The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) strongly condemns the unprovoked invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sovereign country of Ukraine. TFAS has many alumni in Ukraine. We pray for their safety at this time of grave danger. We also express our heartfelt gratitude to the many TFAS alumni in central Europe who have offered their homes to refugees fleeing violence in Ukraine.

Ukraine is an independent, democratic and free nation. It signed an accord to voluntarily eliminate its nuclear arsenal. It poses no threat to the sovereignty and safety of its neighbors. By launching this invasion of Ukraine, Russia has upended peace in Europe and has created a humanitarian disaster on many levels. We express our deep concern for the safety and welfare of the Ukrainian people, and we look to the courage of many Russians who are standing up for Ukraine and against this costly war.

Throughout history, the world has paid a heavy price for the actions of power hungry and insecure tyrants who exercise power without regard to the norms of civilized behavior and the internationally accepted standards of human rights. The actions of Russian leaders during the past week are another example of such behavior and its deadly consequences.

As an organization bringing educational programs to the young people of the former Soviet Union and central and eastern Europe since 1989 – including Russian and Ukrainian students – we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and its people.