Statement by the Committee of We are Europe! e.V. on the occasion of today’s invasion of Ukraine by troops of the Russian Federation
This morning, Russian Federation troops launched a widespread military attack on Ukraine. This followed Russia’s recognition of the so-called “People’s Republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk.
After the annexation of Crimea in 2014, this is the second time in eight years that Russia has violated Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
Russia’s justification for the invasion, that Ukraine lacks its own statehood and is in fact part of Russia, is infamous, cynical and historically and politically absurd. Ukraine declared itself independent in 1991 and has since been a recognised member of the international community, linked to the European Union by an association agreement since 2017. Russia itself has also explicitly recognised Ukraine’s independence in several international treaties.
Our thoughts today are above all with the Ukrainians who, supposedly “sisters and brothers” of Russia, now have to pay a terrible price for their longing for freedom.
In the next few days, together with friendly pro-European organisations, we will examine the possibilities within our power to come to Ukraine’s aid.
Düsseldorf, 24 February 2022. The Committee.