Decision by the Yabloko Federal Political Committee No 158 of 20 October 2022, published on 1.11.2022

Photo by Sergei Averin, RIA Novosti

The tragedy, which has been going on for eight months already, makes it absolutely obvious that [all] should realise as soon as possible the need (the obligation) for a ceasefire as the first step towards preventing a real impending nuclear catastrophe.

However, the Russian government continues the policies towards escalation, that lead only to new victims and destruction, and further international isolation of Russia. Threats of the possible use of nuclear weapons have been voiced increasingly more often.

The events of recent weeks – non-recognition by the world community the accession to Russia of new subjects of the federation that do not even have definite borders, the explosion on the Crimean bridge, rocket attacks on civilian energy infrastructure facilities on the territory of Ukraine, death of military personnel in the Belgorod region, the introduction of martial law in a number of regions, and mass-scale violations during partial mobilisation – all this indicates the futility of maintaining the current Russian policies.

Without removing the question of who bears the main blame for the ongoing human tragedy, we must not forget that many countries are already involved in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in one way or another.

It is obvious that the conflict has entered a stage where it can no longer be resolved on a bilateral basis, without international participation.

It is also obvious that it will take many years to resolve it.

But we need to start it today – because every day of military confrontation brings new victims, growth of violence and intolerance in society, and dehumanisation of people.

A military victory in this conflict by one of the parties is impossible, both because of Russia’s nuclear status and because of the incompatibility of the resources of Russia and the states supporting Ukraine. Further escalation of the conflict, counting on victory, is fraught with a nuclear war in which there will be no winners. The transition of the conflict into a protracted military confrontation does not solve any problems, but only multiplies human casualties. In Russia, this will lead to an increase in national-fascist sentiments in the country, transfer of the economy to a military footing, further deterioration in the economic situation, significant decrease in the living standards and quality of life, and a search for “internal enemies” and new political repressions.

Therefore, today the only possible solution is achieving a ceasefire as soon as possible as the first step towards finding a future peaceful solution to the conflict. This will require a responsible state policy not only from Russia. But our duty today is to address specifically Russian society and the state. We need to stop before it is too late and start moving towards peace.

The ceasefire agreement and the preservation of its regime at international guarantees, and the exchange of all prisoners and the bodies of the dead are the first steps that need to be taken. Movement towards peace is impossible without these steps, in the conditions of the existing exacerbation and lack of confidence from the parties [to the conflict].

Also, it is necessary, with international participation, to demilitarise the territories around nuclear power facilities located in the conflict zone, ensure their security with the assistance of the IAEA and other UN institutions.

In Russia, it is necessary to stop the state propaganda of hatred and aggression, and introduce a legislative ban on propaganda of nuclear war.

It is necessary to abandon the unconstitutional policies of repression for expressing one’s opinion, abolish the legislation on “fakes” and “discrediting”, the application of which completely destroys Law and human rights in our country, contributes to the further degradation and degeneration of society devoid of information about the outside world.

Yabloko urges everyone who wants to avoid a nuclear catastrophe to support these proposals and get the Russian authorities to start moving towards peace.

Grigory Yavlinsky,

Chairman of the Federal Political Committee of Yabloko