - Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN) wrote Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) asking him to invite Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to speak before a joint session of Congress on September 18th during his upcoming visit to Washington D.C.
In the letter, the Senators wrote: “We believe that it is critically important for every Member of Congress to hear from Ukraine’s President at this defining moment for not only Ukraine, but for Russia and the post-Cold War international order.”
The letter can be found below.
The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Office of the Speaker
H-232 The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Boehner:
We write to request that you invite President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine to speak before a joint session of Congress during his visit to Washington, D.C. on September 18, 2014. We believe that it is critically important for every Member of Congress to hear from Ukraine’s President at this defining moment for not only Ukraine, but for Russia and the post-Cold War international order.
Earlier this year, the Ukrainian people surprised the world when they came together and stood their ground in Maidan Square in the face of violence and tyranny, in order to defend their beliefs and the very sovereignty of their nation against corrupt leaders who had abandoned the will of the people and the interests of their nation. Today, with a newly elected democratic government in office, and having chosen for themselves the direction of their nation, Ukraine faces a renewed battle for its economic and political sovereignty.
Russia, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, is challenging the very foundations of the security architecture that has supported peace and stability on the European continent since the end of the Cold War. President Poroshenko is on the front line of this conflict to determine the fate of Ukraine and the future of the international order.
At this historic moment, we urge you to extend a hand of friendship to the Ukrainian people by inviting President Poroshenko to address a joint session of Congress and share his views on the critical situation in Ukraine.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez
U.S. Senator Bob Corker
###