October 19, 2026

Call to Action to Friends of Ukraine From Members of the Steering Committee

of the United4Ukraine Inter-Parliamentary Network

On behalf of United4Ukraine global parliamentary alliance (comprised of

national parliamentarians from countries supporting Ukraine and members of the

European Parliament), it’s Steering Committee and all other friends of Ukraine we

would appreciate greatly if you urgently share this letter with your local media,

Parliament and Government representatives.

Ukraine is entering its fifth winter of repelling Russia’s full-scale military

invasion. Once again, Russia is trying to break the Ukrainian people through cold and

darkness – striking homes, critical infrastructure, heating, civilian logistics and

educational facilities. Ukraine supported the U.S. President’s initiative for an energy

ceasefire and demonstrated its readiness for deescalation. Russia failed to respond to

the U.S. proposal and continued attacks against Ukraine’s energy and critical

infrastructure. The Russians scaled up their anti-energy operation. They are trying to

stretch Ukrainian reserves and repair capabilities and cause a blackout in Ukraine

right before winter to undermine Ukrainian resolve to fight. With its terror against the

civilian population, Russia tries to get what it is not able to achieve on the battlefield.

Russia increases its attacks against Europe through its cognitive and cyber

operations: disinformation, election interference, bought voices and fakes, attempts

to disrupt the operation of critical energy and other infrastructure facilities by

cyberintrusion; repeatedly violating European airspace; organizing acts of sabotage;

striking commercial vessels off the Romanian and Bulgarian coast. Russian actions

grow increasingly kinetic. It is already not hybrid, but real attacks.

At the same time, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s agricultural, energy and

transport infrastructure, and its attempts to disrupt maritime trade, extend far beyond

Europe and have global consequences for food security, energy markets, supply

chains and economic stability. Since 21 July 2026, Ukraine’s Black Sea ports have

been unable to operate. When Russia first blocked them in 2022, global food prices

rose by 25%. The current disruption of Ukrainian agricultural exports once again puts

supplies at risk and pushes prices up, hitting vulnerable markets hardest, including the

roughly 400 million people in Africa, Asia and the Middle East who depend on

Ukrainian grain and food products.

Russia is testing, how far it can go in its war against Ukraine, in its attacks

against Europe, in its efforts against Euro-Atlantic unity and in its damage to the

world. It is time for strong and united answer. Russia must be stopped and suffer a

strategic defeat. It is the only way to ensure stability and security for all of us.

Restoration of comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine, grounded in

the UN Charter, respect for territorial integrity and accountability for aggression, is a

precondition for non-repetition of the war. Any other outcome would lead to new

aggression. In Georgia in 2008, in Crimea and Donbas in 2014 we have seen, what it

means, when Russia is not stopped and feels impunity for its crimes. Each time a lack

of resolve and deterrence invites a larger aggression. If Russia is not stopped in

Ukraine today, it will go further.

Today Ukrainian positions on the battlefield are stronger than before and

Russia is more vulnerable than it wants everyone to believe. Its economy is

imbalanced, overheated and slowing. Its energy revenues are under sustained

pressure. However, Russia keeps on increasing its war spending. It has already

allocated increased spending for its military in 2027 – about one-third of the original

baseline. It still believes it can win the war against Ukraine, against Europe, against

international law and international rules-based order.

Only with resolute actions, unity and solidarity can we force Moscow to end

its war. We need truly effective pressure on Russia and increased support for Ukraine

to achieve this goal. These steps require courage, but they serve the interest of all

countries, respecting international law.

Delayed pressure grants the Kremlin time to regroup and erode our resolve.

Easing pressure now, through waivers, exemptions or temporary licences, would

throw Russia a lifeline at the very moment its war economy is cracking. We should

continue acting together to move the burden of aggression to Russia and make further

continuation of the war too expensive and impossible for Moscow. All measures that

will be taken today will cost less than Russia’s aggression tomorrow if it is allowed

to win.

In this decisive moment, we call all on our partners to stand by our common

security and stability, our democracy and values and back Ukraine. We call on your

support to:

- Continue working on just and lasting peace and security guarantees for

Ukraine, which is an indispensable part of the European and Euro-Atlantic security.

- Support an immediate and mutual ceasefire in energy, in the Black Sea and in

the air.

- Invest in Ukraine’s capacity to win, in drone production and other

weapons. Fund joint defence production and the long-range capabilities that keep

pressure on Russia’s war economy. Help Ukraine with the 70 billion euros needed for

defence, weapons and resilience.

- Strengthen Ukraine’s air and missile defence. Urgently provide at least 300

PAC-2 and PAC-3 Patriot interceptors to protect Ukrainian cities, civilians and critical

energy infrastructure against ballistic missile attacks throughout the winter. Ensure

the rapid delivery of air-to-air missiles and other munitions for F-16 aircraft, as well

as ammunition for systems countering Russian attack drones and cruise missiles.

Mobilise additional supplies from partners’ existing stockpiles, expand procurement

through PURL and accelerate joint production of air defence systems and munitions.

Support the development of the FREYJA European anti-ballistic defence programme,

combining Ukraine’s combat experience and technological expertise with European

industrial capacity.

- Support sustained increases in defence investment, the rapid expansion of

Europe’s defence-industrial capacity, and deeper cooperation with Ukraine’s defence

industry. Ukraine’s combat experience, technological innovation and defence

production capabilities should become an integral part of Europe’s collective efforts

to strengthen its security and deterrence.

- Strengthen Ukraine’s energy sector ahead of the heating season, as Russia

continues to attack critical energy infrastructure. We urge partners to facilitate

humanitarian aid in the form of energy equipment and to contribute to the Ukraine

Energy Support Fund, which proved its effectiveness.

- Support the prompt establishment and deployment of an

European/multinational mission, comprising volunteer first responders, energy

experts, and technicians, primarily from nations that utilize similar technology, – to

support our Ukrainian counterparts in their struggle against Russian aggression.

- Support ensuring freedom of navigation and help Ukraine bring its harvest to

the countries that need it most. More than 30 million tonnes of agricultural products

risk remaining in the Ukraine due to disruptions to export routes. Russia must not be

allowed to use obstruction of maritime trade as a means to undermine international

food security.

- Tighten sanctions against Russia and cut the energy lifeline. Keep all existing

sanctions in place and allow no easing, exemptions or waivers. We need to close the

loopholes and alternative routes despite the pressure, target the shadow fleet and

impose secondary measures on the enablers of Russia’s war machine, including

financial institutions, intermediaries, and jurisdictions that facilitate circumvention of

restrictions and the aggressor’s access to critical technologies, revenues, and military

supplies. Partners should prevent Russia from developing strategic technological

advantages by expanding restrictions against entities involved in military space

programmes, satellite communications networks, dual-use technologies, and other

capabilities that enhance Russia's military command, control, targeting and strike

potential. The tools of Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, exist to

be used. 22nd EU sanction package must be adopted and be strong.

- Provide predictable, timely and sufficient macro-financial assistance to

safeguard Ukraine’s fiscal sustainability, maintain essential public services and

support economic stability. Such assistance is indispensable for Ukraine’s recovery

and reconstruction, including the restoration of critical infrastructure, homes and

communities, and for strengthening the country’s long-term resilience.

- Make the aggressor pay. Put immobilised Russian assets to work for Ukraine’s

defence and recovery. Operationalize the International Claims Commission for

Ukraine and work on the establishment of the future Compensation Fund. We urge

European countries to develop lawful and sustainable mechanisms for using

immobilised Russian sovereign assets, including their principal where legally

feasible, to support Ukraine’s defence, reconstruction and economic recovery. Russia

must not be allowed to shift the financial burden of its war onto European taxpayers

or escape responsibility for the destruction it has caused.

- Support accountability for Russia and its political and military leadership.

Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine must become a reality.

Unpunished evil always comes back, and we must break the vicious circle, when

Russia feels impunity for its crimes.

- Support Ukraine European integration. Opening all clusters by the end of the

year and backing further progress in negotiations is not only about Ukrainian future

and security, but also about future of Europe.

- Support Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration. Ukraine’s membership in NATO

would be the most effective response to the challenges facing transatlantic security

and the most reliable safeguard against any recurrence of Russian aggression. We call

on Allies to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine’s path towards the Alliance and to

take concrete steps towards its realisation.

- Answer attacks as attacks. Treat Russia’s attacks and sabotage against any of

your states as a matter of collective response.

- Counter Russia’s Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference. Do not

allow Russia to distort the nature of its aggression or obscure its objectives against

Ukraine, Europe and the wider international community. Strengthen collective efforts

to counter Russian cyber operations, disinformation campaigns, sabotage, election

interference and other forms of hostile influence targeting democratic institutions and

societies.

A strategic defeat of Russia is the necessary condition for lasting peace. Any

settlement that rewards aggression or leaves Russia’s capacity to wage war intact, will

inevitably provoke a new and larger attack. Only by denying Russia the prospect of

victory can we secure a peace that endures, in Ukraine, in Europe and across the Euro-

Atlantic community. Our future is in our hands. This future depends on our readiness

to be brave and decisive to stop Russia and force it to end the war.

Respectfully,

Steering Committee United4Ukraine Members

Žygimantas Pavilionis

Member of The Seimas of the

Lithuanian Republic, Deputy Chair

of the Foreign Affairs Committee,

Head of United for Ukraine inter-

parliamentary network

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze

Member of the Verkhovna Rada of

Ukraine (Parliament of Ukraine),

Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's

Integration into the EU

Vadym Halaichuk

Member of the Verkhovna Rada of

Ukraine (Parliament of Ukraine),

Deputy Chair of the Committee on

Ukraine's Integration into the EU

Marko Mihkelson

Member of the Riigikogu

(Parliament of Estonia), Chair of the

Foreign Affairs Committee

Agnieszka Pomaska

Member of Sejm of the Republic of

Poland, Chair of the European Union

Affairs Committee at Sejm

Henrike Brandstötter

Member of the Austrian Parliament,

Chair of the Austria-Ukraine

Parliamentary Friendship Group

Helmut Brandstätter

Member of the European Parliament,

Co-Chair of Parliamentary

Association Committee in the

European Parliament

Michael Gahler

Member of the European Parliament,

the European Parliament's Standing

Rapporteur on Ukraine

Aleksi Jäntti

Member of the Parliament of

Finland, Chair of the

Finland–Ukraine Parliamentary

Friendship Group

Sergey Lagodinsky

Member of the European Parliament

Rihards Kols

Member of the European Parliament Dainius Žalimas

Member of the European Parliament

Alex Sobel

Member of the House of Commons

of the Parliament of the United

Kingdom of Great Britain and

Northern Ireland, Chair of All-Party

Parliamentary Group on Ukraine,

Chair of the Joint Committee on

Human Rights

Urmas Reinsalu

Member of the Riigikogu

(Parliament of Estonia), Chair of the

State Budget Control Select

Committee, Member of the Foreign

Affairs Committee

Lia Quartapelle

Member of the Chamber of Deputies

of the Italian Parliament., Deputy

Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee

Carlos Rojas

Member of the Congress of Deputies

of the Spanish Parliament, Deputy

Chair of the Foreign Affairs

Committee

Pavel Fischer

Senator of the Parliament of the

Czech Republic, Chair of the

Committee on Foreign Relations,

Security and Defense

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel

Former member of the European

Parliament, former member of the

Bundestag (Parliament of the Federal

Republic of Germany)

Hanna Hopko

Formermember of the Verkhovna

Rada of Ukraine (Parliament of

Ukraine), Former Chair of the

Foreign Affairs Committee

André Gattolin

Former member of the Senate of the

Parliament of the French Republic