Statement of Ukrainian civil society organizations on the
US-Russia negotiations
Wednesday 19 February 2025
We, representatives of [Ukrainian] civil society and
human rights organizations, decisively condemn the negotiations between the
delegations of the Russian Federation and the United States regarding Ukraine,
which took place in Saudi Arabia, as well as the plans to create negotiating
groups without the participation of Ukraine. Any agreements about Ukraine
without its direct participation are not only unacceptable, but also contradict
the fundamental principles of international law, the sovereignty of states, and
the right of the people of Ukraine to independently determine their future.
Such agreements are fundamentally incapable of accomplishing
sustainable peace and international security, creating additional security,
economic, and other threats to states that will support them. This path repeats
the fatal mistake the international community made during the Munich Agreement
of 1938, which, as was discovered later, did not satisfy the encroachment of
the aggressor state and led to an even more destructive war.
Ukraine is not an object, but a sovereign state affected
by aggression
Russia continues waging a full-scale war against Ukraine in
violation of the fundamental principles of international law, including the
prohibition to use force against the territorial integrity and political
independence of any state enshrined in the UN Charter. This has been recognized
not only by numerous decisions of international organizations, but also
supported by the majority of countries in the world. The aggression committed
by the Russian Federation has already resulted in numerous war crimes, crimes
against humanity, and the likely genocide of the Ukrainian people.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued
arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin, Maria Lvova-Belova, and other senior
Russian officials. Any negotiations with representatives of a state whose
leadership is suspected of the gravest international crimes, without clear
mechanisms for bringing those responsible to justice, is not only immoral, but
also undermines the very system of international law.
Without justice, there can be no lasting peace
The Russia-Ukraine war continues not only because of
Russia’s territorial claims for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city
of Sevastopol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts, but also
because Russia systematically disregards almost every possible norm of
international law. Any “settlement” without due international justice will not
only fail to establish sustainable peace, but also reinforce impunity, creating
prerequisites for future expansion of the aggression, escalation, and new crimes.
The insufficient response of foreign states and
international organizations to the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and
aggressive actions in the east of Ukraine in 2014, as well as numerous crimes
by the occupation troops and de facto administration in these territories have
instilled a sense of impunity among the Russian leadership. This, in turn, led
to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and mass atrocities against the
Ukrainian people on a much larger scale. Statements about the possibility of a
ceasefire without addressing the issue of responsibility and security
guarantees are dangerous. Russia has already used previous “peace agreements”
to regroup and prepare for a new offensive and continued aggression. Since the
beginning of the aggression in 2014, it has systematically violated not only
the norms of international law, but also its own obligations under signed
agreements. There is no reason to hope for any changes in its approach and
expect that it would adhere to any new agreements.
Therefore, any cessation of hostilities must be based on the
principles of international law, which should include holding those responsible
for international crimes accountable.
Inadmissibility of political manipulations regarding
elections in Ukraine
We emphasize the inadmissibility of interference in the
internal affairs of Ukraine. Any “plans” that envision holding elections in
Ukraine as a prerequisite for any “peaceful settlement” constitute a gross
violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty. No external force is entitled to impose
political decisions on Ukraine, especially in the context of ongoing aggression
and occupation of part of its territories. In addition, elections in wartime
conditions will endanger the lives of voters, make it impossible for Ukrainian
defenders to properly participate in the electoral process, and, as a result,
call into question the legitimacy of any authorities elected in this way.
In connection with the above, we call on:
- States
and other subjects of international law to refrain from engaging in
negotiations without the direct participation of Ukraine, adhering to the
principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
- Other
human rights and international organizations to condemn such negotiations
without the participation of Ukraine and demand that those responsible for
international crimes be brought to justice.
- ICC
member states to ensure the execution of arrest warrants for individuals
responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including Vladimir
Putin.
- Governments
of UN member states that adhere to the UN Charter and are interested in
preserving the principles of international law to strengthen their support for
Ukraine as the only real way to end the war on fair terms, as well as to
reinforce their sanction pressure on Russia, including additional restrictions
on companies that cooperate with the Russian military-industrial complex.
We emphasize that a just and lasting peace is possible
only through the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Ukraine, as well as through inevitable punishment for those guilty of the most
serious international crimes. Any attempts at “reconciliation” without
Ukraine and without justice for survivors and victims are not only
unacceptable, but also dangerous for the entire international legal order.
Coalition “Ukraine. 5 AM”
Truth Hounds
Human Rights Centre ZMINA
Crimean Human Rights Group
Kharkiv Institute for Social Research
NGO “CrimeaSOS”
The Reckoning Project
Almenda Centre for Civic Education
Legal Advisory Group
Human Rights Centre “Diya”
NGO of People with Disabilities “Fight For Right”
Media Initiative for Human Rights
CO CF “Stabilization Support Services”
NGO “Crimean Process”
NGO “Ukraine Without Torture”
NGO “Blue Bird”
NGO “Human Rights Platform”
Institute of Mass Information (IMI)
NGO “Digital Security Lab”
Pylyp Orlyk Institute for Democracy
NGO “Progressive Group of Frankivtsi”
NGO “Ukrainian Institute of Media and Communication”
NGO “Detector Media”
NGO “Institute of Regional Press Development”
Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group
FREERIGHTS
NGO “Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners”
CSO “Crimea Human Rights House”
Public Holding “Influence Group”
CSO “Educational Human Rights House – Chernihiv”
NGO Centre “Social Action”
NGO “Institute of Regional Press Development”
NGO “Fundamental Research Support Fund”
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
We urge our colleagues to support and share this
statement. To add your organization to the list of signatories, please fill out
a short form: https://forms.gle/rmQWSRo4QsHWm17x9. The list of organizations
that have supported the statement will be updated accordingly.
https://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article73679
