Report by Ms. Loréna Schlicht, AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France
February 24th, 2023, marked one year of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France issued an appeal, calling for their member cities to join a campaign to reaffirm their commitment to peace in France and around the world from February 24 to 26, 2023. Russia’s nuclear threats and growing fears of the conflict escalating to a nuclear war are further evidence that nuclear deterrence is a dead end; it does not guarantee global security. Instead of protecting global security or facilitating conflict resolution, the possession of nuclear weapons allows violation of territorial integrity.
In the Appeal, President Philippe Rio of AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France (Mayor of Grigny) states,
“Words such as disarmament, diplomacy, cooperation and peace must find their full meaning and be at the heart of the discussions. […] We, cities and local governments, are fully aware of the challenges faced by territories at war because we are in the front line for the security of our populations. Therefore, we call on French cities to create a real movement for peace.”
AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France Appeal One Year after the Invasion of Ukraine (French; AFCDRP website):
https://afcdrp.com/appel-de-lafcdrp-maires-pour-la-paix-france-apres-une-annee-de-guerre-en-ukraine/