MOSCOW, August 20 (RIA Novosti) - The conflict in Ukraine should come to an end, and 16 Russian, Ukrainian and international business leaders are willing to help, said a statement published Wednesday on Virgin Group founder Richard Branson’s website.
“As concerned business leaders from Russia, Ukraine and the West we encourage our governments to compromise and find a peaceful solution to the current conflict. If we can help in the process we’re happy to do so,” the statement said.
“As the world has become more and more interconnected, we have an opportunity to advance peaceful solutions that will bring about a better future for all. As responsible leaders, we must ensure that differences are resolved peacefully, through dialogue and diplomacy, and with respect for both national sovereignty and the right of all human beings to live in peace,” the statement read.
The businessmen urged the governments to cooperate to avoid slipping back into the Cold War era past. The statement also appealed to other business leaders around the world to help create ways to resolve the issues peacefully.
“Conversations, not armed conflict are critical at this juncture,” the statement said.
The document was signed by Richard Branson himself, Unilever CEO Paul Polman, eBay founder Jeff Skoll, Svyaznoy Group CEO Dennis Ludkovsky, Foodline Group founder Maxim Ivanov, Paypal co-founder Max Levchin, WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum, and several others.
