Greetings from Kyiv. Yesterday my city was disturbed again by air raid sirens, so I ran from Vernadsky scientific library to hide in the closest shelter, a subway station. Ruthless Russian aggression against Ukraine continues, as well as the Ukrainian defensive war effort. Civilians are dying, cities are being bombarded on both sides of the frontline, and that is the essence of any war — aggressive or defensive — the pure evil of war, which is barbaric mass killing by definition. Thus begins an open letter from Ukrainian peace activist Yurii Sheliazhenko. Later, he writes: As you probably know, the “Security” Service of Ukraine absurdly accused me, a pacifist, of the so-called justification of Russian aggression in a statement which clearly condemns Russian aggression. They searched my house and took my computer and mobile phone. I am under house arrest now until the end of this year at least, and then a trial could be started: there is a risk that I could be jailed for up for five years. My “crime” was that I sent to President Zelensky a statement entitled “Peace Agenda for Ukraine and the World” which calls for a ceasefire, peace talks, respect for the right to refuse to kill, non-violent democratic governance, and conflict management. At a recent hearing, the court was impressed by Yurii's presentation of a petition with support from around the world. Let's get Yurii more signatures and comments of support before his next court appearance! Click to add your name! Meanwhile, let's tell the U.S. Congress that enough is enough and it's time for diplomacy instead of war. The commander of the Ukrainian military calls the war a hopeless stalemate akin to World War I, and yet the U.S. government goes on promoting and arming it, while the bodies pile up and the risk of nuclear war grows. Click here to email Congress.  |
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