The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is deeply concerned for the safety of civilians
during the escalating conflict in Ukraine, a member country of the UPU.
Ever since its foundation, the UPU, as an intergovernmental organization, has played
a fundamental humanitarian role in helping to bring peoples and individuals together,
as well as its commitment to maintain international postal exchanges with or between
regions afflicted by disputes, disturbances, conflicts or wars. In effect, throughout the
years the postal sector has been responsible for delivering personal correspondence,
as well as essential goods and services, to millions of prisoners of war, civilian internees
and other vulnerable civilians during times of conflict; and this must be safeguarded.
In that regard, the UPU is following closely the developments in Ukraine in the wake of
the Russian Federation’s ongoing military actions towards that country, and reiterates
the various United Nations General Assembly resolutions.
Moreover, the safe and secure transport of postal items constitutes an imperative principle
which is duly enshrined in the Universal Postal Convention. The UPU therefore appeals
to all parties to protect Ukraine’s postal workers, their families, and the integrity of the
country’s postal infrastructure.
In the light of the above, the UPU continues to monitor the situation on the ground and
may confirm that, as of this date, the Ukrainian postal service remains open and ready
to serve the public despite a number of disruptions to its regular operations;
the Ukrainian Post has opened post offices in 20 regions in order to disburse pensions
and other benefits and also dispatch or receive letter-post items and parcels.
The UPU also takes this opportunity to express its appreciation to Latvia, Poland
and Slovakia, whose postal services are currently working in cooperation with
the Ukrainian Post in order to ensure that international postal exchanges with
that country are unhindered by the aforementioned military actions.
As stated above, the UPU remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted postal services
in such difficult times, and is ready to assist Ukraine and work with other UPU member
countries in order to ensure the continuation of such services, including the delivery
of humanitarian and medical supplies to and from Ukraine.
Last but not least, the UPU conveys its solidarity for the postal workers of Ukraine,
their families, and all civilians, and hopes for an immediate cessation of the hostilities.
UPU, March 4, 2022
