Senate

Senate condemns downing of Malaysian jetliner

The Senate passed a resolution Thursday night that condemns the downing of a jetliner over eastern Ukraine.

Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) introduced S. Res. 520, which passed through a unanimous consent agreement.

{mosads}Their resolution condemns the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 and expresses condolences to the families of the victims.

The flight, carrying 298 people, was shot down on July 17. Ukrainian officials have blamed pro-Russian separatists in the region, saying the militants shot down the plane with an antiaircraft missile.

The resolution also calls on the Russian government to immediately stop sending weapons and fighters across the border into Ukraine and urges the European Union to join the United States in increasing sanctions against Russia.