UWC President to join ‘People’s March’ in Rome

Ukrainian World Congress President Paul Grod will join the “People’s March” in Rome on July 13 that is meant to draw attention to Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine and will take place after the Ukraine Recovery Conference that is scheduled for July 10–11.

“We invite all Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine to take part! Let’s not be discouraged by the heat — our Heroes endure far worse under bombardment in the trenches! Let’s not get distracted by daily routines or vacations — saving Ukraine is our highest duty right now,” said march organizer Oles Horodetskyy, leader of the Christian Association of Ukrainians in Italy.

Horodetskyy added that the voice of the Ukrainian community in the free world is especially important now, amid “declining international attention to Russian aggression against Ukraine and a partial decrease in support from allies.”

The organizers added that “Russia, the terrorist state, continues its criminal war of aggression against Ukraine — a war that began with the illegal annexation of Crimea on February 20, 2014, and escalated into a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022 — the largest war in Europe in the past 80 years.” 

Every night, hundreds of Russian drones and dozens of cruise and ballistic missiles rain down on Ukrainian towns and villages, bringing death and destruction.

“The Armed Forces of Ukraine are showing the world extraordinary heroism in defending their homeland. Ukraine’s best sons and daughters are giving their lives to stop the aggressor,” the organizers said.

The march seeks to further put a spotlight on the crimes of fascist Russia in Ukraine and raise awareness within Italian society about Moscow’s unprovoked and criminal aggression.

“Join us and take a stand against Russian terror — and for a free, united Ukrainian state! […] For the abducted Ukrainian children! For the Armed Forces of Ukraine! For Ukraine!” the organizers said.

On July 12, Rome’s St. Sophia Cathedral will host the Forum of Ukrainians in Italy — the first assembly of Ukrainian organizations in Italy since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The UWC delegation, led by Paul Grod, will also take part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on July 10–11.