On 24 February, Russian armed forces invaded Ukraine. Since the Minsk agreements in 2015, there have been tensions between Ukraine and Russia that Western countries have been trying to ease. With pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine and the influence of propaganda and numerous countries , it is not always easy to understand the conflict and its implications.

 

What kind of humanitarian action in needed in Ukraine? Analysis by Frédéric de Saint-Sernin, Deputy Director General of the NGO, ACTED

 

Analysis of the situation by Antoine Arjakovsky, Director of Research at the Collège des Bernardins, Paris

 

Evening in support of Ukraine

The University of Caen Normandy, in partnership with the Normandy Region, held an evening in support of Ukraine on 17 March. The evening provided analysis, context and witness statements. A video recording is available.

 

Russia/Ukraine/EU Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission

Four sessions of this Commission were held in 2018 and 2019, in France and Ukraine, as a result of the initiative of the Collège des Bernardins, the Mohyla Academy, the Ukrainian Catholic University and the International Memorial Society.

The peace plan drawn up covers 10 major proposals, including educational work, religious reconciliation, international justice, military support and the role of international institutions in the conflict. The peace plan can be downloaded here.

 

The Normandy Format, a diplomatic alliance working for peace

On 26 January and 10 February 2022, Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France met as the Normandy Format to try to de-escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine, while the Russian army was increasing its military exercises along the borders with Ukraine.

Article explaining the Normandy Format and its relevance to mediation, despite the events that followed these meetings: The Normandy Format, a diplomatic alliance working for peace| Normandy for Peace

 

 

Reflecting on peace with Russia at the Normandy for Peace World Forum

In partnership with the Collège des Bernardins, the Normandy for Peace World Forum 2021 held a debate on “How to build peace with Russia?”.

Antoine Arjakovsky was already saying that “European journalists and politicians are starting to see that our traditional diplomatic path is heading nowhere, while Russia fires back at Mali, France, the UK and the United States. When you talk tough, you have to act on it."

Watch the recording of this debate: https://normandiepourlapaix.fr/en/node/1885

The Forum had already partnered with the Collège des Bernardins for another debate in 2019: “Russia-Ukraine: the roads to conflict resolution”.

You can read about all the Forum debates in the compilation, The Essentials: https://normandiepourlapaix.fr/en/ressources/essentials-2021-normandy-world-peace-forum

 

Emergency fund and support unit for the Normandy companies affected by the conflict

On 4 March, the Normandy Region approved a €50,000 emergency fund to help Ukrainian refugees along the borders with Moldova, Poland and Romania. Along with other French regions, as announced on 1 March 2022, the local authority is taking part in the initiative to offer Ukrainian refugees free travel on regional trains (TER).

A support unit has also been established to help Normandy companies affected by the impacts of the conflict. The unit can be accessed by simply calling 06 48 79 68 58. Help can be provided on a case-by-case basis, especially with supply chain issues and with finding new suppliers if necessary.

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