Washington, D.C. – Today, 18 retired three- and four-star generals and admirals—who previously oversaw military operations and served at NATO and U.S. European Command—sent a letter to Congress on the urgency for additional security, economic, and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. Click here or see below for the full letter.

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Charles Schumer
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McCarthy, Majority Leader Schumer, and Minority Leader McConnell:

We write to thank you for your leadership and actions to strengthen our civilian national security tools, support Ukraine in the fight against Russia, ensure NATO regional security, and combat the global threat of pandemics.

As leaders who served at the highest levels of military service and oversaw operations in Europe, we believe the ongoing threat to U.S. national security remains high from Russian aggression in Ukraine, and the war’s destabilizing impacts on global security stretch far beyond the European frontlines. As Congress considers appropriations for the International Affairs Budget for Fiscal Year 2023 and new potential emergency resources, we believe these investments are critical to keep Americans safe, protect our national interests, and stand with our allies.

Over the last nine months, the world has witnessed Ukraine valiantly defend its country due to the bravery and resolve of its citizens and the significant security, economic, and humanitarian assistance provided by the United States and our allies. Members of the United States Congress, under your leadership, can be proud of America’s support and of Ukraine’s impressive defense of its territory against this illegal and unjustified invasion.

As we assess the fight ahead, we believe it is critical that the United States continue to provide this essential assistance and that we rally our allies to do the same, particularly as reports emerge that previously appropriated resources are starting to run low. It is in the direct national security interests of the United States that we enable Ukraine to continue to defend itself and that we bolster their position for any future negotiations that may emerge with Russia. Our continued economic assistance and lifesaving humanitarian resources – not just in the early months of this war but over the long term – will also be essential to ensure we meet the needs of millions of impacted and displaced by this brutal war.

We also recognize that these threats are not happening in a vacuum as other authoritarian regimes and malign actors watch to see if the will of America and our partners wanes as the fight drags on. As we look beyond Eastern Europe, the combination of the war’s destabilizing impacts and the aftershocks of the global pandemic continue to disrupt global food security, global health, supply chains, energy security, and the plight of refugees with particular effects on fragile states and regions critical to U.S national security.

As Congress considers important proposals for FY23 for American diplomatic and development programs alongside additional emergency global resources for Ukraine, global food security, and global health, the broader threat to global stability and America’s national interests cannot be understated. At this perilous moment, we urge you to help protect U.S. national security and strengthen resources for America’s civilian programs overseas.

Thank you for your consideration and bipartisan leadership at this critical time.

Very respectfully,

Admiral Charles S. Abbot, USN (Ret.)
Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (‘98-‘00)

Lt. General Thomas L. Baptiste, USAF (Ret.)
Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee (‘04-‘07)

General Philip M. Breedlove, USAF (Ret.)
Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (‘13-’16)

General Bantz J. Craddock, USA (Ret.)
Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (’06-’09)

Vice Admiral Malcolm I. Fages, USN (Ret.)
Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee (’01-’04)

Lt. General William B. Garrett III, USA (Ret.)
Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (’14-’16)

Admiral James R. Hogg, USN (Ret.)
U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (‘88-‘91)

Lt. General Michael L. Howard, USA (Ret.)
Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (’20-‘22)

General James L. Jamerson, USAF (Ret.)
Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (’95-’98)

Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, USN (Ret.)
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe (‘01-‘04)

Lt. General Scott A. Kindsvater, USAF (Ret.)
Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee (’19-’21) 

Lt. General Timothy A. Kinnan, USAF (Ret.)
U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (’01-’04)

Lt. General Frank J. Kisner, USAF (Ret.)
Commander, NATO Special Operations Headquarters, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (’10-’13)

Vice Admiral Carol M. Pottenger, USN (Ret.)
Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability Development, NATO Allied Command Transformation (‘10-’13)

Admiral James G. Stavridis, USN (Ret.)
Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (’09-’13)

Vice Admiral William D. Sullivan, USN (Ret.)
U.S. Military Representative to NATO Military Committee (’06-’09)

Lt. General John C. “J.T.” Thomson, III, USA (Ret.)
Commander, NATO Allied Land Command (’18-’20)

General Charles F. Wald, USAF (Ret.)
Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (‘02-‘06)

CC: The Honorable Patrick Leahy, Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee
The Honorable Richard C. Shelby, Vice Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee
The Honorable Christopher Coons, Chairman, Senate State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee
The Honorable Lindsey Graham, Ranking Member, Senate State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee
The Honorable Rosa DeLauro, Chairwoman, House Appropriations Committee
The Honorable Kay Granger, Ranking Member, House Appropriations Committee
The Honorable Barbara Lee, Chairwoman, House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee
The Honorable Harold Rogers, Ranking Member, House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee

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