WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Representative Barbara Lee (CA-13), CPC Chair Emeritus and Chair of the Caucus Peace and Security Task Force, issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:
“One year ago today, President Putin initiated an illegal invasion and brutal, unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. In the twelve months since, thousands of people have been killed, with millions more displaced and forced to seek refuge outside their home country. Russia has committed blatant war crimes, exacerbated a global hunger crisis, and has even undermined the critical New START treaty. We join our colleagues in Congress and people across the world in solemn mourning of the harm and loss of life this war has inflicted.
“At the same time, we are proud of the role the United States has played in responding to the conflict. President Biden has shown exceptional leadership, including in bringing and keeping the international coalition together to provide economic, military, humanitarian, and moral support for Ukraine, while wisely seeking to avoid direct conflict. The aid Congress has allocated has been crucial in helping the Ukrainian people defend themselves and keep their government functioning.
“As we enter the second year of this war, the United States has distinct obligations to our Ukrainian allies and international partners. We must continue our commitment to being a place for those displaced by war to seek asylum, and accept as many refugees as possible from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and other war-torn countries. We should continue to look for opportunities for common-sense multilateral diplomacy, like the Black Sea grain agreement brokered by Turkey and the United Nations’ effort to protect vulnerable Ukrainian nuclear energy infrastructure.
“As both Presidents Biden and Zelensky have made clear, all wars end at the negotiating table. The United States and our allies must continue to bolster and support Ukraine, while remaining open to opportunities for constructive and de-escalatory diplomacy.”
