UWC appreciates Unity following 3rd anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The Ukrainian World Congress extends heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who supported Ukraine to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and registered their events on UWC’s live, interactive map.

Together, Ukrainians and their friends held 1,123 events that spanned 78 countries.

Your efforts, display of solidarity, and support are vital for Ukraine. Participation in advocacy campaigns, mass demonstrations, volunteer work, and other initiatives play an essential role.

In unity, we show that Ukraine is backed by strong and dedicated friends across the globe. Your contribution is an integral part of our shared fight for peace and justice.

Major demonstrations took place in cities like London, Tel Aviv, Warsaw, Paris, Toronto, and Rome, with people from all corners of the globe displaying solidarity with Ukraine, demanding justice, and calling for support in its fight for freedom.

A major feature of the campaign events was the Global Alarm rally, designed to remind people of the air raid sirens that Ukrainians hear on a daily basis as Russian aerial attacks descend on their abodes. 

Ukrainian communities around the world sounded the alarms on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. local time  as a reminder of the ongoing war and a call to the world for action.

Europe

Estonia

A rally in support of Ukraine was held in Tallinn.

The United Kingdom

A mass rally was held at Trafalgar Square in London to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainians and their allies gathered to remind the world that this fight for survival continues, and the support of allies remains crucial.

UWC President Paul Grod delivered a speech at the event.

Bulgaria

A march in support of Ukraine took place through the center of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital.

A “Civic Assembly in Support of Ukraine” was also held in front of the Bulgarian President’s administration building.

Sweden

The Nordic Ukraine Forum organization helped organize a large rally in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital and biggest city.

“We are deeply grateful to all the ambassadors and diplomats who participated!” the organization said.

Hungary

“Budapest is not silent! We stand with Ukraine! Our main message: no peace agreements with Russia without Ukraine! Russians, go home!” said Jaroszlava Hartyányi, President of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations and UWC Second Vice President.

The rally in Budapest sounded calls for lasting peace and justice.

Spain

A large rally in support of Ukraine took place in Madrid, capturing the attention of both locals and the media. The event featured performances, prayers by priests, and speeches highlighting the importance of supporting Ukraine. It concluded with a march to Madrid’s City Hall, where participants expressed their confidence in Ukraine’s victory.

Yuri Chopyk, head of the Ukrainian community of Spain for the Rights, Honor, and Dignity of Ukrainians, thanked all those who supported the event, including diplomats, politicians, and activists.

A memorial and solidarity event for Ukraine took place in the center of Valencia to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with over 1,700 participants, on Feb. 24. The crowd unfurled a 13-meter Ukrainian flag, formed a human chain, held a car rally, and distributed informational leaflets.

Portugal

A rally in support of Ukraine took place in the capital of Lisbon, where Portuguese politicians voiced their strong support for Ukraine and condemned Russian aggression. The event was reported by Pavlo Sadokha, UWC Vice-President and Union of Ukrainians in Portugal President.

Italy

A rally and march were held in Rome’s square, organized by the Christian Association of Ukrainians in Italy. All attendees knelt in a solemn tribute to Ukraine’s fallen heroes during the event, as reported by the organization’s head, Oles Horodetskyy.

France

More than 10,000 people gathered in Paris for the #StandWithUkraine rally to show their support for Ukraine and unite in the fight for its victory, as reported by Volodymyr Kogutyak, UWC Vice President for Western Europe and Association of Ukrainians in France Vice President.

 North America

U.S.

Ukrainians in the U.S. staged a rally on Feb. 23 in downtown Washington, D.C., where UWC President Paul Grod delivered a speech.

Grod said that the primary goal of Ukrainians in the U.S. is to combat Russian disinformation, which aims to convince Americans that Ukraine cannot win and is to blame for the war. 

“The main message of this rally is that Ukraine will win, but we need your support because it’s in your interest. Over the past three years, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with $70 billion in military aid, a generous contribution. Ukraine has already destroyed half of Russia’s military forces,” Grod said, as reported by Voice of America.

Ukraine’s national blue-and-yellow colored flags were proudly displayed as hundreds gathered for a rally in support of Ukraine in Chicago. Rally goers called for continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine.

“If the United States fails Ukraine right now, it fails democracy, it fails the values that it stands for,” said Dr. Mariya Dmytriv-Kapeniak, president of the UCCA Illinois Division, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Canada

More than 15,000 people gathered for a rally in Canada’s most populous city of Toronto, as reported by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

“Your presence, your voices, and your dedication inspire hope and strength. Together, we show the world that Ukraine is not alone, and we will stand firm until victory!” said the organizers.

Mexico

Casa de Ucrania (Ukraine House) in Mexico gathered all those interested for an event that reminded the world that Ukraine’s fight continues.

South America

Brazil 

A rally took place in Curitiba, where Vitório Sorotiuk, President of the Ukrainian-Brazilian Central Representation, emphasized the critical need to support Ukraine and its right to peace and territorial integrity.

Sorotiuk pointed out that Russia’s war against Ukraine is an act of aggression that violates international law. He called for Russia to be held accountable for its crimes, including acts of aggression and genocide.

“We must unite all efforts to support Ukraine. Our goal is to fight for democracy, international norms, and for peace and sovereignty across all of Ukraine’s territory,” he said.

 

São Paulo

Commemorative events were held in São Paulo with the participation of Jorge Rybka, First Deputy of Vitório Sorotiuk, and the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in São Paulo.

The rally was attended by the Consul Generals of Lithuania, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Lebanon, Finland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and France, as well as representatives from the Governor of São Paulo’s office and Father Yosafat, a priest of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in São Paulo.

Africa

South Africa

Ukrainians and South Africans gathered in Cape Town to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, honor the victims, and call for justice and lasting peace for Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Association of South Africa.

Australia and Oceania

Australia

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO) reported large rallies in Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, and Brisbane, with events continuing in other major cities across the country.

“Today, we commemorate three years since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and more than a decade of Russian aggression,” the AFUO said.

At a rally in Melbourne, Nataliya Poshyvaylo-Towler, UWC Vice President for Southern and Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Türkiye, and Lebanon, stressed the urgent need to return Ukrainian children deported by Russia.

“Peace is impossible without holding Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova accountable in a criminal court and ensuring the return of Ukrainian children to their homes,” she said.

New Zealand

Auckland joined the UWC’s Global Alarm initiative. The Ukrainian community sounded the air raid siren as a reminder to the world of the ongoing war and a call to action.

“For millions of Ukrainians, the sound of an air raid alarm isn’t just background noise – it dictates life itself. It decides whether children go to school, whether families can sleep, whether people live or die. It’s relentless. It’s the sound of a war that hasnt stopped since 2014, but intensified in 2022,” the organizers said.

The community also expressed gratitude to New Zealand for its new sanctions package against Russia.

Asia

UAE

A memorial event was held in Abu Dhabi, as reported by Yevheniy Semenov, UWC Vice President for Middle East and Central Asia.

“I sincerely thank everyone who joined us in Abu Dhabi on February 24, coming together from different corners of the UAE. Let us be Ukrainians. Let us remember the price for our people. Let us unite for the future,” he said.