In the fall of 2022, Western support for defending Ukraine was yielding unexpected results. A successful Ukrainian counteroffensive had driven Russia out of Kharkiv and was close to pushing them out of Kherson as well.
The achievements were so inspiring that President Joe Biden began to worry about Russiaâs desperation and the escalating risk of nuclear conflict. In private remarks at a fundraiser, Biden reportedly expressed concerns about the highest risk of nuclear âarmageddonâ since the Cuban missile crisis.
Following the news of Bidenâs comments, 30 progressive Democrats issued a letter echoing his worries and urging the administration to combine support for Ukraine with proactive diplomatic efforts to seek a ceasefire. While the signatories fully supported Bidenâs stance on Ukraine, the letter faced criticism from grassroots supporters of diplomacy for its strong endorsement of providing billions in arms to Ukraine.
Amid talks of nuclear war, the lawmakers faced intense criticism.
The seemingly reasonable letter from the Congressional Progressive Caucus sparked fierce political attacks, divisions, and resignations among progressives, liberals, and Democrats. The anti-diplomacy voices prevailed, leading to the retraction of the letter and significant political fallout for its supporters.
Today, the war remains at a standstill, with the momentum shifting and more lives lost on both sides. Even members of the foreign policy establishment are beginning to recognize the need for a new approach.
In 2022, the progressives faced backlash and opposition but now appear more forward-thinking than ever.
The Backlash
Upon its release, the CPCâs letter incited a strong backlash from Washingtonâs foreign policy establishment and even members within the progressivesâ own party.
Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., went as far as accusing his fellow House Democrats of extending an âolive branch to a war criminal whoâs losing his war.â
Brandon Friedman, a former Obama administration official, claimed that progressives had handed Republicans, the Kremlin, and Russian propaganda networks a gift with the letter.
Joe Cirincione, a Washington national security analyst, criticized the letter as incoherent and outdated, leading to his resignation from the Quincy Institute over its stance on diplomatic talks.
Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Within 24 hours, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., withdrew the letter and issued a clarification statement. While some signatories appeared to backtrack, they were reaffirming their unwavering support for Ukraineâs defense as stated in the letter. Several lawmakers did not respond to requests for comment.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., attributed the backlash to unfortunate timing and reiterated the importance of aiding Ukraine in its fight to the end.
A few members of Congress, including Reps. Ro Khanna and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, stood by their call for diplomacy, emphasizing the need for open debate on matters of war and peace.
Former Obama officials, like Ben Rhodes, criticized the attacks on pro-diplomacy advocates, highlighting the validity of the letterâs strategy in hindsight.
âCycle of Persistent Violenceâ
Since the controversial letter, the war in Ukraine has persisted, with devastating consequences for its people. Ukraine lacks the ability to win the war or negotiate from a stronger position than in late 2022 when the letter was released.
A New York Times report in August cited U.S. officials estimating close to 70,000 Ukrainian deaths and 100,000 to 120,000 wounded.
Ukraine has experienced a significant loss of its population due to migration, with many able-bodied men either killed, injured, or fighting in the military. CNN recently reported that desertion is a major issue for Ukraine. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has lost territory to Russia, and Russian advances continue to progress.
Former CIA analyst George Beebe noted that the conflict has turned into a war of attrition, diminishing Ukraineâs bargaining power. He emphasized the need for Western assistance to reach a compromise settlement with Russia. However, Beebe expressed concern that Ukraine is on the path to becoming a failed state.
The controversy surrounding the ceasefire letter highlighted the lack of foresight on the part of the U.S. government, leaving Ukraine to bear the consequences. Many Ukrainians have been charged with desertion, reflecting the toll of the ongoing war on both sides.
Experts suggest that there was a missed opportunity to support diplomacy earlier in the conflict, which could have potentially prevented further destruction and loss of life. The negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in the early stages of the invasion presented a chance to end the war, but external influences hindered progress towards a peace agreement.
Overall, the article emphasizes the need for continued support for Ukraine while also acknowledging the importance of diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict. Please rewrite this sentence.
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