UWC GREETINGS ON THE OCCASION OF THE INDEPENDENCE DAY OF UKRAINE

Dear Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine!

On behalf of the Ukrainian World Congress, I welcome all Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine on this 31st anniversary of the renewal of Ukraine’s independence.  31 years ago, the dream of many generations of Ukrainians came true.  Unfortunately, Ukraine’s independence is once again threatened by Russia’s military aggression and imperial ambitions. 

Today, Ukraine is being ravaged on a daily basis by Russia’s missles and rockets, her land is soaked in the blood of her heroes and the tears of their mothers.  Six months since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people have been defending their families from Russia’s terror.  We are witnessing with our own eyes what terrible evil our forefathers fought against for many generations.  This Russian chauvinism Ukraine is experiencing today, attempted to eradicate the Ukrainian people during the Holodomor 90 years ago and then through the cultural and linguistic Russification of the Soviet Union.  

As we commemorate the 31st anniversary of independence, we thank everyone who supports Ukraine and we call upon the international community to provide Ukraine with more weapons and Russia with more sanctions!  The Russian people must bare full criminal and economic responsibilities for their crimes.  We must designate Russia as a terrorist state.

Today we bow our heads to all the brave defenders of Ukraine. I call on everyone who supports Ukraine and her people to stand up, never give up and ask yourself each day, how am I going to make a difference today to help the Ukrainian people be victorious!

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to her heroes!