Promote Ukraine1, a Brussels-based Ukrainian civil society organisation and European Citizen’s Prize Awardee 2022 has sent a letter to Latin American and Caribbean leaders, urging them to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ahead of the upcoming EU-CELAC summit.
This major summit of heads of state and government from the European Union and the Community of Latin American and the Caribbean States will take place in Brussels on July 17 and 18.
European media have reported that CELAC nations want to avoid any reference to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In a letter addressed to the 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries comprising CELAC, the chair and founder of Promote Ukraine, Dr. Marta Barandiy, believes this would be a ‘historic incoherence’.
‘It would be hypocritical if Latin American nations failed to condemn Russian imperialism’. ‘You cannot criticise colonialism and military interventions in the Americas, and turn a blind eye when the dictator Vladimir Putin is doing the same in Ukraine’. said Marta Barandiy
Latin America is not safe from Russian intervention Dr. Barandiy has previously warned against underestimating Russia’s threat to democracy and stability in Latin America. Russia is deeply embedded in Venezuela, and wants to expand its influence in Cuba and Nicaragua.
‘Russia has never been a constructive player and it does not want to be. Whether in Europe, Africa, or the Middle East, Russia is an expert in creating frozen conflicts and keeping them frozen to extract concessions. ‘It is dangerous to ignore the risk of destabilisation if Moscow extends its influence in Latin America. Putin is a threat to democracy everywhere.’ added Marta Barandiy
In its letter, Promote Ukraine urges CELAC leaders to ‘show leadership’, and to join the international sanctions against Russia, as the brutality of Putin’s unprovoked war on Ukraine is clear.
‘In the face of such horror, non-alignment means aligning with the aggressor’. On which side would Simón Bolivar be? said Marta Barandiy
Promote Ukraine is a non-profit media, civil society and advocacy organization that was established in 2014 during the Revolution of Dignity in Brussels, European Citizen’s Prize Awardee 2022.