The European Regional Office of the WFTU denounces the unacceptable action of the Government of Ukraine to start a criminal case against Pierpaolo Leonardi, General Secretary of USB Italy, General Secretary of TUI Public Services and Alliedand an affiliate of the WFTU for “illegal entry in Donbass”.

Pierpaolo Leonardi entered Donbass in his official capacity of trade union
representative of WFTU and Trade Union International Public Services to express solidarity with the people of Donbass heading an official solidarity mission of WFTU.

The Ukrainian Government asserted that part of the land released by the People’s Republic of Lugansk and Donetsk as its territories and has no right to claim that WFTU trade unionists violated immigration laws because they were supposed to enter Ukrainian territory, through a border of Ukraine and having a permit and a Ukrainian entry visa.

The European Regional Office of WFTU denounces the reactionary Government of Ukraine which with the support of powerful business interests has brought great suffering to the Ukrainian people. A big part of responsibility of the crimes in Ukraine is bear by USA, NATO and the European Union who support and assist the Government of Neo-fascist forces in Ukraine.

These acts which consist severe violation of trade union rights, will not terrorize and will not stop the class-oriented trade union movement in Europe and internationally to continue expressing support and solidarity with the people of Donbass and Lugansk.

The European Regional Office of WFTU also protests against the Government of Italy and the European Union who once again find the opportunity to support the fascist and criminal regime of Ukraine by endorsing the criminal case against the WFTU and USB trade unionist, Pierpaolo Leonardi and demands the immediate withdrawal of this case.

The European Regional Office of WFTU