Press Release, 28.11.2024

Photo by Anatoly Zhdanov, Kommersant

The Yabloko Federal Political Committee once again called on the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine to conclude a ceasefire agreement, and the heads of the world’s leading countries to support this initiative. Yabloko also specified its proposals for implementation of the agreement:

The first step could be to conclude an agreement to stop strikes deep into the territories of Russia and Ukraine (outside the agreed adjacent zone along the line of contact).

The next steps are to reach agreements on a ceasefire on the line of combat contact and in the adjacent zone, on the withdrawal of troops, heavy weapons and military equipment at agreed distances, and on the introduction of an observer contingent from neutral states.

On this basis bilateral and multilateral negotiations on a comprehensive peaceful settlement of the conflict, on the limitation and reduction of armed forces and on confidence-building measures in Europe (Helsinki-2) can begin.

Yabloko states that a ceasefire is the only real chance to push back the growing danger of a nuclear war, save lives on both sides of the front, prevent further destruction of Ukraine and create conditions for negotiations.

The Yabloko Party notes that the tragedy has only intensified in recent months. Dozens of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of civilians have already been killed on both sides. The Kursk region of Russia has become a combat zone, Ukraine’s territorial losses have increased, and its economy is being destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Russian military-industrial complex is absorbing the civilian economy. Russian society, especially in the regions, is experiencing a deep moral deformation: people agree to go to the front with all the ensuing consequences for multi-million rouble payments. Political repression has reached a scale unseen since Stalinism. Thousands of people have ended up behind bars for their anti-war stance, hundreds of thousands have been forced to leave the country.

As Yabloko warned, the West is cutting aid to Ukraine due to the depletion of its own military resources and the weariness of European nations from someone else’s war. The election of Donald Trump as US President has had a significant impact on the development of the conflict. Following the leaders of France and Great Britain, the outgoing US administration approved long-range missile strikes deep into Russian territory. In response to this, Vladimir Putin approved Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine. The Kremlin has already stated that Ukraine’s use of Western non-nuclear missiles against Russia could lead to a nuclear response.

All this dramatically increases the likelihood of the use of nuclear weapons.

Continuation of military actions and further escalation of the conflict is the path to World War III with the prospect of the complete destruction of life on Earth, Yabloko emphasises.