UKRAINE NEEDS U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE NOW
QUICK READ: The brutal war in Ukraine is at a critical juncture. Kyiv needs advanced weapon systems to help drive out the Russian invaders and diminish Putin’s imperialist ambitions. The Biden administration must disregard MAGA Republicans’ efforts to block additional military assistance.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
The war in Ukraine’s at a critical juncture. Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive last fall was followed by several major victories during its June initiative, and in some places Ukrainian forces have broken through all three lines of defense Russian troops spent more than nine months building. The cost to Ukraine in men and materiel, however, has been substantial.
President Biden accurately depicts the conflict as a battle between a repressive dictatorship and a fledgling democracy and a necessary defense of NATO’s eastern flank.
Since the invasion, Biden’s provided $144 billion in aid. President Zelensky bluntly told Senators meeting with him that, without this assistance and the continued influx of advanced armaments, including F16’s and middle-range missiles, “Ukraine would lose the war.”
Nevertheless, MAGA House Republicans are intent on discrediting Ukraine and blocking new aid.
Last week one MAGA hardliner declared “the era of Ukraine’s blank check from Congress is over;”
House Speaker McCarthy refused to allow President Zelensky to again address Congress and, succumbing to MAGA pressure, reversed his long-held support and announced that all aid to Ukraine would be stripped from the forthcoming Defense bill.
Our MoCs must urge President Biden to provide additional long-term military aid to Ukraine, including F16 jets and middle range rockets.
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].
The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy that we cannot allow Ukraine to lose. I need you to: (1) Support President Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, including F16’s and other advanced weapons systems, (2) Affirm our unequivocal support for the independence of Ukraine, (3) Demand that Moscow withdraw from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea, (4) Work to continue tightening economic sanctions against Russia and its allies.
*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].
The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy that we cannot allow Ukraine to lose. I need you to: (1) Support President Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, including F16’s and other advanced weapons systems, (2) Affirm our unequivocal support for the independence of Ukraine, (3) Demand that Moscow withdraw from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea, (4) Work to continue tightening economic sanctions against Russia and its allies.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy that we cannot allow Ukraine to lose. I need you to: (1) Support President Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, including F16’s and other advanced weapons systems, (2) Affirm our unequivocal support for the independence of Ukraine, (3) Demand that Moscow withdraw from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea, (4) Work to continue tightening economic sanctions against Russia and its allies.
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].
The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy that we cannot allow Ukraine to lose. I need you to: (1) Support President Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, including F16’s and other advanced weapons systems, (2) Affirm our unequivocal support for the independence of Ukraine, (3) Demand that Moscow withdraw from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea, (4) Work to continue tightening economic sanctions against Russia and its allies.
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].
The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy that we cannot allow Ukraine to lose. I need you to: (1) Reject your MAGA Republican colleagues' desertion of Ukraine, (2) Support President Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, including F16’s and other advanced weapons systems, (3) Affirm our unequivocal support for the independence of Ukraine, (4) Demand that Moscow withdraw from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea, (5) Work to continue tightening economic sanctions against Russia and its allies.
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].
The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy that we cannot allow Ukraine to lose. I need you to: (1) Support President Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, including F16’s and other advanced weapons systems, (2) Affirm our unequivocal support for the independence of Ukraine, (3) Demand that Moscow withdraw from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea, (4) Work to continue tightening economic sanctions against Russia and its allies.
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].
The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy that we cannot allow Ukraine to lose. I need you to: (1) Support President Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, including F16’s and other advanced weapons systems, (2) Affirm our unequivocal support for the independence of Ukraine, (3) Demand that Moscow withdraw from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea, (4) Work to continue tightening economic sanctions against Russia and its allies.
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].
The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy that we cannot allow Ukraine to lose. I need you to: (1) Reject your MAGA Republican colleagues' desertion of Ukraine, (2) Support President Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, including F16’s and other advanced weapons systems, (3) Affirm our unequivocal support for the independence of Ukraine, (4) Demand that Moscow withdraw from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea, (5) Work to continue tightening economic sanctions against Russia and its allies.
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].
The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy that we cannot allow Ukraine to lose. I need you to: (1) Support President Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, including F16’s and other advanced weapons systems, (2) Affirm our unequivocal support for the independence of Ukraine, (3) Demand that Moscow withdraw from all illegally occupied territory including Crimea, (4) Work to continue tightening economic sanctions against Russia and its allies.
FURTHER READING
McCarthy Declines to Host House Forum for Zelensky Amid G.O.P. Rifts
Russia-Ukraine | Breaking News & Live Updates
How Republicans have grown more skeptical of Zelensky and Ukraine
Republicans are turning against Ukraine
War in Ukraine - The Washington Post
How Much Aid Has the U.S. Sent Ukraine? Here Are Six Charts
Ukraine: The Stakes for Democracy | Brennan Center for Justice
