The U.S. Helsinki Commission, which focuses on supporting democracy and human rights in post-Soviet states, has called on the U.S. to abandon its approach toward Russia that was shaped immediately after the end of the Cold War.
This was reported by The Hill.
According to the commission's report, Washington should reassess its stance on Russia, similar to how it has rethought its approach to China in recent years, and allocate resources accordingly.
The key focus of the report's strategy is ensuring Ukraine's victory in its defensive war against Russia. It calls for "massive" military and humanitarian assistance to Kyiv, and for enabling the Ukrainian armed forces to strike deep into Russia using U.S.-provided weapons.
The political proposals outlined in the report go beyond the commitments of the Biden administration regarding Ukraine and contrast with the stance of Donald Trump and his congressional allies, who argue that the U.S. is spending too much on European security. Trump advocates for a deal between Ukraine and Russia through direct negotiations, but the chairman of the Helsinki Commission, Republican Joe Wilson, rejects the possibility of such a deal with Putin.
Some members of Congress believe the U.S. must prepare for a long-term confrontation, recognizing Russia’s centuries-long history of violent imperialism toward its neighbors, Europe, and the world at large.
The Helsinki Commission is a non-governmental organization formed by the U.S. Congress in 1975 to monitor and encourage compliance with the Helsinki Accords and other OSCE obligations. It includes congressmen, senators, political, military, and security experts.
