Diplomacy Not War - Peace in Ukraine!

Peace in Ukraine!

From the latest VFP statement on the war in Ukraine:

“We demand urgent, good faith diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine, not more U.S. weapons, advisors, and endless war. And certainly not a nuclear war. We want those billions of dollars going for climate correction, jobs, healthcare and housing, not for the profiteers who manufacture weapons for death and destruction. “As veterans who have experienced the carnage of war, we feel great empathy for the young soldiers on both sides of this bloody war, who are being killed and injured in the tens of thousands. We know all too well that the survivors of armed conflict will be traumatized and scarred for life.”

Read the full statement here: VFP April 15, 2023 Statement on Ukraine

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Back in 2014 VFP said: “No new war; Not cold; Not hot; Not nuclear! Nonviolence, diplomacy and cooperation will win the day?” We warned of exactly what is happening now. You can read the full statement here: Veterans For Peace: No War Over Ukraine!  

VFP continues to stand up and speak out for peace! 

Check out more photos in our album of VFP Chapters and Members taking action!

(If you have photos you would like added, please email them to samantha@veteransforpeace.org)

We are already seeing an alarming amount of discourse in increasing Pentagon spending and an escalation of military endeavors.  We continue to maintain that the U.S. should commit to genuine diplomacy with serious negotiations.

Veterans For Peace joined with Public Citizen and 86 other peace groups to tell President Joe Biden, it is imperative that he should decrease the Pentagon topline in his forthcoming FY 23 budget request.  Read the letter here.

 

The Climate and Militarism Project has just issued a statement, The Ukraine Crisis and the Recent IPCC Report, with demands:

  1. Immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and a negotiated settlement that accommodates the security needs of Ukraine, Russia, and Europe.
  2. Reduction in NATO and US military posture in Europe in exchange for Russian guarantees to respect the right of self-governance of its neighboring nations.
  3. Renegotiation of lapsed arms treaties.
  4. Huge reductions by all countries in military spending and redirection of those funds to address the climate crisis.

 

Read our News Release: Veterans Warn Against "No Fly Zone" in Ukraine

Veterans of several U.S. wars are urging President Biden to hold fast against growing political pressure to implement a "no-fly zone." 

A No Fly Zone is an area established by a military power over which opposing aircraft are not permitted. No Fly Zones are enforced by military interception of aircraft and missiles using deadly force, and sometimes include preemptive strikes to prevent potential violations. In other words, a country that declares a no-fly zone must then be ready to enforce the protected space, putting the U.S. in direct military conflict with Russia, escalating war between two nuclear powers. Read the press release here.

We also have posted some informational graphics seeking to educate the public about No Fly Zones that you can see in the sidebar! Please reshare our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram posts. You can also download the graphics here.

 

Ways to take action

  • Read, Listen, and Watch: Check out our sidebar for a list of articles, videos and other resources 

  • Add your signature to Women Appeal for a Ceasefire, Ending the Threat of Nuclear War and for Peace written by American women participating in a Women Transforming Our Nuclear Legacy dialogue and peacebuilding initiative.

  • Join the War Industry Resisters Network’s next meeting.
    Veterans For Peace has been part of a network planning a week of action April 17th-24th that will target local war companies and their corporate control over US foreign policy. Our next planning call is Wednesday, March 30th at 6:30pm (EST), 5:30pm (CST), 3:30 (PST). 

  • Read and distribute our Nuclear Posture Review.
    This most recent crisis illustrates it is more important than ever to implement measures that would reduce the risk of nuclear war, such as implementing policies for No First Use and taking nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert.  Join the Veterans For Peace Nuclear Abolition working group as they see to apply pressure ahead of Biden’s release of the administrations own Nuclear Posture Review.
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