Who we are and what we stand for: a status report in turbulent times
The world around us is changing rapidly - and not always for the better. In Germany, in Europe, and beyond, voices are gaining strength that promise simple answers to complex questions and often base their success on fear, division, and contempt for the weaker. At the same time, Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine - a war not only for territory but against the right of peoples to determine their own fate.
In such times, silence and non-commitment are a luxury we cannot afford. Therefore, we, the association of Ukrainian organizations in Germany (AUOG/DUOD), find it necessary to clearly state who we are, what we want - and what we are not willing to accept.
We know who we are. Ukrainian identity is not a matter of passport, but a conscious decision for language, culture, historical memory, and dignity. It has been fought for by generations who endured terror, wars, the Holodomor genocide, and the denial of Ukrainian selfhood - and did not give up. This experience is a commitment. And it sharpens our vision: We often recognize dangers even when they are still cloaked in decent words.
We know what we will not accept. We do not accept politics that thrive on fear and base their success on turning people against each other. No indifference to the suffering of others and no attempts to portray aggressors and victims as equal parties. And no language that belittles one group today - for tomorrow it will do the same with the next. The European history of the 20th century has made it all too clear where such paths lead. The Ukrainian experience is inscribed in this history with blood.
We are seeking partnership - and we mean it seriously. The AUOG consciously seeks collaboration with those forces in politics, society, and civil society that share the values of freedom, human dignity, and solidarity. Partnership is not just a buzzword for us, but a foundation for work: it thrives on reliability, mutual respect, and the willingness to endure uncomfortable truths together. We are not looking for those who speak the loudest, but for those who act honestly. Because sustainable commonality does not arise from agreement at any cost, but from shared responsibility.
What Europe means to us. For us, Europe is not a substitute for our past and not a task of who we are. Europe is a community of like-minded people, good neighbors, and partners with whom we are ready to build a common future - based on equality, respect, and responsibility. But it is a community that must not only be nurtured but also defended. Freedom that one is not willing to protect does not endure. Those who ignore this do not engage in togetherness, but in self-deception.
And here we allow no ambiguity: Without a free Ukraine, there is no free Europe. Ukrainians today are defending not only their own country - they are defending the order and dignity of man and nations on which the European community as a whole rests. Our struggle and the freedom of Europe are a common line of defense.
We remain open to all who sincerely wish good, victory, and development for Ukraine and the global Ukrainian community. However, openness is not arbitrariness. We know who we are, what we want, and what we stand for. And it is precisely this clarity that is the foundation of every honest partnership.
From words to joint action. Values do not live in explanations, but in people who come together to stand up for them. If you share what is being discussed here - dignity, freedom, solidarity, and responsibility for a common future - then join us.
On October 30th and 31st, we will host the European Forum of the Ukrainian Diaspora (EFUD) - a place where Ukrainian organizations, partners, and like-minded individuals come together to align positions, strengthen connections, and seek joint answers to the challenges of our time. An opportunity to turn shared values into a common strength.
The future does not wait for spectators. It is shaped by the decisions of those who are ready to create it - and defend it. We will be there. So should you.
Slava Ukrajini - Herojam Slava!