PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s been just over two years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, members, leaders and supporters of Philadelphia’s Ukrainian community gathered for a rally and march to demand that the U.S. fulfill its promise to support Ukraine.
Those demands were made pretty clear by the hundreds of people who gathered on the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, waving the yellow-and-blue flag of Ukraine.
Iryna Mazur, the honorary consulate to Ukraine in Philadelphia, didn’t mince words when she kicked things off:
“Call Congress, call Speaker Johnson, and tell them: ‘Support Ukraine now.’”
Marta Pilip, who works as the director of humanitarian aid at the Ukrainian Federation of America, based in Jenkintown, said the message behind the gathering is simple.
“We expect Mike Johnson, speaker of the House, to do his job and put out the bill to support Ukraine up for a vote,” she said.
“I am disappointed by the lack of action … from the American side. And we are here to remind that it is in U.S. best interests to support Ukraine.”
That’s because they believe America will eventually have to face Russia directly.
“As long as Ukrainians are able to stay in the fight against Russia, American mothers don’t have to send their children to defend them against this enemy.”
When Russia first invaded Ukraine, President Joe Biden said America’s support for its defense would be unwavering. Four aid bills have passed, totaling around $113 billion, but a fifth, worth a little more than $60 billion, has stalled in the House, as the GOP-controlled chamber can’t come to a consensus whether or not to send further munitions and more to support Ukraine’s war effort.
“It’s detrimental. It costs lives at the front line, because they’re anticipating this amount of ammunition and they’re getting ⅓ of it. And all the calculations are wrong and Ukrainians are paying with their lives for that,” said Mazur.
She said the initial support of Ukraine showed incredible generosity and compassion, but the lack of action now in Congress is doing great harm to American credibility.
“Can we still believe in the American Promise? It is something that used to have enormous value — just the promise of the American government and the American people. And I sincerely wish to believe that it continues to hold value today,” Mazur said.
“But whether America will stand with Ukraine until its victory, or whether American politicians on the Hill will continue their bickering and pleasing Putin with their inability to reach unity and consensus, will show the entire world the true value and reputation the American Promise holds today.”
After the rally outside the museum, participants marched down the international flag-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Stopping briefly at the Ukrainian flag, they then continued down Market Street to Independence Hall.