2
3
4
5
6
7 Cosponsors:
8 Gay Lynn Bennion
9 Kay J. Christofferson
Ken Ivory
Brian S. King
Travis M. Seegmiller
Casey Snider
Jordan D. Teuscher
10
11 LONG TITLE
12 General Description:
13 This resolution denounces Russia's unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 ▸ calls upon the Russian Federation to cease fire and vacate the sovereign territory of
17 Ukraine; and
18 ▸ urges the United States federal government to take action against the Russian
19 Federation and restore peace in Europe.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
22
23 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
24 WHEREAS, on January 21, 1990, more than 300,000 Ukrainians called for unity and
25 independence from the Soviet Union by forming a human chain between the cities of Kyiv and
26 Ivano-Frankivsk;
27 WHEREAS, after years of oppression, in 1991, Ukraine won freedom from the Soviet
28 Union's totalitarian dictatorship because of the Ukrainians' love of liberty;
29 WHEREAS, on February 8, 1994, Ukraine was the first member state of the
30 Commonwealth of Independent States to join the Partnership for Peace program of the North
31 Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and has since deepened its relationship with NATO,
32 recognized as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner;
33 WHEREAS, on December 5, 1994, in an effort to solidify security commitments to
34 Ukraine in return for its nuclear disarmament, the United States, the Russian Federation, and
35 the United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, whereby each
36 country pledged to respect the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine's borders while
37 refraining from the threat or use of force against Ukraine;
38 WHEREAS, over the past three decades, the Russian Federation has illegally seized
39 Ukrainian land in Crimea, armed Russian-backed separatists leading to thousands of deaths,
40 interfered in elections, used chemical weapons to attempt assassinations, carried out
41 cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns abroad, and violated international arms control
42 agreements;
43 WHEREAS, at least 14,000 Ukrainians have been killed defending their homeland and
44 millions more displaced since the conflict with Russia began;
45 WHEREAS, in March and November 2021, the Russian Federation deployed a massive
46 troop and weapons buildup on the border with Ukraine;
47 WHEREAS, on February 23, 2022, the Russian military began a brutal assault on the
48 people of Ukraine without provocation, justification, or necessity;
49 WHEREAS, this invasion was premeditated and planned by the Russian Federation,
50 namely its President Vladimir Putin, for months;
51 WHEREAS, the Russian Federation has rejected every good-faith effort the United
52 States and its allies and partners made to address concerns through dialogue to avoid needless
53 conflict and avert human suffering;
54 WHEREAS, to attempt to justify its invasion, the Russian Federation has made
55 outlandish and baseless claims about Ukraine without any evidence;
56 WHEREAS, the Russian Federation has flagrantly violated international law in
57 attempting to unilaterally create two new so-called republics on sovereign Ukrainian territory;
58 and
59 WHEREAS, lasting peace and prosperity require respect for the sovereignty and
60 territorial integrity of countries and respect for human rights:
61 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
62 Governor concurring therein, commends the courage, resolve, and restraint shown by the
63 Ukrainian people in their pursuit of sovereignty and democracy, and pays tribute to the many
64 men and women who gave their lives in pursuit of a free and democratic Ukraine.
65 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor strongly
66 denounce Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and call upon the Russian
67 Federation to immediately cease fire and vacate all areas of the sovereign territory of Ukraine.
68 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor support and stand
69 in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and Ukraine's fight to defend its sovereignty, territorial
70 integrity, and the freedom of its citizens.
71 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge the United
72 States federal government and its allies to take substantive action to punish the Russian
73 Federation for its evil actions and restore peace in Europe.
74 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge the United
75 States federal government and its allies to provide humanitarian relief to those suffering in
76 Ukraine.
77 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage unity
78 among NATO allies and the broader transatlantic community to convey solidarity in response
79 to Russia's unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine.
80 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge the United
81 States federal government and its allies to take every appropriate action to be energy and
82 mineral independent.
83 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the president of
84 the United States and the members of Utah's congressional delegation.