Wisconsin Democrat Mark Pocan calls timing of Ukraine letter 'odd' as House progressives issue retraction
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WASHINGTON – Progressive House Democrats on Tuesday withdrew a letter urging President Joe Biden to negotiate directly with Russia to end the war in Ukraine after the move received pushback within the party and some of the letter’s signatories claimed it had been drafted months ago and sent without their knowledge.
“It was written to address the situation on the ground in July, and the fact that it came out yesterday is just odd,” Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, who was one of 30 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus to sign the letter, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“We still believe that the president is doing the right thing by dealing with this in diplomatic ways, as well as (with) the support we’ve given and will continue to give if necessary to Ukraine,” Pocan said shortly before the letter’s retraction.
The letter, addressed to the White House Monday, praised Biden’s “commitment to Ukraine’s legitimate struggle” against Russia but urged the president to make a “proactive diplomatic push, redoubling efforts to seek a realistic framework for a ceasefire.”
“Such a framework would presumably include incentives to end hostilities, including some form of sanctions relief, and bring together the international community to establish security guarantees for a free and independent Ukraine that are acceptable for all parties, particularly Ukrainians,” the letter read.
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat and the caucus’ chair, issued a statement withdrawing the letter, claiming it was drafted several months ago and “released by staff without vetting.”
“Because of the timing, our message is being conflated by some as being equivalent to the recent statement by Republican Leader McCarthy threatening an end to aid to Ukraine if Republicans take over,” Jayapal wrote, referencing comments McCarthy made last week claiming Republicans would not hand Ukraine a "blank check."
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” she added. “Every war ends with diplomacy, and this one will too after Ukrainian victory.”
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, who also signed the letter when it was drafted, could not be reached for comment.
When asked if he raised questions about the letter's status in the months after he reportedly signed it, Pocan told the Journal Sentinel he didn't know the letter had not been sent. He signs many letters, Pocan said, and generally does not know when they go out.
The letter’s release drew immediate criticism from Democrats, including some in the progressive caucus, who argued against engaging in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin — something many see as unrealistic at this point in the war.
“There is moral and strategic peril in sitting down with Putin too early,” Connecticut Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy wrote Monday. “It risks legitimizing his crimes and handing over parts of Ukraine to Russia in an agreement that Putin won’t even honor. Sometimes, a bully must be shown the limits of his power before diplomacy can work.”
More:Russian-installed authorities order evacuation of Kherson ahead of expected Ukraine advance
The situation in Ukraine has changed over the last several months as Ukraine’s counteroffensive has dramatically pushed back Russian forces, who have been accused of committing war crimes in the devastated cities they leave behind.
Still, the fighting continues with no clear end in sight.
Pocan said the letter from House progressives was “largely overblown” because of its accidental release months after it was drafted.
But he indicated the tone of the letter — “to find a diplomatic solution” — still holds water.
“I think there should always be international pressure on this,” Pocan said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to end this, especially going into a winter.”
Follow Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Lawrence Andrea on Twitter @lawrencegandrea.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mark Pocan calls timing of House progressives' Ukraine letter 'odd'
