Peace Boat’s Statement Condemning Russia’s Invasion and Calling for Peace in Ukraine

Peace Boat strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is in violation of the United Nations Charter. Mindful of the catastrophic consequences these hostilities could have for citizens throughout the region, we urgently call on Russia to immediately cease all military activities, and to comply with international law.

Peace Boat has a long history of friendship and collaboration with partners in Ukraine, including through visits to the port city of Odessa, partnership with crew members and shipping operators from Ukraine, and hosting of dialogue events for local peacebuilders and mediators onboard our ship.

Heeding the voices of people in Ukraine calling for peace, we appeal to the international community to take necessary measures to protect the people, including providing humanitarian aid, and to make all efforts to resolve the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue.

We are also deeply concerned by the risk of further escalation leading to a nuclear catastrophe. As well as the 15 nuclear power plants in Ukraine, a confrontation between the nuclear-weapon state Russia and NATO, a military alliance including nuclear powers, could even lead to the unthinkable use of nuclear weapons and global consequences. The horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki must not be repeated.

In partnership with civil society organizations working for peace around the world, including through the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), we urge all governments to take necessary political and humanitarian actions immediately. We stand with the people of Ukraine calling for peace.