This statement has not been an easy call for the European Leadership Network as we grapple with the greatest upheaval in Europe’s security landscape in 30 years. We are proud to be a pan-European organisation whose members include Ukrainians and Russians along with counterparts from almost every country in Europe.

Our Ukrainian members were understandably not prepared to sign this statement without it specifying that a ceasefire would be conditioned on full Russian withdrawal. In addition, members from multiple countries declined to sign anything that does not condemn the Russian invasion and explicitly underline the right of all states to security, sovereignty and independence.

But others have felt that a joint appeal from Europeans, Russians and Americans sends an important signal that it is still possible among people of good faith to find at least some common ground on which to build in the Euro-Atlantic security policy community, and that an immediate ceasefire is simply an essential first step in a vastly longer journey. So we judged that this joint statement deserves to be published.

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The Expert Dialogue on NATO-Russia risk reduction: a joint appeal for a ceasefire and risk reduction

We are Russian, American and European experts who are members of the Russia-NATO Military Risk Reduction Dialogue in Europe. We express our utmost concern over the biggest crisis on the European continent since World War II and call for the following urgent action:

• All parties should immediately and unconditionally agree to a ceasefire, take coordinated measures to de-escalate the situation, and negotiate a political settlement.
• Cooperation should be established on the urgent humanitarian aspects of the situation in the conflict zones.
• All the parties concerned must show the highest degree of responsibility and restraint in matters relating to nuclear weapons, refraining from threatening nuclear rhetoric and actions, and respecting the non-nuclear status of states that do not have nuclear weapons. Russian-American negotiations on strategic stability should resume.
• Additional measures should be agreed to prevent military incidents between the US/NATO and Russia and to establish direct contacts between the militaries of Russia and the US/NATO.

Signatories

Armenia

1. Dr Irina Ghaplanyan, former Deputy Minister of Environment, Republic of Armenia (ELN)

Australia

2. Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation

Austria

3. Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, President, Austrian Institute for International Affairs (ELN)

Belgium

4. Johan Vanderplaetse, Senior Vice-President, Schneider Electric (ELN)

Canada

5. Dr Zachary Paikin, Researcher, Centre for European Policy Studies (ELN)

Croatia

6. Budimir Loncar, Special Advisor to the Rector of Libertas International University Zagreb, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of former Yugoslavia (ELN)
7. Professor Ivo Šlaus, nuclear and particle physicist, Honorary President and Member of the Board of Trustees of the World Academy of Art & Science (WAAS) (ELN) 

Czech Republic

8. Jan Kavan, former Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, former President of the United Nations General Assembly (ELN)

Denmark

9. Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, former Minister for Foreign Affairs (ELN)

France

10. Alice Billon-Galland, Research Fellow, Chatham House (ELN)
11. Marc Finaud, Head of Arms Proliferation and Diplomatic Tradecraft, Geneva Centre for Security Policy

Germany

12. Dr Stefanie Babst, Senior Associate Fellow, European Leadership Network (ELN)
13. Benjamin Brockt, Head of Diplomatic and Public Relations, Paris Peace Forum (ELN)
14. Dr Alexander Graef, Research Fellow, Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH) (ELN)
15. Helmut W. Ganser, Brigadier General (ret.), Defence Advisor to the German NATO Delegation 2004-2008, Brussels
16. Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President of Women Political Leaders (ELN)
17. Reinhard Krumm, Ambassador (ret.), former Deputy Commissioner of the German Federal Government for Disarmament and Arms Control
18. Ruediger Luedeking, Ambassador (ret.), former Deputy Commissioner of the German Federal Government for Disarmament and Arms Control
19. Oliver Meier, Senior Researcher, Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH)
20. Hanna Notte, Senior Research Associate, Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP)
21. Wolfgang Richter, Colonel (ret.), Senior Military Advisor of the Permanent Representation of Germany to the OSCE, Vienna (2005–2009); Senior Associate, International Security Division, German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Berlin (SWP)
22. Rudolf Scharping, former Minister of Defence (ELN)
23. Ulf Schneider, CEO and Founder, Schneider Group (ELN)
24. Reiner Schwalb, Brigadier-General (ret.), National German Representative at NATO Allied Command Transformation, Norfolk VA, 2007-2010; German Senior Defense Official and Attache to the Russian Federation, Moscow, 2011–2018
25. Karsten D. Voigt, Former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO, former German-American Coordinator (ELN)
26. Klaus Wittmann, Brigadier General (ret.), Lecturer contemporary history, Potsdam University (ELN)
27. Uta Zapf, former member of the Deutsche Bundestag (ELN)

Hungary

28. Balazs Csuday, former Ambassador to United Nations, Vienna (ELN)
29. János Martonyi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs (ELN)

Italy

30. Vincenzo Camporini, former Chief of the Joint Defence Staff , Former Chief of Staff of the Air Force (ELN)
31. Francesco Calogero, Professor of Theoretical Physics (Emeritus), Physics Dept., University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy; former Secretary-General of Pugwash, 1989-1997 (“Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs”, Peace Nobel Prize, 1995) (ELN)
32. Giorgio La Malfa, Chairman of Fondazione Ugo La Malfa Rome, former Minister of European Affairs, former Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Camera del Deputati (ELN)
33. Stefano Silvestri, Senior Scientific Advisor at Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), former Under Secretary of State for Defence, former President of IAI (2001-2013) (ELN)
34. Dr Nathalie Tocci, Director, Istituto Affari Internazionali (ELN)

Kazakhstan

35. Vera Axyonova, Fellow, University of Vienna (ELN)

 Norway

36. Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway (ELN)

Russia

37. Alexey G. Arbatov, Full member (academician) of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ELN)
38. Professor Vladimir Baranovsky, Russian Academy of Sciences, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), member of the Board, Centre for Situation Analysis, Academic Director
39. Alexey Gromyko, Director, Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IERAS), Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ELN) (co-ordinator)
40. Alexandra Filippenko, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Internal Policy Studies, Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN)
41. Evgenia Issraelian, Leading Research Fellow, Department of Canadian Studies, Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN)
42. Andrey Kortunov, Director General, Russian International Affairs Council (ELN)
43. Oleg Krivolapov, Senior Research Fellow, Department for Military-Political Research, Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN)
44. Valentin Kuznetsov, Vice Admiral (ret.), former Chief Military Representative of the RF at NATO, Senior Research Fellow, Department for Military-Political Research, Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN)
45. Alexander Nikitin, Director, Center for Euro-Atlantic Security, Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MGIMO), Honorary President of the Russian Association of Political Science
46. Mikhail Nosov, Member of Directorate, Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IERAS)
47. Sergey Oznobishev, Member of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy
48. Pavel Palazhchenko, Head of Press Office, Gorbachev Foundation
49. Alexander Panov, former Ambassador, former Deputy Foreign Minister, Department of Diplomacy MGIMO University
50. Sergey Rogov, Academic Director, Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN), Chairman of the International Security Advisory Board of the Scientific Council at the Security Council of the Russian Federation; Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ELN) (co-ordinator)
51. Natalia Rogova, Senior Research Fellow, Department for Military-Political Research, Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN)
52. Mikhail Rykhtik, Doctor of Politics, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of the Institute of International Relations and World History, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod
53. Pavel Sharikov, Leading Research Fellow, Department of the European Integration, Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IERAS) (ELN)
54. Nadezhda Shvedova, Chief Research Fellow, Department of Internal Policy Studies, Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN)
55. Alexey Stepanov, Research Fellow, Department for Military-Political Studies, Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN)
56. Nataliya Stepanova, Research Fellow, Department for Military-Political Studies, Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN)
57. Fedor Voytolovsky, Director, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences
58. Igor Yurgens, President of the All-Russian Insurance Association, Member of the Board of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ELN)
59. Andrey Zagorskiy, Head, Department for Disarmament and Conflict Resolution Studies, Primakov National Research Institute for World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO)
60. Pavel Zolotarev, Major General (ret.), Leading Research Fellow, Department of Military-Political Studies, Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN)

Serbia

61. Maria Pastukhova, energy expert, Berlin (ELN)
62. Goran Svilanovic, former Foreign Minister, former Secretary-General, Regional Cooperation Council (ELN)

Spain

61. Josep Pique Camps, former Minister of Industry and Energy, former Government Spokesman, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Minister of Science and Technology, Managing Director and Editor of POLITICA EXTERIOR
62. José M Treviño Ruiz, Admiral SP Navy (ret.)

Sweden

65. Sven Hirdman, Ambassador to Russia 1994-2004, State Secretary Ministry of Defence of Sweden (1979-1982)
66. Dr Hans Blix, former Foreign Minister and Director-General Emeritus of the IAEA (ELN)

Switzerland

67. Thomas Greminger, Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), former Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

 Turkey

68. Mustafa Aydin, President, International Relations Council (ELN)
69. Özdem Sanberk, Ret. Ambassador, former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ELN)
70. Vahit Erdem, former member of Turkish Parliament and Vice- President of NATO Parliamentary Assembly (ELN)
71. Ahmet Uzumcu, former Director-General of the OPCW, former Permanent Representative of Turkey to NATO (ELN)

United Kingdom

72. The Rt. Hon. Margaret Beckett MP, Member of Parliament, former Foreign Secretary (ELN)
73. Dr Ilana Bet-El, Senior Associate Fellow, European Leadership Network (ELN)
74. Sebastian Brixey-Williams, Younger Generation Leaders Network (ELN)
75. Alistair Burt, former Member of Parliament and former Minister of State at Foreign and Commonwealth Office (ELN)
76. Rt Hon Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, Member of the House of Lords (ELN)
77. Christopher Davis, Professorial Research Fellow, University of Oxford
78. Jane Kinninmont, Impact Director, European Leadership Network (ELN)
79. Simon Lunn, former Secretary-General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (ELN)
80. General Sir John McColl, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (Deputy SACEUR) (ELN)
81. Tom McKane, former Director General Security Policy, UK Ministry of Defence (ELN)
82. The Rt. Hon Lord David Owen, former Foreign Secretary (ELN)
83. Lord Martin Rees, Member of the House of Lords (ELN)
84. General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB, CBE, DSO, DL, former Chief of Defence Staff (ELN)
85. Lord Peter Ricketts, Member of the House of Lords (ELN)
86. Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former Foreign Secretary and Minister of Defence (ELN)
87. The Rt. Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, former NATO Secretary-General and Defence Secretary (ELN)
88. Richard Sakwa, Professor at the University of Kent
89. Sahil Shah, Policy Fellow, European Leadership Network (ELN)
90. Sir Graham Stacey, Senior Consulting Fellow, former Chief of Staff of NATO Transformation European Leadership Network (ELN)
91. Sir Adam Thomson, Director, European Leadership Network, former Permanent Representative to NATO (ELN)
92. Admiral Lord West of Spithead, former Head of Navy and Security Minister (ELN)
93. Nicholas Williams, Senior Associate Fellow, European Leadership Network (ELN)

United States

94. James Acton, Co-director, Nuclear Policy Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
95. James Bindenagel, Ambassador (ret.), Henry Kissinger Professor, Center for Advanced Security, Strategy and Integration Studies Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
96. Robert Bell, former assistant to the US President, former counselor to the Secretary-General of NATO, distinguished Professor of the Practice, Georgia Tech
97. Noam Chomsky, University of Arizona
98. Pierce Corden, former division chief, United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and research fellow at the Center for Science, Technology and Security Policy, Amer. Assoc. for the Advancement of Science
99. Nancy Gallagher, Director, Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM)
100. Joseph Gerson, President, Campaign for Peace, Disarmament & Common Security
101. John Hamre, President of the CSIS, Former US Deputy Secretary of Defense
102. Daryl Kimball, Executive Director, Arms Control Association
103. Robert Legvold, Marshall D. Shulman Professor, Columbia University
104. Douglas Lute, Lieutenant General (ret.), US Ambassador to NATO, 2013-2017, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center, Harvard University
105. George Perkovich, Vice President for Studies Technology and International Affairs Nuclear Policy Program Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
106. Nicolai Petro, Professor of Political Science, University of Rhode Island
107. Thomas Pickering, former US Under Secretary of State, former Ambassador to Jordan, Nigeria, El Salvador, Israel, the United Nations, India and Russia
108. Kevin Ryan, Brigadier-General (ret.), Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center
109. Greg Thielmann, Board member of the Arms Control Association, Commissioner of the U.S.-Russian-German “Deep Cuts” Project
110. Harlan Ullman, Senior Advisor, Atlantic Council
111. Dov Zakheim, Vice Chair, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Former Under Secretary of Defense

The opinions articulated above represent the views of the signatories and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Leadership Network or the entirety of its membership. The ELN’s aim is to encourage debates that will help develop Europe’s capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security policy challenges of our time.

Image: Rogiro. Flickr.