On 9th of June 2014, PEN International conference on Russian/Ukrainian dialogue was held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Russian and Ukrainian PEN affirmed their unity against the waves of propaganda destroying the language of public discussion.

At the gathering of writers organized PEN International and Swedish PEN, Ludmila Ulitskaya, vice-president of Russian PEN, spoke of “the lies poisoning minds which have no other sources of information” and Aleksandra Hnatiuk, from Ukrainian PEN, of “propaganda designed to create enemies.”

"In times of actual and threatened violence PEN believes that channels of public discussion must be kept open. Pen International President", John Ralston Saul, said, “This is not about deals done out of sight, but the ability of people to talk to each other in public.”

Photo (left to right): Ola Larsmo (President Swedish PEN), Aleksandra Hnatiuk (Board Ukrainian PEN), John Ralston Saul (President PEN International), Ludmila Ulitskaya (Vice-president Russian PEN), Ola Wallin (International Secretary Swedish PEN). © Cato Lein

See also: Russia 'using words to destroy meaning', say writers. Group of authors including two Nobel laureates condemns Russian Federation's 'waves of propaganda' against free expression