On February 26, 2026, marking four years since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s two largest trade union confederations – the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU) and the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU) – with the support of Labor Initiatives, jointly organized an international solidarity event dedicated to this anniversary.
The gathering brought together presidents of national trade union centers, union leaders from across Ukraine, alongside representatives of employers’ organizations and government institutions. Together, they spoke candidly about the current state of Ukraine’s workforce, highlighting the immense challenges workers face under wartime conditions — from safety risks and displacement to economic instability and the lack of labor rights protection.
The international dimension of the event underscored that Ukraine is not alone.
Messages of solidarity and support were delivered by leading figures of the global trade union movement, including ITUC and ETUC General Secretaries. Their voices were joined by representatives of trade union centers from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France, the United States, and other countries.
The event served not only as a moment of reflection but also as a strong reaffirmation of global solidarity with Ukrainian workers – a reminder that even in the darkest times, unity, dignity, and collective strength remain unwavering.
