On April 8–9, 2025, the Congress of Anti-War Initiatives took place in Brussels, organized by the civil alliance Platform, an association of Russian anti-war, civil and humanitarian initiatives. The event was supported by the European Union and the German Foreign Ministry and brought together about 300 participants from Russia, EU countries, the South Caucasus, Central Asia and the USA.
The Congress was attended by activists from Russia, human rights activists, researchers, representatives of LGBTQ+ initiatives, Ukrainian colleagues, European diplomats and employees of international organizations. Among the guests were representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, foreign policy departments of European countries, as well as international donors.
The participation of Ukrainian colleagues was particularly important, with whom Russian initiatives discussed the prospects for dialogue, assistance to refugees, the return of prisoners and issues of justice.
«While Russia is seen as a long-term security threat, we (the European Union) continue to support Russian civil society organizations, human rights defenders and independent media. Activists like you (members of the Congress) keep democratic values alive among Russians. These are also the values of the EU – respect for human rights, tolerance, inclusiveness, transparency, non-violence, free debate of informed citizens. You (Russian human rights defenders and activists) are laying the foundation for long-term political and social change - for a more democratic, pluralistic and less aggressive Russia,» stated at the Congress Dirk Schübel, Head of the Russia Department of the European External Action Service (EEAS).
The Congress has become not just a series of panel sessions, but a space for close interaction, coordination of joint actions and exchange of experience. This year’s key theme was “Resisting Populism and Violence. Experience of the Russian anti-war/anti-authoritarian movement”. Discussions were based on the principles of solidarity, security and mutual respect. The following topics were in focus:
The Congress became a space of recognition, solidarity, and mutual support. It confirmed: the anti-war movement from Russia is alive, evolving, learning, and continues to act — despite violence, bans, and repression.
“Peace is not just the absence of war. Peace means accountability for crimes, and justice for victims. If someone tells you that natural resources or geopolitics matter more than human rights — they’re not talking about peace. Real peace is only possible when the perpetrators are held accountable, and those who’ve suffered are heard,” said Marianna Katzarova, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Russia, during the Congress.
One of the key outcomes of the Congress was direct engagement with Ukrainian participants. Joint sessions focused on the return of prisoners, support for refugees, and strategies for international advocacy.
“We need to bring a human dimension back into every political process. We must be clear about what ‘peace’ means. We need a sustainable and just peace — the freedom to live without fear of violence, with hope for the future,” said Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties, in a video message to the Congress.
Another important element was a series of meetings with representatives of the European Commission, European Parliament, and foreign ministries. These conversations laid the groundwork for long-term collaboration and explored new channels of international support and emergency evacuation.
The session “Human Dimension in Peace Negotiations. People First Campaign” focused on placing the release of people — not just territories or resources — at the center of any peace negotiations. Participants stressed that no talk of peace is meaningful if it ignores the fate of those held hostage.
Tens of thousands of people are currently being unlawfully held in Russia — Ukrainian POWs and civilians, deportees, and political prisoners, including minors and elderly individuals. According to human rights defenders, up to 80% of Ukrainian POWs in Russia have been subjected to sexualized violence.
The People First campaign now unites 45 organizations — including survivors, relatives of detainees, lawyers, and volunteers working on both sides of the frontline. The session addressed documentation of violations, advocacy toward international institutions, and engagement with legislators in Europe, the U.S., and the Global South. Russian and Ukrainian initiatives emphasized the need to free all categories of war-related hostages — including over 1,400 political prisoners in Russia today, 15% of whom are women. The youngest is 14; the oldest, 78.
Special focus was placed on deported Ukrainian prisoners who, after serving their terms, are dumped at the Russian border without documents. Thanks to civil society and international legal aid, some have made it home via the Russian-Georgian border at the Verkniy Lars checkpoint. Speakers urged diasporic and human rights initiatives to join in the international advocacy: file petitions, contact authorities, and raise visibility. This campaign is not political — it’s humanitarian. Every signature, letter, or action can make a difference.
The session “Desertion as a Form of Resistance to War” brought together initiatives that support those who refuse to fight: Get Lost, Farewell to Arms, InTransit, Russie-Libertés, Connection e.V., Citizen.Army.Law. Speakers outlined how Russia’s military conscription system works, how deserters escape army units and war zones, and why current international protections are failing.
Today, more than 2,400 people are in alternative civilian service in Russia, with the number of such decisions reaching 3,500 in 2024. But at the same time, the spring 2025 draft target is 160,000 people — a record high.
Conscripts are forced into contract service, often under threats and physical coercion. As Sergey Krivenko (Citizen.Army.Law) noted, “contract soldiers can’t resign” — their status is essentially involuntary.
Against this backdrop, desertion becomes not only survival, but a political act. Around 95% of objectors remain inside Russia — due to lack of documents, fear of deportation, or insecurity in neighboring countries. Since 2022, only six people have received humanitarian visas to the EU.
Still, support networks are growing. Get Lost helps deserters with severe injuries. InTransit supports those hiding in “buffer zone” countries. Speakers called on EU states to recognize desertion as political action and provide clear legal protection.
This session explored how anti-gender rhetoric has become part of authoritarian state strategies, both in Russia and parts of Europe. Participants — feminist and LGBTQ+ activists from Russia, including trans activists and regional feminist movements — discussed how gender-based repression is weaponized to distract from broader political and social failures. Despite facing different vulnerabilities, there is deep solidarity between feminist and queer movements.
Speakers shared strategies of resistance: sustaining local offline groups, creating “brave spaces”, mentorship, and peer support, especially for trans people in the regions. This unity is both a survival strategy and a political choice.
“The regime already recognized our common ground by targeting feminists and queer people together.”
The session also tackled tensions between those who stayed in Russia and those who left. Participants critiqued top-down models of help and emphasized peer-to-peer exchange as more ethical and sustainable. In today’s reality, “safe spaces” are rare — so participants called for “brave spaces”: places of courage and solidarity.
This session brought together politicians, researchers, and activists to reflect on how the rise of global authoritarianism is transforming the strategies of democratic actors — and where the Russian anti-war civil society fits in. Speakers included MEP Sergey Lagodinsky, Stefania Kulaeva (ADC Memorial), and Platforma activists.
The discussion began with a shared realization: “Many of us do not live in the world we thought was possible.”
Far-right radicalism in Europe and the USA, the consequences of “identity politics”, and militarization in Russia have all reshaped the field. Lagodinsky emphasized the need for unity, overcoming internal divisions, and breaking out of information bubbles. Kulaeva highlighted the importance of adapting human rights work and reaching beyond professional circles. Members from Platforma called for a more political, value-driven transnational civil society, with horizontal cooperation and resource awareness. Speakers shared examples of resilient movements from Denmark, Spain, and Chile, and ended with this message: don’t underestimate your own experience — especially the experience of surviving and organizing under repression. It is a resource we can share with our democratic partners in Europe.