Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations were held in Chicago. The Ukrainian community used the event to protest against Russia and marched, condemning the Kremlin’s demand to hand over the Donbas to Russia. Local residents of Ukrainian origin emphasize that concessions in the form of the loss of territories are unacceptable and contradict Ukraine’s sovereignty.
This was reported by Chicago Tribune.
“It sounds like a threat to me, because my family is still there. It’s like saying, ‘Please cut off your hand and give it to us,’” said Olena Konovalyuk of Chicago, who was forced to leave Luhansk in 2014 after the city was captured by Russian forces. She emphasized that even in the region under occupation, there are people with a pro-Ukrainian position who do not want to return to Moscow’s rule.
During the march, Ukrainians and Americans chanted together, “Ukraine must be in NATO. Donbas is Ukraine. Freedom for all of us.”
Член управи Іллінойського відділення УККА Лілія Попович заявила:
“We know we cannot accept this. We paid too high a price for this land. We will never give up our independence. Freedom is the greatest value for us.”
Participants in the event also criticized US President Donald Trump’s policy for his meeting with Putin in Anchorage, during which the Russian leader was greeted on the red carpet despite an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest. “An American soldier rolled out the red carpet for a war criminal,” Popovych said indignantly.
Other community members also spoke out.
“I fear I will never see Luhansk again,” says Konovalyuk, whose family still lives under occupation with a lack of water, medicine, and quality education. “People there are not ready to just be loyal.”
And Skokie resident Svitlana Halko added: “If you give part of Ukraine to Russia, the rest of the country will not be safe either. It will only whet the Kremlin’s appetite.”
University of Chicago political scientist Dick Farkas emphasized that the Ukrainian Constitution does not allow any politician to give up territory:
“I don’t think any leader, Zelensky or anyone else, would accept that. It’s just not an option.”
The Chicago community emphasized that Ukraine’s independence, gained in 1991, is too precious to make concessions to an aggressor.
“We will never surrender. Force is the only language they understand,” Popovych said.
Photo: Chicago Tribune
Author: Danylo Pievchev