Open appeal

We, representatives of the 40-million-strong Ukrainian nation, with a millennia-long history of statehood and deep democratic traditions, who have always belonged to the family of European nations, appeal to the leaders of states and the entire world community.

Since February 20, 2014, Ukraine has been a victim of military aggression by the Russian Federation and, for almost eleven years, has been fighting to defend its right to exist, exercising, in accordance with the UN Charter, the Ukrainian people’s right to self-defense.

This unprovoked war has caused immense suffering to our nation. Under the false pretext of a “special military operation,” Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. Every day, Russian military actions and continuous missile and bomb attacks on Ukrainian cities and villages claim the lives of Ukrainian men, women, and children who simply seek to live peacefully on their own land.

Ukraine lives under constant air raid alerts, facing relentless assaults by thousands of attack drones, ballistic, and cruise missiles targeting infrastructure across the country. These actions aim to destroy Ukraine’s economy and keep its people in a state of humanitarian and ecological disaster. Millions of square meters of housing, thousands of schools, hospitals, non-military facilities, and vital water, heating, and energy infrastructure have already been destroyed. Occupied cities and villages, bombed homes, and unbearable suffering have forced millions of Ukrainians to leave their homeland in search of safety abroad.

Ukraine is drowning in blood: hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed or injured. Contrary to international law and the customs of war, the Russian Federation systematically murders civilians, commits sexual violence against women and girls, tortures and executes Ukrainian soldiers, and forcibly deports tens of thousands of children from the occupied territories of Ukraine.

By blocking ports and destroying Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure, Russia has created a food crisis in many Asian and African countries and caused ecological catastrophes on land and at sea.

The scale of destruction of Ukrainian cities and villages, the systemic torture and persecution of Ukrainians in the occupied territories, and the devastating loss of human life are clear evidence that Russia is waging a genocidal war against the Ukrainian people.

The objectives of the Putin regime in this war are imperialistic and revanchist: to annihilate the Ukrainian people as a distinct ethnic community and to eliminate Ukraine as a geopolitical reality. By seeking to absorb Ukraine, Russia aims to restore its empire and pursue a policy of global revanchism that threatens the international rules-based order. In this war, Russia has violated all bilateral agreements, undermined international law, and disrupted the stability of the Euro-Atlantic region by dismantling the architecture of global security.

In the 1990s, Ukraine voluntarily renounced the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarantees under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. As part of this disarmament process, Ukraine transferred to Russia approximately 2,000 strategic nuclear warheads and over 3,500 tactical nuclear weapons. However, this arsenal was not dismantled as planned; instead, it was used to strengthen Russia’s military potential. This decision not only created preconditions for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine but also dealt a severe blow to the global nonproliferation regime and the post-Cold War world order.

Guaranteeing Ukraine’s security against Russian aggression is possible only through NATO membership or, in the interim, by granting Ukraine the status of a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States. Any concessions to Moscow regarding Ukraine’s security and territorial integrity would amount to appeasement of the aggressor, encouraging further crimes and aggression.

It is this Russia that Ukraine has been resisting for eleven years. No ceasefire or just peace with Moscow will be effective without international coercion, as the Russian leadership is deeply committed to destroying Ukraine and appropriating its historical heritage.

Today, we are witnessing a crisis of the international legal order established after World War II. In these times of “stable uncertainty” and the search for a new global framework, especially for European security, the personal leadership of the world’s leading states is of paramount importance.

We believe such leadership entails great responsibility not only to the global community and one’s own nations but also to other nations, including Ukraine, which is courageously fighting for its existence, the stable development of its state, its nation, and its indigenous peoples while upholding democratic values.

We therefore appeal to the leadership of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, Germany, the European Union, the G20 countries, and the international community with the following proposals:

1. With deep gratitude for the assistance already provided to Ukraine in repelling Russia’s armed aggression, we call for the continuation of initiatives aimed at stopping the war. This is our shared mission.

2. Ukraine needs a just peace achieved from a position of collective strength, including adherence to UN resolutions and within the borders of 1991. Such peace must ensure the punishment of the aggressor for crimes of aggression, genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, as well as securing reparations and implementing more effective additional sanctions, including a full embargo on energy supplies.

3. Ukraine requires guarantees of lasting and sustainable peace to secure its territorial integrity and defense capabilities, including collective security mechanisms, as well as prospects for a sovereign, democratic, and stable future.

4. Ukraine must not become a buffer zone between the democratic, civilized world and the totalitarian Russian Federation, between the rule of law and the law of force. Instead, it must have the prospect of becoming a modern, democratic, legal, and innovative state capable of defending itself.

By supporting Ukraine, you are defending the values of the modern, civilized, democratic world and a secure global order!

People’s Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (1^st–6^th convocations)

• Ivan O. ZAIETS – People’s Deputy of the 1^st – 4^th, and 6^th convocations
  • Volodymyr F. BORTNYK – People’s Deputy of the 1^st – 3^rd convocations
  • Viktor I. SHYSHKIN – People’s Deputy of the 1^st – 3^rd convocations
  • Mykola Ch. SHERSHUN – People’s Deputy of the 2^nd – 5^4h convocations
  • Oleksii O. KOZACHENKO – People’s Deputy of the 4^th – 5^th convocations
• Borys I. MARKOV – People’s Deputy of the 1^st convocation
• Pavlo M. MOVCHAN – People’s Deputy of the 1^st convocation

Ivan L. RUDYK – People’s Deputy of the 2^nd convocation

Heroes of Ukraine (2001–2024)

• Petro V. IVASHCHUK
• Ada M. ROHOVTSEVA
• Ivan M. MOVCHAN
• Maria Y. STEFYUK
• Vasyl A. PETRYNIUK
• Tetiana M. KOROST
• Mykhailo V. SHAPOVAL

Public Figures, Scientists, Artists, and Businessmen of Ukraine

• Yurii M. SHCHERBAK – Ukrainian writer, screenwriter, publicist, politician, environmental activist, diplomat, epidemiologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Medicine of the Bohomolets National Medical University, Laureate of the Yuri Yanovsky Literary Prize, Head of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize Committee (2016–2019), Head of the Council of the Ukrainian-Polish Information & Analytical Independent Media Forum
• Volodymyr P. SHYROBOKOV – Ukrainian scientist, microbiologist, and virologist, Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Head of the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology with Fundamentals of Immunology at the Bohomolets National Medical University
• Halyna I.  ZAKHARCHENKO – Founder and Head of the charitable organization “International Charitable Foundation ‘Unbreakable Ukrainian Nation’”
• Maryna I.  STAVNIICHUK – Vice-President of the World Congress of Ukrainian Lawyers, Head of the Supervisory Board of the „International Charitable Foundation Unbreakable Ukrainian Nation”, Honored Lawyer of Ukraine
• Serhii P. IVASHCHUK – General Director of LLC NVA “Perlyna Podillia,” Founder of the public organization “Council of Employers and Graduates of the Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University,” philanthropist providing ongoing support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine

• Mira ŠTEFANYAK – President of the Ukrainian House, San Diego, Southern California, USA
• Vitaliy I. TSYMBALIUK – Ukrainian scientist-neurosurgeon, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, President of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine
• Zhanna LTAVSKA – Ukrainian singer, author, performer
• Iaroslav M. GOTSULYAK – Candidate of Medical Sciences, PhD, Scientific Secretary, Bureau of the Department of Biochemistry, Physiology, and Molecular Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
•      Viktor O. HUTSAL – Conductor, composer, Professor, People’s Artist of Ukraine, laureate of the Taras Shevchenko State Prize, Artistic Director of the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine
• Svitlana I. MITRIAYEVA – Honorary President of the Center for Regional Risk Analysis, Honored Scientist and Technician of Ukraine, full Cavalier of the Order of Princess Olha (III, II, I degrees)
• Petro M. SYPNIAK – Ukrainian painter, People’s Artist of Ukraine
• Valerii F. PIDBOLIACHNYI – Lieutenant General, Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (2005–2007)
• Oksana M. PYATNYCHKO – Head of the Laboratory of Clinical and Biological Research, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences
• Mykola V. ASTION – member of the DniproAgroGroup agricultural holding, Doctor of Philosophy, General of the Police (retired)
• Valerii O. TSYBAN – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Deputy Chief Scientific Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
• Oleksii I.  DRONOV – Professor, Head of the Department of General Surgery № 1 at the Bohomolets National Medical University, Kyiv
• Father Mykola MARTYNIUK – Priest of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, United Kingdom
• Mykhailo P. ZAKHARASH – Doctor of Medical Sciences, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Professor of the Department of Surgery № 1 at the Bohomolets National Medical University, Honored Doctor of Ukraine, Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology, Major General of the Medical Service
• Serhii I.  SOKOLOVSKYI – Professor, European Medical University, Dnipro
• Orest A. SKOP – Honored Artist of Ukraine, Chief Artist of the Lviv Palace of Arts
• Anatolii HNATIUK – People’s Artist of Ukraine
• Ihor Y.  KOTSIUMBAS – Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences
• Ihor V.  HAI – Board Member, All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council
• Volodymyr V. SEVASTYANOV – Doctor, volunteer, war invalid
• Fila I.  ZHEBROVSKA – Chair of the Supervisory Board of the company “Farmak”
• Serhii V. ZOZULIA – Ukrainian agrarian, Chief Operating Officer of LLC “Volochysk-Agro,” Deputy of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Council
• Yulia PUCHKO-WILSON – Vice President of the charity organization “Shield of Freedom”, San Diego, California, USA
• Iaroslav T. MAKARYK – Bachelor of Economics, Master’s student, University of Vienna, Austria
• Oksana V. TSURIKOVA – Associate Professor, Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Master of Economics and Marketing, Kharkiv
• Yurii P. KUPCHII – Head of the Regional Organization of Afghanistan Veterans
• Nataliia V. SUMSKA – People’s Artist of Ukraine
• Mariia V. YAKOVENKO – Master of International Law, Consul of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Austria (2013–2018)
• Vasyl O. DIAKIV – Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental and Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Lviv University
• Vira M. BENIO – Ukrainian businesswoman, director of LLC “INSTALLATION EQUIPMENT COMPANY.
• Volodymyr P. PYLYPENKO – Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine
• Hryhorii T. ZHABSKII – Director of LLC “Specialized Construction and Installation Management ‘Pidriad’”
• Oleksandr M. SUKACH – Doctor of Biological Sciences, Leading Researcher at the Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kharkiv
• Tetiana O. PAVLENKO – Head of the International Cooperation Sector of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (2006–2010)
• Mykhailo M. RISHKO – Ukrainian private entrepreneur, volunteer
• Vasyl V. SENCHUK – Candidate of Legal Sciences, PhD, Honored Lawyer of Ukraine
• Oleksandr M. SPIVAK – General Director of A’SPIK Group
• Viktor V. HORBACH – Director of LLC “Nanotechcenter”
• Tetiana V. REMENIEVA – Senior Lecturer at the National University of Technologies and Design
• Ihor A. LUKIANCHUK – Professor of Physics, University of Picardy, Amiens, France
• Volodymyr M. LISOVYI – Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Head of the Association of Urologists of Ukraine, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Honored Doctor of Ukraine, Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine, Honorary Citizen of Kharkiv and Kharkiv Region
•      Liliia SYDORENKO–PERNKOPF – Power Engineer, Full Member of the Academy of Guides of Austria, Member of the Vienna Economic Chamber, Entrepreneur in the Tourism Sector in accordance with the European Union License, Vienna, Austria
• Volodymyr M. LESHCHENKO – Ukrainian manager and scientist, Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology
• Oleksandr A. TKACHENKO – Chief Physician of the Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise “Kyiv City Clinical Emergency Hospital”, Chief Surgeon of Kyiv (1998–2016)
• Vasyl V. SHAIDA – Founder of the Customs Service of Ukraine, Head of Customs (2008–2021), Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great for loyalty and services to the Holy See (Ordo Sanctus Gregorius Magnus), Vatican
• Volodymyr P. YANCHUK – Candidate of Economic Sciences, PhD., Associate Professor at the Department of Agriculture, Head of the Public Association “All-Ukrainian Union of Certified Land Surveyors” in Mykolaiv Region
• Hennadii V. MYKYTKA – President of the NGO Center for European Integration
• Vasyl V. ZLYI – Doctor, Director of the Private Enterprise “Medicine and Social Rehabilitation”
• Serhii Y. POLITUCHYI – Candidate of Sciences, PhD, Public Figure, Honorary Consul of the French Republic, President of the Faktor Group of Companies
• Mykhailo I.  DEMTSYU – Ukrainian post-impressionist and expressionist artist, painter, graphic artist, People’s Artist of Ukraine
• Lesya I. ROMANCHUK – Ukrainian doctor, teacher, writer, bard, member of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine
• Svitlana K. BOGATYRCHUK-KRIVKO – President of the Political Group of European Conservatives and Reformists of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, Deputy of the Rivne Regional Council
• Father Taras I. KOKOVSKY – Ukrainian priest, Ukrainian Lutheran Church, writer, translator, blogger, photographer, musician, author and singer of songs
• Maria A. ROZHKO – a well-known public figure, volunteer, deputy head of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Rivne Region, head of the Women’s Union of the Rivne Region, holder of the Order of Princess Olga
• Iryna P. MAZUR – Ukrainian doctor, teacher, public figure, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in the field of science and technology, President of the NGO “Association of Dentists of Ukraine”, Chairman of the Board of the National Medical Council of Ukraine, representative of Ukraine in the World Federation of Dentists, member of the International Dental Academy, representative of Ukraine in the World Medical Association
• Vitalii I. BABYCH – Ukrainian entrepreneur, director of GF OGP DK “Karpatian Patriots”, LLC “DAYANA LTD”, PJSC “Kordon”
• Mykola M. KORPAN – Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, professor, Doctor of Medicine, PhD, Bohomolets National Medical University, Kyiv; International Institute of Cryosurgery, Vienna; Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology and the International GUSI Peace Prize in the category of Science & Medicine, Manila, Philippines