“Don’t be afraid of victory”

Protest in support of Ukraine at the National Mall in Washington DC. Photo: Daniel Jarosak

As I exited the Foggy Bottom/GWU metro station, I could already see the blue and yellow flags of Ukraine draped over numerous passersby. As I made my way down the street, the number of flags, banners, homemade signs and posters were all increasing in number. We were all heading towards the same destination: the Lincoln Memorial in downtown Washington DC. It was here that a mass rally was planned to commemorate three years of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

When I arrived at the memorial, a mass of people was already present, and continuously growing. The event organizers lucked out. The temperature was a brisk 40 degrees (not too cold for late February), and the sun was shining through the cloudy sky. People of all ages were present underneath the towering monument dedicated to America’s 16th president. Ukrainian rock and electronic music was blasting from the speakers. As I mingled in the crowd, flags from other countries were draped over people’s shoulders or flying on thin, flexible polls. Of course, many of these were American flags, but there were also flags from (independent) Belarus, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia and even Kazakhstan.

Soon after two o’clock, the rally started and was led by Michael Sawkiw, the president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. Throughout the hour and a half, speakers included representatives of the Ukrainian churches in America, the Ukrainian and EU ambassadors to America, a wounded Ukrainian serviceman, and others. Together, they presented a united and courageous front that was determined to showcase Ukraine’s strength and importance to the United States. However, it was impossible to ignore the effects Trump’s recent comments and actions had on the rally.

Photo: Daniel Jarosak

The (GOP) elephant in the room

In the days and weeks preceding the event, Trump, the US president, made international headlines. He announced that he wanted Ukraine’s natural resources open to American companies in return for aid; indicated that Kyiv started the war and should not have fought the Russian invaders; and accused Zelenskyy of being a dictator. On the diplomatic front, his Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged with his Russian counterpart without Ukrainian or European representatives present. This all featured heavily in many of the rally’s speeches. Mr. Sawkiw was adamant that it was Putin who started the war by sending in Russian troops and that Moscow should be designated a state sponsor of terror. He also declared, emphatically, that any peace must be just and sustainable, including the possibility of NATO membership.

Orest Mahlay of United Help Ukraine, one of the rally’s organizers, in response to questions posed by New Eastern Europe, confirmed the influence of Trump’s comments on the rally. “The recent rhetoric from the Trump administration has had an impact, as supporters of Ukraine in the US feel an added obligation to make their voice heard.” He also echoed Mr. Sawkiw’s words regarding the need for lasting peace.

The antipathy towards Trump was amplified by the signs and posters held by numerous attendees. The idea that he was bought by Putin, a KGB asset, and a clown dotted the rally, often with colourful language, and imagery for that matter. People were not afraid to be vocal about their feelings towards the president with me. Eugene, a New Yorker with friends and family in Ukraine, bemoaned Trump’s actions and words as hurtful and that many in Ukraine feel betrayed. Ivana and Irina, Ukrainians with US citizenship, were irate with Trump, referring to him as an embarrassment and that his actions were hurting the US, Europe and Ukraine. They also shared personal fears regarding America’s crackdown on immigration, being immigrants themselves.

A united community

The toll of three years of war along with Trump’s rhetoric and America’s actions cast a shadow over the event, even if the speakers did not want to admit it. Paul Grod, president of the World Ukraine Congress, asked the crowd if the world will forget about Ukraine. The EU ambassador to the US, Jovita Neliupšienė, was eager to illustrate the Union’s contributions to Ukraine. In normal times, this would be seen simply as an acknowledgement of solidarity. However, today, it felt more like a plea for Trump not to ignore Europe and to prove it was just as important as the United States. Mr. Sawkiw quoted De Tocqueville’s famed (though fictitious) statement about America, “America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” It was hard not to hear this as a warning.

Yet, despite the shadow of Trump looming over the event, there was no shortage of confidence in Ukraine and its victory. The speakers were all adamant that Ukraine will prevail. Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, demanded that Ukraine and its allies not be afraid of victory. The most emotional and passionate speech came from Andriy, a seriously wounded veteran of the Ukrainian army. He was in the DC area receiving treatment at the Walter Reed Military Hospital. In spite of his grave wounds, his passion and confidence extended from his lips and emboldened the entire crowd, his words echoing throughout the square.

The only voices that could rival Andriy’s passion were the many attendees in the crowd. Eugene has only seen engagement with the conflict increase since Russia’s invasion. One woman who was carrying a Kazakh flag was there to support Ukraine in its fight. When I asked her about the flag and why she is here at the rally, she noted how, having grown up in the USSR, she understood Russian colonialism. Throughout the event, the crowd would loudly answer every “Slava Ukrainii” with “Heroem slava”. Chants such as “USA arm Ukraine” and “Be brave like Ukraine” would begin with the speaker at the podium and be quickly picked up by the crowd. When Putin’s name was mentioned on the loudspeaker, loud boos were the response.

According to Mr. Mahlay, “this was one of the largest rallies we have seen since the early days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”  He also wrote that “Not only did we remind the US public about Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, but it was also an opportunity for supporters of Ukraine to gather as a community.” Indeed, the sense of community amongst the rally-goers I spoke with was palpable. Despite the ominous events over the past few weeks, there was not an ounce of defeatism.

Entrance of the US State Department. Photo: Daniel Jarosak

An uncertain future

Still, despite this perseverance, it is hard to remain a committed optimist. While the situation on the front is stabilizing as Russia’s advances are slowing, the sheer weight of Russia’s war economy is taking its toll. Ukraine continues to suffer manpower shortages and questionable decisions made by the officer corps. Not only is Ukraine’s vital partner growing weary, even some of its staunchest and uncompromising allies are starting to falter.

When asked what someone can do if they want to start helping Ukraine, I received several replies. Answers ranged from showing up and being vocal, contacting officials, and educating oneself. These actions are vital. Advocates and regular people alike need to stay informed of the situation. They need to apply pressure and speak up for this fight in order to keep Ukraine near the top of the agenda for US policy makers. Unfortunately, the man running the administration (the reader can choose whether that means Musk or Trump), has shown very little care for norms, allies or America’s own interests. Indeed, one week after the rally, Zelenskyy was berated on live TV by Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

I departed the rally as attendees lined up to begin a march to the Russian ambassador’s residence. As I exited, a woman handed me a Ukrainian flag. After taking it, I noticed that it was upside down. In the United States, the flag hung upside down is a sign of distress. A sense of melancholy briefly washes over me. As I walked down the street back towards the metro, I passed by the State Department building. A sign marking the building’s address stuck up from the grass in front of the structure. Under it, sunflowers, symbols of Ukraine, and blue and yellow flags lay under it. As Ukraine continues its fight, America’s fickleness hangs over it.

Daniel Jarosak is a freelance writer who focuses on Central and Eastern Europe. He has bylines in various publications including New Eastern Europe, Transitions, and Lossi 36.

Please support New Eastern Europe's crowdfunding campaign. Donate by clicking on the button below.

protest, Ukraine, Ukrainian diaspora, US foreign policy, USA