Dozens of American cities held rallies in support of Ukraine demanding that the agreement, which effectively legitimizes Russian aggression and forces Kyiv to agree to Russian conditions, not be passed. The largest rallies were held in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, New York, and Boston.
This was reported by Stand With Ukraine Foundation, Ukrainian Daughters Foundation, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Division and others.
The wave of demonstrations was triggered by the American 28-point “peace plan” that was discussed at talks in Geneva between representatives of the United States and Ukraine. Despite officials’ statements about “some progress,” the details of the plan have caused considerable concern among the Ukrainian and Ukrainian-American communities.
Recall that the plan requires Ukraine to give up even more territory in the east, effectively handing Russia control over almost 20% of the country. Kyiv must also agree to limit the size of its armed forces to 600,000 troops and commit to never joining NATO. Russian President Putin has already welcomed the proposal. President Trump, in turn, noted that “this is not a final proposal” and hinted at the possibility of further negotiations.
“Today we have made significant progress. This was the best day in all 10 months of our work on these issues,” said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after meetings in Geneva.
At the same time, the Ukrainian state and communities in the US call it unacceptable. So on Sunday, dozens of Ukrainians, Ukrainian Americans and their friends held a large rally in Chicago, calling the agreement “shameful.”
“Ukraine stands firm. Ukrainians stand firm in Chicago, and we will not allow the U.S. government to force us to surrender. We are a nation fighting for peace and freedom. We are extremely close to the values that the United States has always professed. And now we cannot retreat. America must support us,” said Zoryana Smozhanyk, president of the Ukrainian Daughters Foundation.
Adding to the symbolism of the protest in Chicago was the fact that the rally coincided with a memorial service for the victims of the Holodomor.
“The plan that will force Ukrainians to accept the occupation of almost 20% of Ukraine is to accept torture, murder, rape, and the destruction of the person. The Holodomor – the deliberate famine inflicted on Ukrainians under Russian occupation almost a century ago – remains a wound carried through generations… History is repeating itself in real time. We cannot allow this to happen,” the Ukrainian Congressional Committee of America (UCCA Illinois Division) and the Ukrainian Daughters Foundation stressed.
“As we commemorate the millions of Ukrainians killed by Stalin’s artificial famine, a deliberate attempt to break a nation through hunger and terror, this story reminds us that when authoritarian regimes attempt to wipe out an entire people, the world cannot turn a blind eye. Today, as Putin wages another brutal campaign against Ukraine, we cannot repeat the mistakes of the past and cannot allow Trump to force Ukraine to accept a false ‘peace’ dictated by Moscow,” said Congressman and Co-Chair of the Ukrainian Caucus in the US Congress Mike Quigley, who also joined the event.
Stand With Ukraine Foundation held a separate emergency rally in Beverly Hills titled “A Just Peace for Ukraine.” The event was co-organized by Globe 4 Ukraine and the American Coalition for Ukraine (ACU).
“Peace cannot be built on coercion or impunity. Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine is defending its right to exist. The world must say so clearly,” local activists said.
Protesters stressed that the promoted compromises undermine international law, endanger the security of the United States and its allies, and set a dangerous precedent for the entire world.
Moreover, it was the ACU — which unites more than 45 Ukrainian and American civic organizations across the country — that initiated nationwide synchronized protests under the slogan “APPEASEMENT IS NOT PEACE,” with a single message: the United States must not pressure Ukraine into accepting an unjust deal dictated by Moscow.
The organizers of the rallies call on people to contact their congressmen, senators, and the White House, emphasizing that Ukrainians in the United States do not support any concessions to the aggressor.
“Please use your most powerful weapon – your voice. Call your representatives. Work for a just peace that does not legitimize cruelty,” the organizers concluded.
Photo: Sean Nugent, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Division
Author: Inna Mikhno