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Russias invasion of Ukraine and its bombardment of civilian populations has put usually dovish progressives in the odd spot of backing a forceful U.S. response.

The left wing of the Democratic Party has generally been skeptical ofAmericanmilitary involvement overseas and has been criticalofrising defense spending.Nearly two decades ago,manycondemned theU.S. war in Iraq, whichliberalsbroadly saw as an unnecessaryconflictmotivated by oil that tookthegovernment's eye offproblems at home.

For many progressives it has been challenging because we arent used to being in this position, where the U.S. isnt the one doing the invasion, said Alexander McCoy, a co-founder of the left-wing veterans organization Common Defense.

McCoy said part of the challenge for the left is figuring out exactly what it supports and does not support in the context of helping Ukraine fend off Russias aggression.

Much of the progressive movement has built our foreign policy reflexes around trying to stop the U.S. from doing bad things, going back to perhaps the Vietnam War or earlier, he said. But things are changing now, and progressives need to start defining ourselves by what we are for, not just what we are against.

Progressives have sided with President BidenJoe BidenEx-Trump personal assistant appears before Jan. 6 panel Defense & National Security Russia sends warnings to the West On The Money Feds propose new disclosure rule for public companies MORE in declaring Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinDefense & National Security Russia sends warnings to the West Biden tells CEOs they have 'patriotic obligation' to guard against Russian cyberattacks Russian chess grandmaster suspended for publicly supporting invasion MORE a war criminal.

They havebackedhis decision to spend nearly $14 billion in emergency aid to protect the sovereign nation against morebloody escalation.

And there is a push to accept Ukrainian refugees that fits previous calls by progressives to helpmigrants from other countries in times of political peril.

But for all of the support toward the administrations response,liberals are also worried about how rising gas prices exacerbated by the war on international sanctions imposed on Russia will affect poor and middle-class people in the United States.

Liberal Reps. Ilham Omar (Minn.) and Cori BushCori BushFar left, far right find common ground opposing US interventionism Rep. Bush explains vote against Russian oil ban The 17 lawmakers who voted against the Russian oil ban MORE (Mo.) were the only two Democrats to vote against a House measure blocking an end to oil imports from Russia.

Omars vote in part reflected her views that blocking Russian oil could lead the U.S. to rely more on and strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia. Progressives are critical that the Biden administration has not more forcefully pushed human rights in the kingdom out of concern it would harm U.S. and Saudi security and energy cooperation. This includes holding off sanctions on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018; the jailing of dissidents and political opponents, in particular women; and Riyadhs role in civilian deaths in Yemens civil war.

Progressives also see humanitarian differences between how the U.S. and allies are responding to the deadly conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing strifein the Arab world. Liberals have for years called for an end to Americas rolein a Saudi-led coalition's military campaign in Yemen.

The Biden administration has rightly and forcefully condemned Russias invasion and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalThe Hill's 12:30 Report: Judge Jackson in the hotseat Daylight saving change faces trouble in House Progressive Caucus presses Biden for executive action on student loans, immigration MORE (D-Wash.) told The Hill. As we reflect on the perils of relying on autocratic governments for fossil fuels, there is no better time for the president to fulfill his commitment to end the United States' military involvement in the Saudi war in Yemen, she said.

Broadly speaking, while progressives haveembracedBidens actionsagainst Russiato date including mounting harsh financial sanctionson the country they are frustrated over what they contend is Americas deeply rooted reliance on fossil fuels and foreign oil.

Climate activists are especially concerned that the war is devastating the environment. They are calling for Biden to lean more heavily on renewable energy sources to decrease Russias grip on internationalenergy supplies.

They acknowledge thats at odds with how the U.S. has traditionally acted in times of conflict but see Bidenssanctions as a promisingopportunity for other measures they thought werent previously possible. Some liberals privately contend that they were surprised that the president moved so quickly to curb the oil flow.

Its great to ban the import of Russian oil, but thats just the beginning, said Keya Chatterjee, executive director of the U.S. Climate Action Network. Relying on corrupt oil states for energy is not an approach thats doable.

Liberals like Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersWhy you shouldn't expect profit margins to fall when prices rise Former Bernie Sanders press secretary: US should 'more holistically' fight climate change Gas prices lead to tensions within Democratic Party MORE (I-Vt.) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus in the House are imploring Biden to use the Defense Production Act to increase energy production at home.

This is a moment for us to do things we havent done before, Chatterjee said, referencing using the law to spark more renewable resource production. What weve been doing has brought us a climate crisis and war.

Progressives are also seeing the Russian invasion as a way to mount a broader critique on structures theybelieve arepropping up an outdated foreign policy establishment view aroundthe military.They want more left-wing lawmakers in key posts to provide new perspectives.

In Congress, progressives are greatly underrepresented on the Armed Services Committee and Intelligence Committee, McCoy, of Common Defense, said. Too few progressive organizations have invested in developing members who are impacted by foreign policy into leaders with deep policy expertise and the credibility and platform to counter the unrepresentative hawkish voices that dominate cable TV.

In doing so, however, many on the left continue to say Biden is on the right path with the crisis, a sentiment that is also reflected in recent polling amongDemocratic, Republican and independent voters alike. They acknowledge that while there are additional climate and humanitarian measures that the White House can act on, its imperative to show a united response against Russia.

The world has rightfully been horrified and outraged by Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine and the devastation it has wrought on the Ukrainian people, Jayapal said.

Progressives will continue to advocate that this administration act on its values and bring the same clarity regarding war crimes and human rights abuses in Ukraine to end U.S. military participation in Saudi Arabias war and relieve the suffering of the Yemeni people.

Laura Kelly contributed to this report.

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Progressives in odd spot on Russian war | TheHill - The Hill