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| Democrats retract call for Biden change of course on Ukraine | Democrats retract call for Biden change of course on Ukraine |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A group of left-wing Democrats in the US Congress has withdrawn a letter that called for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine. | A group of left-wing Democrats in the US Congress has withdrawn a letter that called for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine. |
| The Progressive Caucus said the message was being misconstrued as aligned with a growing reluctance in the Republican party to keep sending aid to Kyiv. | The Progressive Caucus said the message was being misconstrued as aligned with a growing reluctance in the Republican party to keep sending aid to Kyiv. |
| Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal said it was drafted "months ago" and that staff released it without it being "vetted". | Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal said it was drafted "months ago" and that staff released it without it being "vetted". |
| The memo sparked intra-party backlash before US midterm elections next month. | The memo sparked intra-party backlash before US midterm elections next month. |
| The letter to the White House was made public on Monday and was signed in June by 30 of President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives. | The letter to the White House was made public on Monday and was signed in June by 30 of President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives. |
| Its call for the US to negotiate directly with Russia was seen as undermining the Biden administration, which has repeatedly said Moscow is not interested in diplomacy. | Its call for the US to negotiate directly with Russia was seen as undermining the Biden administration, which has repeatedly said Moscow is not interested in diplomacy. |
| White House officials said in response that diplomacy is only possible when all sides are prepared to negotiate, and that is not currently the case. | White House officials said in response that diplomacy is only possible when all sides are prepared to negotiate, and that is not currently the case. |
| Massachusetts Democratic congressman Jake Auchincloss denounced the letter as "an olive branch to a war criminal who's losing his war", in reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin. | Massachusetts Democratic congressman Jake Auchincloss denounced the letter as "an olive branch to a war criminal who's losing his war", in reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin. |
| Another Progressive Caucus member, Ruben Gallego, responded: "Russia doesn't acknowledge diplomacy, only strength. | Another Progressive Caucus member, Ruben Gallego, responded: "Russia doesn't acknowledge diplomacy, only strength. |
| "If we want Ukraine to continue as a free and democratic country that it is, we must support their fight." | "If we want Ukraine to continue as a free and democratic country that it is, we must support their fight." |
| Ms Jayapal, a Washington state congresswoman, said on Tuesday that she still supported an end to the war "with diplomacy". | Ms Jayapal, a Washington state congresswoman, said on Tuesday that she still supported an end to the war "with diplomacy". |
| She said the timing of the letter's release meant it had "been conflated with [Republican] opposition". | She said the timing of the letter's release meant it had "been conflated with [Republican] opposition". |
| Ms Jayapal continued: "It is a distraction at this time." | Ms Jayapal continued: "It is a distraction at this time." |
| She accused Republicans of planning to withdraw financial and military support for Ukraine if they win a majority in Congress next month. | She accused Republicans of planning to withdraw financial and military support for Ukraine if they win a majority in Congress next month. |
| Republican congressman Kevin McCarthy warned earlier this month that if his party takes power in November there will be no "blank cheque" for Ukraine. | Republican congressman Kevin McCarthy warned earlier this month that if his party takes power in November there will be no "blank cheque" for Ukraine. |
| Other signatories to the letter included New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leading figure in the party's socialist wing, and Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin, who has taken a lead role in the Democrats' efforts to investigate former President Donald Trump. | Other signatories to the letter included New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leading figure in the party's socialist wing, and Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin, who has taken a lead role in the Democrats' efforts to investigate former President Donald Trump. |
| Mr Raskin disavowed the letter on Tuesday in a statement condemning Russia as "a world centre of antifeminist, antigay, anti-trans hatred". He praised the Ukrainian armed forces for recruiting women and "sexual minorities". | |
| Ms Ocasio-Cortez has faced pressure over Ukraine at recent public appearances. | |
| One heckler at a town hall-style event accused her of voting for nuclear war with Russia and China, shouting: "Why are you playing with the lives of American citizens?" |