The Russian Anti-War Committee demands an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine to stop the senseless bloodshed. But let’s be clear: stopping the fighting doesn’t end the war. The war comes from the very nature of Putin’s regime.

Russian opposition’s warning to the world

Stopping the fighting in Ukraine will end the senseless deaths on both sides of the frontline. But a ceasefire does not mean the war is over. The war stems from the very nature of Putin’s regime and will continue as long as that regime exists.

Putin’s regime was designed from the start to crush civil liberties, destroy democratic institutions, and concentrate power in the hands of one man. Internal violence against civil society and external aggression against neighbours are two sides of the same totalitarian coin.

A potential truce is not the onset of peace. It may stop the guns on the frontline, but it will not end the regime’s war against the citizens of Russia, against Ukraine, and against other Western countries.

The Russian Anti-War Committee sees the dismantling of Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian regime as a necessary condition for achieving its strategic goal – eliminating the threat of war. Without this regime’s liquidation, there can be no lasting peace in Europe or within Russia itself.

Only profound political changes — restoration of democracy, freedom of speech, independent judiciary, and civilian control over the government — can put an end to aggression and give Russia a chance for a peaceful and dignified future.

Let’s be crystal clear: stopping the shooting doesn’t end the war. A ceasefire is just a pause while Putin’s war machine catches its breath. Real, lasting peace in Europe is impossible without freedom in Russia. And freedom in Russia is impossible as long as Putin is in power.

At our recent conference, the Russian Anti-War Committee outlined key areas of work for the near future:

• Launching a program to support relatives of the Kremlin’s prisoners and advocating for the release of POWs.
• Countering Kremlin propaganda by supporting independent media and educational initiatives.
• Preparing expert reports on sanctions, economy, and political persecution to better inform key decision-makers.

The Russian Anti-War Committee will remain a hub for coordinating anti-war, democratic, and human rights groups committed to building a peaceful, free, and responsible Russia.

Find full statement In Russian here.