Atwood, Rushdie and Shafak sign PEN letter condemning 'senseless' Russian war on Ukraine

Margaret Atwood, Elif Shafak and Salman Rushdie are among authors who have signed an open letter released by PEN International condemning the "senseless" Russian invasion of Ukraine and calling for an immediate end to the bloodshed.

The letter, which was posted on the literary organisation’s website yesterday evening (27th February), has been signed by more than 1,000 writers worldwide. 

It follows widespread statement of condemnation of Russian actions, as international trade bodies issued statements standing in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. 

The letter states: "Putin’s war is an attack on democracy and freedom, not just in Ukraine but around the world. We stand united in calling for peace and for an end to the propaganda that is fuelling the violence."

As well as Atwood, Shafak and Rushdie, other signatories include Olga Tokarczuk, Anthony Doerr, Jonathan Franzen, Aleksandar Hemon, Siri Hustvedt, Yann Martel, Joyce Carol Oates, Orhan Pamuk, Maria Ressa, Colm Toibin, Tsitsi Dangarembga and Ludmila Ulitskaya. 

The letter in full: 

To our friends and colleagues in Ukraine,

We, writers around the world, are appalled by the violence unleashed by Russian forces against Ukraine and urgently call for an end to the bloodshed.

We stand united in condemnation of a senseless war, waged by President Putin’s refusal to accept the rights of Ukraine’s people to debate their future allegiance and history without Moscow’s interference.

We stand united in support of writers, journalists, artists, and all the people of Ukraine, who are living through their darkest hours. We stand by you and feel your pain.

All individuals have a right to peace, free expression, and free assembly. Putin’s war is an attack on democracy and freedom not just in Ukraine but around the world.

We stand united in calling for peace and for an end to the propaganda that is fuelling the violence.

There can be no free and safe Europe without a free and independent Ukraine.

Peace must prevail.