Large-Scale Rally in Support of Ukraine Held in DC
Representatives from U.S. civil society organizations, activists, and ordinary citizens who support Ukraine gathered on Sunday for a mass rally near the Lincoln Memorial downtown Washington DC.
The event was held under the slogan “We stand for American values, we support Ukraine,” an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“Americans understand that our values are the same – they are universal. These are the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights. So here we would like to underline the fact that Ukraine is currently fighting for them in a challenging confrontation,” the event’s co-organizer, President of United Help Ukraine Maryna Baydyuk, noted in a comment to Ukrinform.
She noted that the rally kicks off the events within the framework of the Ukraine Action Summit, which will be held in Washington until April 9, as nearly 600 delegates from different states will be reaching out to the offices of congressmen and senators about the need for further assistance to Ukraine. According to the activist, the rally was added to the schedule of events because many Americans asked that they want to support Ukraine, to stand alongside Ukrainians.
She emphasized that the event is non-political and non-partisan in nature, since delegfates from communities and non-governmental organizations representing all 50 American states take part in it.
The leader of the delegations from the states of Missouri and Montana, Marichka Hlyten, for her part, noted that people came out to the Lincoln Memorial with various messages addressed to the American authorities. At the same time, attention is drawn also to the recent murders of Ukrainian children and civilians by Russia. In this context, she emphasized that negotiating any kind of ceasefire while the Russians project a position of force is simply unacceptable.
“Of course, we agree with the vision of U.S. President Donald Trump on peace through strength, but the conditions should be set at least by Ukraine and America, together. Russia constantly violates the agreements signed, and our goal is to convey that the Russians cannot be trusted,” the activist noted.
Separate messages were also addressed to U.S. Congress, since Russian propaganda is also trying to penetrate the main legislative body.
“So, the Ukraine Action Summit itself will involve communicating with congressmen and senators the specific facts that indicate that Russia is not delivering on the agreements, and that this should continue to be expected,” the activist noted.
A large-scale rally in support of Ukraine was held in the Washington Center / Photo: Yaroslav Dovgopol
Source: Ukrinform
After Backlash, US Ambassador Finally Blames Russia for Kryvyi Rih Missile Strike
A nationwide day of mourning was declared across Ukraine on Sunday, April 6, with entertainment events canceled throughout the country.
On Friday, April 4, Russia launched a ballistic missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, reportedly killing 20 people, including nine children.
At the time, Ambassador Brink reacted to the strike but did not mention that Russia was behind the attack.
“Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant in (Kryvyi Rih). More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end,” she wrote.
Her initial post sparked criticism online for avoiding any mention of Russia’s responsibility, as well as pandering to US President Donald Trump’s perceived insistence that Ukraine capitulate to Russian aggression.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also reacted sharply, saying he was “unpleasantly surprised” by such a weak response from the US embassy.
“Unfortunately, the reaction of the American embassy is unpleasantly surprising: such a strong country, such a strong people – and such a weak reaction. They are even afraid to say the word ‘Russian’ when talking about the missile that killed children,” Zelensky said.
Source: Kyiv Post