The Congressional Progressive Party caucus has withdrawn a letter signed by 30 congressmen urging President Joe Biden to shift his strategy in Ukraine.
The letter, dated Oct. 24, was shared with The Washington Post on Monday and called for Biden to “combine the military and economic support the United States has provided to Ukraine with aggressive diplomatic pressure and seek a realistic framework for a ceasefire.” The Washington Post article said, “The Biden administration is adamant that it is up to Kyiv to decide whether and when to negotiate with Russia, and it is free to do so.” It argues that Ukrainians as citizens should decide, and such diplomatic pressure would be a dramatic change from current policy.” their fate. ”
A House of Representatives aide told SFGATE that the letter was first circulated for signatures in June and July before Ukraine announced a significant increase in counterattacks in September. Massachusetts Rep. Jake Auchincloss said other Democrats condemned the release of the letter. go as far as to call it “Olive Branches for Lost War Criminals”.
Five California Democrats — Barbara Lee, Law Khanna, Mark Desaulnier, Mark Takano, and Sarah Jacobs — signed the letter. But as backlash from Democrats began to mount, two of her five, Takano and Jacobs, dropped in rank.
“Timing is Everything in Diplomacy” Jacobs tweeted Tuesday morning. “I signed this letter on June 30th and a lot has changed since then. We must continue to support Ukraine both financially and militarily.”
“Only Ukrainians have the right to decide the terms to end this war,” Takano said in a statement. “The people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom, and America’s commitment to their cause is unwavering.”
The Congressional Progressive Party Caucus retracted the letter on Tuesday after Takano, Jacobs and other signatories spoke out. After the letter was retracted, Lee told her SFGATE that if it had been circulated today, she would not have signed the letter either.
“We signed the letter drafted in July under various circumstances,” Lee said. My focus is on helping the Ukrainian people against Putin’s warmongering attacks. ”
In a statement, Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a representative of the caucuses, said the letter was “unfortunately released without scrutiny by the staff.” The House aide told her SFGATE that the leak to the Washington Post came from a staff member of the Congressional Progressive Caucuses, and signatories were caught off guard by the release.
“As chairman of the caucus, I take responsibility for this,” said Jayapal. “Because of the timing, our message has been confused by some to be on par with recent statements by Republican leader McCarthy, who threatened to stop aid to Ukraine if the Republican Party takes over. The closeness of these statements was strongly and unanimously supported by the Democrats, the whole package of military, strategic and economic assistance to the Ukrainian people, who voted for President Zelensky and the United States against the Ukrainian Armed Forces In some way, I agree with the Republicans who are trying to stop supporting the
Kevin McCarthy previously told Punchbowl News that if Republicans retake the House in November, Ukraine would no longer have a “blank check” for military aid.
Khanna told SFGATE that she stands by the contents of the letter.
“I stand by my position consistently,” he wrote in an email. “I have voted and will continue to vote for all defense packages to Ukraine, while at the same time pursuing diplomacy for negotiated solutions that can reduce the risk of nuclear war and bring about a just peace. need to do it.”
DeSaulnier did not immediately respond to SFGATE’s request for comment.
This news bulletin has been updated.
