“On Friday, we witnessed an argument between a man without a suit, and a suit without a man”

Background: On February 28, 2025, President Trump’s government rejected Ukraine’s offered peace plan, insulted President Zelensky, and gave full support to Russia’s positions. This reverses 80 years of American foreign policy.

Trump’s intentions became clear four days earlier, when the United States sided with Russia in the United Nations General Assembly by opposing a winning resolution that favored Ukraine. The resolution was backed by 93 countries: only 18 countries opposed it. Those included besides the US and Russia, such bastions of freedom and democracy as Belarus, North Korea, Syria, and Hungary. China, which initially abstained along with 65 other nations, later voiced support for Moscow’s position.

No logical reason has been given for abandoning the Ukrainian people to Russian aggression. Long-time U.S. allies around the world are horrified.

The American people never supported Russian autocrats during the Cold War; today there’s no reason to befriend Putin, who ruthlessly represses his critics while his forces commit war crimes.

In the past, partisan differences stopped in times of war, and Americans united behind a foreign policy based on democratic ideals. Before World War II, there was some support for Nazis in the United States, but that ended during the war. Defense of democracy was our policy then; it should be now.

The action taken by President Trump to stop funds to Ukraine is “impoundment.” As Heather Cox Richardson states “That “impoundment” of funds Congress has determined should go to Ukraine is illegal under the terms of the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, and it is unconstitutional because the Constitution gives to Congress, not to the president, the power to set government spending and to make laws.”

Maine should protest all illegal acts that violate the Constitution.

Action: Call on the Maine House and Senate to pass an updated resolution of support for Ukraine, similar to the Maine House Joint Resolution 1532 of April 2022. The 130th Legislature gave many reasons –all still true. Here is a simple Resolution for consideration:

RESOLVED: That the State of Maine continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom; and be it further RESOLVED: That the State of Maine condemns the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine. In addition, all military and economic aid should continue while sanctions on Russia are maintained.

The resolution should also demand an end to the unconstitutional impoundment of funds appropriated by the U.S. Congress.

Who to contact: Your state Representative and Senator. See attached table (for Hancock County.). Don’t neglect to call the Republicans.

Urgency: It is unclear whether the Maine House and Senate will be able to include any Resolutions in their packed calendar for this legislative session. When you contact them, ask if it’s possible for them to take emergency action on Ukraine because of the extreme importance to war and peace, as well as the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Extra Credit:

Previous resolution text:

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1522&item=1&snum=130

https://thehill.com/homenews/5161380-ukraine-un-resolution/