1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to express my profound alarm regarding reports that the administration is sending envoys to Moscow to offer legal recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea and occupied territories in the Donbas. Legitimizing borders redrawn by brute force breaks long-standing U.S. diplomatic convention, alienates our European allies, and dangerously incentivizes global aggression. As Ukrainian officials have stated, ceding territory violates their constitution and ignores the will of their people. I urge you to immediately condemn this proposal. The United States must not legitimize illegal annexations. We must stand with our allies and uphold the fundamental principle that sovereignty cannot be erased by war.