Organisers: “Let’s all do what we can to ensure neither Putin nor another freezing winter defeats the Ukrainian people’s resistance”

Spokesperson David Acosta today announced that a Trade Union and Social Movement International Solidarity Convoy to Ukraine would take place in the second half of November.

Initiated by the European Network of Solidarity with Ukraine (ENSU), the Convoy is supported by the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU), the Catalan branch of the General Union of Workers (UGT Catalunya) and NOVACT – International Institute for Nonviolent Action, which carries out extensive work with displaced and endangered communities in Ukraine.

Notable among the elected representatives supporting the Convoy is the group of La France Insoumise in the European Parliament and the APRÉS deputies in the French National Assembly. The full list of supporting organisations and elected representatives as of today is available here.

Acosta said: “This vital initiative has a double aim. First, to help lift the already important level of material aid provided to the Ukrainian people by solidarity associations across Europe. This aid helped guarantee Ukraine’s survival last winter.” He stressed: “For the next winter our effort will have to be greater. Even today the level of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s cities are the highest since 2022—imagine how hard life under Putin’s next winter offensive will be.”

The Convoy’s second goal will be “to arouse awareness about Ukraine’s plight and strengthen people-to-people solidarity. Wherever it stops, the Convoy will take part in events where trade unions, solidarity committees, NGOs, and feminist, environmentalist, and LGBTIQ+ groups can come together to express support for their Ukrainian brothers and sisters.”

What aid?

Acosta explained that the Convoy would have three branches—Northern, Central and Southern—which will converge in Poland and then cross over into Ukraine. The specific countries to be covered by the three branches will soon be advised.

The physical aid the Convoy will carry is to be decided through close collaboration with Ukraine’s trade unions, civil society organisations, community groups and other local actors–those directly engaged on the ground.

Acosta said: “The Convoy will prioritise the transport of the materials and resources these organisations identify as most urgently needed, while taking into account whether they can be best sourced and delivered from the different countries and territories participating in the convoy.

Why this Convoy?

Acosta ended by stressing that the Convoy is open to all organisations, institutions and individuals who support its goals and wish to contribute—whether by participating with their own vehicles, supporting the organisation and coordination of the convoy, or helping to raise funds for the project.

He added: “This Convoy is not for Ukraine alone, but for everyone who believes that respect for human rights enshrined in international law and not force must govern relations between all peoples and states. It is being built in the belief that a just peace for Ukraine must be grounded in respect for territorial integrity, Putin’s accountability for war crimes, compensation for the enormous damage inflicted and the reconstruction of effective multilateral institutions guaranteeing these just goals.”

Acosta concluded: “Standing in solidarity with Ukraine, and with any community facing war, persecution, or humanitarian crisis, is a shared responsibility. It is not merely an act of charity but a reflection of our common humanity and our collective commitment to dignity, justice and peace.”

The Convoy web site provides links for expressing support to the Convoy, for volunteering to take part in it and for making donations. It will carry regular updates on the development of the Convoy.