Ukraine Youth Ambassadors Appeal for Peace in Europe

European ports visited during Peace Boat’s 117th Global Voyage offered a series of important meetings for the Ukrainian Youth Ambassadors (UYA) currently travelling onboard the ship. Through these encounters, the youth were able to better understand the relations between European countries and Ukraine, and the role that the EU itself plays in supporting Ukraine in ending the Russian invasion and coming to a just and sustainable peace.

Lisbon, Portugal

In Lisbon, Portugal on May 28, the UYA first visited the Ukrainian Embassy and spoke with Deputy Ambassador Anatoliy Pysaresky and Second Secretary Oleksandra Bezsmertna about Portuguese and EU military and political support to Ukraine.

This conversation was continued later at the European Commission Representation in Portugal with Political Advisor Ms Joana Cruz-Schilling, who emphasised that the EU will continue to give unconditional support in the long-term, “Ukraine is top priority for the EU and will remain so.” Responding to a question from one of the youth about whether Ukraine could join the EU, she explained the steps Ukraine would need to fulfil for membership, and what a reconstruction and economic process could look like once a peace agreement with Russia to end the war is achieved. These conversations happened to take place on the very day that Ukrainian President Zelensky was visiting Portugal, making them all the more relevant and timely.

“We talked about challenges Ukraine faces amidst the ongoing invasion. I was glad to hear and see that Ukraine remains the main priority for Europe and Europe continues to support us and invest finances in Ukraine. But at the same time, it was sad to hear that no one can guarantee the security of our agricultural sector and Ukrainian exports to the world. As young leaders, we explored ways in which we can contribute to our country’s resilience and future,” said UYA Natalia Makohon.

Le Havre, France

As Peace Boat was docked in Le Havre, France, an onboard event was held together with the Ukraine Youth Ambassadors and Peace Boat Hibakusha Project Members. Through the coordination of ICAN France, a delegation including Mr. Ott, Deputy Mayor to Peace Culture, Gonfreville l’Orcher, as well as members of Mayors for Peace, the Movement for Peace and ICAN France visited the ship. In a powerful session which also featured the personal testimonies of Hibakusha, survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, UYA Adelina Lysensko and Yuliia Chekovska also shared their testimonies about how the Russian invasion forever changed their lives, including the destruction of their towns, fear and pain, tearing apart of families, and the unknown nature of their lives as refugees, bringing tears to many eyes. The testimonies were followed by discussion on what France and the European Union could do more to support peace negotiations and end the war in Ukraine.
 

London, United Kingdom

The next port of call was London, United Kingdom, on June 1-2. The UYA once again first visited the Ukrainian Embassy to the UK, where they were warmly welcomed by Mr Eduard Fesko, Charge d’Affairs and Inna Yehorova, Second Secretary.

From there, they visited the exhibition Leaving Ukraine and were given a private guided tour by photographer Polly Braden, who documented intimate portraits of women forced to leave their homes following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and then scattered across Europe. The exhibition is open at the Foundling Museum until September 1, 2024.

From here, the UYA met with Dr Orysia Lutsevych, Deputy Director of the Russia and Eurasia Programme and Head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House. This independent policy institute based in London is a world-leading policy institute with a mission to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world. In the engaging and extended discussion with Orysia Lutsevych, the UYA raised their questions on diverse aspects of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine and its humanitarian, political and military consequences.

The UYA were particularly interested in breaches of international humanitarian law by the Russian invasion, and how Russia’s leadership could be prosecuted for war crimes by international institutions. They also raised questions about the peace process, and what kind of peace agreement could be just for Ukraine. Dr Lutsevych shared her analysis of the nature of the Russian regime and its goals, while pointing out the role of key states in the international scene in influencing the process to end war and build peace for Ukraine.

 “I was glad to have a conversation with Dr Lutsevych, such a highly progressive expert at Chatham House. I was able to share my insights on the ongoing war in Ukraine with her and emphasize the need for strategic international support,” commented UYA Maria Borzykh.

Bergen, Norway

At the next port of call, Norway’s Bergen on June 5, the UYA visited the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, where its Executive Director Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt explained the Foundation’s educational and training programmes on human rights for youth. Underlining the values of tolerance, critical thinking, open discussion and democracy, he emphasized that “human rights are not possible without a democratic system”.

Also at the Rafto Foundation, the UYA met with local representatives of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), a feminist peacebuilding organisation which has member Sections and Groups in over 40 countries around the world. The discussion raised many questions on the possible diplomatic peace process to end war in Ukraine, as well as how the Russian invasion has destabilized world peace and escalated new militarization internationally.

UYA Yuliia Chekhovska also pointed out human rights violations by Russia within the country itself; “Russia has repeatedly violated human rights of its own people by prohibiting freedom of speech and imprisoning anti-war protesters and sinking into a totalitarian regime. It has shown what the flipside of democracy looks like,” she said.

Reykjavik, Iceland

The European segment of the 117th Peace Boat voyage was concluded with the visit on June 9 to Reykjavik, Iceland. There, the UYA visited Höfði House, the location of the famous Reagan-Gorbachev Summit in 1986, an important step towards ending the Cold War. Guided through the interior of the house by Deputy City Councilor Stefán Pálsson and City Hall Chief of Protocol Anna K. Kristinsdóttir, the youth were able to observe memorabilia from this historic summit and sit on the very same chairs where Presidents Reagan and Gorbachev sat during the negotiations.

Here, the UYA expressed their vision: that one day Ukrainian President Zelensky would meet his Russian counterpart in Höfði House for peace talks and shake hands - as simulated in this photograph with Ukrainian Youth Ambassadors Sofia Demydenko and Adelina Lysenko.