The Ukraine conflict has become a complex proxy war involving four of the world’s five original nuclear armed countries: the United States, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom. The extent of support provided by outside powers remains unclear, obscured by virulent nonstop propaganda campaigns promulgated by all sides. The Ukraine war has also become both a cause and an excuse for the ratcheting up of tensions between the U.S. and its NATO allies and Russia.

In addition to the immediate dangers of war, the climate of confrontation has put further progress towards nuclear disarmament on hold. It also has given the military-industrial complexes on both sides a rationale for the resumption of conventional arms racing and nuclear weapons modernization. The people of the Ukraine are the victims, their country a battleground of competing plutocracies.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved the hands of its Doomsday Clock up to 3 minutes to midnight, citing the existential threats posed by nuclear weapons and climate change.  It’s time to step back from the brink. We call on all of the governments involved to take steps to reduce tensions, to lessen the danger of an expanded war, and to provide space and build confidence for negotiations to resolve the Ukraine conflict and the growing confrontation between Russia and the U.S. and its NATO allies. These steps should include:

•     No military assistance to Ukraine, whether arms, trainers, advisors, or “nonlethal” aid;
•     Unconditional humanitarian assistance directed to ordinary people in all of Ukraine’s regions, sustaining social benefits and public services and aiding in reconstruction of housing and public infrastructure;
•     Diplomatic initiatives to encourage Ukrainians engaged in the conflict to enter into good faith negotiations in an effort to reach a political resolution;
•     No additional deployments of U.S. forces, equipment, or supplies to Europe;
•     Reversal of NATO decisions to expand rapid reaction forces and supporting infrastructure in Eastern Europe, and particularly in states on Russia’s borders;
•     Termination of U.S. programs to deploy U.S. ballistic missile defenses in Europe;
•     A moratorium on military exercises by all parties in and around Ukraine and European states bordering Russia;
•     A moratorium on exercises and tests of nuclear-armed forces world-wide;
•     Immediate removal of U.S. nuclear weapons from Europe; and

In this 70th year since the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and 45 years after the U.S., Russia, and the U.K. committed in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to negotiate in good faith for an end of the nuclear arms race and the elimination of nuclear arsenals, immediate commencement of negotiations encompassing all nuclear-armed states for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

UFPJ serves as a network  of hundreds of peace and justice organizations around the US and world.  Together we are working to end war and oppression, shift resources toward human needs, protect the environment and promote sustainable alternatives.    Our long-term goal is to grow a culture of justice, peace, equality, cooperation and respect.  We value diversity and respect the earth. We encourage member groups and individuals to engage in wide range of activities from educating their elected officials and the public to public witness actions, protests, street theater, nonviolent direct action and mass mobilization.

UFPJ…

    Supports movement building by providing a space for groups working on similar issues to collaborate and coordinate using common working groups, list serves and web resources.

    Provides information on a range of issues and highlighting the connections between all of our struggles for peace and justice.

    Promotes the actions, events, and campaigns of member groups.

    Hosts educational conference calls for people to deepen their own understanding and analysis of critical issues we face.