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The European Union must protect Russians fleeing Putin's repressions and criminal mobilization!

• Josep Borrell Fontelles, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Vladimir Putin's announcement of the so-called "partial" mobilization of reservists is a clear signal to the international community of his desire to continue his bloody and criminal war, which has tragic consequences for Ukraine and increasingly negative repercussions for the entire world.

By attacking Ukraine, a democratic and independent country, Putin has attacked the entire Europe and all those who defend democracy.

However, many Russians are not ready to die for a cause they never supported in a war they never wanted. Russians have been protesting and defying repression in Russia to express their disagreement with Putin's murderous war since February 24th. Today, they are once again taking to the streets of Russian cities in large numbers to say NO to war and mobilization. Since February 24th, 2022, more than 17,000 arrests of anti-war protesters have taken place in Russia (source: OVD Info).

We support these movements in Russia and the Russian citizens who are currently protesting inside the country against the Kremlin's bloody spiral. These Russians have no choice but to be sent to death by threat or to prison. At this very moment, they are being arrested for participating in numerous demonstrations against war and mobilization, and sent to fight against Ukraine.

A law, passed in haste yesterday, threatens the military personnel with criminal prosecution of up to 15 years in prison for any attempt to desert or disobey orders. Voluntary surrender to the Ukrainian army will be punishable by 10 years in prison.  

The so-called "partial mobilization" is a criminal and desperate move by Putin! 

The refusal of some Russian citizens to fight in Ukraine could weaken the Kremlin and accelerate its defeat in Ukraine, thus bringing the end of the war closer.

We, the association Russia-Freedom demand, throughout the whole European Union:  

• To allow the reception of Russian citizens who are opposed to the war in Ukraine and do not want to fight against Ukrainians 
• To create a special legal status of protection for Russian citizens fleeing the country because of their public opposition to the war conducted by the Russian army in Ukraine
• To provide assistance, including financial and legal, for the reception of these Russian citizens on the territory of the European Union 

The association "Russie-Libertés", founded in Paris in 2012, has as its main objective the defense of human rights and support for the development of a democracy in Russia. We are a group of committed citizens, independent of any political party or any other partisan influence. In France, we carry the voice and demands of the representatives of the Russian civil society, oppressed by the Kremlin power. 

Russie-Libertés has been firmly fighting, alongside Ukrainian organizations in France, against the war in Ukraine since its beginning in 2014. We regularly participate in demonstrations against the war in Ukraine and we are part of the international movement Russians Against War. We are members of the Russia Europe Committee, together with New Dissidents, Desk Russia, the Community of Belarusians in Paris and the Citizens' Initiative for Europe (ICE).

No to Putin's criminal war and no to unlawful mobilization!