Newport Beach, CA – February 24, 2023 — On the occasion of the first anniversary of the ruinous war against Ukraine by the Russian Federation, Global Bank Group once again calls on President Putin to immediately end this conflict and all the suffering that his brutal war against Ukraine has caused. On this occasion, the Global Bank Group wishes to restate the unswerving commitment to support peace, stability, and post-war reconstruction in Ukraine and initiate sustainable economic growth throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
Global Bank Group released the following statement ahead of the First Anniversary of the Ruinous War Against Ukraine.
Today marks one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the conflict in Ukraine is still ongoing. Military and civilian deaths and injuries have been estimated in the hundreds of thousands on both sides, with millions more Ukrainians displaced.
The First Day of Full-scale War
Global Bank Group strongly condemns the brutal killing of thousands of innocent civilians in Ukraine. The ruinous war in Ukraine will define the future generation and remind them of the grim truth that intolerance, injustice, and oppression –– and their consequences –– respect no national frontiers. This aggression is a violation of international law. It violates the UN Charter, UN principles, and human values. We cannot and should not remain silent in the face of such crimes.
The Global Bank Group reiterates its support for Ukraine’s government and people in their valiant defence of their country, their land, and our shared values. We mourn the lives lost and condemn the tragic human suffering and destruction caused by Russia, including the destruction of Ukraine’s residential areas and civilian and energy infrastructure.
Russia has systematically targeted civilians, destroyed cities, and attacked Ukrainian identity. Our thoughts and prayers are with all families affected by this horrific war against Ukrainian, especially those who have lost or are still missing loved ones, refugees, and displaced people –– largely innocent victims caught up in political upheavals of historic proportions.
According to some estimates, the war has already killed and injured over 300,000 people, severely disrupted global food and energy supplies, and resulted in a severe refugee crisis, with over 14 million Ukrainians internally and externally displaced. Recently, the fighting in eastern Ukraine has devolved into a gruesome stalemate reminiscent of trench warfare in World War I, with both sides preparing offensives and further bloodletting and no clear end in sight.
Humanitarian Assistance
In response to humanitarian crises such as the war in Ukraine, the Global Bank Group launched the Central Emergency Response Fund (GB-CERF) ––– a humanitarian fund established by the Global Bank Group for all nations and potential disaster victims –––to promote early action and rapid response to humanitarian emergencies, reduce the human sufferings, and provide humanitarian assistance in situations like Ukraine, including assistance and support to more than 14 million Ukrainians that were forced to flee their homes in the face of the Russian aggressions.
Global Bank designed the Global Bank Central Emergency Response Fund to work with partners across the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations to address humanitarian emergencies — including food, safe drinking water, shelter, and emergency health care. The rapid and flexible support offered by the GB-CERF makes it a central pillar of the Global Bank Group agencies’ crisis response.
Expand Bilateral Cooperation
The Global Bank Group works to “expand bilateral cooperation” on a wide range of issues, including energy and climate change and the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. The scale and the scope of the challenge posed by post-war reconstruction, the energy crisis and climate change will test the Global Bank-Ukraine bilateral cooperation like nothing we’ve seen before. In the year ahead, Global Bank Group looks forward to capitalizing on increased person-to-person engagement, both at senior levels between the Global Bank Group and the government of Ukraine, and to energize our partnership and deepen the bilateral relationship. This includes establishing the Global Bank Mission to Ukraine ––– a Global Bank-wide integrated team that coordinates and implements policy across issues, working together to solve significant challenges, which is what the world expects from great institutions.
