Progressive Democrats retract Biden Ukraine letter after furious debate

Dramatic U-turn from progressive caucus, withdrawing letter sent to US president urging talks to end war in Ukraine

The chair of the progressive caucus of the US House of Representatives, Pramila Jayapal, has retracted a letter sent by 30 of the members urging Joe Biden to engage in direct talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine following a heated debate within the Democratic party about future strategy over the conflict.

In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Jayapal made a dramatic U-turn, scrapping the letter that had been sent to the White House the previous day and implying it had all been a mistake. The letter was drafted several months ago, but unfortunately was released by staff without vetting," she said.