World rallies call for return of Ukraine children four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion

Today, Feb. 24, on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, thousands of voices are speaking out in support of Ukraine. Over the past week, people around the world have participated in solidarity events with Ukrainians.

The events have taken place as part of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) global campaign “Stand With Ukraine: Protect Future Generations”, supporting Ukrainian children affected by the Russian invasion. The initiative emphasizes the need to protect their rights, language, and culture.

So far, more than 1,100 events have taken place or are ongoing in 79 countries. The locations of the events can be seen on the UWC campaign’s online map.

The rallies aim to draw global attention to the return of kidnapped and forcibly displaced Ukrainian children and highlight that such actions by Russia are a systemic policy aimed at forced assimilation and ideological influence.

Ukrainian communities are more active than ever, despite fatigue from the war. This is particularly evident in the U.S., Germany, Canada, Italy, and France, where the largest number of events occurs around Feb. 24.

At the same time, trends are changing: Ukrainians are more united, moving to larger cities, and concentrating around regional centers and capitals. While last year activities covered over 700 cities, this year they reach almost 600. In addition, the total number of events in 2026 has surpassed the levels of 2024-2025.

The UWC is providing live text coverage of this year’s events so the world can follow the campaign and support Ukrainian children in their fight for their future.

Australia

A large rally took place in Sydney, reported Kateryna Argyrou, the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sydney, and head of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO).

Europe

Finnish parliamentarians, from right to left and across party lines, unanimously confirmed their strong support for Ukraine, emphasizing that it is conducting a justified defensive fight against Russia’s illegal and brutal war, defending all of Europe and freedom. “Finland stands with Ukraine now and in the future,” they said.

In Lisbon on Feb. 22, hundreds of Ukrainians took part in a rally and march under the slogan “The Only Path to Peace is Victory” to remind the world of Russia’s aggression and call for the protection of Ukrainian children’s rights, reported Pavlo Sadokha, Vice President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) for Southern Europe and President of the Union of Ukrainians in Portugal (UUP).

Participants carried blue-and-yellow flags and posters, highlighting the need to support Ukraine, attract international partners’ attention, and continue assistance to stop the war.

At an event in Budapest on Feb. 22, one of the leaders of the Ukrainian community in Hungary, President of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations (WFUWO) and Second Vice President of the UWC, Jaroszlava Hartyányi, addressed the participants.

In Dublin on Feb. 22, hundreds gathered for a peace march and rally marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, wrote organizers Ukrainian Action in Ireland. Ukrainians in Ireland, diplomatic representatives, Irish politicians, and friends of Ukraine stood side by side in solidarity.

“On behalf of of Ukrainians in the Republic of Ireland, thank you to every community that stood together. Our unity is needed now more than ever — in Ireland, in Europe, across the world. Together we are strong,” said the organizers.

In Rome on Feb. 22, a large rally and public march took place, attended by Ukrainians, diplomatic representatives, and Italian politicians, said Oles Horodetskyy, who chairs the Christian Association of Ukrainians in Italy.

The event included a memorial for the fallen, children’s performances and music, a flash mob by Plast Rome, speeches by Italian parliamentarians and activists, and concluded with a march through central Rome to the Lateran Basilica. The political segment opened with a speech by European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno, a great friend of Ukraine, who spoke live from Brussels.

On Feb. 23, another large rally and march in support of Ukraine took place in the Italian capital, with the city adorned in blue-and-yellow flags, reported the Embassy of Ukraine in Italy. 

In Barcelona on Feb. 22, a large demonstration in support of Ukraine gathered at least 1,500 people, confirmed local authorities. The President of the Parliament of Catalonia and other officials attended. The event became one of the largest solidarity actions with Ukraine in Spain, reported the Union of Ukrainian Associations in Spain ‘KRAI’.

In Bilbao on Feb. 22, hundreds of people took part in a solidarity action for Ukraine. Participants demonstrated unity and support for the Ukrainian people, called for a just peace, condemned the forced deportation of children, and reminded the world of the need to protect freedom and remember the victims of the war.

 

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Допис, поширений Asociación Ucrania-Euskadi / Асоціація Україна-Країна Басків (@asociacionucraniaeuskadi)

At Puerta del Sol in Madrid on Feb. 22, the Ukrainian national anthem was played and a prayer was held for defenders and the fallen. Participants stressed that this war is not only about Ukraine’s survival but about the future of all Europe.

En la Puerta del Sol ha sonado de nuevo el himno de Ucrania. Se ha rezado por los defensores y los caídos, y hemos escuchado a los representantes de las asociaciones y ucranianas en España. También ha hablado el embajador de Suecia, pero ningún representante político español… pic.twitter.com/o8LkEKi1R0

— Álvaro Peñas (@penas_alvaro) February 22, 2026

In Brussels on Feb. 23, the “Solidarity with Ukraine” event took place on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, reports Ukrinform. Organized by the Ukrainian community and Ukrainian Voices, it combined symbolic projections of Ukrainian colors and highlighted Brussels’ ongoing support for Ukraine in areas such as schools, hospitals, and cultural institutions.

In Ankara on Feb. 23, a 170-meter Ukrainian flag displaying the faces of soldiers in Russian captivity or missing in action was unfurled.

In Milan on Feb. 22, a large march and rally in support of Ukraine took place, organizers – the UaMi association – wrote. 

Hundreds of Ukrainians, Italian friends of Ukraine, and diplomatic representatives and politicians marched through the city center, demonstrating solidarity with Ukraine’s fight for independence.

“We cannot bring back those we have lost. But we can still save those who come after them. That was the slogan of the Milan demonstration. And it should be the slogan of future generations,” wrote one participant. 

 

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Допис, поширений 💙UKRAINIAN TO THE CORE💛 (@_tairrovna)