WASHINGTON D.C. – Ukrainian diaspora members and other supporters of Ukraine staged a demonstration outside the Russian Embassy in Washington D.C. on Nov. 26 to protest the Kremlin’s attack on Ukrainian vessels the day before.
Some 50 people braved rainy weather in the American capital the day after Russian navy ships attacked and seized three Ukrainian vessels and wounded six sailors.
The protest was organized by a group called U.S.-Ukraine Activists, started by Ukrainians who have emigrated to America mostly since Ukraine’s 1991 independence.
As drivers passing the demonstration sounded their car horns in support, one of the protest organizers, Nadiya Shaporynska, said: “We need to make the American public aware of this latest aggression in Ukraine and to let them know how dangerous the situation is. We don’t know what to expect from Russia – it could be the first step of something terrible to come – but I’m praying the world will stop this.”
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the largest Ukrainian diaspora organization in the U.S., plans to hold demonstrations later this week at the Russian embassy and some of its consulates scattered across the country.
UCCA has called on the American government to ratchet up sanctions against Moscow including banning Russia from the SWIFT international payments system used by banking and other financial institutions. That would impose crippling restrictions on Russia’s economy.
Congress response
As politicians and government officials returned to Washington D.C. after the Thanksgiving holidays, which began on Nov. 22, a growing number of voices, including some prominent members of Congress, condemned the Russian attack and urged U.S. President Donald Trump to take action.
Senator Bob Menendez from New Jersey said: “I strongly condemn the Russian Federation’s escalation of hostilities in the Kerch Strait. The Kremlin must immediately return the seized Ukrainian vessels and cease any future actions that threaten the freedom of passage through the Kerch Strait. [Sunday’s] events show that the Kremlin remains sharply intent on weakening Ukraine’s security and democratic trajectory.
“In response, the Trump Administration must immediately increase security assistance to Ukraine, including the provision of lethal maritime equipment and weapons.”
Trump is scheduled to meet Russian dictator Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit of the world’s wealthiest countries in Argentina later this week, and Menendez said the president should pledge further help for Ukraine before that encounter.
He said: “At this precarious time, the U.S. cannot afford a weak performance by President Trump at the G20, like we saw in Helsinki. Mr. President, this is your opportunity to finally show American leadership in defense of our principles and our close allies across Europe.”
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois said: “Time after time, through military force and other means, Russia pushes the boundaries of Ukrainian sovereignty and international norms, escalating the temperature in the region. Such acts by Russia must be universally condemned.”
House of Representatives member from Pennsylvania, Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chairman of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, said: “Russia’s blatant violation of international law in the Sea of Azov and their provocative attack against Ukraine’s sovereignty are totally unacceptable. Russia must immediately restore the freedom of navigation through the Kerch Strait to allow Ukrainian vessels to freely use Ukrainian ports.”
He said Russia’s occupation of Crimea and attempts to destabilize Eastern Europe directly threaten America’s national security interests. “We cannot ignore Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. I urge the President and the Administration to fully hold Vladimir Putin accountable at next week’s G-20 summit. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Ukraine,” said Fitzpatrick.
