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We must strongly and in no uncertain terms reject what I consider an egregious and embarrassing 28-point proposal the U.S. administration has made for Ukraine peace.
Russia should not be given any territory for attacking Ukraine. This rewards aggression, which is wrong. Russia must withdraw and pay reparations.
Russia should not get its occupied lands rebuilt with its embargoed funds; Ukraine should get those funds to rebuild land in its territories. If Ukraine makes the difficult choice to give up some land in negotiations, none of that land should receive money from the Russian funds embargoed by non-Russian countries.
Russia should not get reinstated into the diplomatic community for an extended period of time during which it must prove it has abandoned its ways as an expansionist aggressor.
Russia should not be held blameless for the war atrocities it has committed including bombing innocent civilians, hospitals, and shelters, kidnap and rape. The full measure of the United Nations authority to punish Russia for its war crimes must be enabled.
Russia should not be welcome to do deals with the U.S.; it should receive stricter sanctions.
Ukraine should not have its military hamstrung. It should not be denied entry into NATO if NATO deems to admit it. The U.S. should not be the judge between Russia and NATO.
No agreement should be decided without the input of the people most affected: Ukraine and Europe.
Julia Bassett Schwerin
Cape Elizabeth
