On Saturday, 14 May, the largest network of youth-led organisations in Europe passed an urgent resolution condemning the Russian Federation’s mass atrocities against the people of Ukraine as genocide. The European Youth Forum, together with over 100 member youth organisations, now call for European leaders to follow this example and act against Russian aggression.

Paulína Jalakšová, Board Member of the European Youth Forum said:

“As European citizens, we have a duty to speak up against hate, discrimination and violence wherever it occurs. The European Youth Forum stands in solidarity with the young people of Ukraine and we expect our parliaments to do the same. We urge national and European leaders to call the war crimes by the Russian Federation against Ukraine what they are; acts of genocide.”

Natalia Shevchuk, Chairwoman of the National Youth Council of Ukraine said:

“The atrocities committed by the Russian army aim to destroy the Ukrainian nation and, therefore, they constitute a genocide. This is an attack on Europe, on peace, and on democracy itself.

Today we are sending a strong message to European leaders, demanding that they take urgent action. As the Ukrainian army liberates more areas that were under Russian occupation, we are confronted with another horror. The pain of the humanitarian disaster inflicted right now on the people in Mariupol is felt by every Ukrainian. Ukraine’s youth needs Europe’s support, in fighting and rebuilding, and every hour counts.”

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