SB 2016-021: Ukranian Freedom Act (Passed Senate)

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

As others said, 97% of Crimeans voted to join the Russian Federation.  Even in light of accusations of voter fraud in the 2014 referendum, I do not think it would be responsible for Atlasia to execute an inherently anti-democratic military response, much as we oppose the Putin regime and support Ukrainian territorial integrity, if such an overwhelming majority of Crimeans favored secession.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I think it would be helpful to at least have some idea of whether the Crimeans felt that their rights were being encroached upon in Russia's annexation of them.  My knowledge of Ukraine is limited, though by some accounts it would appear that Crimea intrinsically has more in common with Russia than with the rest of Ukraine; it is the only region of the country where Russian is the predominant language.

To my knowledge, the only available indicator of where Crimeans stand is the 2014 referendum.  Absent a fair analysis, my biggest concern is how increased military activity would impact the people living in the region.  If Crimeans have determined that they owe no loyalty to their official state, then impeding on them would only inflame tensions and potentially jeopardize our standing with the international community more than if we did nothing.

It would be helpful if Secretary Truman or Senator Blair could provide some more information on that.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Abstain.