The EESC Workers' Group condemns Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and calls for a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and a full stop of the hybrid war waged for years in Eastern Ukraine.

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This early morning, Russia attacked Ukraine, paving the way of what could be a full-scale invasion of the country. We condemn this war of aggression against a sovereign country and a friend, and stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Putin has made clear with yet another unilateral aggression that the will of the strongest, rather than international law, prevails in the geopolitical game. Europe must not forget this is not an isolated issue: it is an invasion after years of hybrid war and the annexation of Crimea. The same strategy that was used in Georgia. What is more, Putin has already warned with full scale war whoever threatens what he considers the natural vital space of Russia.

This attack on Ukraine is an attack on all of us, as Russian imperialism is not compatible with democracy and security in Europe. Appeasement towards a dictator who has repeatedly curtailed freedoms, repressed Russian citizens and civil society, and eliminated political opponents, and who is posed to make his country great again one neighbour at a time, is a foolish mistake. The 1930s in Europe should serve a stark reminder for those who might have forgotten.

This invasion is a litmus test to Europe, as were the former ones. If Europe wants to survive, and this includes the people of Russia, it must remember past mistakes. We must stand with the people of Ukraine, but we must also consider the long term, beyond economic sanctions that do limited harm to an already isolated economy. Because diverting attention by invading countries is a strategy Putin is unlikely to forgo for the foreseeable future. Europe must question itself what will happen next time.

Trade Unions remember that the war machine is fed with the blood of workers, call for the withdrawal of Russian Troops, and support civil society in both Ukraine and Russia. Believing this war ultimately harms the peoples on both sides, and threatens an order that ensures the sovereignty of all nations, we demand for Russia to completely withdraw from Ukrainian territories and stop the hybrid war in the so-called 'popular republics' of the Donbass. This is the first step to reopen diplomacy and ensure a lasting peace guaranteeing the democratic rights of the people in Ukraine.

'Something fundamental has changed' Oliver Röpke, Workers’ Group President, said, 'Europe must be united and respond to this unilateral aggression. Democratic values, solidarity and social rights are key if Europe wants to stay united against this aggression. We stand with the people of Ukraine. Democracy, not tanks, must decide in Europe and in the world'.

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