Call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine

Concerned Citizens of Japan, South Korea, and the World Call for an Immediate Halt to the Ukraine War

Two months have passed since the Ukraine war began with the Russian invasion. The Russian forces have now concentrated In the Donbass eastern region. There was an optimistic mood over the ceasefire talks in Istanbul as ceasefire conditions were tabled, but once the bodies of citizens of the town of Bucha near Kyiv were found, calls rose criticizing the Russian military for war crimes. The Ukrainian army, seething with rage, redoubled its war effort. Member states in the Ukrainian support group, including especially the United States, vied with each other to supply large advanced weaponry to Ukraine. General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Ukraine war might go on for years.

Some countries appear to want the war to go on until Ukraine is victorious and the Putin government surrenders. However, the more the fighting goes on, the more lives of Ukrainians and Russians will be lost and deep, irreparable damage inflicted on the future of Ukraine and Russia.

Not only this but if the flow of weapons to Ukraine continues to grow, the war might expand beyond Ukraine, escalating and threatening Europe and beyond. Nuclear war becomes a real possibility and sanctions on Russia could bring on famine on a global scale, especially for the poorest countries of Africa.

When war breaks out, the iron rule for restoration of peace is to limit the battle area, accomplish clear cease-fire lines and negotiate to end the war. We call upon the Russian and Ukrainian forces to stop fighting at their present positions and to proceed sincerely to cease-fire negotiations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, after visiting the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, called for a cease fire. We urge the United Nations to continue its sincere efforts to accomplish a cease-fire. From March, Turkey’s efforts to serve as go-between for ceasefire talks bore fruit and also earned respect.

At this critical juncture of European war, the countries of Asia and Africa should take action. We earnestly call on China and India, and neutral large countries such as the Republic of South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the ASEAN countries to call upon the two forces to cease fire and to act as go-betweens in negotiations towards stopping the war.

War must not be allowed to go on. We plead with the Russian government of President Putin and the Ukrainian government of President Zelenskyy to announce to the people of the world their intention of immediate cease fire, to make preparations for cease-fire talks and to turn towards actual cease fire.

Wherever they may be, whatever their status, and in whatever way they are able, the people of the world must raise their voices and call for an immediate cease-fire.

Nothing is more precious than human life. Let there be no more killing or being killed in Ukraine. That is our plea.

Tokyo, May 8 2022