Helsinki Commission: The US must prepare for long-term confrontation with Russia

The United States must prepare for a "long-term" confrontation with Russia that will not end when authoritarian President Vladimir Putin leaves the political scene, a bipartisan commission said in a report. Russia's defeat of Ukraine on the battlefield is essential to victory in the confrontation, and Washington must do everything to ensure that Kiev emerges victorious, the US Helsinki Commission said in a report released on September 30.

The commission, which was established in 1975 to monitor human rights in the Soviet bloc, consists of 18 lawmakers split evenly between the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as three representatives of the executive branch.

"There will be no hope for a peaceful and stable Russia as long as the state is engaged in war and occupation of its neighbors," the report said.

"The defeat of the Russian invaders from Ukraine is necessary, but not sufficient, not only to force Russia to reflect and reform, but also to root out Russian influence and the broader war of Russian aggression."

The release of the report comes as the future of US military support for Kiev - nearly three years into the war - is unclear as the Republican Party, led by presidential candidate Donald Trump, questions significant financial commitment.

Congress has appropriated $175 billion to support Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022. Most of that aid has been spent in the U.S. on arms production and other services. Ukraine will also need a major aid package from the US early next year if it hopes to drive Russian forces from its territory.

Trump, who claims to have a good relationship with Putin, has said that if elected president he will negotiate a quick end to the war. With Russia controlling almost 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, any deal would likely force Kiev to make territorial concessions. And without security guarantees from the US or NATO, there would be no certainty that Putin would not invade again.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, supports aid to Ukraine, but it is unclear how much more aid she will provide compared to her current boss, President Joe Biden. His administration has been criticized by supporters of Ukraine for being slow to send aid to Kiev. They argue that he is giving him enough help to survive, but not enough help to win.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was at the White House last week where he presented his "victory" plan to Biden and asked for permission to carry out US missile strikes deeper into Russia. After the meeting, the White House did not announce any policy changes.

The Helsinki Commission report, chaired by Chairman Joe Wilson (Republican from South Carolina), can be seen as an incentive for whichever party wins the presidency and controls the House and Senate next year to continue aid. Wilson is among Republicans, including Sens. Jim Sisch of Idaho and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who are staunch supporters of Ukraine.

Putin, who has led Russia for almost a quarter of a century, has tried to justify his invasion by claiming that Ukraine historically belongs to Russia. At the same time, he has tried to rebuild the Kremlin's sphere of influence in the former Soviet space. He has installed people in Russia who share his views to ensure that his policies will continue after he leaves office.

"As long as Russia can count on its imperial history and present, to stop using oppression and corruption as tools for power, to build governing institutions that are based on respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, Russia cannot to be a responsible international actor. We must prepare to challenge Russia in the long term," the report said.

The 68-page report also covers parts of Eurasia, from the Western Balkans to Central Asia. As for the Western Balkans, "Russia has exploited internal divisions and by attacking the commitment of the US to hinder the region's integration into Western institutions, including NATO and the EU ," the report said.

"The US should target Russia-linked actors in the region who engage in corruption and destabilizing behavior, and at the same time redouble support for regional security, stability and energy independence" .