We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities without prerequisites, which will lead to a stop to endless deaths on both sides of the confrontation line. At the same time, the cessation of military action against Ukraine does not mean that the war will be over. The war stems from the essence of the Putin regime and its danger will remain until this regime ceases to exist.
The regime that has been established in Russia has, from the very beginning, been aimed at suppressing civil liberties, destroying democratic institutions, and concentrating power in the hands of one person. Internal violence against civil society and external aggression against neighbors are two sides of the same totalitarian logic.
A potential ceasefire does not mean peace. It may stop the fire on the front lines, but it will not end the regime’s war on Russian citizens, on Ukraine, and on other Western countries.
The Anti-War Committee views the dismantling of Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian regime as a necessary condition for achieving its strategic goal – preventing the threat of war. Without the liquidation of this regime, there can be no sustainable peace either in Europe or within Russia itself.
Only profound political changes – the restoration of democracy, freedom of speech, an independent judiciary and civilian control over governance – can put an end to the aggression and return to Russia the chance for a peaceful and dignified future.
The Anti-War Committee calls on all citizens, politicians and international partners to understand that the ceasefire is not the end, but only a respite in a larger struggle. Peace is impossible without freedom. And freedom is impossible without the change of the regime.
The conference also considered key areas of work for the Anti-War Committee in the near future:
1. Security of Europe and sustainable peace with Ukraine
The Anti-War Committee advocates the construction of a new architecture of European security based on respect for international law, territorial integrity of states and human rights. Sustainable peace in Europe is impossible without the primacy of international law and respect for internationally recognized borders.
2. Liberation of prisoners of war and political prisoners
The Committee will continue to seek the release of all Russian and Ukrainian political prisoners and prisoners of war held as a result of Putin’s aggression and domestic repressive policies. We
stress the importance of international pressure and solidarity on this issue until the last prisoner of the regime is freed.
3. Creating a One-Window Service to Support the Relatives of the Kremlin Prisoners
A decision was made to launch a working group that will use open data (OSINT) to help families of political prisoners and victims of repression in finding information about the location and status of prisoners, criminal cases, and conditions of detention.
4. Resistance to Kremlin propaganda
The Anti-War Committee considers it a paramount importance to expose the lies spread by state propaganda. We will support independent media, educational initiatives and campaigns aimed at increasing media literacy and developing critical thinking. On behalf of the Committee, an appeal will be submitted to the European Parliament and PACE on the need to support independent media in exile.
5. Expertise
We continue to prepare new expert reports and inform about emerging studies. The Committee is ready to share its expertise in the field of sanctions, economics, political persecutions and many other issues.
The Anti-War Committee of Russia will continue to work as a focal point for the association of anti-war, democratic and human rights forces. We see as our task not only resistance to war, but also participation in the formation of the future peaceful, free and responsible Russia.
The resolution was signed by:
- Sergey Aleksashenko
- Marat Gelman
- Dmitry Gudkov
- Boris Zimin
- Vladimir Kara-Murza
- Evgeny Kiselyiv
- Mikhail Kokorich
- Elena Lukyanova
- Kirill Martynov
- Maksim Reznik
- Mikhail Khodorkovsky
- Evgeny Chichvarkin
- Anastasia Shevchenko