Are Progressive Caucus Leaders Pushing Toward War?
The entire 11-member leadership of the U.S. Congressional Progressive Caucus1 has voted in favor of a House resolution2 that calls for isolation of Russia, urges the shipment of military weapons to the Ukrainian government, and encourages the United States and NATO to step up preparations for military confrontation with Russia.3
Missing from the Congressional resolution is the background of NATO expansion eastward to Russia's border in violation of the promise the United States made to Russia in 1989,4 as well as the U.S. support for a coup government in Ukraine and the attacks of that government's militias on ethnic Russians.
H. Res 758 denounces Russia for purchasing weapons, arming dictatorships, and allegedly invading sovereign nations -- all actions in which the United States routinely engages.
The resolution calls on President Obama "to provide the Government of Ukraine with lethal and non-lethal defense articles, services, and training," and demands that NATO prepare for war in defense of Ukraine as a NATO member. Ukraine is not a NATO member, but NATO is pushing hard for its inclusion.