Those of us who live outside of Ukraine can help Ukraine by writing, calling or emailing our elected officials, urging them to continue helping Ukraine. This is critical to provide the necessary strong public support for the help that our politicians are providing Ukraine. Thank you for helping Ukraine!
Please see an example of such a letter to politicians below, as well as examples of actual replies from politicians. It is one of the dozens of messages I wrote to my elected officials since before Russia started the full-scale war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022 until present. I adjusted the letters as time went by and the needs of Ukraine changed. I also tried to customize the letters for each politician. It is best to keep the messages to politicians short and to the point, as well as respectful and positive. For further guidance on how to write to politicians, please listen to this TED talk: Omar Ahmad: Political change with pen and paper.
I contacted my Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey and President Joe Biden through the submission form on their respective websites. Below is how to find their websites:
https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
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April 9, 2023
Subject: Please help Ukraine!
Dear Congresswoman Clark:
I would like to thank you for your unwavering support of Ukraine! Please continue your work with the Biden administration in helping alleviate the suffering of civilians in Ukraine.
I wrote on December 17, 2022, providing recommendations for US policy regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Since then, the conflict continued, with Ukraine poised to start the Spring counteroffensive, with the goal of regaining the territory illegally occupied by the Russians. There is evidence of war crimes committed by Russia on the occupied territories, such as abduction of children. I would like to ask you to:
* Continue supplying Ukraine with weapons, with the goal to regain all of its territory, including Donbas and Crimea.
* Provide Ukraine with long range MLRS (e.g., ATACMS), fighter jets (e.g., F-16), tanks and ammunition.
* Start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 planes, in anticipation of the future developments.
* Increase sanctions on the Russian ruling elite. Seize their assets and use them for humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
Thank you so much for your consideration, and for helping protect the lives of Ukrainian elderly, women and children!
Sincerely,
Timur Shtatland, Ph.D.
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Katherine M. Clark
Congress of the United States
Democratic Whip
DemocraticWhip.house.gov
Washington Office
2368 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2836
FAX: (202) 226-0092
Massachusetts 5th District
KatherineClark.house.gov
District Office
157 Pleasant St., Suite 4
Malden, MA 02148
Phone: (617) 354-0292
FAX: (617) 354-1456
April 11, 2023
Dear Mr. Shtatland,
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked, illegal invasion of Ukraine. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me.
President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people continue to show extraordinary bravery in the face of Putin’s monstrous war, and it is essential that they receive sustained support from the international community as they defend their country. The consequences of this war are staggering, and I am heartbroken by the mounting loss of life and the millions of Ukrainian families forced to flee their homes.
That is why I am working with the Biden Administration and my colleagues in Congress to deliver robust humanitarian, economic, and military aid to Ukraine; hold Putin’s authoritarian regime accountable for its horrific acts of aggression; and end this war as quickly as possible. Nobody, especially the people of Ukraine, wants to see this conflict spiral further out of control, which is why our efforts must be centered on bringing it to an end.
Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, America and our allies across the globe are united against Putin’s cruelty and have taken strong, coordinated steps to end the conflict – imposing historic sanctions against Russia and mobilizing vital assistance to the people of Ukraine.
Congress has been a key partner in these global efforts, and I am proud to have voted in support of multiple aid packages to Ukraine – helping to bolster its defenses and provide food, medicine, and shelter to millions of displaced civilians. Moreover, I have voted for legislation to isolate Russia on the global stage by banning Russian energy imports and revoking permanent normal trade relations. These important steps are increasing pressure on Putin and draining resources from his war machine.
The families impacted by this devastating war must be treated with compassion, which is why President Biden has committed to welcoming 100,000 Ukrainian refugees into the United States. I have also proudly commended the Administration’s decision to grant temporary protected status to Ukrainians as well as its support for our Eastern European allies as they continue to offer refuge.
Please know that I will continue to do everything I can to support the people of Ukraine and help bring a swift end to this war, and I will keep your thoughts in mind should legislation regarding this issue be brought back to the House floor for a vote.
Again, thank you for voicing your concerns, and please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I may be of assistance. Also, you can stay up to date on my work for the 5th District by following me on Facebook, Twitter, and my official website.
Sincerely,
Katherine M. Clark
Member of Congress
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EDWARD J. MARKEY
MASSACHUSETTS
255 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
(202) 224-2742
United States Senate
April 19, 2023
Dear Timur:
Thank you for contacting me regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
Since the Russian military invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, millions of Ukrainians have fled the country, while those still in Ukraine are suffering through the most extreme privations, including lack of access to food, water, electricity, and shelter adequate to protect them from the relentless Russian assault. The United States and our European allies have responded with unity and are supporting Ukraine with economic and military aid, as well as humanitarian assistance.
While we must continue to provide unwavering support for Ukraine and our NATO allies in Europe, we must also push for a diplomatic resolution, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s repeated rejection of opportunities to compromise proposed by the Biden administration, NATO, and Ukraine. Together with our allies and partners, the United States has imposed historic sanctions to pressure Putin to end this unjust war.
Ending the war in Ukraine means ending our dependence on Russian oil. That is why I introduced the Severing Putin’s Immense Gains from Oil Transfers (SPIGOT) Act, legislation to prohibit the importation of Russian oil and petroleum products into the United States. Additionally, I support President Biden’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Ukrainians who will be unable to safely return to their homes. I applaud the President’s decision to welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees to the United States.
Finally, I introduced the Non-Recognition of Russian Annexation of Ukrainian Territory Act, legislation that would ensure U.S. policy never recognizes any Russian claim of sovereignty over Ukraine.
My heart is with the people of Ukraine as they endure an illegal violation of their sovereignty by Russia. As Congress considers proposals in the 118th Congress related to Ukraine, I will keep your thoughts and outreach in mind and continue to advocate for peace and the security for all Ukrainians.
I appreciate your contacting me about this issue. If my office can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out again. To sign up for my newsletter, visit www.markey.senate.gov/newsletter. You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Markey
United States Senator
