DECLARATION OF CIRCASSIAN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS REGARDING RUSSIA’S AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINIAN STATE

We, the representatives of the Circassian people, support Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and independence and condemn the actions of the Kremlin administration, which are an
undisguised, unjustified aggressive war against Ukraine. We demand an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine, and the restoration of borders recognized by the international community. 

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We appeal to our compatriots serving in the ranks of the Russian occupational army to boycott the orders of the command, which are a violation of the laws of a foreign state and the international law. We ask Circassians to refrain from further service in the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces and other armed formations sent to Ukraine by the Kremlin military command.

We must remind that our people have experienced the most brutal genocide by the Russian Empire, which continues to this day. During the period from 1763 to 1864, during the Russo-Caucasian War, the empire destroyed or expelled to the Ottoman Empire 90 percent of the Circassian population, who previously lived compactly in the Caucasus spanning from Chechnia, Ingushetia and Dagestan borders to the Azov Sea and from the Black Sea to the Don River.

Today, the Russian Federation is carrying out the same policy of destruction and expulsion towards the Ukrainian people. We, the Circassians, cannot but feel pain and indignation witnessing the repetition of similar actions against any other people. Sharing the suffering of the Ukrainian people, we express our support to them and appeal to all Circassians to support sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Fight and you will win!

Slava Ukraine!

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Kenan KAPLAN
Chairman of the Council of United Circassia

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Kase KIK
Representative of the Council of United Circassia in USA
Chairman of the Circassian Congress Social and Political Movement of the Karachay-
Cherkess Republic

 

Ibragim YAGAN
Chairman of the Free Circassia Association

 

Marianna SHERU
Chairwoman of the Circassian Centre in New York

 

Murat ÖZDEN
Chairman of Maltepe Circassian Association

 

Dr. Orhan BARSIQ
Representative of the Council of United Circassia in Georgia
 

Selçuk BAĞLAR
Vice Chairman of the Council of United Circassia

 

Dr. Mustafa CANBEK
Secretary General of the Council of United Circassia