Washington DC/Geneva — The Center for International Environmental Law stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and we condemn all Russian military action within Ukraine’s borders.
Russia’s aggressive use of force in the territory of another State is a clear and grave violation of the United Nations Charter and of international law, a violation of Ukraine’s national sovereignty and the Ukrainian peoples’ right to self-government. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and missile attacks against cities across the country are an assault on civilian populations in violation of global human rights norms and international humanitarian law. Russia’s actions pose an immediate, grave and profound threat to human lives, human rights, human freedom, democratic governance, and regional and global peace.
Vladimir Putin’s ongoing and accelerating violation of the international peace and international law demand a response from the international community commensurate with the gravity of that violation and the urgency of the situation. CIEL calls on governments around the world to take the strongest possible measures to deter further aggression and to ensure the safety and freedom of the people of Ukraine. Current measures, including those taken by the United States and European Union, have been woefully inadequate to that purpose.
The pervasive role of oil and natural gas in this crisis–as a funding source for Russia’s military, a flashpoint for Russian aggression, and a threatened energy and economic weapon against European countries that come to Ukraine’s aid–demonstrates yet again how fossil fuels undermine international peace and stability rather than support it.
The invasion of Ukraine at the direction of Vladimir Putin is a manifest, egregious act of imperialism, oppression, and authoritarianism, and an affront to all who value justice, self-determination, and democracy. The international community must respond immediately, robustly, and universally to sanction those violations and safeguard peace and self-determination for the Ukrainian people.
Posted on February 24, 2022