R14 A2: Solidarity with Ukraine for as long as necessary

The horrific Russian war of aggression that began on March 9, 2014, turned full-
scale on 24 February 2022. The Russian army once again invaded Ukraine,
violating sovereignty, international law, and human rights, committing acts of
terrorism and genocide.

This is not only a war against Ukraine, it is an attack on all of us and our
common European values. Russia challenges not only the independence of Ukraine,
but also the system of security, peace, rule of law, and democracy in Europe.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has stepped up its
intimidation and threats against democratic states around the world, especially
neighbouring countries, as well as intensified its disinformation campaigns,
interference in the political processes of independent states, and imposing
approval of its aggressive policy, by weaponising food, energy, and migrants.
Moreover, Russia is constantly building up its military potential and forging
military cooperation with authoritarian states such as Iran, Belarus, China, and
North Korea.

We continue to condemn in the strongest terms Russia's war and the Belarusian
government’s involvement in it, the human rights violations and war crimes
committed, acts of genocide and terrorism against Ukraine’s population,
including targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure and houses, forced
deportations and massacres in the occupied territories.

Over the last year, there has been a growing amount of evidence of war crimes
and crimes against humanity committed by Russia during the war in Ukraine.

Russian troops, using terrorist methods, deliberately attacked residential areas
and civilian infrastructure. As a result, thousands of civilians were killed and
injured, and the country's energy infrastructure was severely damaged, leaving
tens of millions of Ukrainians without basic needs such as electricity, water,
and heat.

Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories has brought suffering and turmoil
upon millions of people. Russia’s policy of forcible Russification is aimed at
erasing the Ukrainian identity of local residents. Thousands of civilians under
Russian occupation have already been killed, and many others have been subjected
to repression and torture, infiltration, kidnapping, persecution, sexual
violence, or forced deportation. Russia practices illegal deportation of
children to Russian territory and temporarily occupied Crimea, and forced
adoption into Russian families, placement in boarding schools, and re-education
camps.

The Russian invaders deliberately resort to sexual violence against women, men,
and even children, which they use as a weapon of war, causing severe physical
and psychological trauma to the victims.

The Young European Greens stand strongly with Ukraine in its fight for the
freedom, democracy, territorial independence, and human rights of the Ukrainian
people.

We highly appreciate the support and assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian
people provided by the international community. However, as long as Russia's
aggressive war against Ukraine continues, there is still a need for
consolidation of international efforts to put pressure on Russia to end attacks
on Ukrainian territory and withdraw the invading troops, as well as to support
Ukraine in protecting its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

We call on the international community to:

• Accelerate the pace and volume of military aid to Ukraine to counter the
  Russian war of aggression. We believe that Ukraine has an inalienable
  right to self-defense against an aggressor, and successful Ukrainian
  military operations to de-occupy its own territories are steps towards
  establishing real peace in the country. and ensure the retreat of the invading troops through the exercise of Ukraine's right to self-defense against the aggressor. Real and sustainable peace is only achievable once Ukraine successfully de-occupies its territories. The complete military withdrawal of Russia is a prerequisite to foster the needed cease-fire and to reinitiate the talks that were in the first place broken off by Russia by launching an illegal war of aggression.

• Resolutely condemn any form of military aid to Russia and Russian war
  criminals, as well as contribute to the creation of conditions that will
  make it impossible to transport equipment or technologies that may have a
  military purpose from European countries to Russia and Belarus. Military
  aid to Russia only contributes to the continuation and escalation of the
  war, increasing the number of victims and suffering among the civilian
  population.

• Continue introducing sanctions against Russia and Belarus with the aim of
  reducing their military, political, and economic potential for waging the
  war, as well as increasing pressure on the citizens of the aggressor
  countries to form a broad demand for an end to the war and the withdrawal
  of the invading troops from the territory of Ukraine.

• Applying effective sanctions against countries that support Russia in its
  aggression and invasion of Ukraine, especially by providing armed support,
  as well as holding them accountable for complicity in the war.

• Impose sanctions on all third countries and companies that help Russia and
  Belarus to circumvent embargoes and sanctions.

• Further strengthen the international isolation of the Russian Federation,
  including depriving the state of membership in international organisations
  such as the United Nations Security Council.

• Facilitate the creation of an international special tribunal to
  investigate Russian war crimes in Ukraine and bring Russian and Belarusian
  political and military leadership and other war criminals to justice.

• Increase support and aid for Ukraine, directly and through participation
  in humanitarian funding appeals initiated by multilateral organisations.

• Provide support and protection to ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples
  who have been affected by Russian imperialism and aggression, such as
  Crimean Tatars.

• Continue supporting Ukrainian war refugees, assisting their integration
  into the society of the host country, employment, and education.

• Avoid any steps that can be interpreted as equating the victim and the
  aggressor.

We, the Young European Greens, firmly maintain that a sustainable and fair peace
in Ukraine can only be achieved on Ukraine’s terms, and not dictated by the
aggressor state. We staunchly advocate for the uncompromising preservation of
Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and call for the immediate
withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, as well as the
restoration of Ukraine's borders as defined in the Budapest Memorandum.

We also stand against the violation of human rights and international law and
call for the prosecution of the aggressor country and all those supporting the
Russian war, acts of terrorism, and genocide in Ukraine.