The Committee of Good Will - Olga Havel Foundation and the Václav Havel Library have jointly called on world leaders to step up their assistance in stopping the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In a letter addressed to U.S. President Joe Biden, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the two organizations, whose mission is to promote and defend the legacy of Václav and Olga Havel, point to the seriousness of the situation in Ukraine and the need for further Western intervention.

In deference and loyalty to the legacy of Václav and Olga Havel, whose unwavering fight for freedom and fundamental human rights is known beyond the borders of the Czech Republic, it is no longer possible to simply stand by and watch the horrors that people in Ukraine are being forced to experience. Decisive action involving the announcement of sanctions by Western states has already produced significant results, but unfortunately, unprovoked Russian aggression continues unabated. It is therefore necessary not to relent and to support the Ukrainian people effectively.    

In their letter, the two organisations ask for further economic sanctions to be imposed on Russia, the supply of necessary military equipment, intelligence assistance and funding to Ukraine, and, last but not least, the provision of humanitarian aid.

"The price of inaction and indifference in times of crisis is all too familiar to the peoples living in Eastern and Central Europe. It is our moral duty to stand with those who are being wronged. Just as Olga and Václav Havel would have done," said Monika Granja, Director of the Committee of Good Will - Olga Havel Foundation.

"After more than thirty years, totalitarianism has reared its head and is trying to reverse the development that Václav and Olga Havel were so instrumental in bringing about.  Brave Ukrainian women and men are also defending our freedom and democracy. Effective assistance from our side is not only our moral duty but also our own interest," said Michael Žantovský, Executive Director of the Václav Havel Library.

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