Three years have passed since russia attacked Ukraine, causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians and sending nearly a million of its own soldiers to their graves. Across the United States, rallies and marches held by Ukrainian communities demonstrated the nation’s unity at what may be the most challenging time for Ukraine.
In San Francisco’s Harry Bridges Plaza, not far from the Embarcadero waterfront, hundreds of Ukrainians and their friends gathered to mark the third anniversary of russia’s full-scale invasion. Despite being thousands of kilometers from the epicenter of the fighting, the speeches resonated with the same notes of pain, resolve, and anxiety about an uncertain future that people in Ukraine itself are experiencing today.
Dozens of blue-and-yellow flags flew over the plaza, alongside posters calling for action and photographs of ruined Ukrainian cities. Speakers commemorated those who died or were forced to flee their homes.
“It’s an immense comfort for me to see so many like-minded people,” said Iryna Anpilohova, a member of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America and one of the event’s organizers. “It means we are continuing our shared struggle and have not lost faith in Ukraine’s freedom.”
Participants emphasized that international support — chiefly from the United States — plays a key role in resisting Russian aggression. However, they expressed growing concern over political statements by former President Donald Trump. In one of those statements, he claimed that Washington has “spent $500 billion on Ukraine.”
“That figure is unrealistic,” explains James Godson, founder of the Svidok.org platform and a participant in the rally. “Our economists at Berkeley have calculated that the actual value of the aid provided to Ukraine is around $51.3 billion, and that’s not ‘cash transfers’ but predominantly military equipment, humanitarian shipments, and training support. That’s ten times less than what Trump claims, and talking about any sort of corrupt deals is simply groundless.”
Nataliia Hoshylik, who teaches Ukrainian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, worries about the confusion prevailing among Ukrainians, but remains optimistic: “It’s extremely important for us not to lose America’s support. We are confident that Americans will stand shoulder to shoulder with us against the aggressor — russia. Still, President Trump’s rhetoric raises doubts about the firmness of such support.”
Among the American activists who spoke at the rally, the prevailing view was that if the world fails to help preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty, it will endanger the security of all of Europe and bolster russia’s ambitions. Participants stressed that this is not a local conflict but a global challenge to democracy.
Discussions also turned to the painful issue for many: the status of Ukrainian refugees in the United States. Many who arrived after 2022 remain in the country through the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program or under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The office of former President Joe Biden made this option available to Ukrainians, but the Trump administration recently halted new applications and hinted at a possible review of existing statuses.
Around 3:45 p.m., the crowd marched along the Embarcadero toward the famous Pier 39. Tourists paused to learn more, and some even joined in along the way.
“Trump treated you badly,” says Leslie, a local resident who approached to show support. “But America is big, and we won’t let anyone harm you. It’s part of our values.” Meanwhile, the Ukrainian national anthem and patriotic songs echoed through the march.
“When russia openly attacked in 2022, the world made its stance clear,” recalls Ed, who sells souvenirs on the waterfront. “And we’ve been reiterating that stance for three years now. Stopping this war is not solely Ukraine’s responsibility.”
Protesters underscore that the war is far from over — russian missiles, with renewed intensity, continue to destroy homes and claim lives. Symbolically, during these days, San Francisco and hundreds of other American cities have become hubs of Ukrainian solidarity. This is how democracy works: even if the U.S. government thinks otherwise, America itself keeps its word.
Author: Lukian Selskyi
We are grateful to Daniel Vegera for the photos. More on his page – https://danielvegera.com/