On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded eastern Ukraine. It is carrying out an imperialist war for the annexation and occupation of an independent nation. The people of Ukraine have been resisting ever since. Internationalist solidarity is as necessary as ever
The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign seeks to organise solidarity and provide information in support of the Ukrainian labour movement, campaigning for working-class and democratic rights, against imperialist intervention and national chauvinism. It seeks to coordinate socialist and labour movement organisations that agree on this task, regardless of differences and opinions on other questions.
Its basic aims are:
- to support and build direct links with the independent socialists and the labour movement in Ukraine.
- to support the right of the Ukrainian people to determine their own future free from external intervention from Russian or Western imperialism.
Above is extracted from the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign site.
Why we stand with Ukraine against Putin
The ACR supports these aims and will be present at the anniversary protest in Piccadilly Circus, central London on Saturday 21 February and at other events around the country. At a time when Trump is ready and willing to agree to Putin’s demands for Ukrainian territory, it is more vital than ever for the labour movement to stand with the people of Ukraine. Ukrainians have pushed back Putin’s army from the gates of Kyiv but are engaged in a tough battle to push back Putin’s illegal occupation of their territory in the south and east.
Putin has already been willing to sacrifice more than a million workers in a war that is not in their interests. He has recruited soldiers from the poorest parts of Russia, from North Korea, and from Africa. Although Trump may be happy to see Russia weakened as a result of this war, he has shown little interest in attacking Russia in the same way as he is attacking Iran or Venezuela. The main aggressor preventing a nation’s right to self-determination is Putin’s Russia.
We also support the brave people in Russia who have raised their voices, at great cost, against Putin. You can read their story in the book “Voices against Putin’s War.”
Unfortunately, the leadership of Stop the War(STW), which campaigned well on Iraq and today with Palestine, has defined this conflict as essentially a proxy war. For STW, the Western Imperialists and Putin share responsibility. They say we can only campaign against our own imperialism or Trump, claiming the main enemy is at home, and we must not get involved in taking sides against Russia.
Consequently, although they claim to be against Putin’s invasion, they have not organised any protests or even much discussion about this terrible war in Europe.
People will support solidarity with Ukraine
Nevertheless, solidarity with Ukraine has won significant support within important trade unions. Practical aid and support have also been organised through the trade unions and local communities. For example, specialised mining rescue equipment has been sent over.
Ordinary people have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes. Currently, the solidarity campaign is organising an official petition to ensure the Labour government does not begin restricting their right to remain; details are available at the USC site.
A petition with a detailed list of demands signed by many MPs, trade union leaders, and other personalities has been circulating in opposition to the imposition of an unjust peace on the Ukrainian people.
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