Dear Friends,  In the years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the nations of Eastern Europe have increased economic, social, and political integration with their neighbors. Ukraine is no exception, voting for independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and strengthening ties with NATO allies, the European Union, and the United States since.   On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin upended this peace by ordering his troops to invade Ukraine in an attempt to restore Russia’s former empire.   Putin has been searching for years for a justification to invade Ukraine and undo the Ukrainian people’s progress towards a democratic and inclusive society. He has stationed nearly 200,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders, denied the existence of an independent Ukraine, and threatened war if Ukraine refuses to submit to Russian imperialism.  This conflict is rapidly evolving. The United States and our European allies must counter Putin’s imperialist zeal with a deliberate strategy that combines diplomacy, targeted sanctions, and direct aid to Ukraine. American troops should not be deployed to Ukraine.   I remain hopeful we can find a diplomatic solution. An expanded conflict will have devastating consequences for the Russian and Ukrainian people. The Biden-Harris Administration and our European allies are continuing to work toward a solution that prevents conflict and preserves Ukrainian independence. I strongly support these efforts to exhaust all options to prevent conflict.  On Tuesday, President Biden expanded sanctions on Putin and his closest supporters in response to the decision to invade Ukraine. These must be the first step in severe, targeted sanctions that are imposed in coordination with our allies, to deter further aggression.   This situation is urgent, but American troops must not become embroiled in this conflict.  Our experience over the past half century has been a cautionary tale against American military intervention in other country's wars. As a student, I was opposed to the Vietnam war. In Congress, I strongly opposed Bush's reckless invasion of Iraq and opposed the endless war in Afghanistan.   We must use all other tools at our disposal to support Ukraine’s independence and counter Putin’s imperialist zeal.