A Plan for an Alternative to Russian Occupation

Please add your support to this plan of demands for the UK government, labour movement and civil society. It was first announced at a big public meeting with speakers from Ukraine, the US and the UK at the House of Commons on 24 March 2025, and renewed campaigning around it launched at an event at the National Education Union HQ on 28 July.

Signatories so far below. We encourage organisations and individuals to add their names. For the form to do so either click this button or scroll to the bottom of the page.

support the plan

The UK government, the labour and trade union movement, and wider civil society, must oppose the imposition of an unjust peace that cements Russia’s occupation of Ukraine.
A just and lasting peace must align with the Ukrainian people’s right to a free, democratic and united Ukraine.   

  1. Aid to Ukraine: Increase aid with critical weapons to restore frontline confidence, strengthening military capabilities, and rejecting any loss of sovereignty.
  2. Economic Measures: Transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, cancel Ukraine’s international debt, and implement stronger sanctions against Putin’s regime and the oligarchs who support it.
  3. International Support: Convene an emergency “Save Ukraine” summit of European and allied nations for necessary military and financial support, ensuring Ukraine can negotiate freely without coercion.
  4. Justice for War Crimes: Establish international mechanisms for justice and accountability for Russia’s war crimes and the crime of aggression. The abducted Ukrainian children must be returned, and the perpetrators brought to justice.
  5. Reconstruction of Ukraine: Support a progressive, socially just reconstruction with democratic participation that empowers Ukrainian trade unions and civil society.  Withdraw the proposed Labour Code that restricts workers’ rights and unions.
  6. Opposition to Trumpist Reaction: Recognise Trump’s alignment with Putin and his coercion of Ukraine, posing a threat to global democracy. The government should rescind its offer of a state visit and rally Europe to act independently.
  7. Reverse Foreign Aid Cuts: Finance Ukraine’s defence by seizing Russian assets, imposing taxes on billionaires and corporations, and relaxing fiscal regulations. Cutting foreign aid is counterproductive and weakens support for Ukraine.

Signatories include:

  • John McDonnell MP for Hayes and Harlington
  • Nadia Whittome,  MP for Nottingham East
  • Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South
  • Rachael Maskell MP for York Central
  • Margaret Mullane MP Dagenham and Rainham
  • Ian Lavery, Labour MP, for Blyth and Ashington
  • Mick Antoniw, Member of Senedd for Pontypridd
  • Baroness Christine Blower
  • Julie Ward, MEP for NW England 2014-20
  • Mick Whelan, General Secretary, ASLEF train drivers union
  • Chris Kitchen, General Secretary, National Union of Mineworkers
  • George Monbiot, journalist and environmental activist
  • Andrew Fisher, i paper columnist
  • Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Campaigner
  • John Moloney, Asst General Secretary Public and Commercial Service Union (pc)
  • Bev Laidlaw,  Deputy President, Public and Commercial Service Union (pc)
  • Mark Serwotka, General Secretary, PCS union (2000-2024)
  • Oksana Holota, Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine
  • Vasyl Andreyev, Vice President, Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine
  • Tanya Vyhovsky, Senator, Vermont, USA
  • Snizhana Oleksun Chair of Social Movement, Ukraine
  • Olena Ivashchenko, Director of Campaign for Ukraine
  • Mariia Pastukh, Vsesvit Ukraine solidarity collective
  • Christopher Ford, Secretary of Ukraine Solidarity Campaign
  • Daryna Korostii,  President of Ukrainian Student Society
  • Yury Levchenko, Chairman Peoples Power, Ukrainian labour party
  • Olena Skomoroshchenko, Secretary, Social Democratic Party of Ukraine
  • Pavlo Holota, NGPU, Independent Trade Union of Mineworkers of Ukraine (pc)
  • Councillor Tom Miller, Brent
  • Councillor Susan Press, Todmorden’s
  • Dr Yuliya Yurchenko, University of Greenwich
  • Dr Natalie Kopytko, University of Leeds,
  • Dr Gregory Schwartz, University of Bristol.
  • Dr Luke Cooper, London School of Economics
  • Peter Duncan, Associate Professor University College London
  • Professor Bill Bowring University of London