PROVIDING ADVANCED WEAPONS SYSTEMS TO UKRAINE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
QUICK READ: The brutal war in Ukraine is at a critical stage. Although Ukraine’s new counteroffensive is off to a slow start, the Wagner Group’s attempted coup has clearly weakened Putin. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
The brutal war in Ukraine is at a critical stage. Ukraine’s new counteroffensive has been only minimally successful, due partly to Moscow’s air superiority and the inclement weather that gave the Russians time to construct extensive defensive fortifications.
Since Russia’s invasion, the U.S. has provided $77 billion dollars in aid. We sent javelin anti-armor missiles, howitzers, HIMARS, helicopters and various air-defense systems including a Patriot battery system. We have also helped to train Ukrainian officers and encouraged our NATO allies to match our support.
Until now, however, Washington, afraid of Russian retaliation, has repeatedly refused Ukraine’s requests for modern tanks and F16 jets, enabling the Putin regime to maintain air superiority and inflict heavy losses on Ukrainian ground forces.
Prigozhin’s Wagner Group’s attempted coup has clearly weakened Putin. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity.
Our MoCs must urge President Biden to provide Ukraine the support it needs to continue its counter-offensive, including F16 jets and the ATACMS missile system, and to officially designate both Russia and Prigozhin’s Wagner Group as terrorists.
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].
While we don’t know the outcome of the Wagner Group’s attempted coup, Putin is clearly weakened. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity. I call on you to publicly press the Biden Administration to:
- Provide F16’s and other advanced weapons systems;
- Affirm our unequivocal support for Ukraine’s independence;
- Demand Moscow’s withdrawal from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea;
- Tighten economic sanctions against Russia and its allies;
- Designate both Russia and Prigozin’s Wagner group as terrorists.
*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].
While we don’t know the outcome of the Wagner Group’s attempted coup, Putin is clearly weakened. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity. I call on you to publicly press the Biden Administration to:
- Provide F16’s and other advanced weapons systems;
- Affirm our unequivocal support for Ukraine’s independence;
- Demand Moscow’s withdrawal from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea;
- Tighten economic sanctions against Russia and its allies;
- Designate both Russia and Prigozin’s Wagner group as terrorists.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
While we don’t know the outcome of the Wagner Group’s attempted coup, Putin is clearly weakened. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity. I call on you to publicly press the Biden Administration to:
- Provide F16’s and other advanced weapons systems;
- Affirm our unequivocal support for Ukraine’s independence;
- Demand Moscow’s withdrawal from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea;
- Tighten economic sanctions against Russia and its allies;
- Designate both Russia and Prigozin’s Wagner group as terrorists.
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].
While we don’t know the outcome of the Wagner Group’s attempted coup, Putin is clearly weakened. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity. I call on you to publicly press the Biden Administration to:
- Provide F16’s and other advanced weapons systems;
- Affirm our unequivocal support for Ukraine’s independence;
- Demand Moscow’s withdrawal from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea;
- Tighten economic sanctions against Russia and its allies;
- Designate both Russia and Prigozin’s Wagner group as terrorists.
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].
While we don’t know the outcome of the Wagner Group’s attempted coup, Putin is clearly weakened. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity. I call on you to publicly press the Biden Administration to:
- Provide F16’s and other advanced weapons systems;
- Affirm our unequivocal support for Ukraine’s independence;
- Demand Moscow’s withdrawal from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea;
- Tighten economic sanctions against Russia and its allies;
- Designate both Russia and Prigozin’s Wagner group as terrorists.
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].
While we don’t know the outcome of the Wagner Group’s attempted coup, Putin is clearly weakened. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity. I call on you to publicly press the Biden Administration to:
- Provide F16’s and other advanced weapons systems;
- Affirm our unequivocal support for Ukraine’s independence;
- Demand Moscow’s withdrawal from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea;
- Tighten economic sanctions against Russia and its allies;
- Designate both Russia and Prigozin’s Wagner group as terrorists.
Script for Val Hoyle (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].
While we don’t know the outcome of the Wagner Group’s attempted coup, Putin is clearly weakened. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity. I call on you to publicly press the Biden Administration to:
- Provide F16’s and other advanced weapons systems;
- Affirm our unequivocal support for Ukraine’s independence;
- Demand Moscow’s withdrawal from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea;
- Tighten economic sanctions against Russia and its allies;
- Designate both Russia and Prigozin’s Wagner group as terrorists.
Script for Lori Chavez-DeRemer (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].
While we don’t know the outcome of the Wagner Group’s attempted coup, Putin is clearly weakened. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity. I call on you to publicly press the Biden Administration to:
- Provide F16’s and other advanced weapons systems;
- Affirm our unequivocal support for Ukraine’s independence;
- Demand Moscow’s withdrawal from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea;
- Tighten economic sanctions against Russia and its allies;
- Designate both Russia and Prigozin’s Wagner group as terrorists.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
While we don’t know the outcome of the Wagner Group’s attempted coup, Putin is clearly weakened. Promptly providing Ukraine with the additional weapons requested will help its forces take advantage of this opportunity. I call on you to publicly press the Biden Administration to:
- Provide F16’s and other advanced weapons systems;
- Affirm our unequivocal support for Ukraine’s independence;
- Demand Moscow’s withdrawal from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea;
- Tighten economic sanctions against Russia and its allies;
- Designate both Russia and Prigozin’s Wagner group as terrorists.
