JOINT DECLARATION of the civil society organizations of the Republic of Moldova “For a just and lasting peace with the protection of people, international law and solidarity with the Ukrainian people”
Four years after the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, civil society organizations in the Republic of Moldova reaffirm their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and make a firm call for a just and lasting peace. War must be stopped, but peace cannot be built by ignoring the fundamental rules of international law.
The protection of people must remain a top priority in any ceasefire and peace negotiation effort. Civilians are not and cannot be a bargaining chip.
The human impact of the war remains devastating
According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, as of 31 December 2025, at least 55,600 civilian casualties had been verified, of which 14,999 people were killed and 40,601 injured. UNICEF reports that armed attacks have killed or injured more than 3,200 children in Ukraine since 24 February 2022. These figures represent only the minimum confirmed – the reality is, most likely, much worse.
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas: missiles, drones, ammunition – continues to cause loss of life and the destruction of essential infrastructure: homes, hospitals, schools, energy networks. We note with concern that, in October 2025, the International Energy Agency warned that Ukraine’s energy is a systemic target of attack. That means frozen apartments, hospitals working on generators, children falling asleep dressed, in the dark. For millions of people, the fourth winter of war is not a metaphor – it is the unbearable cold in the house, the darkness, and the real fear that the next attack will leave them in total darkness. More than 4,000 educational institutions and thousands of medical facilities and hundreds of churches were damaged or destroyed. Places of worship, bridges, railways and ports were hit, affecting not only Ukraine, but the stability of the entire region.
Solidarity of the Republic of Moldova: resilience, humanity, unity
The Republic of Moldova is the country that, after Ukraine, has felt the most the consequences of Russian aggression. Over the past four years, our country has demonstrated solidarity, resilience and mobilization capacity in an extremely difficult context.
We have hosted and continue to host tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, providing them with protection, access to work, education and medical services. Local communities, volunteers, non-governmental organisations and public authorities are working together to manage one of the biggest humanitarian crises in Europe’s recent history.
This solidarity is not only a humanitarian gesture, but an expression of our fundamental values as a people: dignity, empathy, respect for human life.
Ukraine defends not only its freedom, but the security of Europe
Ukraine’s resistance contributes directly to the security of the entire European continent. Defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity means defending the principles on which peace was built in Europe after World War II.
We call on the European Union and its Member States to provide Ukraine with all necessary assistance to ensure successful resistance to aggression and to achieve a just and sustainable peace.
At the same time, the Republic of Moldova has been and remains the target of Russian aggression: energy pressures, sponsored disinformation campaigns, destabilization attempts and foreign interference, the use of the Orthodox Church subject to the Russian Patriarchate and social division. Despite these attacks, the people of the Republic of Moldova managed to remain on the path of democracy, the rule of law and European development. We resisted because we remained united for Peace.
In this context, we call on every citizen of the Republic of Moldova to contribute to strengthening social cohesion. Our response of condemnation of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is a firm one. We understand that the relativization of aggression, moral ambiguity or justification, open or tacit, of violence weakens resilience and makes our common security vulnerable.
Our message, with one voice to citizens, the European Union and the international community
The civil society organizations signatories of the declaration call on:
- a just and lasting peace, based on international law, not force;
- real security guarantees for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe;
- holding accountable those responsible for war crimes and atrocities;
- reaffirming the values that have maintained peace in Europe: humanity, democracy, the rule of law and respect for international rules.
How this war ends will influence the future of European security for generations to come. An unjust peace today risks becoming the premise of a new conflict tomorrow.
On this day of remembrance and reflection, after 1461 days of war on the border, civil society reaffirms, together with the people of the Republic of Moldova, its support for the people of Ukraine and its commitment to a peace that protects lives, respects the rules and provides a secure future for the entire region.
For a Just and Lasting Peace!
#MoldovaPentruPaceJustă #Moldova4JustPeace
The signing of the declaration is still open until February 28, 2026, inclusive, by accessing the following link.
