1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to demand moral courage, plain language, and immediate accountability from our nation’s leaders on one indisputable truth that must no longer be softened, diluted, or obscured: Russia started the war in Ukraine. Russia alone is responsible for it. And Russia alone has the power to end it. There is no ambiguity. There is no “both sides.” There is no context that changes this fact. This war exists for one reason and one reason only: Russia chose to invade a sovereign nation. If Russia wants this war to end, Russia must retreat — fully, immediately, and without conditions. Full stop. Ukraine did not provoke this war. Ukraine did not invade another country. Ukraine did not bomb its neighbor’s cities or attempt to erase a nation’s existence. Russia crossed an internationally recognized border, unleashed mass violence, murdered civilians, abducted children, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced millions of innocent people. These are not accusations — they are documented facts. Vladimir Putin made a deliberate decision to launch this war. And he can make the decision to end it today by withdrawing every Russian soldier from Ukrainian territory. For decades, the United States has claimed to stand for sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law. Those principles mean nothing if our leaders refuse to say plainly what the entire world already knows. Silence, hedging, euphemisms, and “careful phrasing” do not create peace — they reward aggression. Every moment of hesitation emboldens Russia and signals weakness to authoritarian regimes everywhere. Our leaders must speak with one clear, unified voice: There will be no peace while Russia occupies Ukraine. There will be no negotiations under the barrel of a gun. There will be no rewards for invasion. There will be no normalization of war crimes. Calling out Russia is not “taking sides.” It is standing on the side of international law, human rights, and basic human decency. Allowing Russia to keep stolen land would tell the world that violence works, borders are optional, and America’s values are negotiable. That message would be catastrophic — and it must not be sent. Russia started this war. Russia is responsible for every death. Russia can end this war — by leaving Ukraine. The world is watching. History is recording every word — and every failure to speak. Leadership demands clarity, not cowardice. Keep our principles, our promises, and go what’s right. Demand Russia fully retreat NOW.