Senator McCain on Ukraine Protests

Joining me now is Senator John McCain,

who I know, Senator, you have just addressed the crowd of

protesters there yourself in Kiev.

What is it you're trying to do here?

Hopefully what we're trying to do is

bring about a peaceful transition here that would stop the violence,

would give the Ukrainian

people what they unfortunately have not with different

revolutions that have taken place,

a real legitimate society.

This is a grassroots revolution here.

It's been peaceful, except for when the

government tried to crack down on them, and the government hasn't done that since.

But I'm praising their

ability and their desire to demonstrate peacefully for change that

I think they deserve.

Let me ask you this about the U S. role.

I know that you have wanted the administration perhaps to consider sanctions,

something to help boost the anti government protesters.

My question to you is, while we're trying to work on so many things

with the Russians,

for instance with Iran and in Syria, is this really a good time for the U S.

to be taking on Russia?

Well, I don't

think that we would be taking on Russia.

And by the way, I am very pleased with Secretary Kerry's statement,

our Deputy Secretary Victoria Nuland, who was here.

Look, these people love the United States of America. They love freedom.

And I don't think you could

view this as anything but our traditional support for people who want

a free and democratic society.

We're not talking about military action. We're not talking about blockades.

We are talking about the possibility of sanctions if they continue

to brutally repress their people.

That would require some action on our part,

just because that's what the United States of America is all about.