Despite its April 17th pledge to help de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine, Russia has done exactly the opposite. There is nothing murky about that. It is clear as can be. The role that Russian Special Services have played in destabilizing Eastern Ukraine is indisputable in supporting so-called separatists, coordinated armed attacks on government buildings, orchestrating kidnappings, and violence against local politicians, reporters, and even OSCE monitors. Russian disinformation campaigns have only made matters worse and I echo the sentiments of the chairman of this committee as this committee has moved forward in a bipartisan effort to increase international broadcasting. Russian forces' use of masked warfare and other covert tactics seems to signal a strategic shift in its approach to the region and to European security. It is essential that the United States and NATO allies respond. we must adopt a proactive strategy that will convince President Putin that his aggression will have a significant and lasting cost to the Russian economy and ultimately to his rule should he intervene in that election.