Georgian, Ukrainian NGOs call on world leaders to respond in “unified, forceful” way to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Non-governmental organisations from Georgia and Ukraine have called on governments of the world to respond in a “unified and forceful” way to Russia’s “brazen and criminal act” against Ukraine in a joint statement signed by 58 NGOs.

The civil society representatives argue for more action than “half-measures” on the backdrop of mounting civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure and economy of Ukraine. In their statement the organisations say “Putin’s regime should pay a severe price for these crimes”.

Georgia also fell a victim of Russian aggression in 2008 and Putin’s regime largely got away with it. What we witness today, is, to a large extent, a result of that very lenience of the West. The democratic world can’t afford to make the same mistake again, and it should adequately respond to this flagrant aggression in the heart of Europe,” the statement reads.

The NGOs call on the governments of the democratic world to:

• Impose the strongest possible measures against Russia, with the aim to force it to cease the military action as soon as possible
• Continue increasing defence capabilities of Ukraine, including by providing anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence systems, and ensure the country’s air defence through other means, including establishing and enforcing no-fly zones above certain parts of the Ukrainian territory under Kyiv’s control, as requested by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky
• Provide financial and humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine inside and outside the country
• Enact welcoming conditions to refugees from Ukraine

See the list of the signatory NGOs here.