Georgian civil society condemns the aggression unfolded by Russian Federation against the sovereign European country of Ukraine.


The Russian government started interfering with the internal affairs of Ukraine earlier during the mass protests going on in Kiev and other cities. The Russian law-enforcement bodies, advisers, consultants and high rank officials directly participated in planning and implementing the anti- protest measures.

The Russian Federation did not recognize the legitimacy of the new Ukrainian government and put into operation the propaganda machine to fuel Russian ethnic separatist sentiments in Crimea and  other  Ukrainian  regions.  The  separatist  forces  controlled  by  the  Russian  government occupied state buildings in these regions. The newly elected supreme council and its leader, grossly violating the Ukrainian state constitution, subjugated the Crimean law-enforcing bodies, declared full independence and called a referendum on secession from Ukraine. Parallel to that, despite absence of the facts of “violence and tyranny”, the buildings having the state and military importance had yet been controlled by direct assistance and participation of Russian military divisions since February 21, 2014.

Following the appeal made by Russia’s president, the Russian State Duma gave permission to the Commander-in-Chief on the 1st of March, 2014 on deployment of the “limited military contingent” to Ukraine to conduct military actions there. This decision made by the State Duma allows the Russian army to wage military actions on the whole territory of Ukraine. In response, the Ukrainian acting president put the Ukrainian armed forces on alert and called for a full-scale
mobilization. This situation looks very much like Russia’s preparatory actions before the 2008
 
August war which were followed by the military aggression against Georgia and occupation of its territories.

By such actions, the Russian Federation not only violates the sovereign rights of Ukraine and the norms of the international law, which Russia also does recognize, but puts the regional peace and stability under risk and abuses human rights on the territory being under its control.


We call on:

Civil  society  in  Eastern  Partnership  countries  to  express  the  load  protest  and  strongly condemn the actions of the Russian Federation;

Russian civil society and people of good will by expressing the civil protest, to confront the reckless policy of their government which will bring an irreparable damage to Russia itself;

Georgian  government  to  provide  help  to  the  Ukrainian  people  and  its  government  in  all possible means including political, financial, economic and humanitarian support. Also, we call the Georgian government upon to register its united position with the EU and act in full coordination with the Euro-Atlantic partnership countries;

International community to apply all possible means to stop the attempts of full-scale intervention and further occupation of sovereign Ukraine, and annexation of a considerable part of  its  territory  planned  by  Russia,  by  imposing  adequate  sanctions  against  the  Russian Federation;

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to suspend the Russia’s vote in the Council of Europe and consider its dismissal from the Organisation;

EU  and  NATO  to  suspend  all  formats  of  cooperation  with  Russia  including  Russia-Nato
Commission and EU-Russia Cooperation Council;

The Unites States of America and EU to extend the Magnitsky Act to those members of Russian State Duma who voted for the decision on deployment of Russian troops to Ukraine, as well as to the Russian government officials who elaborated and submitted to the State Duma the draft resolution based on false argument

G7 Member States to refuse Russia to hold the G8 summit in Sochi and stop the preparation activities for the meeting planned in June;

International Financial Institutions to review suspension of the programs aimed for Russia, both planned and those being in-progress;

Ukrainian government to continue the way towards EU in line with the Ukrainian people’s choice, accelerate steps focused on countries’ stabilization and formation of inclusive and representative state structures; ensure holding elections planned in spring in transparent way and according to the high standards.


Signatory organisations:

1.   Georgian Association of Regional Broadcasters
2.   Public advocacy
3.   Healthy World
4.   Georgian Civil Development Association
5.   Association European Studies for the Innovative Development of Georgia
6.   Women’s Information Centre
7.   Association “Green Alternative”
8.   Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies
9.   Liberal Academy Tbilisi
10. Georgian press association
11. Levan Mikeladze Foundation
12. Samtskhe-Javakheti Regional Association "Toleranti"
13. Repatriates' Union
14. International Centre for Geopolitical Studies
15. Economic Policy Research Center
16. Institute for the Study of Nationalism and Conflicts
17. Caucasian Institute for Economic and Social Research
18. "Caucasian Mosaic"
19. World Experience for Georgia
20. International Business Development and Investment Promotion Centre
21. Gori Information Center
22. Article 42 of the Constitution
23. International Business and Economic Development Centre
24. United Public Movement "Multinational Georgia"
25. ”Multi- Ethnic Resource Centre on Civic Education Development”
26. Open Society Georgia Foundation
27. Civil Society Institute
28.  Caucasus Environment
29. Association for Farmers Rights Defense
30. International Center for Advancement of Research, Technology & Innovation
31. Europe House Georgia
32. Association "MERKURI"
33. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information
34. Center of Development and Democracy
35. "School-Family-Society" Association
36. Free Choice
37. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy
38. Fund of Women Entrepreneurs
39. Cultural-Humanitarian Fund "Sukhumi”
40. Georgian Trade Unions Confederation
41. Association "Atinati"
42. Women's Initiatives Supporting Group
43. Human Rights Centre
44. Peaceful and Business Caucasus
45. Student-Youth Council
46. Youth Alternative
47. Energy Efficiency Centre Georgia
48. ECOVISION
49. Transparency International Georgia
50. Association of Young Professionals in Energy of Georgia
51. International Centre for Geopolitical Studies
52. Media Development Foundation
53. The Greens Movement of Georgia/
54. Association "Woman and Business"
55. Junior achievement of Georgia
56. Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development
57. Center of Development and Democracy
58. Union of Teachers "Education and Universe"
59. International Organization of Human Rights protection and Prisoners social welfare
60. Biological Farming Association “Elkana”
61. Save The Future Generation