THE RUSSIAN ARCTIC CONVOY PROJECT (RACP), AS A CHARITY SUPPORTING THE HIGH VALUES REFLECTED IN THE JOINT ACHIEVEMENTS OF ALL WHO TOOK PART IN THE EPIC CONVOY STRUGGLES OF 80 YEARS AGO, ARE DEEPLY SADDENED TO WITNESS THE EVENTS CURRENTLY UNFOLDING IN EASTERN EUROPE. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME. WE HAVE ALSO SPOKEN WITH OUR CONTACTS IN RUSSIA WITH WHOM RACP HAVE BUILT UP CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS IN THE PAST, AND MANY SHARE OUR CONCERNS.
IT IS STILL INTENDED TO HOLD A COMMEMORATIVE REMEMBRANCE SERVICE AT COVE ON 8th MAY (VE DAY) THIS YEAR, AND WE HAD INVITED THE RUSSIAN CONSUL GENERAL FROM EDINBURGH TO ATTEND, AS WE WOULD HAVE NORMALLY DONE. WE HAD ALSO RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM THE BELARUS EMBASSY TO ATTEND.
RACP IS, AND REMAINS A NON-POLITICAL ORGANISATION. HOWEVER, AFTER DISCUSSION WITHIN THE CHARITY’s BOARD OF TRUSTEES IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO WITHDRAW THE INVITATION FOR THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RUSSIAN & BELARUSIAN GOVERNMENTS TO ATTEND THIS EVENT IN 2022.
THE SITUATION IN UKRAINE PLACES RACP IN AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT POSITION AND WE FEEL WE SHOULD STAND BACK FROM ANY FORMAL CONTACTS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE CURRENT SITUATION, UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IS REACHED.
RACP WILL CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORY OF THE ARCTIC CONVOY CAMPAIGN, AND RESPECT AND HONOUR ALL THOSE THAT TOOK PART, INCLUDING THE RUSSIAN & BELARUSIAN PARTICIPANTS, AND HOPE FOR A RETURN TO A MORE NORMALISED POSITION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
ON BEHALF OF RACP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
