Photo: Kusa Dogwood, Lois Barber
February 2022 - At this point, Russia has over 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s borders. Turning Ukraine into a battlefield is not the way to find a solution to this issue. There are steps the US can take to reduce the likelihood of war. Our strategy should be to negotiate in good faith to reduce military threats to both sides.
ACTION: Contact Secretary of State Tony Blinken
Ask Secretary Blinken to prominently announce that the US suggests an update to the post-Cold War security arrangements in Eastern Europe, with the goal of multilateral security for all, including Russia.
Specifically, ask Secretary Blinken to propose and agree to the following points in negotiations with Russia, the Ukraine and NATO:
- Update Cold War confidence-building measures, such as routine foreign and defense ministry dialogue among the US, Russia, and NATO.
- Increase advance warning of military exercises, troop movements and placing of strike aircraft and missiles.
- Agree to the return of the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty, widely credited with ending the Cold War, but abandoned by former President Trump. This treaty had kept the peace for over 30 years.
The US can also put forth and agree to diplomatic language that allows Moscow to claim it has blocked Ukraine from entering NATO and the United States and Ukraine to insist that it could still join NATO in some distant, theoretical, future.
CONTACT: Secretary of State Blinken (no time for snail mail)
- Web: https://register.state.gov/contactus/contactusform
- Tel: 202 512-1800 (from 8 am to 4:30 pm EST)
Please send this email on to family and friends and/or write a letter-to-the-editor on this important issue. It is a good way to educate others and build support for needed policies.
Comments