As the worldwide railway association, the International Union of Railways (UIC) has always been and remains committed to enabling international railway cooperation at global level serving our common values: Unity, Solidarity and Universality. In these unprecedented and difficult times, the UIC is expressing its solidarity with the people of Ukraine. They are suffering from the impact of war and experiencing a high number of fatalities and destruction of infrastructure, leading to the disruption of the provision of goods and services essential to daily life.
In order to continue a constructive and technical collaboration with trust and confidence between our members, the UIC has suspended the member companies of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus currently under international sanctions, until the return of a peaceful situation in Ukraine.
We are also expressing our strongest support to Ukrainian Railways (UZ). They are continuing to operate under extremely difficult conditions, demonstrating that railways can and must remain a priority mode of transport for people, including humanitarian aid and evacuation of refugees.
In this respect we must shine a spotlight on the significant efforts of a wide number of other railway companies, whether they are neighbouring Ukraine, or who are transporting Ukrainian civilians to places of safety far from the frontline. The solidarity of all these UIC member companies is truly impressive. In addition, UIC fully applies all sanctions according to national and international law.
In more practical terms and as a contribution to bring coordinated relief to the refugees, the UIC has set up a “refugee task force”. Under the leadership of UIC Passenger Director, Marc Guigon, the task force will exchange know-how and identify ideas for:
– the management of migratory flow;
– bringing information to refugees and between railway companies for reception of refugees in stations;
– providing solutions for preserving security
We are calling for maximum support from all railway companies and international organisations in this work, through their involvement and constructive input.
It is the fervent wish of the UIC that peace and stability will resume as soon as possible. The international railway community marks its solidarity with its Ukrainian Railways colleagues and the Ukrainian people, helping the movement of people and vital aid in this time of need.