As the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears, hundreds gathered at the Wrigley Building plaza downtown on Saturday to demand continued U.S. support for Ukraine and an end to the war. Wrapped in Ukrainian flags, attendees waved banners, while a young boy and girl distributed small flags to the crowd. Many dressed in blue and yellow, chanting slogans like “Justice for Ukraine,” “Arm Ukraine Now,” and “Victory for Ukraine is victory for the U.S.”
America cannot achieve true greatness by aligning with Putin, a war criminal responsible for horrific atrocities not only in Ukraine but also in Georgia, Chechnya, Syria, Moldova, and beyond. While Ukraine will inevitably negotiate a peace agreement, justice and accountability for these crimes must be integral to that process. The security of the United States and the future of democracy itself hinge on Ukraine’s victory. The U.S. and Russia have never shared a legacy of partnership—democracy and autocracy are fundamentally irreconcilable, as distinct as light and darkness, with no room for compromise.
A heartfelt thank you to all friends and allies for your unwavering dedication—because no one is truly free until all of us are free. As we move forward, let us take responsibility for both our successes and our failures. May this next step bring victory, not just for Ukraine, but for the United States and the future of democracy worldwide.