Nebraska Panhandle News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ranking Member of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, criticized the "clear disconnect across the Biden administration" on Ukraine policy following conflicting public comments and testimony given to Ricketts during a Subcommittee hearing.

At a Subcommittee hearing in July, James C. O’Brien, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, stated that fears of Russian escalation did not influence the administration’s decision to limit weapons available to Ukraine. However, subsequent public comments from Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh and National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby contradicted O’Brien’s testimony. Ricketts' letter was also sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“Escalation fears should not form the foundation of our efforts to defend our allies and partners,” wrote Ricketts in the letter. “Neither should the false hope of normalizing future relations with autocratic dictators who have proven they will never share our values or act responsibly. Yet, from Russia, to Iran, to the People’s Republic of China, fear and appeasement have defined this administration’s policy.”

“Still, this administration seems committed to repeating instead of learning from its mistakes over the past two and half years,” closed Ricketts. “It appears determined to let fear of escalation preserve the status quo instead of allowing Ukraine the best path to victory. And, as its decision to send long-range missiles to Germany hypocritically illustrates, it expects Ukraine to fight this war in a manner that both the United States and our NATO allies would deem ineffective.”

Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

September 3, 2024

The Honorable James C. O’Brien

Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington DC 20520

Dear Assistant Secretary O’Brien,

I write to express my profound frustration regarding the clear disconnect across the Biden administration concerning its continued prohibition on Ukraine’s ability to strike military targets deep into Russian territory with U.S.-provided weaponry.

On July 30, you testified before the Senate Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee on “The Future of Europe.” At the hearing, you agreed that the Biden administration’s decision to deploy future long-range missiles in Germany capable of threatening military targets deep into Russia strengthens NATO’s defense posture by complicating Russian planning efforts. However, when I asked how the administration can defend this decision while simultaneously limiting Ukraine’s ability to use ATACMS for the same purpose, you explained that ensuring Ukraine utilizes weapons efficiently was key. You were clear that the current limitation on Ukrainian long-range strikes has nothing to do with a fear of Russian escalation despite President Biden's comments at a NATO summit indicating otherwise.

In fact, you said: “I know some people talk about escalation ladder concern. I have got to say inside government; conversation is about where can these things be effective.”

It has become clear this is not accurate. At a press briefing on August 15th Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh was similarly asked about reasoning behind restrictive policies but while initially echoing your answer regarding effectiveness she also said: “And we’re worried about escalation... just because Russia hasn’t responded doesn’t mean they won’t in future...”

Similarly on August 23rd White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby when asked whether incursion into Kursk changed considerations about risks or so-called red lines responded: “We’ve been watching escalation risks since beginning conflict; that ain’t gonna change.”

Escalation fears should not form foundation defending allies/partners nor false hope normalizing future relations autocratic dictators proving never share values act responsibly yet from Russia Iran People’s Republic China fear appeasement defined policy since full-scale illegal invasion time again argued against providing weapon capability only change course after months public congressional pressure even today seen no dramatic escalation despite ongoing operation inside territory still committed repeating instead learning mistakes past two half years determined let fear preserve status quo instead allowing best path victory hypocritically illustrates expects fight manner deemed ineffective encourage urgently discuss reversing short-sighted policy colleagues White House interagency stop slow rolling decision give best opportunity win sincerely Pete Ricketts Ranking Member Senate Subcommittee Europe Regional Security Cooperation CC: Secretary Antony Blinken Department State