One year standing with Ukraine

Today marks one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A year with terrible consequences for the lives of every Ukrainian.

One year later, Club de Madrid continues to support the people of Ukraine in their resistance to the Russian invasion and calls for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The war has displaced millions, killed and injured many. It needs to stop now and the international community must continue its support for these efforts.

The United Nation’s General Assembly has called for an end to the war in Ukraine and demanded Russia’s immediate withdrawal from the country.

141 countries called for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine. This overwhelming majority of the international community has spoken clearly: Russia must stop its aggression.

All efforts are too little to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The country has become a symbol of resistance and its people have rightfully earned recognition for their tireless struggle for freedom and democracy.

No border can or should be changed by force of arms and horror. As Club de Madrid has stressed in its various statements since the beginning of the war, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected.

“There is no military solution to this armed conflict and to its underlying political problems. We strongly urge all parties involved in the fighting to agree on an immediate ceasefire and to commit to the needed de-escalation. Only dialogue and diplomacy can lead to ending the suffering of the civilian population and the increasing global insecurity and political and economic instability.”


10th January 2023 – Video: Club de Madrid’s Annual Policy Dialogue | End the war in Ukraine

“End the war in Ukraine: Restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and enabling its economic and social reconstruction whilst crafting a European security architecture premised on the indivisibility of security must be the top priority.”

3rd October 2022 – Club de Madrid’s statement on the Russian Decision on the annexation of Ukrainian Territory

“Club de Madrid condemns the illegal and sham referenda conducted by Russia in the partially occupied provinces of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia.”

15th July 2022 – Podcast: NATO Summit in Madrid with Alexander Stubb and Mircea Geoanã

“Following the NATO Summit in Madrid, Alexander Stubb –former Prime Minister of Finland, Member of Club de Madrid, and current Director of the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute– and Mircea Geoanã –Deputy Secretary-General of NATO– take stock and reflect on the results of the recent Summit, its conclusions and the immediate effects on topics such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the possible accession of Sweden and Finland to the defence alliance, and the relationship with China.”

25th March 2022 – 10 recommendations for a European response to the Ukraine invasion

“Club de Madrid and EPD members have come together to call on EU institutions and European governments to respond to the crisis with a democracy-focused approach”

18th March 2022 – Ukraine: No military solution

“There is no military solution to this armed conflict and to its underlying political problems.  We strongly urge all parties involved in the fighting to agree on an immediate ceasefire and to commit to the needed de-escalation. Only dialogue and diplomacy can lead to ending the suffering of the civilian population and to increasing global insecurity and political and economic instability.”

8th March 2022 – We should take up China’s offer to facilitate dialogue for peace

“It is vital that we initiate and sustain concrete efforts to restore peace and People’s Republic of China Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s latest statement, calling on all parties to settle disputes by peaceful means, through dialogue and negotiation, and to “…respect and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.” provides a unique opportunity to do so.”

24th February 2022 – Club de Madrid calls on President Putin to pull back from the abyss

“The 20th Century brought bloodshed to Europe and two world wars. There is still time to act courageously and responsibly and pull back from the abyss. International calls for dialogue and diplomatic action must not go unheard. Let us not forget the mistakes of the past, let us listen to the concerns of all parties and act constructively to build a better future for all our populations.”

22th February 2022 – No war is inevitable. This is the moment for diplomacy

“Some critical steps are needed immediately: shelling in Donbas should stop; Russia should take concrete steps to de-escalate; and international actors and the media should refrain from any statement or act suggesting that war is inevitable. It is not. All issues, including the most intractable ones, have to be addressed through diplomatic processes that need to include the following five points…”

7th March 2014 – Club de Madrid Statement on Ukraine

“Ukrainian people have amply demonstrated their desire to acquire a new government, more responsive to the needs of its people, and plans are in place for democratic elections to confirm this. We fully support their desire for a more democratic and a more inclusive society and hope that they can make such a transition without further bloodshed and without armed interference from abroad. The Club de Madrid stands ready to accompany them in this journey.”