It's hard to believe that this terrible war has been going on for two years already. And it's hard to believe how much we have already become accustomed to it, how much we have gotten used to it. At the beginning, the sea of death, misfortune, suffering, and tears, but also heroism, sacrifice, and solidarity, made a huge impression on us. We were shocked. We rushed into the whirlwind of aid. We protested. Now it has all become a bit indifferent to us. Our zeal to help has cooled a bit. We are tired, preoccupied with other problems.
This is exactly what the aggressors are counting on. They have not become indifferent and they have not tired. They continue to attack. They are convinced that the support and solidarity of the West have reached their limits and that the weakening, bleeding Ukraine will eventually fall prey to them.
On this 731st day of the war, we appeal to ourselves and to you, our Friends, people who are close to the values of Krzyżowa:
Ukraine still needs our help and our solidarity. Let us not allow indifference to prevail in us. We have the right to feel tired, but we do not have the right to give in to this fatigue. The heroic defense of Ukrainian women and men, their commitment to freedom, and their determination to become part of a united Europe, confirm how important our values are – freedom, democracy, the rule of law, the European community. Let us remember that today their defense is taking place in Ukraine. If Ukraine loses, we all lose.
We have little influence on political decisions. But we can provide material support, build interpersonal ties, invite our Ukrainian neighbors to join us in building a common, grassroots Europe now, without waiting for political decisions. Everyone can contribute to this, even with a small gesture.
Let us remember the words of Freya von Moltke: "It always pays to do something that you do not do for yourself. This is something that is uplifting and life-fulfilling".
And the words of the Polish pioneer of Polish-German reconciliation, Professor Stanisław Stomma: "The light shines in the darkness. Let everyone light their own spiritual light. If many wise and just people light their little lights, their great number will illuminate the darkness."
Board of the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe Dorota Krajdocha, DSc Robert Żurek
