The International Socialist League (ISL) will participate in the Solidarity Convoy that will depart from various locations across Europe for Kyiv during the second half of November. Although we have not signed the initial declaration—due to differences regarding the omission of certain points we consider important—we share the need to build solidarity through unity. On 24 August, Ukraine’s Independence Day, we reaffirm our commitment to its working people with a view towards a strategic solution.
Global public attention is focused on Zionist and imperialist attacks in the Middle East. Putin is taking advantage of this to launch waves of ballistic missiles at defenceless civilian populations, without provoking a political or media response commensurate with these crimes.
Added to this is another element that terrifies Ukrainians and comes at a critical time: the onset of winter. The systematic destruction of the energy, water and transport infrastructure could soon prove fatal.
Furthermore, the resistance waged by the working people, both on the front lines and behind the lines, has now lasted for more than four years. These developments underscore the need for humanitarian and political aid to ensure the success of the Ukrainian resistance.
A deeply asymmetrical war
Regardless of what the media and propaganda say, this war remains one-sided. The Ukrainian resistance has managed to halt the Russian advance and, through huge efforts, strike military targets on enemy territory, particularly through the use of drones. But that does not qualitatively alter the balance of power.
Ukraine is fighting for its very existence, and in light of this, it is worth citing some historical views on the matter. In The Right of Nations to Self-Determination (1914), Lenin wrote: ‘Without engaging in idle speculation, we firmly uphold something that is beyond all doubt: Ukraine’s right to become such a state.’
And in an article titled ‘The Ukraine’ (1917), Lenin stated: ‘No democrat, let alone a socialist, will dare to deny the complete legitimacy of Ukraine’s demands. And no democrat can deny Ukraine the right to freely secede from Russia.’
Our position is clear. We stand with the Ukrainian resistance, in support of the expulsion of Russian troops and the right of the Ukrainian people to reclaim their territories and freely determine their own destiny.
In this context, we particularly value the internationalist and grassroots nature of the Solidarity Convoy. It is not a government-led initiative, but a movement initiated by trade unions, social movements, community organisations and solidarity groups.
The Convoy calls on unions, feminist, environmental, LGBTQIA+ and anti-fascist groups and individuals to join—not only from a humanitarian perspective but also from a political one—to support Ukraine’s self-determination, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Why not sign the statement
The ISL is participating in the Convoy—a broad and diverse coalition—without having signed its call to action. We support the defence of Ukraine, but we believe this is a one-sided approach, because this war cannot be analysed solely as Russian aggression, even though that is an essential starting point.
This conflict has a dual nature: in addition to the Russian imperialist invasion, there is an inter-imperialist dispute over Eastern Europe and global realignment. The United States, the European powers, NATO and Russia are all involved, each defending its own economic, strategic and geopolitical interests. Failing to mention this leaves out a fundamental part of reality, one that not only affects Ukraine today but will also shape its future.
Trump and the United States are providing weapons to help Ukraine resist, but not to defeat Putin. At the same time, Trump seeks to gain economic and strategic advantages from the war and Ukraine’s reconstruction. The dispute over Ukraine’s natural resources, including so-called rare-earth elements, is a manifestation of this.
Nor do the European powers act out of solidarity with the people. Rather, their actions are aligned with their own economic and geopolitical interests. They use NATO as their instrument, which is not a neutral organisation but a military alliance serving the Western imperialist powers.
For us, it is impossible to approach our tasks and policies in stages—‘first defeat Putin, then the rest’—because reality places both processes side by side and in mutual interaction today, not only in the future. Just as they did with the Belarusian people and others, they will not hesitate to abandon the Ukrainian people if Trump reaches an agreement with Putin.
So, we are part of a common mission without expecting all the organisations and people involved to share the same political vision. However, we do not give up our own positions.
Political independence
Standing with Ukraine does not mean supporting Zelensky, as campists and others falsely state.
Zelensky’s administration has intensified neoliberal policies and measures that undermine workers’ rights. In the name of the war effort, there have been restrictions on workers’ rights, attacks on trade unions, curtailments of democratic freedoms and measures that favour economic concentration and the interests of business sectors.
Resistance to the invasion does not eliminate class differences. In Ukraine, there is also a social and political struggle that is gradually regaining momentum. There are workers, unions, popular movements and sectors of the left that have their own interests and demands.
Their rights cannot be suspended indefinitely in the name of war while oligarchs, government officials and those close to power enjoy privileges. We defend a position that is independent of both the government and oligarchic, reactionary nationalist and far-right forces.
With a principled platform
The Ukrainian resistance is heroic, sustained by the enormous efforts of the workers and the people, both on the front lines and behind the lines; that is why we must support and strengthen it from the grassroots up.
This means democratic unions, strong rank-and-file organisations and worker participation in defending their rights and in decisions about the country’s future. We stand for peace, but for a just peace—not one negotiated behind the backs of the Ukrainian working people, and without impositions or territorial concessions.
Our solidarity is simultaneously anti-imperialist, internationalist and class-based. We do not choose between Putin and Zelensky. We do not choose between the Ukrainian oligarchies and Western imperialism. We stand with the Ukrainian working people, calling on Russian workers to confront Putin, boycott the war and join forces with Ukrainian workers to defeat the capitalists in both countries together and pave the way for workers’ governments.
The expulsion of the invaders must pave the way for a democratic process of self-determination for all the peoples living in Ukraine, with a view towards a socialist society, entirely free from the destructive bureaucracy of Stalinism.
We stand for the defeat of the Russian invasion and the expulsion of Putin’s troops. But we do not want the end of Russian domination to lead to Ukraine’s new subordination to Washington, Brussels or any other power. We want a Ukraine free from all imperialist domination.
Join and support the convoy
We have immediate tasks that unite us with our comrades in the Convoy: strengthening ties with Ukrainian and international trade unions and grassroots organisations, learning first-hand about their needs and working together to organise the Convoy to address those needs.
Solidarity must translate into concrete aid: generators and energy equipment, supplies, medicines and resources for the communities—everything that working-class and social organisations identify as a priority and that the Convoy can provide.
And through outreach, with cultural events, festivals and public meetings, we aim to broaden the base of solidarity. This is what the Ukrainian Socialist League (LSU) and the Social Movement (MS) did with a joint event in Kyiv. Our German-speaking comrades also made their voices heard at the Revolution camp held in Brandenburg, and there were joint actions in Barcelona on 24 August.
Once the vehicles get underway in November, the next step will be to carry out the activities that are already being planned in each city. Help us organise, build and strengthen the Convoy through financial contributions, outreach, support activities and other solidarity initiatives.
Originally published by the International Socialist League.
