Russia loses participation in European Tree of the Year due to invasion of Ukraine

We, organizers of the ETY are appalled by the aggression of the Russian Federation, which has militarily invaded neighbouring Ukraine.

We therefore join the activities aimed at the international isolation of Russia

With immediate effect, we are putting the Russian Federation out of the running for the international European Tree of the Year contest.

This move is not directed against ordinary Russian women and men. We appreciate all active citizens of the Russian Federation who strive for a free civil society and the protection of nature. However, we cannot stand idly by and watch the unprecedented aggression of the Russian leadership against a neighbouring country. The exclusion of Russia from the competition is a step that must be understood in the context of international efforts to isolate Russia in order to stop the war.