2022-03-03

AFSC The invasion of Ukraine must be stopped – but U.S. military aid is not the answer

The invasion of Ukraine must be stopped – but U.S. military aid is not the answer | American Friends Service Committee



The invasion of Ukraine must be stopped – but U.S. military aid is not the answer
Feb 24, 2022




Photo: Kai Schwerdt / Flickr


Today, the Russian military began shelling and missile attacks on cities across Ukraine. These attacks are a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and international law. They are a brutal assault on Ukrainians and must be halted immediately. Ukrainians have already been killed, and if attacks continue we can expect further destruction and loss of life.

The international community has roundly condemned this invasion, calling for a full and immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and an end to air and sea attacks. The invasion represents a clear violation of the rules laid out in the United Nations Charter and ignores the commitment by all UN member states to settle disputes through peaceful means. We call on all parties involved to allow diplomacy to bring about de-escalation and a ceasefire.

1] We are also concerned about sweeping U.S. sanctions and call on the U.S. and the international community to ensure that any sanctions imposed on Russia do not impact health, food access, or other basic needs of the Russian people. We are calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and give unfettered access to humanitarian organizations.

2] We are deeply concerned about those in the U.S. government and media calling for the U.S. to supply weapons or other military support to the Ukrainian government, as this will only escalate the conflict. The U.S. and Russia have stepped back from diplomacy and ended meetings at the time when diplomacy is most needed. Only diplomacy will bring an end to this conflict and stop the bloodshed, but for decades the U.S. has over-invested in the military and under-invested in diplomacy and international cooperation.

We have been in touch with Ukrainian Quakers, who shared with us the following message: "It is very important for us to convey that Ukrainians are peace-loving people and very kind. In the last two months, when we got together and started our meetings, we agreed that there is no one among us who would see war as the answer, or believe that violence is the way out. We categorically condemn any aggression, expansion, and pressure." Let us not let them down.

The ongoing Russian military actions and the political posturing and military threats of Russian, U.S., and NATO political leaders serve only to divide us and, if continued, will accelerate the unnecessary loss of life. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine – and the many people in Russia, the U.S., and around the world – in calling for an immediate end to military action and a peaceful solution to the conflict.

As a Quaker peacebuilding organization, we have seen over our century of work that much can be accomplished when we turn away from violence and toward cooperation. We reject military engagement at any level. Now is the time to uphold human dignity and invest in global cooperation that increases our shared security through nonviolent means.

===

13 comments

Most relevant

  • Julietta Wilder
    would be nice if Quakers would take some moments of silence together and pray for a miracle to stop this carnage. All I hear is what is not the answer - meanwhile bombs are dropping and the powerful Russian army is invading this peaceful country, more troops by the minute. So - can we spend some time today in silence, and hope for a miracle? Saying what is not the answer is just using up space. We don't have the answer, but we can use our power of silence and love to ask for a miracle. . .
    2
  • Raymond Ontko
    The AFSC's legacy of peace witness and humanitarian assistance in Europe since World War I and through much of the Cold War suggests that AFSC may have an important role to play in the current crisis. At the very least, AFSC should consider whether it can serve as a conduit for humanitarian aid from concerned Friends to refugees and civilians trapped by this conflict. What cans't thou (and we) do?
    5
  • Brent Bill
    Too bad you couldn’t just release a statement condemning the Russian invasion and in support of the Ukrainian people. What are you doing to stop the slaughter? What are you doing to provide relief? Disappointed.
    8
  • Becky Lucas
    How can make Putin to stop unless u have military aid to Ukraine to defend them selves.
  • Shaun Williams
    I am against war, as are the Ukrainian people who face an unprovoked attack on their peaceful country. What solution can you offer them?
    2
    • Ron Braithwaite
      Shaun, perhaps the most effective is REAL sanctions targeted at the oligarchs money and property in the US and UK. The problem is that our oligarchs make so much profit providing laundry services for their money (e.g., shell corporations) that they would resist that and bribe (campaign contributions) enough congresscritters to prevent any action.
      2
  • Alice Campbell
    you didn't care about sovereignty when we elevated right wing groups and funded the coop in 2014
  • Alice Campbell
    the US is the aggressor here.
  • David Austin
    The fault here lies entirely with Russia. This is a war of aggression and of choice on the part of one “side.” The condemnation should go there.
    4
  • Jim Fussell
    "On February 24, Russian military forces began an invasion of Ukraine by land, sea and air. Missiles struck several major cities in Ukraine, including the capital city Kyiv. Casualties continue to grow as Russian soldiers enter the country.
    We are assessing the changing situation with local partners to determine the appropriate response.
    We invited you to pray, give and advocate for peace for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine." For more information, or to make a gift, please visit, mcccanada.ca/crisis-ukraine or mcc.org/crisis-ukraine.
    Crisis in Ukraine
    MCCCANADA.CA
    Crisis in Ukraine
    Crisis in Ukraine
    3
  • Peter Lawrence-Wehrle
    You lost me, AFSC.
  • Why the Russian Federation Recognized the Independence Movements in the Donbas | Black Agenda Report
    BLACKAGENDAREPORT.COM
    Why the Russian Federation Recognized the Independence Movements in the Donbas | Black Agenda Report
    Why the Russian Federation Recognized the Independence Movements in the Donbas | Black Agenda Report
"Most relevant" is selected, so some comm


===

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)