A group of 30 House liberals is calling on President Joe Biden to negotiate a settlement to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, the first time senior Democrats have urged him to pursue an alternative effort to end the conflict.
The letter, sent to the White House on Monday from Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, praised the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine’s self-defense. Nevertheless, the letter said the policy must be combined with “vigorous diplomatic efforts in support of a negotiated settlement and ceasefire” through “direct talks with Russia,” to include measures that protect a “free and independent” Ukraine.
PENTAGON SAYS NO UKRAINIAN DIRTY BOMB OR INDICATION OF LOOMING RUSSIAN NUCLEAR WEAPON USE
“Such a framework would presumably include incentives to end hostilities, including some form of sanctions relief, and bring together the international community to establish security guarantees for a free and independent Ukraine that are acceptable for all parties, particularly Ukrainians,” the letter said.
The group is urging the White House to change course because the lawmakers say they are concerned about the potential for a prolonged conflict that could lead to “nuclear escalation and miscalculation.”
Retired Adm. Mike Mullen, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized the need for negotiations and said the United States should “do everything we possibly can to try to get to the table to resolve this thing” on ABC News’s This Week earlier this month.
The approach is one that has been rejected by the Ukrainian government. John Kirby, a spokesman for Biden’s National Security Council, said Ukrainians must be involved in any diplomatic movement.
“We’re not going to have conversations with the Russian leadership without Ukrainians being represented,” Kirby said during a briefing with reporters. “Mr. Zelensky gets to determine — because it’s his country — what success looks like and when to negotiate.”
Not all members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus agree with the proposed change in diplomatic strategy. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) emphasized a better approach would be to provide Ukraine with more resources to win the war.
“The way to end a war? Win it quickly. How is it won quickly? By giving Ukraine the weapons to defeat Russia,” Gallego wrote on Twitter on Monday.
Following pushback from some progressives, Jayapal issued a statement reiterating their support for military and economic aid to Ukraine.
“Diplomacy is an important tool that can save lives — but it is just one tool. As we also made explicitly clear in our letter and will continue to make clear, we support President Biden and his administration’s commitment to nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” she said Monday night.
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The letter comes as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) signaled Republicans would seek to cut aid to Ukraine if they retake Congress.
“I think people are gonna be sitting in a recession and they’re not going to write a blank check to Ukraine,” McCarthy recently told Punchbowl News.
