Seven political parties, meeting on February 26 in Turkeyβs capital Ankara to discuss the creation of a democratic front, released a on the war in Ukraine.
The parties include the pro-Kurdish opposition Peoplesβ Democratic Party (HDP), which initiated the meeting, the Labour Party (EMEP), the Workersβ Party of Turkey (TΔ°P), the Labour Movement Party (EHP), the Social Freedom Party (TΓP) and the Federation of Socialist Assemblies and Peopleβs Houses.
The statement said: βThe capitalist system is not concerned with the welfare of humanity. It is likely to open the gates, for the interests of energy and arms monopolies, to a new war that will pitch people against each other in a fierce fight.
βThis is actually what is behind the war and invasion that followed the rising tensions in the Donbas between Ukraine and Russia.
βWe are not a party of the expansionist policies β the policies that defy peoplesβ will β of Russia, or NATO, led by the United States.
βWe reject the unjust wars and the calls for recruiting people to become parties in such wars. We are the parties of peace. We are on the same side with the people who have stood against war all over the world.β
The statement urged the Turkish administration not to be party in a conflict that is likely to trigger a βthird world warβ.
βWe warn the administration of the AKP [Justice and Development Party] which has been acting aggressively in recent years against neighbouring peoples and which has been in armed conflict with them,β it continued. βTurkey cannot be recruited to the war camp of either NATO nor Russia.β
The statement called upon the warring parties in Ukraine to cease armed conflict, and the forces of the invasion to draw back, adding:
βThe instructions issued by the parties of the war show that they have actually reached a level of insanity even to have their nuclear weapons ready for use. Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Vietnam and Halabja are the historical scenes of such brutality. We will not be silent in the face of such threats.β
[Abridged from .]