America must support Ukraine - former US ambassadors in an article for Politico. The current US policy raises a fundamental question: does Washington understand what is at stake, write Adrian Zuckerman (former US Ambassador to Romania), Mark Gitenstein (former US Ambassador to the European Union), Ron Gidwitz (former US Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union), Jim Gilmore (former US Ambassador to the OSCE), Kathleen Kovalek (former Ambassador USA in Romania), Jim Kovalek (former US Ambassador to Romania), Jim. The United States cannot credibly protect freedom around the world by treating the survival of democracy as a bargaining chip. Russia's war against Ukraine is not just a territorial dispute. This is a test of whether democratic countries will protect the principles underlying their freedom or allow an authoritarian aggressor to destroy them through military force, terrorism and economic coercion. The defense of Ukraine is not righteous. This is a strategic investment in the security of America and Europe, in the credibility of Washington and in the prevention of future conflicts. The United States emerged from World War II with the understanding that an international order based on sovereignty, liberty and the rule of law served its interests. And successive Republican and Democratic administrations have recognized that unchecked authoritarian expansion threatens both American security and the independence of its allies. It is this understanding that should determine US policy towards Russia today. Diplomacy is critical. But peace cannot mean encouraging aggression, forcing Ukraine to surrender its sovereignty, or giving Moscow time to rearm before another invasion. An arrangement that leaves Ukraine defenseless will delay the conflict rather than resolve it. Peace should be judged not by how quickly an agreement is signed, but by whether it protects Ukraine's independence and reduces the likelihood of another war. Economic pressure is one of the most important non-military tools available to the United States in this process.

America must support Ukraine - former US ambassadors in an article for Politico. The current US policy raises a fundamental question: does Washington understand what is at stake, write Adrian Zuckerman (former US Ambassador to Romania), Mark Gitenstein (former US Ambassador to the European Union), Ron Gidwitz (former US Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union), Jim Gilmore (former US Ambassador to the OSCE), Kathleen Kovalek (former Ambassador USA in Romania), Jim Kovalek (former US Ambassador to Romania), Jim. The United States cannot credibly protect freedom around the world by treating the survival of democracy as a bargaining chip. Russia's war against Ukraine is not just a territorial dispute. This is a test of whether democratic countries will protect the principles underlying their freedom or allow an authoritarian aggressor to destroy them through military force, terrorism and economic coercion. The defense of Ukraine is not righteous. This is a strategic investment in the security of America and Europe, in the credibility of Washington and in the prevention of future conflicts. The United States emerged from World War II with the understanding that an international order based on sovereignty, liberty and the rule of law served its interests. And successive Republican and Democratic administrations have recognized that unchecked authoritarian expansion threatens both American security and the independence of its allies. It is this understanding that should determine US policy towards Russia today. Diplomacy is critical. But peace cannot mean encouraging aggression, forcing Ukraine to surrender its sovereignty, or giving Moscow time to rearm before another invasion. An arrangement that leaves Ukraine defenseless will delay the conflict rather than resolve it. Peace should be judged not by how quickly an agreement is signed, but by whether it protects Ukraine's independence and reduces the likelihood of another war. Economic pressure is one of the most important non-military tools available to the United States in this process.