Today, on August 23, the Ukrainian World Congress joins with people around the world to pay tribute to the survivors and victims of Communism and Nazism in Europe. We also stand in solidarity with all those around the world who continue to fight against the brutality, violence, and repression of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes including Ukraine’s brave defenders fighting for the freedom and independence of their country against Russia’s atrocious full-scale invasion and genocidal war.
Black Ribbon Day marks the somber anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Signed between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in 1939 to divide Central and Eastern Europe, the infamous pact set the stage for the appalling atrocities these regimes would commit. The Soviet and Nazi regimes brought untold suffering upon people across Europe, as millions were senselessly murdered and denied their basic rights and dignity.
As commemoration events are taking place, Ukraine approaches sixth months of its modern war for independence. The horror and terror of World War II is happening again on Ukrainian soil. Russian Armed Forces are committing terrible war crimes and genocide in Ukraine, indiscriminately inflicting carnage on Ukrainian people, bombing peaceful cities, destroying critical infrastructure, residential buildings, schools, and hospitals.
“Today we cannot say “Never again” as we see dark times for freedom and human dignity have returned. We now witness the rise of authoritarian regimes worldwide, led by the heinous Putinist Russia, which is waging a war of aggression against Ukraine, trying to wipe out Ukrainian people and threatening the world with nuclear terrorism. The Russian dictator is glorifying the Stalinist era and dreams of crippling Trans-Atlantic unity and the rules-based international order to bring the world back into the times of colonialism and empires,” stated Paul Grod, UWC President.
“On Black Ribbon Day, we honor the victims and survivors of Communism and Nazism, and hope that the international community will heed the lessons of history and stand strong and united to stop the deadly terrorist Russia. We also once again call upon global leaders to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terror and provide Ukraine with the weapons and financial support necessary to push back the murderous Russian marauders,” Mr. Grod added.
