Ukraine allies need to boost supply of Sophisticated Weapons
U.S. and NATO allies must HELP deter Putin's aggression
QUICK READ: For some weeks now leaders in several Western capitals have floated the idea of a cease-fire as a first step toward ending the war in Ukraine, even as Putin has intensified the scale of the war and rejected serious negotiations unless Ukraine agrees to cede the Donbas region to Russia. President Zelenskyy has unequivocally rejected this “peace for land” formulation. In the face of Russia’s intransigence, NATO nations must double-down on their military support for Ukraine and provide Kyiv with the sophisticated arms it needs to repel Russian aggression.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
The Russian war to exterminate the Ukrainian nation has failed. Putin’s invasion has caused the death of thousands of Ukrarian civilians, the displacement of millions of their countrymen and the devastation of towns and cities. Russia’s blockade of grain from Ukraine has also jeopardized the lives millions of people facing famines elsewhere.
The conflict is at a critical juncture. Despite suffering and substantial casualties the Ukrainian army seems to have blunted the Soviet advance in the East and is moving recapture the southern city of Kherson.
To keep the momentum, the outgunned Ukraine army, must be guaranteed an increase in the ongoing supply of advanced defensive weapons from the United States including High Mobility Artillery Rockets ( HIMARS) which have proven so effective, howitzers, drones and sophisticated communications equipment. NATO should also consider providing Ukraine with attack aircraft which could thwart Russian land forces.
Given the current situations, the claim that increased aid would lead to further militarization of the war or that supplicated weapons could fall into the hand of Putin forces, are not particularly compelling. For Ukraine the option is not between diplomacy or war but perusing both vigorously to protect its sovereignty. We must support them.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to express my support for America's backing of Ukraine, and our country's continuing fight for freedom:
- Support the administration’s sustained military support for Ukaine
- Oppose any effort to pressure Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present conditions.
- Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to express my support for America's backing of Ukraine, and our country's continuing fight for freedom:
- Support the administration’s sustained military support for Ukaine
- Oppose any effort to pressure Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present conditions.
- Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I am calling to express my support for America's backing of Ukraine, and our country's continuing fight for freedom:
- Support the administration’s sustained military support for Ukaine
- Oppose any effort to pressure Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present conditions.
- Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to express my support for America's backing of Ukraine, and our country's continuing fight for freedom:
- Support the administration’s sustained military support for Ukaine
- Oppose any effort to pressure Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present conditions.
- Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to express my support for America's backing of Ukraine, and our country's continuing fight for freedom:
- Support the government’s sustained military support for Ukaine
- Oppose any effort to pressure Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present conditions.
- Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to express my support for America's backing of Ukraine, and our country's continuing fight for freedom:
- Support the administration’s sustained military support for Ukaine
- Oppose any effort to pressure Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present conditions.
- Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to express my support for America's backing of Ukraine, and our country's continuing fight for freedom:
- Support the administration’s sustained military support for Ukaine
- Oppose any effort to pressure Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present conditions.
- Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to express my support for America's backing of Ukraine, and our country's continuing fight for freedom:
- Support the administration’s sustained military support for Ukaine
- Oppose any effort to pressure Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present conditions.
- Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
ACTION 3: GOOD TROUBLE
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday. (NOW DELAYED. WATCH THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.)
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by electing Democrats Val Hoyle in District 4, Jamie McLeod-Skinner in District 5, and Andrea Salinas in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
further reading:
Arming Ukraine: Weapons Control and the Future of International Order - Global Policy
Who’s arming Ukraine? - New Statesman
