US Helsinki Commission urges major shift in strategy on Russia
Photo: Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
The Helsinki Commission, which focuses on promoting democracy and human rights in post-Soviet states, has called on the United States to abandon its approach to Russia, shaped immediately after the end of the Cold War, according to The Hill.
According to the commission's report, Washington must rethink its stance on Russia, as it has done with China in recent years, and reallocate resources accordingly.
The report prioritizes ensuring Ukraine's victory in its defensive war against Russia, calling for massive military and humanitarian assistance to Kyiv, and enabling Ukraine's armed forces to strike deep into Russia with US-supplied weaponry.
According to The Hill, the report's policy recommendations go beyond the Biden administration's commitments to Ukraine and contradict the position of Donald Trump and his allies in Congress, who argue that the US is spending too much on European security. Trump advocates for a negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia through direct talks, but Helsinki Commission Chairman, Republican Joe Wilson, rejects the possibility of any such deal with Putin.
Several lawmakers believe the US must prepare for a long-term confrontation, recognizing that Russia has a centuries-long history of violent imperialism against its neighbors, Europe, and the wider world.
The Helsinki Commission is a non-governmental organization established by the US Congress in 1975, that monitors and promotes compliance with the Helsinki Accords and other OSCE commitments. It includes members of Congress, Senators, and experts in political, military, and security affairs.
Strikes by Western weapons on Russian targets
For several months, Kyiv has been requesting the US and other Western partners to allow the use of provided long-range Western weapons for strikes on targets deep within Russian territory. This includes British and French Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles and US ATACMS ballistic missiles.
According to several Western media outlets, the US and Britain have reportedly already made the decision but have not announced it officially. However, Ukraine has not yet used Western long-range weapons on Russian territory.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has stated that a decision on weapons for strikes against Russia will be made before winter.
Earlier, the Helsinki Commission noted that the US should encourage Ukrainian strikes on Russian military targets.
