iphone: Urgent message from Ukraine

I'm writing to you with an urgent message from Ukraine. Putin's missiles are destroying our cities and killing civilians, including our children – it's terrifying. And while the world is mobilising to stop Putin's war on Ukraine, Europe as Russia's biggest trade partner is still fuelling it with billions. Enough! Let's urgently call on European leaders and finance CEOs to cut their ties with Russia's fossil fuel companies. In hours, we'll deliver our voices during a crucial EU summit. Sign now and share with everyone:

Sign here

Dear Avaaz members across the world,

I'm writing to you with an urgent message from Ukraine.

Putin's missiles are destroying our cities and killing civilians, including our children. As a mum, sister, and daughter, I can tell you it's terrifying -- but today we can all do something to help make a difference in this horrific war.

As the world is mobilising to stop this horror, European governments and financial institutions are still fuelling Putin's war machine with billions, by importing and investing in the Russian oil and gas industry.

But tomorrow, French President Macron is convening European leaders to discuss energy independence from Russia – this is our moment to massively increase public pressure, and get Europe to stop fuelling Putin's war machine!

Let's hit a million signatures before the summit starts, and we'll deliver our voices straight to leaders and key media outlets! Sign now, and share it with all your friends:

Sign Svitlana's letter here

Oil and gas sales made up 36% of Russia's budget last year. Reports show a direct link between Russia's fossil fuel companies and the funding of the invasion. The US government just announced that they'll ban all Russian oil and gas imports, which were boosting Putin's war chest and putting oil in his tanks.

That's hitting Putin where it hurts – his wallet.

But governments in Europe and across the world continue to pay hundreds of millions a day for Russian oil and gas imports -- while major banks, pension funds and asset managers are still backing Gazprom, Lukoil and other companies at the centre of Putin's oligarch-dominated financial system.

European leaders need to feel that the world is demanding them to take this historic step -- while implementing social policies to cushion rising energy prices for the most vulnerable and accelerate the clean energy transition we all need.

The Avaaz movement is demonstrating the incredible power of coming together at moments like this. Join me and other Ukrainian activists, and call on governments and finance CEOs to stop fuelling this horrific war:

Sign Svitlana's letter here

My country is receiving an outpouring of support while the Russian attacks are escalating. Millions have signed Avaaz's open letter for peace and hundreds of thousands are taking to the streets from Berlin and Santiago to Moscow – calling for an immediate end to this war. Let's pile up the pressure to ensure the world stops fuelling Putin's war machine.

For the people of Ukraine and for all of us!

In solidarity and hope,
Svitlana, Olha, Konstantyn, Julia with the entire team at Avaaz

More information:

Biden announces ban on Russian energy imports (CNN)
European leaders wary of cutting off Russian oil and gas (DW)
European oil receipts boosting Putin's war chest by $285m a day, study finds (The Guardian)
How Europe is funding Putin's war (Politico)

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