Trump Continues to Betray Ukraine
QUICK READ: Despite Trump’s claim to support peace negotiations, he’s sided with Putin’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, which has destroyed vast areas of the country and caused the deaths of at least 46,000 soldiers and 12,000 civilians—spewing out Moscow’s propaganda, cutting military aid to Ukraine, calling Zelensky a dictator, and alienating our NATO allies who steadfastly support Ukraine’s survival. Congress must strongly reiterate its opposition to Putin’s ruthless expansionism and support for Ukraine’s defense of its sovereignty.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
During Trump’s disastrous February White House encounter with President Zelensky, he reiterated his pre-election promise to rapidly end the war.
Since Trump had already agreed to normalize US-Russian relations, accept Putin’s land grab, and bar Ukraine from NATO, rejection of an immediate cease fire was not surprising—allowing Russian advances to continue killing civilians.
Although details are unclear, Russia intends to keep the 20% of Ukraine rich in agriculture and strategic minerals, and Trump wants US mining companies to get a piece of the action–a new form of neo-colonialism.
Putin’s also insisting Ukraine was a puppet of NATO’s eastward expansion, not the victim of unprovoked aggression—a complete rewriting of history Trump’s espouses.
All this has worsened Washington’s rift with NATO, which remains committed to Ukraine’s military defense and opposed to Putin’s articulated goal of forcibly restoring Soviet borders and regaining the glory of the Russian imperial empire.
Making matters worse are Trump’s recent threat to revoke 240,000 Ukrainian refugees’ temporary legal status and ICE’s detention of Kseniia Petrova—a Harvard-employed, Russian green-card-holder, who’s publicly opposed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
If Trump truly wants a just, durable peace, he’d take the advice of GOP Rep. Don Bacon—hold Russia accountable for the deaths and destruction it caused in Ukraine, reaffirm our opposition to Putin’s expansionism, reiterate Ukraine’s right to defend its sovereignty—to advance America’s long-term strategic interests, since failing to stand up to bullies only leads to larger, costlier conflicts.
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].
Although domestic politics are on the front burner, Congress must not be fooled by Trump’s supposed “peace initiative.” The U.S. has a moral obligation to continue guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty through provision of military and economic aid, to provide temporary protection to the 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their war-torn homeland, and to free Kseniia Petrova, whose only crime was her exercise of free speech on Ukraine’s behalf.
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].
Although domestic politics are on the front burner, Congress must not be fooled by Trump’s supposed “peace initiative.” The U.S. has a moral obligation to continue guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty through provision of military and economic aid, to provide temporary protection to the 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their war-torn homeland, and to free Kseniia Petrova, whose only crime was her exercise of free speech on Ukraine’s behalf.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Although domestic politics are on the front burner, Congress must not be fooled by Trump’s supposed “peace initiative.” The U.S. has a moral obligation to continue guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty through provision of military and economic aid, to provide temporary protection to the 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their war-torn homeland, and to free Kseniia Petrova, whose only crime was her exercise of free speech on Ukraine’s behalf.
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].
Although domestic politics are on the front burner, Congress must not be fooled by Trump’s supposed “peace initiative.” The U.S. has a moral obligation to continue guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty through provision of military and economic aid, to provide temporary protection to the 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their war-torn homeland, and to free Kseniia Petrova, whose only crime was her exercise of free speech on Ukraine’s behalf.
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].
Although domestic politics are on the front burner, Congress must not be fooled by Trump’s supposed “peace initiative.” The U.S. has a moral obligation to continue guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty through provision of military and economic aid, to provide temporary protection to the 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their war-torn homeland, and to free Kseniia Petrova, whose only crime was her exercise of free speech on Ukraine’s behalf.
Script for Maxine Dexter (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].
Although domestic politics are on the front burner, Congress must not be fooled by Trump’s supposed “peace initiative.” The U.S. has a moral obligation to continue guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty through provision of military and economic aid, to provide temporary protection to the 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their war-torn homeland, and to free Kseniia Petrova, whose only crime was her exercise of free speech on Ukraine’s behalf.
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].
Although domestic politics are on the front burner, Congress must not be fooled by Trump’s supposed “peace initiative.” The U.S. has a moral obligation to continue guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty through provision of military and economic aid, to provide temporary protection to the 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their war-torn homeland, and to free Kseniia Petrova, whose only crime was her exercise of free speech on Ukraine’s behalf.
SCRIPT FOR Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Although domestic politics are on the front burner, Congress must not be fooled by Trump’s supposed “peace initiative.” The U.S. has a moral obligation to continue guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty through provision of military and economic aid, to provide temporary protection to the 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their war-torn homeland, and to free Kseniia Petrova, whose only crime was her exercise of free speech on Ukraine’s behalf.
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].
Although domestic politics are on the front burner, Congress must not be fooled by Trump’s supposed “peace initiative.” The U.S. has a moral obligation to continue guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty through provision of military and economic aid, to provide temporary protection to the 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their war-torn homeland, and to free Kseniia Petrova, whose only crime was her exercise of free speech on Ukraine’s behalf.
FURTHER READING
My Fellow Republicans and President Trump, We Must Stand Up to Putin
U.S. negotiators outmatched by Russians in Ukraine talks, analysts say
Trump attacks Ukraine for trying to protect itself from Russia
The Guardian view on Trump and Ukraine: Putin has shown he does not want peace
Why Trump is struggling to secure a fast ceasefire in Ukraine
Russian scientist working at Harvard detained by Ice at Boston airport
Trump says ‘contract’ being drafted on ‘dividing up’ land in Ukraine war
