Bogota, Colombia - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released this statement regarding the unrest in Ukraine:

"The state-sponsored violence against the Ukrainian people is abhorrent, demands swift condemnation, and must cease at once," Menendez said. "The responsibility for this tragedy rests with President Yanukovych who has failed at every turn to address the legitimate democratic aspirations of his people. The actions of President Yanukovych and his government are deplorable and the time is now to apply sanctions against the Ukrainian government for gross human rights violations. I expect the Administration with congressional support to act swiftly on this issue of critical importance."

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