On February 24th, we take to the streets in solidarity – for Europe’s future. This future is goes hand in hand with a statement: We stand with Ukraine.
For months, Russia has been systematically attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Not to shift “front lines,” but to break society: apartments stand cold, cities sink into darkness, families are worn down, to force Ukraine to give up. This is energy terror. Civilian infrastructure is being bombed, while a decisive response from the world community is absent.
Despite everything, Ukraine holds its ground. Not because it is easy, but because people make their choice again and again, every day, that they will not let themselves be dehumanized. They repair, rescue, share, and survive. That is precisely why we must not look away. This condition must not become normal.
What happens in Ukraine is not “far away.” It is a mirror of our decisions. Europe’s hesitation, Europe’s dependencies, Europe’s lack of a clear voice – all of this has created space in which an aggressor could act freely. Partnership is diplomacy, but from dependence grows powerlessness. Powerlessness is dangerous, not only for Ukraine, but for all of us.
Together with many people around the world and especially in Iran right now, we fight together for freedom, dignity and self-determination.
For Europe’s Future – We Stand with Ukraine
Come on February 24th. Come because solidarity is more than empathy. It is an attitude paired with action. Come to show those who endure in darkness and cold: You are not alone.
We demand:
Arms deliveries for Ukraine – Permanently and reliably support the armed forces defending their population against russian aggression.
Long-term security guarantees – Reliable, sustainable commitments are in mutual interest. Germany helps protect civilian population and critical infrastructure and can strengthen its own security with the insights gained.
Make russia pay – Use frozen russian state assets to finance Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction. Political will is essential to enforce reparations and compensation against insistence on pretended property rights.
No “peace” without justice – All negotiations must ensure real security and responsibility and must not reward aggression or give russia time to prepare for the next attack.
Bring back kidnapped children – The deportation and kidnapping of Ukrainian children is a war crime. We demand their immediate return and criminal prosecution of all those responsible.
Strengthen international accountability – Russia’s war against Ukraine is supported by partner states. We demand a coordinated response: deterrence, stricter export controls, tougher sanctions and determined measures against disinformation. We also support the establishment of a special tribunal. Sanctions must be tightened and loopholes closed to weaken russia’s combat capability.
A clear European future for Ukraine – Accelerating EU integration is the best way to prepare Europe for the geo-strategic challenges of the future.
For many older people in Kyiv, winter blackouts are life-threatening.
Donate & share to help us reach €40,000.
This winter in Ukraine, everyday necessities like heating, electricity, and even reliable water supply are no longer guaranteed. After severe russian attacks on civilian energy infrastructure, many people in Kyiv are living through long blackouts and freezing conditions. Ukrainians remain resilient but for elderly people, the cold and darkness are not just difficult. They can be life-threatening.
Many older residents live alone, have limited mobility, and cannot reach support points like the “Points of Invincibility” or “Resilience Centers” provided by the state. Without stable access to information and help, they are often left isolated and vulnerable during outages.
That’s why Vitsche, together with our partners Starenki and Bravery, is fundraising to deliver 300 Warm Help Boxes to elderly people in Kyiv. Each box provides immediate, practical support and includes essentials such as a hot water bottle, LED lamp/lantern, thermal clothing, blanket, thermos, batteries, candles, and food that requires no cooking or refrigeration (the items included may vary depending on availability and current demand).
In parallel, through Bravery, we will strengthen community access to electricity by installing 3 EcoFlow power stations at points where elderly people and social workers gather, and distribute 500 lanterns that are extremely needed, but are often sold out in Kyiv.
Our fundraising goal is €40,000, covering the boxes, logistics, distribution, and necessary fees. Every donation helps.
Donate & Share! (посилання на донат https://vitsche.org/donate/)
Together we can bring warmth, light, and dignity to those who need it most.
Together with TheMerchRepublic, we launched a joint fundraising campaign for a humanitarian minibus.
Thanks to your support, the goal was not only reached but exceeded: instead of the planned €20,000, we raised €23,050!
This additional amount makes it possible not only to purchase the minibus, but also to fully prepare it for operation — including the necessary equipment and sufficient fuel reserves, which are essential for daily use.
What your donations make possible:Evacuations after attacksMedicines and food suppliesSupport for remote and hard-to-reach villages
Thank you for your trust and for making concrete humanitarian assistance possible!
—Vitsche e.V. operates on a non-profit and transparent basis. 10% of the donated funds are used for necessary organizational and administrative costs.All expenses are fully documented and transparently disclosed.
Save the date: 24 February 2026
Four years have passed since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Four years of resistance, solidarity, and the fight for freedom — not only for Ukraine, but for Europe as a whole.
On 24 February 2026, we will come together to make a clear and public statement: war is not normal — and Europe’s future is impossible without a free Ukraine.
March — 18:00–19:00Route: Lustgarten → Brandenburg GateDemonstration — 19:00–20:00
This is a call for shared responsibility, solidarity, and readiness to act. Standing with Ukraine means standing for a democratic, free, and peaceful Europe.
24 February 2026.Join us!Stand with us.
The year 2025 marked a period of active and consistent public engagement for Vitsche in Germany.
Throughout the year, we worked on issues related to war, peace, culture, and memory, making Ukrainian perspectives audible, understandable, and visible – not only to policymakers and experts, but also to the wider public.
Vitsche acted not only reactively, but strategically. We initiated long-term campaigns, continuously brought complex issues back into public debate, and emphasized responsibility – cultural, political, and institutional. In 2025, Vitsche further established itself as an organization capable of working simultaneously with civil society, media, cultural institutions, and political partners.
Campaigns in 2025
February 24 / Wählt die Ukraine
A campaign marking the third anniversary of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Outcomes:
- a sustained communication campaign throughout January and February;
- a demonstration in Berlin with approximately 10,000 participants;
- broad media coverage, including Tagesspiegel, FAZ, RBB, France 24, DW, and others;
- the campaign became a key reference point in public discussions about the war and European security.
No Peace at Any Price
An advocacy campaign opposing simplified and dangerous notions of “peace at any cost” that ignore the reality of russia’s aggression.
Outcomes:
- a public performance in the form of a symbolic “referendum” using peace doves;
- participation in public debates surrounding the Ostermarsch;
- ongoing communication work explaining why “peace” without justice and security is not a neutral position;
- a shift in public discourse from abstract pacifism toward questions of responsibility and security.
8.05 Ukraine in Memory
A campaign dedicated to the Ukrainian experience of World War II – an experience that often remains invisible within German memory culture.
Outcomes:
- a commemorative action on May 8;
- accompanying educational events and public contributions;
- stronger integration of Ukrainian perspectives into Germany’s public memory discourse.
No Stage for Putin Supporters
This campaign opposed the normalization of russian cultural presence in Europe during russia’s war of aggression, particularly the appearances of Anna Netrebko on state-funded stages in Berlin.
Outcomes:
- repeated written appeals to the Staatsoper Berlin requesting a public response;
- in the absence of an institutional reply, several public demonstrations held throughout the year;
- a broad wave of media coverage (Die Zeit, taz, ntv, DW, BZ, RBB, among others);
- a tangible civic impact: during one protest, a man who held a ticket to an Anna Netrebko performance publicly tore it up and chose not to attend, as a conscious act of refusal;
- the campaign demonstrated that public action can influence not only discourse, but also individual decisions.
Demonstrations and Public Actions
In 2025, Vitsche initiated or participated in 11 demonstrations, marches, and public actions in Berlin. These activities took place throughout the year and were connected both to long-term campaigns and to responses to specific events.
The actions were carried out in cooperation with German and international partners, including Fridays for Future, Campact, Fellas for Europe, RazomWeStand, Allianz Ukrainischer Organisationen, and others.
For Vitsche, these actions were not isolated gestures, but part of a continuous presence in Germany’s public space.
Events, Lectures, and Public Formats
In addition to street actions, Vitsche actively developed spaces for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and exchange throughout 2025.
Over the course of the year, we organized or co-organized more than 20 events, including:
- public lectures and panel discussions;
- conferences;
- film screenings;
- workshops and educational formats;
- book presentations and public conversations with researchers, journalists, and cultural practitioners.
Vitsche Talks
In 2025, we successfully expanded the Vitsche Talks format – intimate public conversations with 15–20 participants.
- nearly all sessions were fully booked;
- the format became recognizable and highly sought after;
- many participants returned multiple times.
Vitsche Talks demonstrated a strong demand for deeper conversations about Ukraine, war, memory, and culture – without slogans, but with attention to substance. We have heard this demand and plan to continue the format in the coming year.
Media Presence and Partnerships
In 2025, Vitsche’s work was regularly featured in German and international media, including DW, FAZ, Die Zeit, Tagesspiegel, RBB, taz, ntv, BZ, Deutschlandfunk, France 24, among others.
Media coverage included:
- interviews;
- commentary;
- analytical pieces;
- references in connection with campaigns and demonstrations.
At the same time, Vitsche expanded and deepened its network of partnerships. In 2025, we collaborated with:
- civil society initiatives and NGOs;
- academic institutions and researchers;
- cultural organizations;
- diplomatic missions and foundations;
- media outlets and journalists.
These partnerships enabled not only joint actions and events, but also the development of trust and long-term cooperation.
Closing Reflections
The year 2025 demonstrated that public presence matters when it is consistent, grounded, and oriented toward people.
For Vitsche, this year confirmed that combining street actions, campaigns, educational work, and media engagement can generate real societal impact – and help create a space in which Ukrainian voices do not fade away, but are heard clearly and with dignity.
Public Discussion & Parliamentary Briefing | Berlin, 2 December 2025
Europe is no longer asking whether its security order is under pressure, but how societies can hold together against persisting threats. At the Nordic Embassies in Berlin, experts from the Nordic-Baltic states, Ukraine and Germany came together to discuss the following question: what can Europe, and Germany in particular, learn about total defence, resilience and democratic stability from the Nordic-Baltic region and Ukraine, which is at war? The discussion focused not on abstract concepts, but on how states, cities and communities and individuals stay functional when pressure is real and the risks are no longer abstract.
Iryna Shulikina, CEO of Vitsche “Across all viewpoints, one message stood out: Europe’s security depends on societies that are informed, prepared, connected and capable of acting together.”
More than 100 guests, among them policymakers, researchers, diplomats, volunteers, and journalists attended the event.Russia’s war against Ukraine has shown that modern conflict spreads far beyond the battlefield. It hits digital communication, public trust, and the cohesion that keeps democracies steady. Several speakers warned that Germany, as the EU’s largest state, is both an obvious target and a central pillar for Europe’s stability.
Inna Nelles, moderator, Co-Founder of the German-Ukrainian Bureau (DUB) quotes Silke Willems “We are witnessing a sharp escalation of the situation in Germany. We are facing cyber attacks, sanctions evasion, arson – all of these on a scale we have never seen before.”
The Nordic-Baltic states have spent decades building models that treat every citizen, every company, and every institution as part of national resilience. These countries showcase clear chains of responsibility, well-rehearsed emergency plans, and strong cooperation between public and private actors.
Dr. Pekka Kallioniemi, researcher on disinformation and social media “In the Finnish comprehensive system, everybody knows what they have to do in case of a crisis. Everybody plays a role, and everybody should know their role. This is what is called comprehensive defense or comprehensive preparedness in Finland. It’s a whole-of-society approach to crisis management.”
Any discussion of total defence in the European context is incomplete without Ukraine. Its experience combining state institutions, volunteer networks, small businesses and adaptive local communities provides key insights for enhancing resilience and defence throughout the European Union.
Dr. Oksana Huss, University of Duisburg-Essen “Resilience is what we talk about after everything has already gone wrong. Before that, we have to talk politically – about fighting Russia where it is now – with sanctions and with the weapons Ukraine needs to deter further aggression.”
This perspective reframes resilience as a last line of defence once political choices have failed. It underlines that if Europe takes current challenges seriously, it must take prevention seriously: sustained sanctions, military support for Ukraine, and clear political will to stop Russian aggression before societies are forced to endure the consequences.
Germany already recognises the need to rethink its approach to civil and societal resilience. What it now faces is a practical challenge.
Throughout the discussion, several recurring needs emerged:
- Clear leadership and responsibility across federal, state, and municipal levels.
- Stronger cooperation between government, business, and civil society.
- Crisis communication that earns and keeps public trust.
- Volunteer networks that are trained, equipped, and integrated into official planning.
- Investment in infrastructure that remains functional under hybrid and physical stress.
Johannes Steger, security policy and resilience expert “Germany urgently needs a strategic communication approach that goes where the people are… Before we talk about how we speak about crises, we need to actually talk about them – and about why it’s important to be aware of these things.”
The challenge ahead is not simply protecting infrastructure. It is protecting the democratic and social fabric that holds countries together.
Sigita Struberga, Secretary-General, Latvian Transatlantic Organisation “We started in 2014, and it was far too late. Unfortunately for Latvians, as for other Europeans, 2008 was not a wake-up call.”
This requires long-term political will, coordination across ministries, and a hegemony that treats resilience as a shared responsibility. The Nordic-Baltic states showed what is possible. Now, the task is to make these insights part of Germany’s next chapter of a real “Zeitenwende”.To support this work beyond a single event, we want to highlight key publications that map the threat landscape and offer practical models for total defence.
These include:
The joint Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung / Stockholm Free World Forum study Russia’s Hybrid War: The Northern Front, which documents everyday hybrid intimidation and sabotage across the Nordic-Baltic region
Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency brochure In case of crisis or war – Important information to all residents of Sweden, which shows how total defence can be communicated in concrete terms to every household.
Further work on Germany’s preparedness debate includes Deutschland im Ernstfall by Johannes Steger and Ferdinand Gehringer.
Oksana Huss’s research on societal resilience and internal displacement in Ukraine can be found in her article “Polycentric crisis response and societal resilience…”
Practical guidance for households is also available in Latvia’s national 72 stundas preparedness plan, which sets out how citizens can cope independently during the first three days of a crisis. Sigita Struberga also underlined: “We began with the idea of a ‘72-hour backpack’. Later we realized that’s a bad narrative. A backpack means you grab and run. The idea is not to grab and run – the idea is to stay, be resilient, and in the best case, resist.”
Contributions came from:
- Sigita Struberga, Secretary-General, Latvian Transatlantic Organisation
- Dr. Oksana Huss, University of Duisburg-Essen
- Johannes Steger, security policy and resilience expert
- Dr. Pekka Kallioniemi, researcher on disinformation and social media (online)
Moderation by Inna Nelles, Co-Founder of the German-Ukrainian Bureau (DUB).
The event was organised by Vitsche e.V. and the German-Ukrainian Bureau (DUB) in partnership with: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS); Embassy of Denmark; Embassy of Latvia; Embassy of Estonia; Embassy of Sweden
We are gathering once again in front of the Staatsoper to protest its continued cooperation with Anna Netrebko – an artist whose documented ties to Vladimir Putin’s political sphere have long been a matter of public concern.
🗓 08/12/2025
🕑 19:15–20:15
📍Staatsoper Unter den Linden
Despite repeated demonstrations, public statements, and ongoing appeals from Berlin’s citizens, the opera administration remains unwilling to engage in dialogue, offering no response to the very people whose taxes sustain this cultural institution.
Our protest is a reminder that publicly funded cultural spaces carry a responsibility to examine the positions of the artists they promote. When an institution refuses transparency or conversation, this is not neutrality – it is a political choice.
This action will include a rave-inspired sound intervention by Liza Aikin It is not an opposition to classical music or opera as an art form. Rather, it draws on the political history of electronic music culture: a tradition in which people gather, reclaim public space, and express resistance through rhythm, movement, and collective presence.
Culture is not owned by those in power, but shaped by the people who show up, speak out, and refuse silence.
We refuse the silence imposed on us – and we show that there are many ways for the public to make itself heard.
Join us – stand with us in protest!
Because art is political, public institutions are accountable, and we will continue to show up until our voices are acknowledged.
No peace deals on russia’s terms
Statement from Vitsche The future of Ukraine must not be negotiated without Ukraine. Decisions on security in Europe must not be determined without Europe. The Ukrainian people have a tremendous desire for a just and lasting peace, but this can only be guaranteed through reliable and effective security guarantees.
A peace plan must not resemble Munich in 1938. If the international community gives in to an aggressor, it will not promote peace, but lay the groundwork for the next escalation. Concessions to a tyrant who deliberately shifts borders and uses violence as a political tool do not create security, but encourage further attacks. Those who accept an unjust peace today risk an even more extensive war on their own doorstep tomorrow.
Sustainable peace requires, first and foremost, the clear identification of the aggressor who has attacked Ukraine in 2014 and, on a full scale, in 2022. The experience of recent years shows that a frozen conflict is merely a pause during which russia renews its forces and later strikes again. Any proposal for a peace process must ensure that Ukrainian sovereignty remains protected against new aggression, so that this war is not only interrupted but ended permanently. Peace in Europe should not only be achieved for our generation, but also for future generations, and not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe and Germany in particular. Today, the future of Europe is also being decided, and that is why we must all stand alongside Ukraine.
- No negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine and on Europe without Europe.
The representatives of Ukraine and Europe must have a legitimate seat at the negotiating table, with Ukraine serving not as an object of geopolitical interests, but as a sovereign state. The original draft was largely drawn up without European and Ukrainian involvement. Europe demands full transparency – no covert negotiations between major powers over the heads of those affected.
- Negotiations should start once a ceasefire has been established
Last week, we saw in Kharkiv, Dnipro, Ternopil and other cities that russia does not want peace, but rather the total destruction of Ukraine. Time and again, we see russia using negotiation processes as a strategic weapon to divide Ukraine’s coalition of supporters.
- Credible mechanisms for security guarantees
Although the present plan speaks of guarantees, it simultaneously restricts Ukraine’s defence capabilities and offers no credible mechanisms for security guarantees, meaning that russia could launch another massive attack at any time. An effective deterrent must be clearly defined, enforceable and effective against any violations. The plan on offer is being called the ‘Budapest Memorandum 2.0’ – in other words, a guarantee without a guarantee. Germany calls for binding, robust and sanctionable security mechanisms. Europe must not allow military aggression to be rewarded by gaining territory that it has previously occupied. Europe must make it clear that without verifiable, enforceable security mechanisms, there will be no peace, but rather a standstill in preparation for the next attack.
- No ultimatum for Ukraine, but for russia
russia attacked Ukraine and should take responsibility for it; you cannot expect the victims to pay for a lasting and just peace. russia’s wish list is focused on restricting the Ukrainian army, but not the russian one. Any restriction on Ukrainian soldiers forces Ukraine into structural defencelessness. Europe must strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself – not artificially weaken it.
- russia’s wish list paves the way for the next war
Several points contradict the fundamental principles of European security and international law. These include unconstitutional restrictions on Ukrainian sovereignty, such as a NATO ban, the de facto surrender of Ukrainian territories, the limitation of armed forces, and russia’s possible return to international structures before the war has actually ended and issues of reparations and compensation have been resolved.
- russian funds to be treated as leverage rather than as an imperative for the aggressor
Clear commitment to the use of russian state assets for the benefit of Ukraine – not as a geopolitical bargaining chip. The plan provides for reconstruction-linked release, which is politically linked to concessions. Germany should make it clear that recourse to frozen assets is russia’s legal responsibility, not a matter for negotiation. The plan provides for Moscow’s geopolitical reintegration, while Ukraine is expected to make concessions.
- Ukraine is a sovereign country that belongs to its people, not a pawn of external powers
Ukraine must decide for itself which coalitions (such as the EU or NATO) it wishes to belong to. Europe must make it clear that security policy decisions must never be made under russian or any other coercion. Europe must never accept a russian veto over Ukraine’s future.
Finally, we would like to emphasise and make it clear to you that any proposal that implicitly or explicitly urges a ‘final settlement’ is contrary to international law. There can be no peace that protects perpetrators and disenfranchises victims. The moment perpetrators are not being prosecuted, international borders are being shifted by force, and victims are being denied the right to self-determination, a world emerges in which no one can believe in international laws and feel safe anymore – just like after 1938.