Statement on the war going on in the Ukraine

FP-AP, Paris, 24/02/2023

The European Association of Former Parliamentarians during its General Assembly and on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine; - Reiterates its statement of 16/03/2022 firmly condemning the military attack and calls for negotiations and peace. - States that Russia has turned the aggression on Ukraine into a war against civilians, women and children. - Unable to succeed in the military battle Russian army is now attacking hospitals, schools and apartment houses. More and more they are targeting the civilian infrastructure, the supply of electricity, gas and heating. - News about the abduction of Ukrainian children are very alarming. Firmly condemns these crimes against humanity. - We are opposed to the war as such but we demand in particular from the war parties to abstain from the use of atomic, chemical and biological weapons and the internationally banned stray and phosphorus ammunition. - Calls upon all states and international organisations not to supply the war parties with such dangerous and inhumane tools.

- Appeals in the name of the former parliamentarians of the member countries of the Council of Europe to the parties of the conflict as well as to the international community to urgently find a way to negotiations. In particular, the United Nations as well as the OSCE is in charge of a peaceful conflict resolution, the one created after the Second World War, the other in the middle of the Cold War.

- Calls on Russia to stop the war against a sovereign state NOW ! It is never too late for peace.