Activists hold opposing views on US role in Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Описание: On Sunday, hundreds marched from the Lincoln Memorial to the White House to demand President Biden escalate US support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia amidst growing tensions on Ukraine's eastern border.



Since that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has indeed ordered Russian forces into eastern Ukrainian regions which he calls a "peacekeeping force" but which the international community largely considers the beginning of an invasion.


NATO says the incursion is a violation of the Minsk Agreements, with Russia is a party to.


For his part, Putin blamed the incursion on Ukraine's possible inclusion in NATO.


As the situation in the region spirals, Americans have varying opinions on what the United States' role should be.


Nearly a month ago on January 27, a coalition of anti-war leftist groups including CODEPINK: Women For Peace, Answer Coalition, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Black Alliance for Peace gathered in front of the White House to hold a "No War with Russia, Disband NATO" rally.


The activists condemned the tensions already escalating by then as a pretext for conflict with Russia.


The groups see NATO as a vehicle for American imperialism, itself a vehicle for the financial success of war profiteers. They see both sides of the American political establishment in concert on the issue.


While the "Stand with Ukraine" rally may have opposite views from the leftist activists, they agree on the bipartisanship of the issue.


Former Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor, who served under Bush and Obama and later as the Acting Ambassador under Trump, told the crowd Ukraine should be supported militarily even if an invasion didn't occur.


John E. Herbst, who served as Ukraine Ambassador under Bush, also spoke out, advocating that participants all their representatives to tell them to send military equipment to Ukraine.


Many of the participants held signage comparing Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler, suggesting that retribution, rather than appeasement, would be the proper path forward.


Following Putin's escalation this week, CODEPINK doubled down on their original stance in a statement condemning sanctions and calling for negotiations to reach a peaceful resolution. They maintained that NATO "has long outlived any good purpose."


President Biden indeed revealed new sanctions against Russia Tuesday afternoon, siding with the activists calling for more tangible support for Ukraine against Russia.


Ford Fischer / News2Share for Activism Uncensored, a Collaboration with TK News


Additional footage from Storyblocks