McCain Institute Statement on Third Anniversary of Russia’s War in Ukraine

Statement by Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director of the McCain Institute and Fletcher Alum

The McCain Institute at Arizona State University today issued a statement from Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas on the third anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine:  

“Today marks the third anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked, illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For the past two decades, the United States, with its NATO allies, have been united in recognizing the immense threat posed by Russia and the importance of supporting Ukraine’s valiant struggle for sovereignty, security, and democracy.  

“Our namesake Senator John McCain modeled this commitment. In 2013, he stood side by side with Ukrainians in Kyiv, protesting a violent crackdown from their Russian-backed government, declaring, ‘The free world is with you. America is with you. I am with you. And the destiny you seek lies in Europe. Ukraine will make Europe better, and Europe will make Ukraine better.’ 

“In defending itself in a brutal war it never asked for, Ukraine has severely weakened one of our most dangerous adversaries, crippling Russia’s ability to undermine U.S. interests, all without a single American boot on the ground. We are now at a historic crossroads. We can choose to tell the truth about the war and stand up for our American values of freedom and democracy. Or we can turn a blind eye to injustice and capitulate to authoritarian thugs like Vladimir Putin. 

“On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded its peaceful, sovereign neighbor in order to topple Ukraine’s democratic government and carry out President Putin’s goal to reclaim a perceived great Russian Empire. Ukrainians have met the attack with fierce resistance, fighting courageously against a much larger Russian force. Unlike their Russian counterparts, Ukrainian soldiers have values to fight for and everything to lose. They fight to protect their children, who are kidnapped from their parents by the hundreds of thousands and forced into Russian, military-style camps. They fight for their self-determination and the right to choose their own alliances. They fight for a democracy that reflects the will of its people. And most importantly, they fight for freedom from violence and war. 

“Ukraine deserves a just and lasting peace which can only be achieved through the following steps:  

1. Ukraine needs a security guarantee that effectively deters a Russian reinvasion.  
2. Just as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is not possible without the return of hostages, peace in Ukraine is not possible without the return of children forcibly transferred to Russia.  
3. Russia must be held accountable for the over 100,000 suspected war crimes committed against Ukrainians.  
4. Frozen Russian assets must be distributed to victims of Russian war crimes and support Ukraine’s reconstruction.  
5. Ukraine must receive a pathway to NATO membership. While a bilateral or multilateral security guarantee can hold off Russia in the short term, Ukraine needs concrete steps for integration into a transatlantic security architecture for the long term. And we need their expertise to combat a growing axis of autocrats. 

“The United States government appears to be moving in the opposite direction, refusing to join both the Group of 7 and the United Nations’ statements marking Russia’s invasion because they identified Russia as the aggressor. Instead, President Trump has falsely claimed Ukraine started the war. The United States has also frozen foreign aid to Ukraine, entered negotiations with Russia on Ukraine without Ukraine (or our European allies), ruled out NATO membership, demanded Ukraine give up its territory, and suggested the U.S. will lift sanctions on Russia and welcome the country into the Group of 8. Russia should never be taken out of isolation before there is a just peace.” 

(This post is republished from The McCain Institute.)