Veterans group calls for continued restraint in foreign policy
ARLINGTON, Va.—Ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union Address, Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) issued the following statement:
“The state of our Union is not good. From record debt and inflation to rising gas prices to a lingering pandemic, Americans are wrestling with crises upon crises. As President Biden addresses the nation this evening, we urge him not to add to that list by directly committing U.S. troops to the war between Russia and Ukraine. No vital U.S. interests are at stake although further escalation risks spiraling violence, potential spillover into neighboring countries, and worst of all, a direct military confrontation with a nuclear-armed Russia. This must be avoided at all costs.”
“As such, we urge President Biden to exercise and encourage restraint as he crafts America’s response to Russia’s immoral invasion of Ukraine. Our actions in Ukraine have repercussions at home and should be soberly measured against our interests. Harsher sanctions will hurt Russia. They will also cost Americans and European partners through higher energy costs and inflation. Increased American arms shipments to Ukraine will bleed Russia while also risking drawing the U.S. and its NATO allies further into the conflict. The president should weigh these actions carefully. He should also ignore hysterical calls for extreme measures such as the declaration of a no-fly zone over Ukraine or NATO airstrikes against advancing Russian troops. Such reckless moves would dramatically aggravate the situation by putting the United States into direct conflict with Russia.
“At its core, this crisis is a European security issue best addressed by wealthy and capable European countries. These states can and should shoulder more of their collective defense burden. We have seen this in action as Germany and others have committed to increasing their defense spending. President Biden should commend them for it. This action is long overdue and should lessen the burden traditionally borne by the American taxpayer and our military.
“For Ukraine, much will be decided over the coming days and weeks. While we deplore Russia’s belligerence, President Biden must proceed carefully—informed by the past but focused on the future to avoid further catastrophe.”
BACKGROUND
According to recent polling from YouGov, 49 percent of the general population does not favor the U.S. going to war with Russia if it invades Ukraine. Only 9 percent strongly favor U.S. military involvement to counter Russia, while 15 percent somewhat favor it.
Just 26% say the U.S. should have a major role in the conflict, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Fifty-two percent say a minor role; 20% say none at all.
More than two-thirds (69%) of Americans think the United States should impose additional sanctions against Russia as it masses its forces along the border with Ukraine, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Nearly half of respondents (48%) said Ukraine’s problems are not America’s business. The poll found 62% oppose sending U.S. troops to defend Ukraine against a Russian invasion, with opposition strongest among Republicans. A majority also opposed air strikes.
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