Over fifty Ukrainian journalists called on their colleagues in democratic countries around the world to continue covering Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. They warned against war fatigue, the silencing of Russian crimes, and attempts to portray Ukraine as the side supposedly unwilling to seek peace.
The corresponding appeal was published by the media on their social media pages.
Ukrainian journalists called not to silence the war
The authors of the appeal emphasize that Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, along with daily shelling, destruction, killings of civilians, genocide, and ecocide. In their view, the international audience’s fatigue with the Ukrainian issue creates a dangerous illusion that the war has already ended or is about to end.
Ukrainian media also criticized publications portraying Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression as an obstacle to peace. They specifically called headlines suggesting “Ukraine does not want peace” unacceptable, as such formulations shift the responsibility for the war from the aggressor to its victim.
“It’s like a refined abuse — blaming the victim of aggression for refusing to remain victims and resisting,” the appeal states.
Journalists also urged colleagues to critically cover attempts to equate Ukrainian strikes on Russian military and oil infrastructure with Russia’s attacks on civilians, schools, hospitals, and bridges.
Journalists determine how bold politicians will be
The authors of the appeal emphasize that Russian aggression is not only Ukraine’s problem but poses a threat to Europe, the USA, and the global order as a whole. They warn against attempts to appease Vladimir Putin and remind of the dangers of repeating historical mistakes.
“We very much want peace, but not its imitation. For this or other aggressions never to be repeated, the aggressor must be punished,” the journalists note.
They called on foreign colleagues to call things by their names, not to allow politicians to justify coercive pressure on Ukraine, and to oppose lifting sanctions. According to the authors of the appeal, the media’s position can influence political leaders’ decisiveness and prevent Russia from regaining strength for new attacks.
“Journalists! Do everything possible to ensure that your country does not take the side of evil. No one has the right to change the world order through force and occupation,” the authors of the appeal concluded.
We, Ukrainian journalists, are reaching out to you — our fellow journalists across the free and democratic world.
We speak to you from a country where every morning begins with checking whether our families and friends are still alive. This appeal is a desperate attempt to warn you.
You may think the war in Ukraine has stopped or is about to end. But the war is still raging. Russia’s genocide and ecocide continue. Russian attacks occur every single day, as does the destruction and the deliberate hunting of civilians.
Perhaps your viewers and readers are no longer “interested” in watching us being killed live on air. Perhaps our deaths are no longer dramatic enough.
In your coverage, one can read that striking Russian oil refineries is supposedly “madness and a disgrace.” But is killing people with ballistic missiles not a disgrace?! And is destroying bridges, schools, and hospitals not madness?!
It is painful to see headlines claiming that, in the thirteenth year of Russia’s aggression against our country and our people, Ukraine allegedly “does not want peace.” This is a twisted form of abuse: blaming the victim of aggression for refusing to remain a victim and daring to fight back.
We must all understand that Russia, the aggressor, is honing its ability to kill and destroy every single day. World leaders are afraid to admit publicly that a much wider war is becoming inevitable—and it is closer than ever. This is a conflict between civilizations, and it concerns the United States just as much as it concerns Europe.
We firmly believe it is dangerous to treat Ukraine as a distant place where a war is happening that has nothing to do with the rest of the world.
We desperately want peace. But we do not want a fake peace. To ensure that this aggression—or any other—never happens again, the aggressor must be held accountable. Let’s be honest: Putin is a modern-day Hitler. We must not repeat the mistakes of history, as trying to appease an aggressor is dangerous for the entire world.
We urge you not to remain silent. The courage of politicians depends on journalists. It is up to journalists to prevent politicians from lifting sanctions, from allowing the aggressor to rebuild its strength, and from giving it the opportunity to keep killing people, destroying countries, and devastating the world.
Fellow journalists, do everything in your power to prevent your countries from siding with evil. No one has the right to reshape the international order through force and occupation.
We believe in the power of words, in justice, and in your integrity.
May common sense save the world we share.
* * *
We, Ukrainian journalists, are reaching out to you, our colleagues — journalists of the civilized and democratic world.
We speak to you from a country where mornings begin with checking whether all our loved ones and friends are alive. And our appeal is a desperate attempt to warn and caution. You might think the war in Ukraine has stopped or is about to end. But the fatigue from the Ukrainian war is an attempt to not see reality.
After all, the war in Ukraine continues.
Genocide and ecocide continue, with daily Russian shelling, destruction, and targeting of peaceful citizens.
Perhaps your viewers or readers are already “bored” with us being killed live on air, and maybe our deaths have ceased to be dramatic enough for you.
Some journalists write that targeting Russian refineries is insanity and shame! But isn’t killing people with ballistics shameful? Isn’t destroying bridges, schools, and hospitals insanity?
We find it unacceptable to see headlines, that in the 13th year of Russia’s aggression against our country and our people, “Ukraine does not want peace.” It’s like refined abuse — blaming the victim of aggression for refusing to be victims and resisting.
We all need to understand — Russia, as an aggressor state, practices killing and destroying every day.
World leaders hesitate to publicly acknowledge that a major war is inevitable and closer than ever.
But let’s openly talk about this as a civilizational conflict, affecting the United States as much as Europe.
We are convinced — seeing Ukraine as a place where a war is happening that does not concern the rest of the world is dangerous. We desire peace very much, but not its imitation. For this, or other aggressions to never repeat, the aggressor must be punished.
Let’s admit — Putin is a modern-day Hitler. We must not repeat the mistakes of history — attempting to appease the aggressor is dangerous for the entire world.
We urge you not to stay silent — it is up to journalists how courageous politicians will be.
We urge you to call things by their names. The forceful pressure on Ukraine is murdering thousands.
And it is up to journalists not to allow politicians to lift sanctions.
It is up to journalists not to let the aggressor gain strength and continue killing people and destroying countries and the world.
Journalists! Do everything possible to ensure your country does not side with evil. No one has the right to change the world order with force and occupation.
We believe in the power of words, in justice, and your integrity.
May common sense save our shared planet.
