McCain: Ukraine Still Faces A Long Road To Independence

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Monday, February 24, 2014 - 8:54am
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Arizona Senator John McCain says he has talked to the opposition leaders in Ukraine in the wake of this weekend’s government change. McCain, who was in Ukraine in 2004 when activists first attempted to take control of the government, tells CBS’ ‘Face the Nation’ the country faces a long road to independence, starting with the Ukrainian economy.

“We need to act immediately to give them the economic assistance that they need, based on reforms that are going to be required as well,” McCain said. “It’s going to be tough sledding.”

McCain says the United States needs to make it clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin that partitioning Ukraine is unacceptable and that the Ukrainian people be allowed to determine their own future.