Youth for TPNW strongly condemns the invasion of Ukraine and the threat of nuclear war, and we extend our support and solidarity to those affected by the conflict.

Youth for TPNW stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian invasion. The invasion is harming the civilian population and fuelling a refugee crisis in Europe. It is unacceptable that residents of Ukraine are being forced to flee their homes or risk a war zone, and Youth for TPNW stands alongside people affected by warfare everywhere.

Youth for TPNW condemns in the strongest terms possible the escalation of the threat of nuclear weapons as a result of the crisis in Europe. Nuclear weapons are indiscriminate, and their use would cause a long-lasting humanitarian disaster for civilians, both in Ukraine and around the world.

We call on the Russian government to engage in dialogue and diplomacy rather than indiscriminate and destructive warfare. With the escalating risk of a nuclear war, nuclear weapons should be dismantled in accordance with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, to make the world a safer and more prosperous place. We note that only last year the Presidents of the United States and Russia reissued the statement that ‘a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought’, and believe that the best way to avoid nuclear war is eliminating the weapons altogether.

We call on governments all around the world to comply with the TPNW to avoid the risk of nuclear warfare, and to extend humanitarian support to those affected by the war in Ukraine. We urge governments to engage in dialogue which will prevent nuclear escalation and lead to disarmament.

If you want to help create a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons, you can get involved with Youth for TPNW here.

If you want to support humanitarian efforts responding to this crisis, have a look at OCHA, IOM or UNHCR as starting places.