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Senator McCain is in Kyiv supporting peaceful protests for a legitimate society in Ukraine. He praises the peaceful demonstrations and calls for potential sanctions if the government continues repression. He believes the US should support those seeking freedom and democracy without military action.

As secretary of state, I was involved in the efforts to remove a prosecutor. The whole administration, including Obama, the vice president, and the ambassador, worked towards this goal. We believed that for Ukraine to succeed and overcome the revolution, known as the Maidan, it was crucial to get rid of that prosecutor. And they succeeded in doing so.

I'm aligned with the United States and the world, and I want to end the conflict in Ukraine. It's hard to make a deal with so much hatred, but I'm focused on getting things done for the sake of the world and Europe. I can be tough, but that won't lead to a deal. We tried being tough with Putin, and it didn't work. Diplomacy is the path to peace and prosperity. During past administrations, nobody stopped Putin when he occupied parts of Ukraine and people died. We signed ceasefire and gas contracts, but he broke them. What kind of diplomacy are we talking about?

Ukraine is hitting legitimate targets and the U.S. is supporting that. Ukraine will not be safe unless Crimea is at a minimum demilitarized. The speaker will not prejudge how Ukraine chooses to deal with Crimea in the short, medium, or long term. The U.S. recognizes Crimea as Ukraine.

As secretary of state, I was deeply involved in getting rid of a prosecutor. The whole administration, including Obama, the vice president, and the ambassador, worked towards this goal. We knew that for Ukraine to succeed and win the revolution, they had to remove that prosecutor, and they did.

I believe our role, including sanctions and threats, partly forced Yanukovych from office. We've been very involved in supporting the new government in Ukraine. The clear US position has aided this regime change. If this is a peaceful transition, the US will be seen as a great friend. This is about supporting Ukraine in determining its future. While some see this as a US-Russia conflict, it's about supporting Ukraine's wishes. The US has an economic interest too. We're negotiating a trade agreement with Europe. With Ukraine potentially joining the EU, it could mean billions in economic opportunities for the US. We shouldn't hide this interest.

I see the hatred for Putin, and it's tough to make a deal with that. I want to get this thing settled. I could be tougher than anyone, but you won't get a deal that way. We had a president who talked tough about Putin, but Putin still invaded. Diplomacy is the path to peace. Russia occupied parts of Ukraine in 2014, and nobody stopped him. We signed ceasefire and gas contracts, but he broke the ceasefire and didn't exchange prisoners. What kind of diplomacy are we talking about? I'm talking about ending the destruction of your country. It's disrespectful to litigate this here. You should be thanking us for trying to bring this to a conference.

Speaker 1: We have not gone to war with Russia. Russia is isolated, more than five years ago, a regional power threatening neighbors, not out of strength but out of weakness. Ukraine had influence for decades since the Soviet breakup. We have considerable influence on our neighbors and generally don't need to invade to have cooperation. Russia's military action violates international law and signals less influence. They don't pose the number one national security threat to United States; I am concerned about a nuclear weapon going off in Manhattan. Speaker 2: It is up to the Ukrainian people to decide how they organize themselves. The Ukrainian government is prepared to negotiate with Russia, and the international community supports a diplomatic process to de-escalate tensions, move Russian troops back from Ukraine's borders, and organize elections; the Ukrainian people will choose leadership. They will want a relationship with Europe and with Russia; this is not a zero-sum game.

For four years, the previous president talked tough about Putin, but Putin still invaded Ukraine. Diplomacy is the path to peace. In 2014, Russia occupied parts of Ukraine, and nobody stopped them. We signed ceasefire agreements, but Russia broke them, killing our people and not exchanging prisoners. I think it's disrespectful to come here and attack the administration that's trying to prevent the destruction of your country. We're thankful for the help we've received, but we've been strong since the beginning. We've been alone, but you haven't been alone. We have problems because of the war, and the US will feel it in the future, too. We're gambling with World War III. If you could get a ceasefire right now, you take it. You don't have the cards.

We will inform our colleagues about Russia's actions in the Baltics, Ukraine, and Georgia. We plan to make 2017 a year of offense against Putin, who we believe hacked our elections and is undermining democracy worldwide. We advocate for new sanctions targeting Putin personally, his energy and banking sectors. We just visited Ukraine, where we witnessed the impact of Russian interference. We will push for tougher sanctions on Russia for attacking the US through hacking, treating it as an act of war. We urge stronger sanctions on Russia for their attack on the US.

We believe our sanctions and the threat of more sanctions played a role in Yanukovych leaving office. We've been actively involved in supporting the new government, and the US has been seen as a friend in helping this transition happen peacefully. This is about supporting Ukraine in determining its own future. While it might seem like a US versus Russia situation, it's about supporting Ukraine's wishes. The US also has an economic interest, as Ukraine's potential inclusion in the EU could greatly benefit our trade agreement with Europe. Yanukovych lost legitimacy by using force against peaceful protests. Foreign leaders were there to stand up for the right to protest. While some radical elements exist within the opposition, the movement largely rejects those ideas. We're confident the new government will be inclusive, and we'll work to ensure those radical elements don't dominate.

I believe our sanctions and threats played a role in Yanukovych's departure. We've been actively involved in Ukraine, and our clear stance has aided the change in regimes. If this transition is peaceful, the U.S. will be seen as a great friend. This is about supporting Ukraine's self-determination. While some see it as a U.S.-Russia struggle, it's about supporting Ukraine's wishes. We also have an economic interest, as Ukraine's potential inclusion in the EU could boost trade with the U.S. Yanukovych was elected, but he lost legitimacy by using force against peaceful protests. Our presence, like that of foreign ministers, was to defend human rights. While radical elements exist within the opposition, the movement largely rejects them. We'll work to ensure these elements don't dominate the new government.

We believe our sanctions and threats played a role in Yanukovych's removal. Now, we must support the new government. The US has been actively involved, with senators and State Department members present. Our clear stance has aided regime change. While some criticize our selective involvement, a peaceful transition in Ukraine will position the US as a key ally. This is about enabling Ukraine to determine its future. While it may seem like a US-Russia conflict, it's about supporting Ukraine's wishes. The US has an economic interest too as Ukraine potentially joining the EU could significantly benefit US trade. Yanukovych's use of force against peaceful protests is the reason we engaged. While radical elements exist within the opposition, the movement largely rejects them. We are confident the new government will be inclusive, and we'll ensure radical elements don't dominate.

I think it was our role, sanctions and threats of sanctions that forced, in part, Yanukovych from office. The United States should support this new government and pursue an EU-oriented path. "The clear position of The United States has in part been what has helped lead to this change in regimes." We are in the middle of negotiating a new trade agreement with Europe, and we do 40% of our trade in Connecticut with Europe. Yanukovych "lost his legitimacy to govern when he used force to try to break up these protests." McCain and I went to defend human rights as protests grew. Foreign ministers joined the square to support protesters, while the movement largely rejects radical and prejudicial ideas; "it will be part of our job ... to make sure that those kind of more radical elements don't have a seat at the middle of the table."

The speaker discusses the transition of protests into a revolution aimed at toppling the elected government. Their agenda includes changing the president and signing an association agreement to strengthen Ukraine's business environment. They express support for Ukraine, stating, "The free world is with you. America is with you. I am with you." They emphasize the importance of signing the association agreement soon and suggest Yatseniuk is the right person due to his economic and governing experience. They commend the Ukrainians for peacefully protesting against tyranny and expect the Ukrainian government to show restraint and avoid violence against peaceful protesters.

Senator John McCain addressed protesters in Kyiv, hoping to bring about a peaceful transition and a legitimate society for the Ukrainian people. He stated this is a grassroots revolution that has been peaceful, except when the government tried to crack down on them. Regarding the US role, McCain said he doesn't think the US would be taking on Russia by supporting the protesters. He expressed pleasure with Secretary Kerry's statement and Deputy Secretary Victoria Nuland's presence. He stated that these people love the United States and freedom, and supporting them aligns with America's traditional support for those who want a free and democratic society. McCain clarified that military action and blockades are not being considered, but sanctions are a possibility if the Ukrainian government continues to brutally repress its people, as that would require action from the United States.

We're hearing Russia wants Ukraine to hold new elections to sign a peace deal, and the US position on that is complex. Ukraine hasn't had elections due to martial law. The leader's approval rating is low, around 4%. Much of the country is devastated. Many cities have been decimated, though Kyiv hasn't been as badly affected, maybe out of concern for the impact of heavy bombardment. For Ukraine to have a legitimate seat at the table, the people need to have their say. It's been a long time since they've had an election. This isn't just Russia's view, but mine and that of many other countries as well.

As secretary of state, I was deeply involved in the effort to remove the prosecutor. The entire administration, including Obama, the vice president, and myself, worked towards this goal. We believed that Ukraine needed to get rid of the prosecutor in order to succeed in the revolution. I made it clear to them that if the prosecutor was not fired, they would not receive the $1,000,000,000. Eventually, the prosecutor was fired, and Ukraine was able to move forward.

Speaker 1 says Putin must be confronted with strength: "the velvet glove, but I think the hammer needs to come, and it needs to come immediately." He urges welcoming Zelensky to the Oval Office and, "pick up the phone, and ask, majority leader, John Thune to to immediately pass, the secondary sanctions bill that is supported by virtually everyone in the United States Senate." He calls for "the combination of engagement, but also making it clear to Putin that we are prepared to take actions, that would literally break his economy" while redoubling our commitment to Ukraine and European allies. He notes Putin's history: "Putin has made it clear that he wants to reassert the old Soviet sphere of influence, what we used to call the evil empire Mhmm. In Eastern Europe." He concludes: "Putin's not going to stop until he stopped, until he understands that there's gonna be enormous cost to Russia, and there's an unflagging commitment to defending Ukraine's sovereignty by The United States and our allies."

As secretary of state, I was deeply involved in getting rid of the prosecutor. The whole administration, including Obama, the vice president, and the ambassador, worked towards this goal. We knew that Ukraine needed to remove the prosecutor to succeed in the revolution. I made it clear to them that if the prosecutor wasn't fired, they wouldn't receive the $1 billion. Eventually, the prosecutor was fired.

It's tough to make a deal with the hatred some people have for Putin, but the other side isn't exactly in love with him either. I want to see this situation resolved and am aligned with Europe on this. I could be tougher than anyone, but that won't get us a deal. We had a president who talked tough about Putin, but then Putin invaded Ukraine. Diplomacy is the path to peace, not chest-thumping. Putin occupied parts of Ukraine back in 2014, and nobody stopped him. We signed ceasefire and gas contracts with him, but he broke the ceasefire and didn't exchange prisoners. What kind of diplomacy is that? I'm talking about diplomacy that ends the destruction. It's disrespectful to come here and attack the administration trying to prevent the destruction of your country.

Where we both remain acutely concerned about the Assad regime's campaign of violence against their own citizens. The Assad regime's continued brutality is galvanizing international opinion. The United States will continue to work with our partners to turn this growing consensus into increased pressure and isolation for the Assad regime. President Assad has lost the legitimacy to lead, and it is clear that Syria would be better off without him. Yesterday, The United States imposed new sanctions, and ambassador Ford delivered a clear message to the Syrian government. Immediately stop the violence, withdraw your security forces, respond to the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for a democratic transition in concrete and meaningful ways.

I met with the opposition and the foreign minister this weekend. It's up to the Ukrainian people to decide the path forward, but discussions are happening. These are more than discussions. Top US officials are on the ground, discussing a plan to broker a future government, involving the UN. The US is midwifing the process. These are private diplomatic conversations where we discuss UN involvement. It's dishonest to say we don't have an opinion. There's a difference between private discussions and our public position. As diplomats, we discuss a range of options. Saying privately you're cooking up a deal, then saying publicly it's up to Ukrainians, those are different positions. Diplomatic discussions are sensitive, but those are totally different positions. You're overstating a private phone call.

Speaker 0: This thing over with. You see the hatred he's got for Putin. It's very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate. I'm aligned with the world. I wanna get the things set. If you want me to be tough? I could be tougher than any human being you've ever seen, but you're never gonna get a deal that way. Speaker 1: For four years in The United States Of America... we had a president who stood up at press conferences and talked tough about Vladimir Putin, and then Putin invaded Ukraine. The path to peace... is engaging in diplomacy. Speaker 2: He occupied it, our parts, big parts of Ukraine, parts of East and Crimea. So 2014. We signed ceasefire, gas contract, but after that, he broken the ceasefire, he killed our people, and he didn't exchange prisoners. What kind of diplomacy? Speaker 0: You should be thanking the president for trying to bring it into this conference. Speaker 2: We have problems. Speaker 0: You're gambling with World War three. You have the cards. With us, you have the cards. Without us you don't have any cards. I gave you the javelins to take out all those tanks. Obama gave you sheets. What if Russia breaks his fire?

Senator John McCain is in Kyiv supporting peaceful protests for a legitimate society. He praises the Ukrainian people's peaceful demonstrations for change. He believes the US should consider sanctions if the government continues to repress its people, emphasizing America's support for freedom and democracy. This is not about military action, but standing up for what the US believes in.