Appeal to European politicians.

The initiator of the project Elena Filina made an appeal to European politicians on behalf of the Association of Deputies of Peaceful Russia:

We, the undersigned Russian members of municipal and regional councils, who have been forced into exile due to criminal prosecution for our condemnation of the aggression against Ukraine and the persistent violations of human rights, respectfully and urgently appeal to you to take all possible measures to secure the release of over 120 gravely ill political prisoners, who are facing imminent death in Putin's prisons.

Regrettably, the issue of human rights has not yet been adequately integrated into the framework of the ongoing ceasefire negotiations initiated by the U.S. administration.

It is essential to recognize that the external aggression of Putin’s regime is inextricably tied to the internal dismantling of democratic institutions and the ruthless suppression of civil society within Russia. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to send a clear and unequivocal message to all those who continue to resist dictatorship inside Russia: their courage is seen, their lives matter, and their struggle is an integral part of the collective effort to counter Putin’s aggression.

The European Union, as the first political alliance in history founded upon the principles of political freedom and human rights, has played an exemplary role in advancing these values globally. Yet, the erosion of democracy in Russia now poses not only a threat to its own citizens but also a direct danger of aggressive war against the member states of the European Union.

We firmly believe that the European Union, as a leading geopolitical power and one of the world’s most influential international institutions, must assume a proactive role in bringing about an end to the war unfolding on its very doorstep.

The European Union’s participation is indispensable in defining the terms of a sustainable ceasefire and in restoring security to the European continent. We trust that European leaders and policymakers fully understand that without a process of democratization in Russia, there can be no enduring peace in Ukraine, nor can the threat of future aggression against Europe be averted.

We earnestly urge you to elevate the demand for the release of political prisoners as a core element of security discussions concerning Ukraine. Doing so will not only fulfill a crucial humanitarian obligation but will also fortify the anti-war movement within Russia, reinforcing the message that the fate of Russian democrats is inseparably linked to the pursuit of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and for all of Europe.