From January 22nd to 23rd Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine joined forces to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian World Congress with the hashtag #StandWithUkraine. This action coincides with the Day of Unity in Ukraine.
Recently, organizations affiliated with the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) have been advocating for Ukraine in their home countries, writing letters to political leaders and heads of state, and organizing meetings with officials. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) sought to bring public support to representatives in the U.S. Senate and from Congress. Attached is a broad campaign video created by the UCCA for American media.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) has been working diligently with Canadian Members of Parliament to publicly support Ukraine within Canada and speaking to leading media outlets. Recent polling conducted by the UCC shows that 4 out of 5 Canadians supported increasing aid to Ukraine for protecting its territorial sovereignty.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO) and Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) have also worked to secure support from their respective governments. In addition, many protests and rallies against Russian aggression in Ukraine have occurred in many capital cities between January 22nd and 23rd.
The new president of the European Congress of Ukrainians (ECU) wrote a letter to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in support of Ukraine.
“100 years ago, Ukrainians gained their dream independence, but could not maintain it. Today, we Ukrainians must not only persevere but also win to stop the aggressor who threatens the entire democratic world. And we can do this only in unity. Ukraine, we stand together. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to heroes!” said UWC President Paul Grod in his statement on Ukraine’s Day of Unity. He also commented on the UWC’s advocacy activities on the television channel Ukraїna 24.
Germany: On January 22nd, 2022, Ukrainians in Berlin held a rally to support the initiatives of the Ukrainian World Congress to support Ukraine. Lyudmila Mlosh, head of the Central Union of Ukrainians in Germany called upon world governments to provide security assistance for Ukraine, to suspend the Nord Stream II pipeline, and to impose tough sanctions against the Russian Federation, using the hashtag #StopPutinNow to call for an end to the war in Ukraine and admit Ukraine into the European Union and NATO.
Rostyslav Sukennyk, head of the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Germany, also joined the video address to the world community in support of Ukraine.
Hungary: The Ukrainian community in Hungary gathered for a rally and prayed for Ukraine at the Church of St. Ephraim. “Happy Unity Day Ukraine! Budapest with the Ukrainian people! Today we prayed for Ukraine! We are with you, dear Ukrainians!” said Yaroslava Khortyani, Chair of the Ukrainian Culture Society in Hungary and a member of the UWC Board of Directors.
Estonia: On the Day of Unity for Ukraine, Professor Yevgen Sinkevych, Ph.D. History, presented at the Tallinn Center of Ukrainian Culture. The topic of discussion was the unity of Ukrainian lands and people. Vira Konyk, The Chairman of the Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia, shares more at this link.
Portugal: A march in support of Ukraine went live on CNN Portugal. “Dozens of Ukrainians with “SayYestoUkraine” slogans gathered in the central square of Lisbon (Commercial Square) and unfurled a huge national flag. The action was broadcast live on CNN Portugal, where the main message was: “Ukraine needs real support (weapons).” “This is not a war between Russia and Ukraine, this is a war of the Putin regime against the democratic world,” said Pavlo Sadokha, the event organizer, UWC regional Vice President, head of the Union of Ukrainians in Portugal.
Czechia: Ukrainians and their friends formed a “living chain” in support of Ukraine.
France: French friends and partners joined the action on the Day of Unity. A Holy Liturgy for Peace in Ukraine was hosted at the Cathedral of St. Volodymyr and was officiated by Bishop Hlib Lonchyna. Afterward, a few solemn speeches were presented, wreaths were laid at the foot of the bust of Taras Shevchenko, and the Ukrainian National Anthem was performed
Great Britain: The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain in Derby held a demonstration for the support of Ukraine. Local Ukrainian dancers from the Hoverla Ensemble joined in the action with their families. On January 23rd. the Ukrainian community in Manchester also had an event with guests. You can see the attached photos from the event.
Argentina: On January 22nd, the Day of Unity of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Central Representation in Argentina, together with the Embassy of Ukraine in Argentina, to hold an event in front of the monument to Taras Shevchenko. Those present include Father Nazariy Kashchak, pastor of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cathedral, representatives of Ukrainian Plast in Argentina, the Taras Shevchenko Foundation, the Ukrainian Society “Renaissance”, the Ukrainian Cultural Society “Enlightenment”, the Organization of Ukrainian Women “Renaissance”, the Union of Ukrainian Women of Argentina, the Women’s Association “Enlightenment”, the Society of Ukrainian-Argentinean Alumni, the Ukrainian-Argentine Chamber of Commerce, among others.
USA. New York: On January 22nd, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America organized a mass protest against Russian aggression in support of Ukraine, which garnered lots of media attention, including in Ukraine on channels like Voice of America and Ukraїna 24.
USA. Chicago: The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Makarova, Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago Serhiy Koledov, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Danny Davis, among other guests, spoke in favour of supporting Ukraine on January 23rd. Details here.
Canada: Despite COVID-19 restrictions, many rallies across Canada were held in support of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) also launched a broad information campaign online.
Australia: Actions for the Day of Unity in Ukraine on January 22nd and calls for supporting Ukraine happened in Australia’s largest cities Melbourne and Sydney among others. More information can be seen on a Facebook post by UWC First Vice President Stefan Romaniw.
More videos and photos from various actions can be seen on the UWC’s Instagram page. and Facebook page.
