Peter Lazenby
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RUSSIANS who refuse to fight in the war on Ukraine should be welcomed to Britain, the pacifist Peace Pledge Union (PPU) said today.
The group called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman to offer asylum to Russians who refuse to be part of the war.
The call came as International Conscientious Objectors’ Day was marked around the world, with protests expected in countries where military conscription is maintained including Russia, Israel, Colombia and Finland.
Since the invasion of Ukraine began, calls to offer asylum to Russian objectors have been backed by MPs including Labour’s Lloyd Russell Moyle and the SNP’s Tommy Sheppard, said the PPU.
Geoff Tibbs of the PPU said: “Hundreds of Russian soldiers are questioning orders or refusing to fight. They face threats of violence and psychological abuse.
“We are calling on Mr Sunak and his ministers to give them the practical help they need and offer them asylum.
“Rather than pouring fuel on the flames by sending more and more weapons, the government should be supporting those resisting war and welcoming conscientious objectors in the UK.”
The PPU, which condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine as soon as it began, works with the Movement of Conscientious Objectors in Russia and the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement which are part of War Resisters’ International.
The PPU said: “The PPU applauds the hundreds of Russian soldiers who have already faced trial for refusing to fight, and many others who face pressure and coercion when they speak out.
“Numbers of conscientious objectors in Belarus are reportedly growing.”
