American voters of Lithuanian and Central Eastern European descent are calling every day to their elected representatives, hoping Congress can finally agree on financial support for Ukraine.
Lithuanian-American Diana is looking for the White House phone number. She says she wants to convey a message from Lithuanian-American voters to the US government about supporting Ukraine.
When she calls, however, she hears a pre-recorded message from an answering machine: “Thank you for calling the White House comment line. The office is temporarily closed.”
Her next call is to House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.
“Hello, my name is Diana Vidutis, I am not a Louisiana voter, but Speaker Johnson represents all Americans. I would like to express my support for Ukraine and ask that the United States continue to send military support to Ukraine, tighten sanctions against Russia and its oligarchs, declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, and support an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO,” the Lithuanian-American finally conveys her message.
According to the woman, US citizens of Lithuanian descent have the right and the duty to contact their representatives and even President Joe Biden. It works, Diana says, as members of Congress record the opinions of their constituents.
“There is a man sitting there writing: for Ukraine, against Ukraine. For, against. So, it’s very important to call every day,” she says.
With support for Ukraine stalling in Congress, the Lithuanian-American community is working to pressure their elected representatives, along with other diasporas from Central and Eastern Europe.
“If we count the American voters from all those diasporas, we become a force of 20 million-plus voters,” explains Krista Bard, Chair of the Lithuanian American Community’s Public Affairs Council.
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine John E. Erbst describes the importance of the moment:
“Now is the most dangerous moment since Moscow started its war almost ten years ago. I am absolutely convinced that if American support continues at roughly the same level as it has been for almost two years, Ukraine will win this war and Putin will be defeated. If American support ends or is sharply curtailed and Europe follows suit, the risks of a Russian victory are enormous. It would be a historic tragedy for Ukraine, a huge security problem for the rest of Europe, and a huge foreign policy defeat for the US.”
But Congress went on a break without an agreement – negotiations on the package that includes money for Ukraine have been postponed until January.
Negotiations have stalled because of Republicans packaging the Ukraine support with their demands to limit immigration across the US-Mexico border.
Finding a consensus between the two parties could be even more difficult with the start of the presidential election year and the entry of Donald Trump into the immigration debate. His combative rhetoric will only make finding a compromise more difficult.
Diana, the Lithuanian-American, does not hide her anger at the Republican Party for blocking the financial support for Ukraine.
“I grew up in a Republican household and I don’t think my father could understand what’s going on here,” she says.
Her state and district are represented by Democrats – and so she calls them to thank them for their support.
The goal, says the Lithuanian community, is to maintain the support of at least those members of Congress who have not yet turned away from Ukraine.
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