Press Release, 28.02.2022

Photo: President Putin’s meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. / Photo from Kremlin.ru

The Yabloko factions in the parliaments of Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Pskov region and Karelia initiated appeals from their legislative assemblies to President Putin calling him to immediately stop hostilities in the territory of Ukraine and start peace negotiations through international mediation, withdraw military units to places of their permanent deployment, carry out exchange of prisoners on the principle of “all for all”.

The appeal also calls for a full amnesty for all Russian citizens subjected to administrative penalties for publicly expressing protest against the military actions of the Russian Federation in the territory of Ukraine.

Such resolution of the regional parliaments must be considered first by relevant committees, and then at plenary meetings of the Moscow City Duma, the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, the Pskov Regional Assembly of Deputies, and the Legislative Assembly of Karelia.

If adopted, the appeals will be sent to the President of Russia on behalf of the regional parliaments.

Full text of the appeal:

To the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin

Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

Since 24 February, 2022, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, in accordance with your order, have been conducting a special military operation in the territory of Ukraine.

The fighting has already resulted in numerous human casualties on both sides, significant material losses, and the introduction of the largest ever sanctions against Russia.

We are sure that the actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the territory of Ukraine do not correspond to the national interests of Russia, the needs and expectations of the Russian and the Ukrainian peoples.

There are no problems between the Russian Federation and Ukraine that cannot be resolved through negotiations, if necessary with international mediation.

The actions of the Russian Federation in the territory of Ukraine are in fact a war that can turn from a local one into a European one and even into a world one. Such a development of events cannot be allowed.

In accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, a person, his/her rights and freedoms are the highest value. Recognition, observance and protection of the rights and freedoms of man and citizen is the duty of the state.

In the name of peace, relying on the supreme humanistic values, and basing on the norms of international law recognised by the Russian Federation, we ask you to immediately stop hostilities in the territory of Ukraine and start peace negotiations through international mediation, withdraw military units to places of their permanent deployment, and exchange prisoners on the principle “all for all”.

Such decisions and actions will save the lives of many people, and help to avoid further isolation of Russia.

We also consider it necessary to grant a complete amnesty to all citizens of the Russian Federation subjected to administrative penalties for publicly protesting against the military actions of the Russian Federation in the territory of Ukraine.