This is not the first time that an attempt has been made to distort the KKE’s crystal-clear position on the imperialist war in Ukraine and to use it for the benefit of one side or the other in the imperialist conflict.
Both sides of the conflict are therefore trying to classify the KKE as belonging to the “opposing camp”. While apologists for the Russian bourgeoisie attempt to portray those who do not support the unacceptable Russian invasion of Ukraine as supporters of the EU, the US and NATO, apologists for the crimes of Euro-Atlantic imperialism are similarly trying to portray the KKE as part of the “Kremlin faction”. This was recently attempted by the website “The Insider”, which is based in Latvia and publishes in English and Russian, at the expense of KKE MEP Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, trying to falselyportray him together with other MEPs as supporters of the opposing - that is, the Russian - side in the imperialist conflict. In fact, this article's despicable headline goes beyond the bounds of provocation, as it even mentions meetings with Russian spies: “The Kremlin’s faction in the European Parliament: Meet the MEPs still traveling to Russia to meet politicians, officials and even spies.”
In Greece, we are, of course, well aware of the extent to which ideological “brainwashing” has taken hold in Latvia and the other Baltic countries. Even though 35 years have passed since the dissolution of the USSR and countless anti-communist “smear campaigns” have been directed at the people, communist parties remain banned, symbols of the communist movement and the USSR are prohibited, and local Nazi collaborators - the Baltic SS Legions - are historically vindicated. This campaign of slander and distortion against the KKE therefore comes as no surprise to us, given that bourgeois “democracy” in Latvia ruthlessly suppresses any dissenting opinion regarding NATO and the EU. Historical revisionism has even reached the point where the Salaspils concentration camp, in which 100.000 people lost their lives, is presented by today's Latvian ruling circles as a “work education camp” in a publication funded by the US Embassy in Latvia.
However, since everything written on the internet remains accessible and can be read in many countries, let us make this clear once again: The KKE has not faced - nor will it face- the dilemma of choosing a camp between imperialists - thieves; it stands with the peoples and against imperialist war, and of course against the ongoing military preparation in the EU.
The KKE has made it clear that the conflict in Ukraine between the U.S., the EU and NATO on the one hand, and capitalist Russia on the other, is an imperialist war on both sides, with the “spoils” being energy production facilities and transport routes, other wealth-producing sources, geopolitical footholds, market shares, etc.
From the outset, the KKE condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and characterized it as unacceptable, while at the same time highlighting the grave responsibilities of Euro-Atlantic imperialism and its intervention in Ukraine since 2014 as a factor that ignited the powder keg that led to the armed conflict.
It noted that the root cause of this war lies in the overthrow of socialism, and the restoration of capitalism, which is driving two peoples - the peoples of Ukraine and Russia, who lived in peace and achieved great things during the years of socialism - to shed their blood for foreign, capitalist interests.
Members of Parliament and MEPs of the KKE in both the national and European Parliaments voted against the war and, of course, against all war credits for the Zelenskiy regime, the military aid that is “adding fuel to the fire” of the war.
The KKE is actively fighting for the disengagement of our country from war, against the transfer of military equipment from Greece to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian soldiers by Greek Armed Forces officers.
KKE members and cadres within workers’ unions and the pro-peace, anti-imperialist movement are at the forefront of the anti-imperialist struggle. They block trains and convoys of military equipment bound for the front lines; they fight for the closure of U.S.-NATO bases that are turning our country into a launching pad for war, putting our people in grave danger. They lead the demands of the working class and the people of our country, who declare: “No sacrifices for the slaughterhouses of war - give money for the people’s needs, for education and health.”
We are intensifying the struggle for thedisengagement ofour country from imperialist plans and alliances, with the people in power, and we are certain that our voice will be heard all the way to Latvia. We will make sure of that.