UKRAINE SOLIDARITY CONFERENCE DECLARATION

The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign held it’s AGM/Conference in London on Saturday 7 September. The conference adopted a decleration of solidrity which we publish below. The confernce was opened by chair John McDonnell MP with reports on the current situation by Yuliya Yurchenko, of the Social Movement, Maria Exall, Vice President of Trade Union Congress, Hanna Ostapenko, Progresylni/Social Democrat Platform and Olesia Briazgunova, International Secretary Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine.

UKRAINE SOLIDARITY CONFERENCE DECLARATION

The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign salutes the people of Ukraine’s resistance to the invasion and destruction of their country and its cultural identity. This is a just war of an oppressed people for freedom, independence and self-determination. Putin’s war is an imperialist aggression to reassert Russia’s dominance over the former Soviet republics. Putin’s dictatorship is linked to neo-fascist and authoritarian forces around the world which are undermining support for Ukraine and attacking democracy globally.

Ukraine has the right to get the arms necessary to liberate the country, from wherever possible and without conditions.

Most Western countries have been slow in providing arms.  They claim to support Ukraine’s fight for democracy while sometimes backing brutal dictatorships elsewhere.

The future of Ukraine must not be decided by separate negotiations between Russia and the West. Ukraine’s foreign debt must be cancelled for a Reconstruction based on social and economic justice. The Ukrainian trade unions are right to resist the neoliberal reforms introduced by the government and supported by the West.

A Russian defeat will not only be a victory for Ukraine’s resistance to imperialist domination but for democracy and all progressive forces opposing occupation and fighting for self-determination.

Solidarity must mean helping Ukraine win the war. We are therefore calling for the following: 

1. Arms for Ukraine – give the weapons to free the country.  The US, UK and EU states to immediately provide adequate funds and weapons that allow Ukraine to end Russia’s predatory, imperialist war.
2. Cancel Ukraine’s debt –  For a labour movement-led Reconstruction based on social, economic and climate justice.
3. Full sanctions – Ban trade with Russian companies and sanction companies trading with Russia. 
4. Seize Russian assets – Redistribute all liquid assets and proceeds from the sale of non-liquid to Ukraine.
5. Build direct links between the British labour movement and the Ukrainian unions, radical left and feminist organisations, based on solidarity with Ukraine’s struggle against Russian imperialism and the workers’ fight against the Ukrainian capitalists.
6. Prosecute War Criminals – Justice for the victims of Russia’s genocide.
7. Open the borders – full support for refugees from Ukraine and Russian war resisters.
8. Support for Russian war opponents, for anti-war dissidents in Russia and Belarus.