Let us call for a ceasefire in Ukraine for Christmas 2022/2023, from the 25 December to the 7 January, as a sign of our shared humanity, reconciliation, and peace. 

The Christmas Truce of 1914 in the midst of World War I was a symbol of hope and courage, when the people of warring countries organized an armistice on their own authority and joined in spontaneous reconciliation and fraternization. This was proof that even during the most violent conflicts, in the words of Pope Benedict XV, “the guns may fall silent at least upon the night the angels sang”. 

We turn to the leaders of the warring parties: let the weapons be silent. Give people a moment of peace and, through this moment, open the way to negotiations. 

We call on the international community to strongly support and advocate for a Christmas ceasefire and to push for a new start to negotiations between the two sides. 

Our vision and goal is a new peace architecture for Europe which includes security for all European countries on the basis of common security. 

Peace, reconciliation, a shared sense of humanity can triumph over the hatred, violence and guilt that currently dominate the war. Let us be reminded that we are all humans and that war and destruction against one another is senseless.

A Christmas truce is a much needed opportunity to again recognize our compassion for one another. Together – we are convinced – the cycle of destruction, suffering and death can be overcome.

Call from International Peace Bureau (IPB). Vrede vzw is member of IPB.