Russia has been waging genocidal war against Ukraine since 2014. It’s the biggest war in Europe since World War II, which the Russian Federation launched with the support of Belarus, Iran, and North Korea. Iranian drones and North Korean missiles are killing Ukrainians in their sleep and destroying our homes, schools, hospitals and energy infrastructure. Meanwhile North Korean military joined Russian troops on the battlefield. It’s no longer Russia vs Ukraine war. It’s the new “Axis of Evil” vs Democratic world war. And if you don’t want it to turn into World War III, help Ukraine stop Russia at your doorstep!
One way to do it is to stop the Russian war machine and make Russia pay for all the damage and destruction done to Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Western countries have immobilized about half of the foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank of Russia, which is almost $300 billion worth. The absolute majority of these funds are held in the G7 countries and, especially, the European Union. Transferring confiscated Russian assets to Ukraine will be the first step towards future reparations from Russia.
Ukraine needs these funds in order to rebuild the infrastructure destroyed by the Russians, compensate the victims of the war, survive in the possibly upcoming humanitarian catastrophe caused by mass destruction of the energy infrastructure, and, most importantly, strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities so that it can continue to fight against Russian aggression and ultimately win.
In 2024 the G7 members agreed on provision of the $50 billion loans to Ukraine backed by the windfall profits from the immobilized Russian assets. It is planned that Ukraine receives this loan in tranches over two years: starting in December of 2024 and until the end of 2027. This step is the significant breakthrough which at least made Russian assets work for financing Ukrainian needs. Yet, it does not make Russia really pay for its aggression and bear responsibility, moreover, it’s still not enough to cover Ukraine’s military needs for another year of war. At the same time, the prospect of confiscating $300 billion Russian assets is still illusory.
Allies are looking for new sources of financial assistance to Ukraine. And there is one of the ways out — WAR TAX on Russian energy resources.
We are ICUV — International Centre for Ukrainian Victory. We are civil society leaders advocating internationally for everything Ukraine needs to win the war with russia.
This organization was established in March 2022 in Warsaw on the basis of three NGOs – the Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC), ANTS – National Interests Advocacy Network, and the Civil network OPORA to mobilize the world for Ukraine’s victory, with the support of the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. ICUV co-founders are Ukrainian civil society leaders Hanna Hopko, Olena Halushka, Daria Kaleniuk and Olga Aivazovska.