Dozens of activists with Ukrainian flags gathered in West Palm Beach on the bridge to the Mar-a-Lago residence to express support for Ukraine on the eve of the meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald J. Trump. The action took place in the format of a peaceful rally.
This was reported Ukrainian Association of Florida (UAF).
“Peace, not surrender” - this was the message with which the activists took to the bridge leading to Mar-a-Lago.
As reported, the organizers of the action were the Ukrainian Association of Florida in partnership with local Ukrainian leaders and supporters of Ukraine.
In particular, activists called on the US administration to sign a legally binding Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and Ukraine, which provides security guarantees and opens up military, technological and economic opportunities for both countries. Key demands also include the immediate return of about 20,000 abducted Ukrainian children and any settlement that does not legitimize Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories.
According to the founder of the Ukrainian Association of Florida, Dmytro Bozhko, the main goal of the rally is to convey that any agreements should be based solely on international law. He emphasized that security guarantees are non-negotiable.
“We cannot trust Russia. My hometown has been occupied since 2014. We have seen numerous treaties and agreements with Russia – and they have violated everything without proper enforcement,” he added.
It was also noted that part of the Ukrainian community in Florida is afraid to participate in public actions due to unstable immigration status, however, according to the organizers, it is no longer possible to remain silent - especially at a time when key diplomatic decisions are being made literally nearby.
“Since we are here, we cannot just sit and watch. We must act. We must help those in power see what the right decision is,” Bozhko emphasized.
As a result, the Ukrainian Association of Florida stated that the action achieved all its goals. In particular, extensive media coverage was provided - from local, Ukrainian and international media, including the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse, as well as public visibility of support for the Ukrainian delegation on the eve of the meeting.
“The Ukrainian and American communities united in West Palm Beach near Mar-a-Lago to express support for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky. This rally was organized on extremely short notice, with almost no time to prepare, but the unity, energy and dedication of our community made it truly powerful,” the UAF noted.
It is noted that the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, driving a motorcade past the site of the action, published a video in solidarity with the rally participants.
“Our presence mattered. Our voices were heard,” the Ukrainian Association of Florida summarized.
Photos and video: Dmytro Bozhko, Anastasiia Maltseva, Anton Matviienko
Author: Inna Mikhno