Media release: The Elders are today visiting Kyiv to show their support for President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression.

Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Chair of The Elders, and Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia and Nobel Peace Laureate, will hold talks with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv as well as senior Government officials and other key stakeholders.

The Elders will also visit areas that have experienced devastation and human rights atrocities as a result of Russia’s unlawful aggression.

Ban Ki-moon said:

“We come today to Kyiv to stand in solidarity with the courageous Ukrainian people, and to hear from them directly. We offer The Elders’ support to President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine and reaffirm the centrality of Ukrainian sovereignty, territorial integrity and its right to self -defence. We call on all UN member states to remember their responsibility to uphold the core principles of the UN Charter, which have been so flagrantly violated by Russia’s invasion.”

Juan Manuel Santos said:

“Humanity must not look away from the moral outrage of Russia’s war on Ukraine. As Elders, we are here to listen and learn. The world owes it to all those who continue to suffer, and to all the lives already lost, to do everything we can to help the people of Ukraine live in peace, dignity and freedom.”

ENDS

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About The Elders

The Elders are independent leaders using their collective experience and influence for peace, justice and human rights worldwide. The group was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007.

The Elders are Ban Ki-moon (Deputy Chair), Gro Harlem Brundtland, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, Hina Jilani, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Ricardo Lagos, Graça Machel (Deputy Chair), Juan Manuel Santos, Mary Robinson (Chair) and Ernesto Zedillo.

Martti Ahtisaari, Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, and Jimmy Carter are Elders Emeritus.

Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) and Kofi Annan (1938-2018) were founding members of The Elders and served as Chairs from 2007 to 2013 and 2013 to 2018 respectively.

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