In response to the US-Russia proposed peace plan for Ukraine, Oxfam’s Ukraine Response Director, Nicola Bay, said:
“As yet another deadline draws near for a peace deal for Ukraine, it is vital to remember that these are not abstract negotiations—they are decisions that will shape the lives of people living under occupation, those displaced by violence, and families facing daily bombardment. An agreement aimed at maximizing profits for the United States, drafted without the full participation of Ukrainians, will not deliver sustainable peace and security for those caught up in this deadly conflict. The rights, safety, and voices of impacted civilians by this war must be prioritized above all else.
“We strongly recommend that instead of drawing new lines on maps to decide the fate of a suffering community, the US administration speaks directly to the people whose lives will be turned upside down by plans made thousands of miles away from their homes.”
“Local groups Oxfam partners with in formerly occupied territories say that for those near the frontlines, life is not measured in hours or days, but in the shellings survived or neighbors they’ve lost.”
Nataliya Gourjii, Head of Board of Oxfam’s partner Rokada said:
“Every day we speak with people who have lived through shelling, occupation, or forced evacuation. What they long for most is to go home and rebuild their lives with their families and neighbors. Many left not only because of the fighting, but because of the constant fear of the occupying authorities.
“If these territories are lost, their return will become impossible, and what they have experienced will be legitimized, despite gross violations of international humanitarian law.”
Maryna Kurochkina, President of Oxfam’s partner The Tenth of April said:
“Peace cannot be built on injustice. Negotiations that pressure the victim of aggression into concessions set a dangerous precedent. Any attempt to decide Ukraine’s territories without Ukraine is null and void.
“True peace must be just: it must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, uphold the rule of law, and strengthen global stability. Anything less risks encouraging future aggression and eroding the foundations of a peaceful world.”
/ENDS