This was reported by US Ukrainian Activists.
Representatives of the Ukrainian community in the United States, American volunteers, supporters of Ukraine and servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine joined the event. The participants jointly planted dozens of sunflowers near the Russian Embassy. According to the organizers, this year at least 75 seedlings were prepared for the event, and last year about 100 sunflowers were planted during a similar event.
Акцію організували активісти благодійної організації US Ukrainian Activists (USUA). Організатори наголошують, що соняшник став символом незламності українського народу, підтримки військових, волонтерів та всіх, хто працює заради перемоги України. Кожна висаджена квітка має нагадувати про ціну війни та важливість міжнародної солідарності.
“The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine, and it symbolizes Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and independence,” said USUA President Nadiya Shaporynska.
“It symbolizes Ukraine’s struggle, its resilience and sends a very clear signal to Russia that the spirit of Ukraine is indomitable. It cannot be broken, and Ukraine will fight until every centimeter of its territory is liberated,” she added.
Among the participants of the event was former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova, who currently works as an advisor to the President’s Office for Reconstruction and Investment. She emphasized that the action demonstrates the unity of Ukrainians, diaspora organizations and American allies who continue to support Ukraine.
“As an ambassador, I have had the honor of supporting the event since 2022, and we do it every year. Now I am glad to be back in Washington for a few weeks and to join as a private individual,” Markarova said.
She also called the sunflower a symbol of Ukraine and noted that the annual event is a reminder to both Russian diplomats and the international community.
“We want to show the representatives of the evil empire here once again that we will not give up, we will defend our country. These beautiful sunflowers are a reminder of Ukrainian resilience, and also that we must win,” Markarova emphasized.
According to participants, during the event, drivers passing by honked their horns in support, and volunteers planted flowers and waved Ukrainian flags.
“It is very nice to be here and see people honking their horns in support. We are spending this time together so that the Russian embassy realizes that Ukraine is definitely not forgotten and still has a lot of support here. It is nice that so many people who are passing by are signaling us,” said Sheila Ward, a supporter of Ukraine.
The event was also joined by Benjamin Wittes, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a regular participant in the action.
“The fact that we have to do this for the fifth time – I am incredibly moved by the fact that people continue to come year after year. But it would be wrong of me not to point out that it is actually a tragedy that we have to do this year after year, and that this symbolic action remains necessary,” he said.
The final element of the event was the projection of Ukrainian symbols onto the Russian embassy building, created by Benjamin Wittes.
Organizers note that for the fifth consecutive year, the sunflowers planted in front of the Russian Embassy remain a powerful symbol of Ukraine's resilience, courage, and unwavering determination to remain free and independent. Each flower symbolizes hope, memory, and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, and reminds us that Ukraine continues to fight for its future.
Photo: US Ukrainian Activists, Suspilne
Author: Danylo Pievchev