30 Ukrainian thought leaders thanked the Slovak people for ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Open letter)

8 days ago, the Slovak public, on the initiative of the Peace to Ukraine ((Mier Ukrajine) organization, started raising funds for ammunition for Ukraine, thus joining the Czech initiative “Darček pre Putina”.

In 8 days, the Slovaks have already raised almost 3.5 million euros, which is an unprecedented amount. More than 54 thousand Slovaks have already joined the campaign. And these numbers are growing every minute.

In response, the Institute for Central European Strategy initiated a public letter of gratitude to the Slovak people and invited 30 Ukrainian opinion leaders to support it.

Open letter to the Slovak people

Dear people of the Slovak Republic, dear Otto, all those who initiated, are supporting and have already contributed to the fundraising for ammunition for Ukraine organized by the Mier Ukraine team!

Dear friends! We in Ukraine are humbled, touched, and incredibly grateful for your support at this extremely difficult time for the Ukrainian people, Europe, and all of humanity.

We, Ukrainians, did not initiate, did not want, and still do not want this war, we strive for peace like no other. But this is our war, a war for the right to live, for Ukraine’s independence, for freedom and for Europe. At this tragic and crucial time, we are happy to know that the Slovak people, each of you, have been standing by our side, helping us, since the first day of this unprovoked genocidal Russian aggression.

It is not even about the figures, although today when every bullet and shell is fateful for Ukraine, 3 million euros raised by almost 50,000 Slovaks in only a few days is an impressive and inspiring story that demonstrates wisdom, strength, and unity of Slovak civil society.

But most importantly, it is about the choice made by the Slovak people, each and every one of you, to support the Ukrainian political nation in its struggle for what unites all peoples of goodwill. We want you to be proud of yourselves, and to believe in your strength and deeds.

Because you are on the right side of history. Together with you, we are creating a new history of Europe and the world.

Unfortunately, it is this war that has only recently made it possible for many of us to discover each other, Slovakia for Ukraine, and Ukraine for Slovakia.

Yet, the spirit of freedom and democratic values have always united us. We are not just neighbors, we are like-minded people, partners, and allies. Ukraine will never stop being grateful to the Slovaks, because what you are doing now is priceless.

Glory to the Slovak people! We thank you and we will repay your kindness!

 List of signatories (in alphabetical order):

1. Yuri Andrukhovych, writer
2. Stanislav Aseyev, journalist, former captive of the “Izolyatsia”  torture chamber in Donetsk, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
3. Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, leader of the “Okean Elzy” rock band, public figure
4. Serhiy Hakman, vice president of the “Social Resources and Initiatives” Charitable Foundation
5. Yaroslav Hrytsak, historian, professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University
6. Vitaliy Diachuk, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, editor-in-chief at Infopost Media
7. Volodymyr Yermolenko, president of the Ukrainian PEN, philosopher
8. Serhiy Zhadan, writer, musician, volunteer
9. Oksana Zabuzhko, writer, philosopher
10. Joseph Zissels, public figure, co-president of the Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities (VAAD)
11. Pavlo Kazarin, journalist, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
12. Pavlo Klimkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014-2019
13. Yevhen Klopotenko, chef, restaurateur
14. Oleksandr Konotopskyi, founder of Ajax Systems
15. Andriy Lyubka, writer, editor-in-chief of the Re:Open Ukraine initiative
16. Myroslav Marynovych, former Soviet political prisoner, member of the “1st December” Initiative Group, advisor to the rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University
17. Oleksandra Matviychuk, human rights activist and head of the Centre for Civil Liberties, recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize
18. Sevgil Musayeva, editor-in-chief of the “Ukrainska Pravda” online media outlet
19. Yuriy Nazaruk, co-founder of the “!FEST” Holding of Emotions, entrepreneur
20. Yuriy Panchenko, editor of the online outlet European Truth
21. Valeriy Pekar, lecturer at the Kyiv Mohyla Business School and the Business School of the Ukrainian Catholic University
22. Vitaly Portnikov, political analyst, journalist, TV presenter
23. Serhiy Prytula, volunteer, founder of the Serhiy Prytula Charitable Foundation
24. Oleh Sentsov, Ukrainian filmmaker and military officer, former political prisoner of the Kremlin
25. Serhiy Sydorenko, editor of the “European Pravda” online media outlet
26. Oleksandr Sushko, executive director at the International Renaissance Foundation in Ukraine
27. Viktor Troshki, a soldier of the self-propelled artillery division of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade
28. Dmytro Tuzhansky, director of the Institute for Central European Strategy
29. Fedir Shandor, sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, “professor from the trench”
30. Pavlo Sheremeta, Minister of Economy of Ukraine in 2014, member of the GLOBSEC International Advisory Council