We view them as integral to our national security policy as the investments we are making in the submarines and jet engines and helicopters.

It is important, given the forward positioning of Russia in and around the region, to have that dialogue continue.

I would, frankly, hope that we would have a little bit more active presence and participation.

if we do not unravel the economic mess in Ukraine, which I think debt reduction is a big part of, then the world's security is at risk.

I do feel that the United States should always be the preferred partner in advancing democratic values, rules-based order, transparent norms, and peaceful settlement of disputes.

Spending time in the Balkans is just an advertisement for how poorly resourced we are when it comes to our foreign aid budget.

We need to help support the basic institutions which can get out alternate messages to the one which the Russians are trying to send out.

I think there are many of us in this Congress who believe that security comes first and worry that pacing out those other reforms too quickly ultimately undermines security.

I have watched it go through a lot of permutations. I think it is better positioned today than at any time I have seen in 20 years to assume the responsibility for and act on that greater flexibility.

I think we have been halfhearted in our attempts to lead the way to Georgia's membership in NATO. I hope that we change at least the volume of our tune.

It is stunning that we complain about the lack of influence that America has around the world, and then we spend 0.1 percent of our GDP on foreign aid compared to 1950 when we were spending 3 percent of GDP on foreign aid.

Frankly, if those two areas do not keep up in some way with the security side of the relationship, that could get out of whack.

We have got to find some ways, potentially in the absence of major new appropriations for programs like that from the Congress, to create some tighter connections.

I certainly do not believe that it does. I think it is a strain, a reach of pretty incredible proportions.

I do not think that Ukraine, at this point, is largely the problem.

On a bipartisan basis, we were there and made a commitment to do everything that Tunisia needed in order to continue on its democratic path.

We watched video and reports yesterday of Taliban attacks on the Parliament building in Kabul. Very disturbing to watch.

We cannot expect that a country like Serbia is going to make a choice. We should not.

I think the situation on the ground in Ukraine would be fundamentally different if it was not for the decisions that you made.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome to all of you. Congratulations on your nominations. Hopefully we will move you quickly through the process.

I definitely plan to make this careful balance a priority.

A country like Serbia desperately wants--I think Vucic generally wants an alliance with Europe and an alliance with the West.

I think we need to help the Kosovar Government understand that this is not just about law enforcement.

When I travel around the developed world and talk about opportunities for U.S. businesses and U.S. exports, it is rule of law, rule of law, rule of law.

But, this is different, because this is not an associated force of al-Qaeda. This is now an associated force of ISIS.