I think many of us are concerned about the interim deal being the final deal or having a series of rolling interim deals.

We will use every international fora that we can to not only highlight our concerns, but build practical pressure on Russia.

Clearly, we know who is responsible for those denials.

But I tell you, we have not heard the strong unified voice that we hoped we would see around the world to demand that Russia get out of Ukraine and allow Ukraine to run its own internal affairs.

I do not think there is any way in which the Russians can put a patina of legality or legitimacy on the referendum that has been discussed.

I think the Europeans understand what is at stake, as I believe we do, and are determined to not only make clear that there are costs of what has already been done, but to increase significantly costs if the situation escalates.

I think our foreign policy credibility is close to shot at this time.

I am just going to underscore how dangerous this situation is and how Russia is violating not just one, but numerous international obligations.

I think this administration has shown incredible leadership and effective coalition-building to deal with some extremely challenging problems around the world.

I particularly appreciate your initial questions to Secretary Lew in regard to the Ukraine and tools that are available.

in commemoration of World Wildlife Day on March 3, I rise to bring attention to the catastrophic effects of wildlife trafficking on global and economic security and the urgent need to crush this demand for these illegal products…

His efforts to expand Russia's footprint will only work to further isolate the country he calls home.

I think you are also limiting the 28-percent deductions on some, and I think there are some additional----

This has been a thorn in our relationship for over 15 years. The community certainly has changed dramatically since that military facility was first constructed.

I expect, next week, when Secretary Kerry is before the full committee on his budget, that we are going to be talking more about Ukraine, Iran, and Syria than we will be able to get into the specifics on the budget.

Strong, enduring, bipartisan congressional support for our alliances and the close cooperation between the legislative branches of our three countries have been critical to the success we have achieved over the last six decades.

In my visit to Japan, and in my conversations with my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee and on the Appropriations Committee, it seems to me that we do not have a clear understanding as to the sequencing of appropriations in Japan…

I think it is important that, if we are all sincere, we are trying to move forward with this relocation, which is absolutely essential.

We are in the process of doing that. It is something that we do regularly through our alliance.

The last several budgets by the Obama administration have tried to balance that to reflect the priority in Asia.

Bipartisan congressional support for our alliances and the close cooperation between the legislative branches of our three countries have been critical to the success we have achieved over the last six decades.

I do not think you are going to see any government, be it Mr. Abe's or any others, be able to move the Japanese people in a direction that they do not want to go.

I would strongly support what you are saying about the President's visit, and I would hope he would have concrete suggestions.

Let me welcome you all to the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs' hearing, 'Strengthening the U.S. Alliance in Northeast Asia.'

It is critically important that the United States...use our relationships to improve the relationship between those two countries.