Global Network Russia Study Tour Declaration

As an international delegation to the Russian Federation of 25 individuals, we have visited Moscow, St. Petersburg, and three cities in Crimea (April 25-May 9).

We came to learn, to listen, and to build a bridge of friendship through citizen diplomacy.  We have had daily important meetings with Russian journalists, activists, academics, ordinary citizens, and gained first hand information and historical perspective. The Russian people met us with warmth, openness, and generosity.

We came because we are alarmed by the U.S. demonization of Russia and the NATO provocations which have created a world of increasing military confrontation, with the U.S. even threatening the first-use of nuclear weapons.

Since the collapse of the USSR in 1991 US/NATO has encircled Russia with bases, so-called ‘missile defense’ systems, escalating “war games” right on its borders, and with warships increasing military operations in the Black Sea.

Numbers don’t lie.  Russia is a country of just 144 million people, with average income of $400 a month, or $13 a day. Their annual military budget is $60 billion and decreasing. The U.S. military budget is $800 billion and increasing. The U.S. has more than 800 bases encircling the world.

On Victory Day, May 9 in St. Petersburg, we walked in solidarity with 1.2 million family members and survivors of the 1941 – 1945 defense of the former Soviet Union when Americans and Russians were friends and allies against the German fascist invasion and occupation. (It should be remembered that 28 million Soviet citizens lost their lives during the fight against the fascists.)

Our message is a call to end the demonization of Russia, remove US/NATO warships from the Black Sea, end the escalating war maneuvers on Russia’s borders, and build bridges of diplomacy and friendship.

Dave Webb, Convener, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, Leeds, England

Bruce K. Gagnon, Coordinator, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, Brunswick, Maine

Subrata Ghoshroy, Board Member, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, Boston, Massachusetts

Will Griffin, Board Member, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space and the Peace Report, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mary Beth Sullivan, Board Member, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, Brunswick, Maine

Rev. Bill Bliss, The Neighborhood United Church of Christ, Bath, Maine

Lincoln Bliss, New York City

Raymond Bliss, Freeport, Maine

Cathleen R. Deppe, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space and Veterans for Peace, El Segundo, California

Shreedhar Gautam, Secretary General, Nepal Council for World Affairs, Kathmandu, Nepal

Leslie Harris, Veterans for Peace, Flower Mound, Texas

John Harris, Veterans for Peace, Flower Mound, Texas

Cindy Heil, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space and Veterans for Peace, Asheville, North Carolina

Yosi McIntire Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, St. Augustine, Florida

Solidad Pagliuca, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space and Cuba Friendship Association, St. Augustine, Florida

John Schuchardt Veterans for Peace and House of Peace, Ipswich Massachusetts

Carrie Schuchardt, House of Peace, Ipswich Massachusetts

Alexander J. Walker, Veterans for Peace, El Segundo, California

Bill Warrick III MD, Veterans For Peace and Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, Gainesville, Florida

Sally Warrick, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, Gainesville, Florida

Prabhu Ray Yadav, Treasurer, Nepal Council for World Affairs, Kathmandu, Nepal