Our Republican Legacy (ORL) Policy Statement in Support of Ukraine Against Russian Aggression

The issue. The Trump Administration has reversed U.S. policy on Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal invasion and ongoing aggression. Despite his campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine on his first day in office, President Trump has failed to stop the killing of this horrific conflict.

The Trump Administration continues to exhibit bias for Russia and against Ukraine. It has halted and denied Ukraine military and economic aid, and temporarily halted sharing vital intelligence information critical for Ukraine’s defense.  It votes with Russia and North Korea against Ukraine in the United Nations. These actions favor Russia the aggressor not Ukraine the victim.

When conducting peace negotiations with Russia, the Administration failed to include Ukraine or its European allies.  Russia continues its morbid tradition of violating treaties, agreements, and even cease-fires without consequences, as notably demonstrated on Easter Sunday and the end of Passover.

The U.S. negotiations so far are unproductive and one-sided in favor of Russia. Russia has no incentives to pursue peace or retreat from its current positions in Ukraine, as long as the Trump Administration assumes a position of weakness not strength.  By its actions and inaction, the Trump Administration has failed to protect our national interests in Europe.

ORL policy position. ORL strongly supports Ukraine against Russia’s illegal war. We oppose the Administration’s unwillingness to support Ukraine’s ability to negotiate from a position of military and economic strength against Russia and the administration’s refusal to include Ukraine in the talks regarding Ukraine’s own fate. We support both the United States and Ukraine negotiating from a position of combined strength, not mutual weakness.

ORL believes that strong U.S. military and economic support for Ukraine is in the national economic and security interests of the United States, Ukraine, and all of Europe. For Ukraine, U.S. support will put it in a better negotiating position for any future peace negotiations while also helping it to defend itself during Russia’s escalating aggression.

For the United States, Ukraine is also at the forefront of defending all of Europe from further Russian aggression that would trigger U.S. military intervention pursuant to our NATO Article 5 obligations. The United States also benefits economically from our investment in Ukraine since the vast majority of U.S. military defense spending to help Ukraine stays in the United States and spurs America’s economic growth.

We also support Ukraine joining the European Union and eventually NATO as the ultimate guarantee of its future security.  We agree with the President that European nations should increase their financial and material support for Ukraine, as they directly benefit from Ukraine’s defense of its territorial integrity.

Action required. ORL calls on the Trump Administration and Congress to reaffirm and support U.S. investment in Ukraine’s military and economic security.  Any peace negotiations must include Ukraine and must be from a position of Ukraine’s demonstrable strength.  Specifically, ORL supports:

• U.S. military and economic support to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty and citizens against Russian aggression.

• Our NATO allies in the common opposition to Russian aggression in Europe, with the commitment that they help defend Ukraine through increased investment and equitable burden sharing.

• A just and enduring Ukrainian-Russian peace settlement that guarantees Ukraine’s future sovereignty, territory, democracy, and security without fear of future Russian aggression or intimidation.

• The immediate return by Russia of all abducted Ukrainian children before any U.S. sanctions are relaxed or removed. 

• Taking immediate steps to impose the overwhelming cost of Russia’s aggression on Russia through the transfer of its sovereign assets to Ukraine.

• Ensuring Ukraine’s future economic and military security, including its membership in the European Union and eventually in NATO.