If you are a Trade Union official or rep please add your name to the following statement:

The war in Ukraine is a disaster for the people there and for the wider population of Europe. Rival powers are now playing out their conflicts over Ukraine, and it is the people of Ukraine who will continue to suffer. We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and call for the immediate withdrawal of all Russian troops now. We declare our solidarity with the courageous Russian anti-war movement.

NATO’s push to expand into Eastern Europe has been an integral part of the development of the Ukraine crisis. Further NATO involvement, such as pouring in more armaments, a no-fly zone, sanctions or other similar measures, can only lead to escalation and threatens the conflict spilling over into a wider war. We oppose all escalation that could increase the danger of nuclear war.

We condemn the response of the British government which has been to escalate the conflict by sending in large numbers of weapons and increase troop deployments to Eastern Europe. This is now turning the war into an effective proxy war between NATO and Russia, and the main victims will be the Ukrainian people. Rather than going down this road, our government should be doing its utmost to secure peace talks, withdrawal of troops and a ceasefire.

We further call on the British government to open its doors to Ukrainian refugees, waiving visas, and other restrictions to respond to the humanitarian crisis. We also believe that all refugees fleeing conflict deserve our support and the right to asylum.

We urge our unions to support all protests calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops and no escalation by NATO organised by the Stop the War Coalition, CND and other anti-war and peace organisations.