Milwaukee stands with Ukraine: Rally marks 3rd year of full-scale invasion and condemns Trump’s betrayal

A wave of blue-and-yellow flags filled the air along East Wisconsin Avenue on February 23, as hundreds of Milwaukee residents gathered to mark the somber third anniversary of Russia’s brutal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

With a firm stance supporting a free and sovereign Ukraine, participants urged unwavering U.S. support and denounced what they called the betrayal of an embattled ally by the convicted felon occupying the White House – president Donald Trump.

“Milwaukee is here to send a clear message,” said Milwaukee Alderman Peter Burgelis, who was among the event’s featured speakers. “We stand with Ukraine. We demand accountability for the aggressors. We reject any suggestion that Ukraine should be bartered away for political gain.”

Burgelis, a first-generation Latvian American, recounted the experiences of his parents and grandparents fleeing Soviet terror in Europe during World War II, eventually settling in Milwaukee in the 1950s. He emphasized that failing to support Ukraine would jeopardize the democratic ideals many Americans take for granted.

“We cannot forget what happens when dictators go unchecked,” Burgelis said. “It is our collective responsibility to stand with those fighting for their freedom and their land – against our common enemy.”

Milwaukee’s “Third Annual Rally for Ukraine” was organized by Wisconsin Ukrainians, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to cultural preservation, humanitarian aid, and advocacy on behalf of Ukrainians. Although the group has held similar events in the past, the February 23 vigil marked a heartbreaking milestone: three years to the day since Russia escalated its campaign of aggression into a full-scale conflict.

Attendees offered prayers for peace, held signs condemning the Kremlin’s actions, and gathered for speeches of sorrow and loss – but also support and inspiration. Several participants wore traditional Ukrainian embroidery or draped themselves in the country’s national flag.

Throughout the rally, one message reverberated repeatedly and loudly: Milwaukee, a city known for its strong immigrant heritage and sense of unity, would not abandon Ukraine.

“I feel betrayed by Trump. He isn’t helping — these negotiations are a sham. He’s just pandering to Putin, using diplomacy as a pretense to indulge his penchant for cruelty,” said one attendee, originally from Ukraine, who asked to be identified only as Oksana. “My fear is that we are being sacrificed for someone else’s benefit. Trump sees us the way he sees everything — as a disposable asset to be bartered away for his own gain.”

A FIERCE DEFENSE OF UKRAINE

Darryl Morin of Forward Latino evoked parallels between America’s own fight for independence and Ukraine’s modern-day struggle, urging the public to take action. He recalled how, in the early days following Russia’s full-scale invasion, many gathered in Milwaukee to stand by Ukraine. Three years later, he said, that stance remains crucial to ensure the country’s freedom endures.

“Ukraine’s story is America’s story. It’s a fight for freedom. It’s a fight for human dignity, a gift given to us from the Lord above. And it’s not Putin’s to take away today or ever,” said Morin. “So for those of you at home watching, wondering what you can do — if you believe in freedom, if you believe in democracy, if you’re a person who believes in individual rights, I ask you to do the following: call and to talk to your U.S. senator or your U.S. representative, and tell them that we must continue to provide meaningful support to Ukraine.”

Speakers repeatedly called for the unwavering support of Ukraine’s leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has guided his nation through war and widespread devastation. When the U.S. offered him a way out of Ukraine in the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he refused to abandon his country.

Instead of accepting evacuation, he famously responded, “I need ammunition, not a ride.” His decision to stay in Kyiv, alongside his people, became a defining moment of resilience and defiance, solidifying his role as a wartime leader.

State Representative Chris Sinicki recalled that, only a few years ago, many Americans paid limited attention to Ukraine. She condemned attempts to revise historical facts about the war and reminded the crowd that an attack on Ukraine puts not just Europe but the wider world on notice.

“If we allow Putin to push his way through Ukraine, Europe is next. We are in danger of World War III if this happens,” said Representative Sinicki. “So we need to work at keeping this at the top of our newscasts. We need to work at educating every single person in this country. We need to let them know that we strongly stand with Ukraine and its people.”

Many criticized the notion that the United States might grow tired of helping Ukraine defend itself, noting that a weakened Ukraine poses risks not only for Eastern Europe but also for democracies worldwide.

“We have learned from history that nothing good ever comes from standing idly by while a sovereign nation is carved up by a dictator,” said Sofia, a Milwaukee resident whose parents emigrated from Ukraine in the 1980s. “What message does it send if we turn our backs on Ukraine now? It would embolden Putin all those dictators who think they can bully smaller nations into submission.”

Though official U.S. support for Ukraine remains strong, concerns about public fatigue and shifting political winds have rattled some local activists. Trump’s rhetoric has fueled much of that anxiety. At previous events and in public statements, Trump has been accused of questioning Ukraine’s leadership while appearing sympathetic toward his benefactor Putin.

At the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Trump publicly praised Putin’s strategy, calling it “genius” and “savvy” in a radio interview. He admired Putin’s recognition of breakaway regions in Ukraine as “independent” and suggested that the Russian leader was outmaneuvering Western nations.

Rather than condemning the invasion outright, Trump framed Putin’s actions as a strategic success, reinforcing his long-standing admiration for authoritarian figures. His comments sparked backlash from both Democrats and Republicans, who saw them as undermining U.S. and NATO support for Ukraine at a critical moment.

Critics of Trump have voiced frustration that, during a critical juncture in Eastern Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, an American leader would choose to verbally attack Ukraine’s president while seemingly praising a hostile regime.

“When Ukraine needs friends the most, it’s horrifying to see someone who occupies our nation’s highest office side with Putin over a democratic ally,” said Koval. “It’s a betrayal not only of Ukraine, but of the ideals America was built upon.”

SISTER CITIES AND SHARED CONCERNS

Milwaukee’s longstanding ties to Irpin, a city located just outside Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv, have added a personal dimension to local support efforts. Irpin endured severe damage when Russian forces attempted to advance on Kyiv in the early stages of the 2022 invasion. Though Ukrainian troops ultimately pushed them back, the scars remain visible on roads, bridges, and residential buildings after three years.

Local leaders have noted how Milwaukee and Irpin fostered a bond rooted in empathy and shared values. Since the war began, local nonprofits have raised funds to help Irpin rebuild schools and restore infrastructure. The February 23 rally served as another show of solidarity, reinforcing the principle that an attack on Irpin, or any Ukrainian city, resonated far beyond that nation’s borders.

“What happens in Irpin matters here,” said Mykola. “Sister cities are built on the idea that communities learn from and support one another. The people of Milwaukee know the Ukrainian people are fighting for the future of democracy everywhere.”

LEGACY OF BROKEN PROMISES

Judge Hannah Dugan recounted the time she spent in Ukraine years ago, when she joined a team from Wisconsin to share insights on constitutional law and America’s democratic processes. She emphasized how eager Ukrainians were to build a freer society, underscoring that their current resolve traces back to a deep-rooted desire for liberty.

“All of these post-USSR republics were hungry for democracy and freedom. Three years ago, when the full-scale invasion started, we saw their commitment. We continue to see their commitment to freedom, to liberty, to self-determination, to the rule of law. I urge you to continue to fight with Ukrainians and offer support however you are able,” said Judge Dugan. “I also just want to say that all of us who went there from Wisconsin – we went with the support of USAID to help build democracy around the world.

Beyond showing solidarity, organizers stressed the importance of learning from past agreements that failed to prevent Russian aggression. Among them are the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which guaranteed Ukraine’s territorial integrity in exchange for giving up its nuclear arsenal, and the 2015 Minsk agreements, which aimed to bring stability to eastern Ukraine but were systematically undermined.

“It’s not enough to talk about peace. We have to ensure it by being firm in our commitments,” said a local resident who identified himself as Serhii. “If we keep making deals that exclude Ukraine’s voice, we’re doomed to watch history repeat itself.”

Participants of the vigil also shared dismay at outside pressure for Ukraine to hold elections during wartime. Several pointed to 2014, when a popular uprising removed pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, only for Russia to capitalize on the ensuing power vacuum by sending tens of thousands of servicemen to annex Crimea.

“Let’s learn from our mistakes,” added Serhii. “It’s easy to say, ‘Have an election now,’ but that caused a transitional period in 2014 that left the country vulnerable. Right now, the focus has to remain on repelling Russia’s invasion.”

DEMANDS FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Throughout the afternoon, rally leaders took turns reading a set of core messages they hoped would spread far beyond Wisconsin. They included:

Rally leaders took turns reading a set of core messages they hoped would spread far beyond Wisconsin. They called for “No Negotiations About Ukraine Without Ukraine” and demanded “A Just and Lasting Peace.” Emphasizing Ukraine’s right to self-determination, they declared “Security and Sovereignty for Ukraine” and urged international leaders to “Use Frozen Russian Assets to Rebuild Ukraine.” Calls for justice and accountability echoed through the crowd with demands to “Hold Russia Accountable for War Crimes” and “Strengthen Sanctions Against Russia Now.”

The enduring partnership between the United States and Ukraine was reinforced with the statement “U.S. and Ukraine: Partners for Peace.” Protesters also reminded the world of past failures, urging “No More Broken Promises: Learn From History.” Finally, they stood firm on territorial integrity and Ukraine’s future, chanting “Restore Ukraine’s Borders: No Compromise” and “Ukraine’s Future Is in NATO.”

Halyna Salapata, who founded Wisconsin Ukrainians, thanked everyone for their attendance at the rally – not just as supporters but as participants in standing with truth and justice. She stressed that Russia’s brutal actions amounted to more than a routine war, insisting that the conflict must be recognized for its attempt to erase Ukraine’s right to exist.

“The war against Ukraine is not just an invasion; it is an act of genocide. Every criteria is met to call it what it is. And yet, we find ourselves having to prove to the world that we, Ukrainians, have the right to exist. It should never be this way,” said Salapata. “President Trump has an incredible opportunity before him — to lead a path toward a just and lasting peace. If he is serious about securing peace, he will find millions of supporters on both sides of the Atlantic standing with him. But let us be clear — any attempt to force Ukraine into signing an agreement without Ukraine’s active participation is doomed to fail.”

Several speeches highlighted documented atrocities, including the abduction of Ukrainian children, the illegal detention and execution of prisoners, and the reported targeting of civilian infrastructure. Organizers argued that justice for those crimes must be pursued through international courts and sanctions.

“We want the world to see these actions for what they are: war crimes,” said a local faith leader during the rally’s collective prayer for peace. “True peace can never come without accountability. Peace doesn’t come from backing down. It comes from standing strong in the face of oppression. Ukraine hasn’t wavered, so why should we?”

A COMMUNITY UNITED

County Executive David Crowley reflected on the urgency of showing up and locking arms in support of Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of unity at a time when certain forces seek to twist or downplay the facts. He praised local efforts and community leaders for confronting bigotry and fighting for justice both at home and abroad.

“It’s a time when we need to be locking arms and making sure that we’re standing up for justice,” said County Executive Crowley. “I want to let you all know that this is a place that’s going to stand with you. This is a place that’s going to stand with you in the face of bigotry and make sure that we fight for justice. Now, every role isn’t for everybody, but we all have a role when it comes down to showing that we believe in peace — not just in Ukraine, but also here in America. And so I just want to say that I am standing here with you in solidarity. Solidarity that we bring peace to Ukraine, solidarity that we bring dignity back to our communities, but also more importantly – understanding that we are all in this together.”

Though the war’s end remains uncertain, many at the rally said they believe a Ukrainian victory was ultimately achievable. The question remains as to whether the international community would uphold its commitments, or whether distractions and domestic politics might weaken critical support.

“It’s an open struggle for survival, and we’re asking our American friends to remember that democracy is on the line,” said one college student at the rally.

Attendees also underscored that continued assistance — military, humanitarian, and diplomatic – must remain a top priority, even amid changing political currents in Washington DC. The war’s outcome, they argued, will shape not only Ukraine’s destiny but also the global perception of American resolve.

While many Americans conveniently ignored the truth in order to score political points by blaming former President Joe Biden, much of the economic inflation faced in the United States and worldwide is a direct result of Putin’s full-scale invasion.

STANDING FIRM IN MILWAUKEE

Shortly after the rally concluded, several participants remained on the sidewalk to talk with passersby who stopped to inquire about the banners and flags. Some shared personal stories of family members who fled the Soviet Union decades ago, while others displayed photos of cities like Irpin that have endured the brunt of Russia’s offensive.

Organizers say they are planning additional events throughout 2025, including fundraisers for Ukrainian refugees and forums to discuss the geopolitical ramifications of the ongoing war. They concluded the rally with a final chant of “Milwaukee stands with Ukraine!”

A day before the vigil, Wisconsin Ukrainians held a special event in partnership with the David Barnett Gallery on February 22. It featured the powerful and creative works of Ukrainian artists Yuliia Shevtsova (Shtefan) and IraVish (Irina Vishnevskaya). Barnett is also of Ukrainian descent, so it was a welcomed opportunity for him to connect with others in the local community.

Three years into a brutal war, Milwaukee’s commitment has not waned. And if the public condemnation of Trump’s stance was any indication, they intend to keep speaking out until the day Ukraine is once again secure, free, and unthreatened by the looming shadow of Putin’s aggression.