Ukrainians of Winnipeg Continue to Fight for Peace in Ukraine

Ukrainians of Winnipeg continue to fight for peace in Ukraine

In honor of the Ukrainian Defenders Day, Ukrainians of Winnipeg gathered near the Legislative Building to honor the memory of the fallen soldiers, to remember those who are in captivity and fighting for a peaceful sky over Ukraine.

Russia continues to kill civilians and destroy cities, so today the Ukrainian people once again appeal to the entire civilized world for help with weapons and a request to recognize Russia as a terrorist country.

During the war, this holiday acquired special significance. 233 days since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Since the first day of the war, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress has been holding charity events, rallies and assistance programs for Ukrainian refugees. Today, the Ukrainian-Canadian community has united again under the initiative of UCC.

Ariadne, like hundreds of others present today, is here to remind the world about the bloody war in Ukraine: “I came to help draw attention to the conflict that continues to escalate in Ukraine. Russia randomly bombards Ukraine with missiles and bombs. It continues to attack civilians. We are all here to call on the Canadian government to recognize Russia as a terrorist state".

Although Canada helped Ukraine from the first days of the war and continues to help Ukraine with humanitarian, military and material aid, the participants of the rally are convinced that this is not enough and demand that the Canadian government provide Ukraine with more resources.

"I think that there's more that the Canadian government can do. They can firstly expel the so-called Russian diplomats that continue to be in Canada. The fact that there are Russians that are still here is a black mark on Canada's reputation. I think it's very discouraging for Canadians of Ukrainian descent and they can also increase sanctions against Russians and Russian citizens. And then lastly they can continue to provide more weapons to the army of Ukraine," Ariadna Dlugosh claims. 

"Ukrainians so grateful for all the support and all the unity that people in Canada have come together. One of the things that's really come matter this is been this idea that you know Putin wanted to get rid of Ukraine but instead he end up making the whole world Ukrainian. I think that with that we really are grateful for all the support but at the same time the fact that this still continues to rage, this conflict still continues to go on is because there hasn't been a decisive Ukrainian Victory and until that day comes Ukrainians and Canadian should to continue to ask for more help from our government," said rally participant Aleksandra Shkandrij.

Every time, slogans such as "Stop Putin's terror", "Russia is a terrorist country, "Hands off Ukraine" are heard louder and more powerfully here.

"I feel anger against Putin, even against the Russian nation, they say that they are against the war, but they don't demonstrate it in any way, they don't respond in any way, they don't say that it is evil", Mariyka Dyakov shares with us.

The participants of the rally do not hide their hatred for Russians and Putin's regime. And without holding back tears, they talk about what hurts the heart.

"I am also very worried that the younger generation is being destroyed. Our defenders go to defend Ukraine, but many of them do not return, and some become crippled," says Mariyka.

Ukrainians left their holiday greetings to the defending heroes on the national flag, which will soon be sent to Ukraine. 

"We love them, we believe in them. I want they know that they are great guys. I sincerely thank them from every Ukrainian, because I love, I just love them very much," says Maria Dochynets.

The rally ends with a song that has become the second national anthem of Ukraine since February 24. "Oi u luzi chervona kalyna" rang throughout Winnipeg this evening.

Yuliia Kovalenko, Ukrainian View, U Multicultural.

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