100 Organizations Publish Petition in The Hill Calling for Ukraine Peace Talks and Ceasefire

By Peace in Ukraine, World BEYOND War, May 23, 2023

LISTEN TO RADIO SHOW HERE (On May 24, 2023, on the 6pm local news, at minute 19.55).

Representatives of the Peace in Ukraine Coalition will fan out across U.S. Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and over 65 congressional home district offices on Wednesday, May 24th, to deliver a petition in The Hill that urges Biden, Putin, and Zelensky to support peace talks and a ceasefire in Ukraine. Peace activists will also share a copy of the petition/ad with offices of the US State Department and the Ukrainian and Russian embassies.

The petition, published as a full-page ad in a newspaper widely read by Congress, reads, in part, “The longer the war goes on, the greater the danger of spiraling escalation which can lead to a wider war, environmental devastation and nuclear annihilation.”

The petition reinforces the efforts of global leaders who are involved in peace initiatives, including the presidents of China, Brazil, and South Africa; the UN Secretary General; and the Pope. It also reflects the growing U.S. public skepticism about continued U.S. support for the war.

U.S. activists will bring the petition to the upcoming International Summit for Peace in Ukraine that will take place on June 10-11th in Vienna, a global gathering to amplify the urgent call for a ceasefire in a war that poses the risk of nuclear annihilation.

The petition featured in the ad was signed by leaders of national and international organizations, such as CODEPINK, Defuse Nuclear War, Veterans for Peace, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom-US, Progressive Democrats of America, RootsAction, World Beyond War and the Ukrainian Movement of Pacifists.

The petition was also signed by prominent authors, historians and diplomats, among them Daniel Ellsberg, Pentagon Papers whistleblower; Medea Benjamin, co-author, “War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict;” Jeffrey Sachs, economist, global leader in sustainable development; Roger Waters, co-founder, Pink Floyd; Matthew Hoh, Eisenhower Media Network, former Marine Corps officer and State Department and Defense official; Col. Ann Wright, former State Department official; Jack Matlock, former US Ambassador to the Soviet Union; Norman Soloman, founder and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy; Dr. Cornel West, author, “Race Matters,” ”Democracy Matters,” and others.

Marcy Winograd, co-chair of the Peace in Ukraine Coalition, said, “We need a ceasefire before this war escalates to risk further death and destruction. We need Russia, Ukraine and NATO countries to lay down their arms and participate in peace negotiations without preconditions. The alternative risks World War III and a nuclear war, either due to miscalculation or intention. As supporters of urgent diplomacy, we stand with the Global South ringing the alarm bells before it’s too late.”

Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK and co-author of “War in Ukraine Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict,” has traversed the United States on a book tour to amplify the call for a ceasefire. “This petition reflects the frustration of the U.S. public with both parties for near unanimous support for fueling this war with more and more weapons shipments. Those who are supposed to represent us are totally disconnected from public sentiment that this war must immediately end to prevent a wider war that threatens all life on earth.”

Col. Ann Wright, who resigned from the State Department in opposition to the Iraq War, said, “Every dollar we spend on weapons, ammunition, missiles and military training to continue the war in Ukraine, instead of pushing for negotiations to end the killing, is a dollar stolen from our communities and from the millions at home who live paycheck to paycheck, food insecure, without housing and access to clear water and adequate medical care. It’s up to us, the people, to stop this raid on our treasury and demand a diplomatic resolution that will lead to enduring peace.”

Madison for a World BEYOND War Joins 100 Organizations To Publish Ceasefire Petition & Deliver it to Senator Ron Johnson, Senator Tammy Baldwin & Rep Mark Pocan

Madison for a World BEYOND War joins the Peace in Ukraine Coalition to fan out across Capitol Hill and congressional home district offices on Wednesday, May 24th, to deliver a petition that urges Presidents Biden, Putin and Zelensky to support peace talks and a ceasefire in Ukraine. Here in Wisconsin, Stefania Sani, Janet Parker, Jane Kavaloski and others will deliver the petition to U.S. Senators Baldwin and Johnson and U.S. Representative Pocan.  More detail about the petition below.

At the same time, the antiwar activists will also bring an open letter from the Eisenhower Media Network to the Biden administration that was published May 16 as a full-page ad in The New York Times, from a group of former military, intelligence, and civilian national security officials. The letter, titled “The U.S. Should Be a Force for Peace in the World,” calls for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to end the terrible war in Ukraine.  An interview about the open letter, with the director of Eisenhower Media Network, retired command chief master sergeant of the U.S. Air Force Dennis Fritz, is here on Democracy Now.

Schedule of events in Madison on Wednesday, May 24:

2:30 pm – Sen Johnson’s office, 5315 Wall Street, Suite 110, Madison to deliver Eisenhower Media Network’s open letter from NYT and Peace in Ukraine’s ceasefire petition.

3:30 pm – Rep Pocan’s office, 10 E. Doty Street, Suite 405. Picket, banner, deliver Eisenhower Media Network’s open letter from NYT and Peace in Ukraine’s ceasefire petition.

4:00 pm – Walk to Sen Baldwin’s office, 30 W Mifflin St, Suite 700. Picket, banner, deliver Eisenhower Media Network’s open letter from NYT and Peace in Ukraine’s ceasefire petition.

“Weapons makers are the only winners in war.  We need to abolish war.” – Stefania Sani, Madison for a World BEYOND War, Chapter Co-Coordinator

“This week the Biden administration announced support for attacks on Crimea, a horrifying leap closer to nuclear war.  We call on our elected officials to push for a ceasefire and peace negotiations in Ukraine now.” – Janet Parker, Madison for a World BEYOND War, Chapter Co-Coordinator

The Peace in Ukraine coalition petition, published as a full-page ad in The Hill, a newspaper widely read by Congress, reads, “The longer the war goes on, the greater the danger of spiraling escalation which can lead to a wider war, environmental devastation and nuclear annihilation.”  Peace activists in Washington DC will share a copy of the Peace in Ukraine petition/ad with offices of the U.S. State Department and the Ukrainian and Russian embassies.

The petition reinforces the efforts of global leaders who are involved in peace initiatives, including the presidents of China, Brazil, and South Africa; the UN Secretary General; and the Pope. It also reflects the growing U.S. public skepticism about continued U.S. support for the war.

Madison for a World BEYOND War asks Rep Pocan, Sen Johnson and Sen Baldwin to issue public statements calling on Biden, Putin and Zelensky to support an immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations without preconditions.

The petition was signed by leaders of national and international organizations, including World BEYOND War, CODEPINK, Defuse Nuclear War, Veterans for Peace, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom-US, Progressive Democrats of America, RootsAction, and the Ukrainian Movement of Pacifists.

The petition was also signed by prominent authors, historians and diplomats, among them Daniel Ellsberg, Pentagon Papers whistleblower; Medea Benjamin, co-author, “War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict;” Jeffrey Sachs, economist, global leader in sustainable development; Roger Waters, co-founder, Pink Floyd: Matthew Hoh, Eisenhower Media Network, former Marine Corps officer and State Department and Defense official; Col. Ann Wright, former State Department official; Jack Matlock, former US Ambassador to the Soviet Union; Norman Soloman, founder and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy; and Dr. Cornel West, author, “Race Matters”, Democracy Matters,” and others.

22 Responses

  1. Since we are in the Ukraine for the same reason we’ve ravaged the Middle East, our leaders are criminals. We’re trying to monopolize the oil and any other “resources”. We’re, in other words, murderous thieves. We’re in the Ukraine to run an extortion racket against Russia. It’s past time to start behaving as a civilized country.

    1. Thank you for this concise and accurate reason for the war.
      I would only add that NATO countries are the aggressor here.

  2. We need to get our leaders to the negotiating table. Crimea was given to Ukraine in 1954 by Khrushchev who grew up in the Donbas, who was a Ukrainian. The elections Crimea held to see if they should leave Ukraine and go with Russia were monitored by one or more credible organizations and the population voted solidly to go with Russia. They were afraid that the violence in Kiev in 2014 would spread to Crimea. The population of Crimea is ethnic Russian. Sebastopol, the world-renown Black Sea port has many memories associated with it for its role in World War II. When Khrushchev gave Crimea to Ukraine, Ukraine was part of the U.S.S.R.

  3. May Peace prevail in the hearts and lives of the people of Ukraine and Russia and may Peace prevail on earth.

  4. The public has been, in the main, duped once again. There is an ‘enemy.’ This time it is Russia and Putin. We, of course, are blameless innocents. Never mind that when Obama was President, Hillary Clinton Secretary of State a coup was planned that successfully overthrew the democratically elected President of Ukraine. Never mind the US push to continually expand NATO contrary to all early promises. Never mind the arming of NATO, never part of the initial intentions/agreements. Never mind that Putin, in strong yet diplomatic language has continually stated Russia’s legitimate concerns regarding NATO’s expansion to its borders with missiles aimed directly at it. The public is set up to believe that the latest enemy (now China has joined the list) commits horrible acts, while conveniently ignoring and hiding our own governments horrendous world-wide atrocities over many years. The current ‘budget crisis’ is not about whether or not to raise the debt ceiling. It should be about a drastic cut in military and pentagon spending. This would reduce the budget and there would be no need to raise the debt ceiling.

  5. AI-Mediated Conflict Resolution between Ukraine and Russia:

    A Proposal for Sustainable Peace Introduction
    The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has resulted in significant human suffering and geopolitical tensions, with nuclear response being mentioned more than once. This proposal suggests utilizing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and engaging major AI developers from around the world to find a peaceful resolution and prevent further escalation. By leveraging the collective wisdom of global citizens and integrating it with international law and human ethics, we aim to foster a conducive environment for constructive dialogue and lasting peace.

    1. Establishing an International AI Team
    To develop the AI system for conflict mediation, a consortium of major AI developers, including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Open AI, Samsung, Sony, and other influential entities, will collaborate. The involvement of diverse stakeholders, including representatives from Russia, Ukraine, China, Europe, will ensure a holistic and inclusive approach to the development of the AI system. The competitive forces driving these players to be leaders in AI, will be directed towards solving this crisis.

    2. Amalgamation of Ideas and Suggestions
    While the AI Mediation System is being created, dedicated teams consisting of experts and diplomats from all who wish to participate will collect, evaluate, and respond to suggestions from individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide. These suggestions, along with the ideas triggered by these suggestions, will be documented and integrated into the AI development process. Openness and transparency will be maintained throughout, enabling stakeholders and all those who submit suggestions to comprehend the reasoning behind the AI’s suggestions and conclusions from every political and intellectual perspective.

    3. Temporary Ceasefire and International Zone
    To foster an environment conducive to peace negotiations, Ukraine and Russia will mutually agree to a ceasefire for a specified duration, ideally three years. During this period, all disputed territories will be designated as an international zone, and all weapons of war will be relocated 500 miles away from the border or at a distance agreeable to both sides. This will reduce the immediate risk of conflict, provide a secure space for the AI team to operate, and offer respite for the people of the region.

    4. Responsible for developing the Conflict Mediation AI system
    The AI team will establish a home base in the disputed territories. By recruiting and integrating AI innovators and experts from Russia, Ukraine, China, NATO, and other military and non-military alliances, the team will ensure diverse perspectives and a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics involved. This collaborative approach will contribute to the development of an AI system that accounts for the interests of all parties involved. The creation of ideas to resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict will also assist in addressing other conflicts.

    5. Social Interaction and Technological Innovation
    To assist in conflict resolution efforts between the warring parties, the international zone will serve as a platform for new social platforms which help to break down barriers between nations, such as sports competitions that include different nations on the same teams. Advanced biomedical research and medical applications can be introduced to the region, providing the people of the area and delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and those who are building and assisting in the building of this Mediation software, with a first taste of the technology. This initiative can include sharing knowledge on bio-science advancements that slow down and potentially reverse the aging process. This will foster positive engagement and mutual understanding of the entire project, providing an international futuristic perspective to all involved.

    6. Technological Feasibility and Temporary Solutions
    While experts may express skepticism about the immediate capabilities of AI for conflict resolution, it is crucial to acknowledge that technological advancements are emerging rapidly, eponencially. Temporary solutions will be employed to maintain the momentum and interest in preserving the ceasefire, enabling ongoing discussions and negotiations. Just as the development of the mRNA vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated unforeseen breakthroughs, innovative approaches will emerge during.

    8. The Future:
    AI will provide us with scenarios as to what could unfold if we obtain a peaceful settlement and what might unfold if we don’t.

    9. Collaboration with NATO and Global Opinion
    To gain international support and maximize the potential for success, the major AI developers in the US, Europe, and Canada will collectively appeal to NATO to endorse a temporary cessation of hostilities for the duration of the proposal’s development. Public opinion, driven by the desire for peace, would exert pressure on NATO to consider the proposal seriously. Acknowledging the urgency and potential benefits of a ceasefire will align with the interests of all parties involved. President Vladimir Putin observed, “whoever becomes the leader in this sphere [artificial intelligence] will become the ruler of the world.” All players will need to be part of this development.

    References:
    1. Kania, E. B. (2018). Battlefield Singularity: Artificial Intelligence, Military Revolution, and China’s Future Military Power. Center for a New American Security. Retrieved from https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/battlefield-singularity-artificial-intelligence-military-revolution-and-chinas-future-military-power
    2. Scharre, P. (2018). Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War. W.W. Norton & Company. Retrieved from https://books.wwnorton.com/books/Army-of-None/

  6. AI-Mediated Conflict Resolution between Ukraine and Russia:

    A Proposal for Sustainable Peace Introduction
    The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has resulted in significant human suffering and geopolitical tensions, with nuclear response being mentioned more than once. This proposal suggests utilizing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and engaging major AI developers from around the world to find a peaceful resolution and prevent further escalation. By leveraging the collective wisdom of global citizens and integrating it with international law and human ethics, we aim to foster a conducive environment for constructive dialogue and lasting peace.

    1. Establishing an International AI Team
    To develop the AI system for conflict mediation, a consortium of major AI developers, including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Open AI, Samsung, Sony, and other influential entities, will collaborate. The involvement of diverse stakeholders, including representatives from Russia, Ukraine, China, Europe, will ensure a holistic and inclusive approach to the development of the AI system. The competitive forces driving these players to be leaders in AI, will be directed towards solving this crisis.

    2. Amalgamation of Ideas and Suggestions
    While the AI Mediation System is being created, dedicated teams consisting of experts and diplomats from all who wish to participate will collect, evaluate, and respond to suggestions from individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide. These suggestions, along with the ideas triggered by these suggestions, will be documented and integrated into the AI development process. Openness and transparency will be maintained throughout, enabling stakeholders and all those who submit suggestions to comprehend the reasoning behind the AI’s suggestions and conclusions from every political and intellectual perspective.

    3. Temporary Ceasefire and International Zone
    To foster an environment conducive to peace negotiations, Ukraine and Russia will mutually agree to a ceasefire for a specified duration, ideally three years. During this period, all disputed territories will be designated as an international zone, and all weapons of war will be relocated 500 miles away from the border or at a distance agreeable to both sides. This will reduce the immediate risk of conflict, provide a secure space for the AI team to operate, and offer respite for the people of the region.

    4. Responsible for developing the Conflict Mediation AI system
    The AI team will establish a home base in the disputed territories. By recruiting and integrating AI innovators and experts from Russia, Ukraine, China, NATO, and other military and non-military alliances, the team will ensure diverse perspectives and a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics involved. This collaborative approach will contribute to the development of an AI system that accounts for the interests of all parties involved. The creation of ideas to resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict will also assist in addressing other conflicts.

    5. Social Interaction and Technological Innovation
    To assist in conflict resolution efforts between the warring parties, the international zone will serve as a platform for new social platforms which help to break down barriers between nations, such as sports competitions that include different nations on the same teams. Advanced biomedical research and medical applications can be introduced to the region, providing the people of the area and delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and those who are building and assisting in the building of this Mediation software, with a first taste of the technology. This initiative can include sharing knowledge on bio-science advancements that slow down and potentially reverse the aging process. This will foster positive engagement and mutual understanding of the entire project, providing an international futuristic perspective to all involved.

    6. Technological Feasibility and Temporary Solutions
    While experts may express skepticism about the immediate capabilities of AI for conflict resolution, it is crucial to acknowledge that technological advancements are emerging rapidly, exponentially. Temporary solutions will be employed to maintain the momentum and interest in preserving the ceasefire, enabling ongoing discussions and negotiations. Just as the development of the mRNA vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated unforeseen breakthroughs, innovative approaches will emerge during.

    8. The Future:
    AI will provide us with scenarios as to what could unfold if we obtain a peaceful settlement and what might unfold if we don’t.

    9. Collaboration with NATO and Global Opinion
    To gain international support and maximize the potential for success, the major AI developers in the US, Europe, and Canada will collectively appeal to NATO to endorse a temporary cessation of hostilities for the duration of the proposal’s development. Public opinion, driven by the desire for peace, would exert pressure on NATO to consider the proposal seriously. Acknowledging the urgency and potential benefits of a ceasefire will align with the interests of all parties involved. President Vladimir Putin observed, “whoever becomes the leader in this sphere [artificial intelligence] will become the ruler of the world.” All players will need to be part of this development.

    References:
    1. Kania, E. B. (2018). Battlefield Singularity: Artificial Intelligence, Military Revolution, and China’s Future Military Power. Center for a New American Security. Retrieved from https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/battlefield-singularity-artificial-intelligence-military-revolution-and-chinas-future-military-power
    2. Scharre, P. (2018). Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War. W.W. Norton & Company. Retrieved from https://books.wwnorton.com/books/Army-of-None/

  7. Je suis d,accord, mais avec une mention: agresseur est Russie, elle commencait cette guerre contre pays independante et souveraine. Et premier condition est, que agresseur se retire d,Ukraine et cesse assalir! Il faut savoir, que Poutine commencait cette guerre a cause de son tendences imperialistiques. Un notre philosophe a dit: “Quand Poutine commence se comparer avec Peter Grand, il n y,a pas a dire…”
    Ditais je assez comprehesible, pourqouoi il s,agit?????

  8. NATO broke their pledge to Pres. Gorbachev to not move one inch eastward. But it did by means of financing a coup d’etat in 2014: casus belli.

  9. The U.S. did not give negotiations a chance before the war started. Enough killing and destruction. The U.S. should agree to a cease fire and to start negotiations immediately.

  10. This Rogue – empire is totally imperialist unconstitutional invasions sanctimonious. Since 1957 I have been striving for treaties on all three nuclear – molecular: weapons, by all nations of this planet. Not unjustly, Thermo-hydrogen bombs, not unjustly uranium 238 billets and bomb tips, not unjustly, electromagnetic-pulse d.e.w. but peace overtures for all nations such as one vote One Nation treaties for all.
    in peace

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