{"id":6843,"date":"2024-02-24T12:33:40","date_gmt":"2024-02-24T10:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nycukraine.org\/?p=6843"},"modified":"2024-02-24T12:33:40","modified_gmt":"2024-02-24T10:33:40","slug":"joint-statement-we-cannot-let-war-become-the-new-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nycukraine.org\/en\/joint-statement-we-cannot-let-war-become-the-new-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"Joint Statement: We cannot let war become the new normal"},"content":{"rendered":"
After two years of Russia\u2019s full-scale war against Ukraine, we, JEF, NYCU, EDS, YEPP, YES, LYMEC, YDE, IFLRY, FYEG, EFAY, have one message:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t let war be our future!<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

On the 24th of February 2022, Europeans woke up to a very different world as Russian president Vladimir Putin undid decades of efforts to achieve peace in Europe and invaded a peaceful, democratic and sovereign state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This unprovoked war has caused unimaginable destruction and ruined the lives of millions, creating Europe\u2019s largest refugee crisis since the Second World War and resulting in over half a million casualties. Generation of young people will have to live with the horrors and aftermath of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Ukrainians continue to sacrifice their lives at the frontlines, vital military aid remains a contentious topic amongst western leaders. We must recognise that, despite our efforts, the support Ukraine needs will require even more from us. We have seen how much we can achieve together, and we cannot stop now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peace has always been at the centre of the European project, yet today Europeans are once again fighting in trenches and our future is uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cUkraine is Europe and this war is Europe\u2019s war. If we do not act now, it will very soon reach our homes as well. We need to strive for peace and the only way to achieve peace is by helping Ukraine achieve victory,\u201d says Martin Penov, Vice-President of JEF Europe.<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Western countries must stand firm in their military, humanitarian and financial support until victory is achieved. As both European and American voters head to the polls this year and populists call for cutting aid, we reiterate our commitment to Ukraine\u2019s defence and call for our leaders to do the same. We cannot debate aid while Ukrainian lives are lost every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The early months of the war showed that Europe can stand united. Now that Ukraine is an EU candidate country, we must use this momentum to reform the EU so we can respond to future threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European leaders failed to act in 2014 when Russia seized Crimea and began the war in Donbas. Ukrainians have now been living with war for a decade. We cannot make the same mistakes again or Europe\u2019s youth will be forced to inherit yet another conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukraine\u2019s future is in a united, peaceful Europe. That is the Europe we need to strive for and that is the future Ukraine\u2019s and the rest of Europe\u2019s youth deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signing Organisations:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JEF \u2013 Young European Federalists
NYCU \u2013 National Youth Council of Ukraine
EDS \u2013 European Democrat Students
YEPP \u2013 Youth of the European People\u2019s Party
YES \u2013 Young European Socialists
LYMEC \u2013 European Liberal Youth
YDE \u2013 Young Democrats for Europe
IFLRY \u2013 International Federation of Liberal Youth
FYEG \u2013 Federation of Young European Greens
EFAY \u2013 European Free Alliance Youth<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Words from signatories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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