Ben & Jerry's Founder Opposes US Military Support for Ukraine

For obvious reasons, ice cream doesn’t often overlap with the world of geopolitics. But “often” isn’t the same thing as “always,” and plenty of people who’ve made their money in the world of ice cream and other desserts have strong opinions on political matters — as well as the money to fund causes that they support. All of which helps explain why Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is now connected to the war Russia is currently waging against Ukraine.

An investigation from The Daily Beast revealed that Ben Cohen — one of the ice cream company’s two founders — is funding an initiative that seeks to raise questions about American military support for Ukraine. The article points to the Eisenhower Media Network, which The Daily Beast notes is under the umbrella of People Power Initiatives, an organization of which Cohen is the president.

The Eisenhower Media Network’s Twitter feed contains, as of this writing, a significant number of posts criticizing defense spending — including spending related to the war in Ukraine. The Daily Beast asked Cohen about these matters. “I think the U.S. should use its power to negotiate an end to the war, not prolong the death and destruction by supplying more weapons,” he said in response.

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Eisenhower Media Network director Dennis Fritz spoke to the outlet to explain his stance on the conflict. “Ukraine cannot win this war. The bottom line is: It’s done,” he said. “They are against a mad man and his ego — he will not lose. Whether we like it or not, we have to give Putin something.”

Plenty of people from all sides of the political spectrum have spoke of the possibility of a negotiated settlement to the war. What seems far more challenging is what an actual negotiated settlement would look like — or whether such a resolution to this war is even possible.