House of Representatives urged Obama to speed up assistance to Ukraine

The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling on President Barack Obama's administration to speed up aid to Ukraine in what lawmakers describe as the continued occupation of "large areas of Ukraine by Russian-led separatists."

The resolution, entitled "Supporting the right of the people of Ukraine to freely elect their government and determine their future," was adopted Tuesday by an overwhelming majority of 413 votes.

The document calls on the White House to “expedite assistance to Ukraine to promote the political, economic and social reforms necessary to conduct free and fair elections that meet international standards.”

The resolution "condemns attempts by outside forces, especially the Russian government, its agents and supporters, to interfere in the election process in Ukraine, including through intimidation, violence or coercion."

Lawmakers noted that following the results of the parliamentary elections held in October 2014, 29 from 450 seats in the Verkhovna Rada were not filled - due to the inability to hold elections in territories controlled by the separatists.

The next local elections are due on October 25, and they “are extremely important for further legislative and constitutional reform in Ukraine,” the congressmen noted.

“Russian-led separatists in eastern Ukraine continue to refuse to apply Ukrainian law and allow Ukrainian authorities to hold elections in the territories they control. Because of this, holding free and fair elections in these territories is impossible,” the resolution says.

The Ukrainian Embassy in Washington released a statement thanking lawmakers “for once again showing their unwavering support for the sovereign and democratic path chosen by the Ukrainian people.” The Russian mission in Washington has not yet responded to the decision of the congressmen.

In October, the Upper House of Congress passed a bill on defense spending for the year 2016, which provides for the allocation of 300 million dollars in military aid Ukraine. The document allows the US Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to provide military assistance for a specified amount.