The Yonkers Ukrainian Heritage Festival is dedicated to the people of Ukraine. The bravery, courage and determination they have shown in their fight for freedom has inspired the entire world. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full­-scale unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine, a sovereign, democratic country. For centuries, Russia has been committing atrocities against Ukraine and other nations. In the 20th century alone, the Soviet Union was responsible for the death of millions, utilizing deportations and executions. In 1932­-1933, ninety years ago, Stalin unleashed a massive genocide known as the Holodomor, in which millions of Ukrainians were deliberately starved to death. Once again Russia is using food as a weapon. Ukraine, known as the breadbasket of Europe, is one of the major producers and exporters of grain and other food products. By blockading Ukrainian seaports, Russia is preventing Ukraine’s exports causing food shortages and starvation in some parts of the world.

In 1994, three years after Ukraine gained its independence with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine surrendered its nuclear arsenal to join the Treaty of Non­proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. At the time, Ukraine had the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world. In exchange, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum. The agreement confirmed Ukraine’s existing borders and promised security protection in the event that Ukrainian sovereignty or borders were compromised. Andrew C. McCarthy, a columnist for the National Review states, “We should be arming Ukrainians not only because it’s in our national interest to repel Putin’s ambitions, but also because we are the ones who disarmed them.”

Twenty years later, in 2014, Ukraine was invaded by Russia. Crimea and parts of Luhansk and Donetsk (Donbas) were seized. Ukrainians have been fighting the Russian army, disguised as separatists, for the past 10 years and over 14,000 people have died. We didn’t stop the Russians at that time. The world was not paying attention and continually opted for a policy of appeasement while Russia was building up its military. Appeasement didn’t work during Hitler’s time, and it isn’t working today. Russia was emboldened and in 2022 attacked Ukraine. Entire cities have been obliterated, thousands of civilians killed and millions displaced.

Russia is committing human rights abuses, war crimes against humanity and genocide as documented by the brave journalists who are risking their lives covering this war. Russia has caused utter devastation by its indiscriminate attacks against innocent civilians. Schools, maternity wards, hospitals, and churches have been bombed and rape and torture are used as weapons of war.

This brutal war on Ukraine has finally woken up the world that we need to put a stop to Putin and Russian aggression. Russia’s invasion has threatened the current world order and Ukrainians are the shield protecting Europe from Putin’s horrors.

The resilience and patriotic nature of Ukrainians is inspiring. Men are sending their families to neighboring countries while they stay and defend their homeland. When President Biden offered help to Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy to flee the country, his response was, “I don’t need a ride, I need ammunition”. His leadership and bravery have inspired the world.

The United States is a nation that has served as a beacon of democracy for the free world. We have always fought for justice. As Martin Luther King Jr. states, “a threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. Ukrainians want to live in peace on their own land without having Russia dictate who their leaders are and what policies they should adopt. The world must do everything it can to help Ukraine in its fight for freedom. Stop buying oil and gas from Russia and funding this brutal war. Increase sanctions. Remove Russia from the G20 and the United Nations Security Council. Provide Ukraine with all the assistance it needs to stop this brutal invasion, protect democracy and help them win this war.

Thank you for your support and for standing with Ukraine.

God bless the United States! God bless Ukraine! Slava Ukraini!