This statement was initiated by Activists for peace (In Swedish: Aktivister för fred) and Prague Spring 2 – Network against right-wing extremism and populism.
If you want to sign it, leave a message or send an e-mail to aktivisterforfred(snabel-a)gmail.com Write your organisation/your name, title and town or what you want to sign with.
Screen shot: Movie recording from the Kerch incident.
Via the Russian Ministry of Defense’s TV channel Zvezda (The Star).
Demands for de-escalation of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine
Since the beginning of this year, tensions have been rising in the Azov Sea region between Russia and Ukraine, culminating in the Kerch Strait incident on Nov. 25, 2018. This incident has been used by the Ukrainian government as a pretext for declaring martial law in regions spanning along the Black Sea coast and borders with Russia and Transnistria and also asking for Nato-intervention in the Azov Sea. At the same time, actions of Russian authorities creating difficulties for marine traffic to and from the Ukrainian ports on the Azov Sea contribute to deterioration of the economic and the general situation in Ukraine. These developments take place in the context of continuing Ukrainian economic pressure on Crimea, ranging from water blockade (leading to serious environmental problems) via cutting electricity supply to travel restrictions and capturing boats after they left Crimean ports. There is also an ongoing war in Donbass and hardening securitarian and repressive policies in Russia and Ukraine.
Escalation of the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine can be exceptionally dangerous. So can the militaristic-authoritarian efforts of the Ukrainian government within Ukraine, especially in its southern and eastern regions where there is significant opposition to the confrontational policies of the current ruling establishment.
We demand that:
- Both sides (Russia and Ukraine) should without delay hold dialogues and take concrete steps in order to de-escalate and reduce tensions following the incident in the Kerch strait. A peaceful solution is of priority for everyone. In a situation towards war, all minor points of contention should be dropped by both sides.
- Both sides should immediately release all confiscated or detained vessels and their crew; those captured on Nov. 25 as well as before that. All threats of detention in Ukrainian ports and actual confiscation in relation to the Azov Sea, the Kerch Strait, Crimea and their close areas should stop. No charges should be put forward in relation to these areas. Ukraine should, for instance, drop the charges against the captain of the Russian flagged fishing vessel ”Nord”, Vladimir Gorbenko. Russia should, for instance, cancel the criminal case that is being opened against the sailors captured on Nov. 25.
- Existing sanctions against Russia should not be extended and new sanctions should not be introduced by neither Ukraine nor the international community.
- Kerch strait should be open for traffic following existing agreements and rules for international shipping. Protracted inspections of ships should be ended. Uncalled-for inspections should be avoided and passage through the Kerch Strait should be done without unnecessary delays, not to harm economic activities in and around the Azov Sea.
- The extra travel restrictions imposed by the Ukrainian authorities on Russian and other non-Ukrainian citizens should be abolished. This applies to both in and out of Ukraine, over the contact line in the east and to and from Crimea.
- Steps for de-escalation in the wider area involved in the conflict should be made, including the repeal of the martial law in Ukraine, the resumption of the Minsk agreements’ implementation process in Donbass, and the release of political prisoners and prisoners of war by all sides of the conflict.
Prague Spring 2 – Network against right-wing extremism and populism
in co-operation with Activists for peace.
Activists for Peace 