We face a dark and unpredictable threat.
The people of Ukraine however face an immediate, murderous reality. Many have already died. So, so many more are fleeing their homes, some even separating from their family to defend their homeland from an invading army. All are facing a trauma and upheaval and confronting choices I know many of us can scarcely imagine. I certainly can’t.
Putin’s decision to send the Russian military to invade Ukraine is entirely unjustified. The invasion and its’ accompanying warped logic and apocalyptic rhetoric is a terrifying threat to all. It can not in any way be justified or reasoned away to back up tired old tropes or more recent populism.
Of course it is overdue that we embark on the arduous and complicated task of freezing the wealth plundered from the Russian people by Putin and his accomplices. However I implore the governments of Europe and the United Kingdom not to neglect the immediate needs of the people of Ukraine fleeing this humanitarian disaster. Together, we must all offer refuge to those seeking sanctuary from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Leicester, as we always have done throughout our recent history, will be ready to provide such sanctuary.
For now, however, we offer our solidarity.
Sir Peter Soulsby, City Mayor of Leicester
How Leicester will be showing our solidarity with Ukraine
Some of Leicester' most prominent public buildings and spaces are being lit blue and yellow in solidarity with Ukraine - City Hall, Town Hall, Green Dragon Square, the Hotel Ramada, our Cenotaph and Victoria Park gatehouses and pavilion.
There is also to be a vigil on Town Hall Square on Monday, 28th February between 6 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.
Comments