FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kyiv, Ukraine
As Ukraine celebrates its 33rd Independence Day, Razom We Stand commemorates not just the nation’s hard-won freedom but also the ongoing struggle to defend that freedom against Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion, which is largely funded by profits from fossil fuel exports. This day is a stark reminder that the fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty is a global fight for democracy, human rights, the climate and freedom.
Despite global sanctions, Russia continues to earn over €270 million daily from crude oil exports alone. Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has amassed over €700 billion in revenues from the sale of crude oil, pipeline gas, and LNG combined. These revenues fund almost half of Russia’s federal budget, which this year has a record allocation for the military, unprecedented since Soviet times.
The Kremlin’s exploitation of loopholes in international energy sanctions not only prolongs the war in Ukraine but also destabilises democracies and worsens global climate disruption. According to a report released by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, coinciding with the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion in February this year, there have been 30,457 civilian casualties since February 2022—a number that continues to rise.
Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, said: “On this important day in Ukrainian history, we demand that the international community sever the financial lifeline sustaining Russia’s war machine once and for all. Every euro, dollar, and pound spent on Russian fossil fuels funds the bombs, bullets, and brutality that terrorise the Ukrainian people daily. It’s time to finally ban Russian fossil fuels and end the global complicity in Putin’s war crimes. Continuing to fund the Russian war chest through the purchase of dirty fossil fuels will only lead to the further destruction of our planet and the loss of countless innocent lives caught in the crossfire.”
Ukraine’s already outdated power plants have been severely crippled by Russian attacks, resulting in daily power outages for the country’s war-ravaged population. Electricity is more than just a means to keep the lights on—it’s essential for providing water, maintaining critical infrastructure like hospitals, and ensuring that cities can endure the harsh winter cold that is rapidly approaching.
Yet, amid the challenges, there is still hope. The war has accelerated global energy independence and sustainability efforts, with Europe achieving record-high levels of fossil gas storage and increasingly turning to cheaper renewable energy sources. This transition is vital for reducing reliance on Russian fossil fuels and advancing the global shift towards a clean energy future. The strides made by Ukraine and other nations in adopting robust renewable energy solutions are impressive and should serve as a model for other countries.
After the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, which led to Ukraine’s independence, global CO2 emissions dropped considerably, creating a positive impact on the climate. This demonstrates how transitioning from a fossil-fuel-dependent economy can bring meaningful environmental benefits. Phasing out Russian fossil fuels from the global energy mix is essential not only to weaken Russia’s military aggression but also to bolster energy security and drive the decarbonisation needed to tackle climate change.
As Ukraine continues to fight against Russia’s thirst for power, we call on governments around the world to sever ties with all Russian fossil fuels to save not just Ukrainian lives but also global security and the planet. This Ukrainian Independence Day provides the perfect opportunity to finally take the steps necessary to defund Russia’s war and allow Ukraine to be truly free once again.
ENDS
Razom We Stand is a Ukrainian organisation active internationally, calling for a total and permanent embargo on Russian fossil fuels and an immediate end to all investment into Russian oil and gas companies by phasing out fossil fuels globally.
Svitlana Romanko has appeared in top-tier international press, including The Guardian, Politico, Financial Times, Bloomberg, Washington Post, CNN, NBC, The Hill, Der Spiegel, Le Monde and more.
Press contact:
Paraic Walker
International Communications Specialist Razom We Stand
[email protected]
