Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the latest developments in Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Chairman Menendez held a hearing on the crisis in Ukraine, and convened a roundtable discussion in New Jersey with Ukrainian leaders.

"The deteriorating situation in Ukraine is growing more worrisome by the day. By abandoning fundamental principles of democratic rule and rejecting through violent means the rights of assembly, speech and protest, President Yanukovych has undermined his authority and threatened the political and economic stability of the Ukrainian state. Ukrainian citizens from across the political spectrum are peacefully standing up and demanding that their voices be heard. President Yanukovych must bring an end to this violence, convene parliament and repeal repressive legislation restricting fundamental political rights, and constructively engage the political opposition. The world is watching and a peaceful resolution remains the only allowable outcome."

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