Costa Co-Leads Statement With U.S and European Lawmakers in Support of Ukraine

WASHINGTON - Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16) co-led a statement with over 200 members of Congress, the European Parliament, and national parliaments across Europe affirming the United States' and European Union's support of Ukraine amid escalating tensions with Russia.

The statement reads in part:

Transatlantic unity has never been more critical to preserving our democratic values. Our determination and resolve must be resolute.

To that end and in the spirit of our shared democratic values, we call on the transatlantic community to continue to use all possible diplomatic means to facilitate the de-escalation of the ongoing tensions, while coordinating our efforts so we speak with one voice and stands united in the face of Vladimir Putin's destabilizing efforts and reiterate our support for the Ukrainian people and their right to self-determination.

While diplomatic efforts persist, we urge our governments to immediately provide Ukraine with the lethal and non-lethal military assets required to defend themselves. We further urge our governments to prepare a set of coordinated and harsh economic sanctions ready to be implemented should the Kremlin undertake any further incursion into the sovereign territory of Ukraine.

The full text of the statement and list of signatories can be viewed here.

Rep. Costa co-chairs the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue, the interparliamentary group between the European Parliament and the US Congress. The dialogue holds meetings twice per year and focuses on issues of mutual concern between the U.S. and European Union, including trade, economic policy, energy, security, and counterterrorism.