No Land for Russia—Stand Firm on Ukraine’s Sovereignty

I am writing to urge the United States to take a firm stance against any peace agreement that allows Russia to retain Ukrainian territory seized during its brutal and unprovoked invasion. Allowing Russia to gain land as a result of its aggression would set a dangerous precedent, rewarding military aggression and undermining international law. From the beginning of this war, Russia has shown blatant disregard for Ukraine’s sovereignty, launching a full-scale invasion in February 2022 under false pretenses. The United Nations, NATO, and the G7 have all condemned this illegal war, yet Russia has continued its campaign of destruction, targeting civilian infrastructure, committing documented war crimes, and displacing millions of Ukrainians. Any peace deal that lets Russia keep Ukrainian land would validate these crimes and encourage future territorial aggression—not just in Europe, but globally. History has shown us what happens when aggressors are rewarded with land. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 did not satisfy Russia’s ambitions; it emboldened them. If they are granted permanent control over more Ukrainian territory now, what stops them from further invasions in the future? What message does this send to other authoritarian regimes seeking to expand their power through force? Furthermore, Ukraine has demonstrated extraordinary resilience and commitment to defending its territorial integrity. The Ukrainian people overwhelmingly oppose ceding land to Russia, and any forced concessions would not bring lasting peace. Instead, it would create long-term instability, with Russia using occupied regions as staging grounds for future attacks—just as they did after taking Crimea. The United States has long stood for democracy, sovereignty, and the rule of law. We must not allow an aggressor like Russia to redraw borders by force. I urge you to: 1. Ensure that any peace deal explicitly requires Russia to withdraw from all occupied Ukrainian territory. 2. Reject any agreement that legitimizes Russia’s territorial claims. 3. Continue military and economic support to Ukraine to strengthen its negotiating position and prevent further aggression. Russia cannot be allowed to profit from its invasion. Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be restored, and international law must be upheld to prevent future conflicts. I call on you to stand firm and ensure that justice prevails.