25-02-2025
Vigils held across Connecticut as Russia-Ukraine war enters third year
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Monday marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The two countries have been at war since 2014. Vigils and calls for peace happened across Connecticut.
'The time to speak out is now,' U.S. Army Veteran Myron Melnyk said.
Prayer service in New Haven marks 3 years of war in Ukraine
St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church lead a somber prayer Monday to honor the tens of thousands of Ukrainian lives lost since Russia's invasion three years ago.
Ties in Connecticut are deeply personal as many do what they can from here including the Ukrainian American Veterans Post 33 in New Haven working with revive soldiers Ukraine to get the injured medical treatment.
'Hopefully be getting two soldiers in New Haven with Senator Blumenthal's help,' Carl Harvey with Post 33 said.
Others pushing on their local delegation to continue support.
'The time to speak out is now,' Melnyk said. 'It would be a sign of weakness for the United States to abandon Ukraine.'
The Trump Administration said Monday they are trying to end the war.
'It's time to end this bloodletting and restore peace and I think we're going to do it. When I got here, one of the first calls I made was to President Putin, and we were treated with great respect. And they want to, they want to end this war.'
The U.S.-Ukrainian relationship has strained since inauguration day.
Russia-Ukraine war enters third year
President Trump blamed Ukraine for the war and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a dictator.
Zelenskyy asked for continued U.S. support and a seat at the negotiating table.
'We believe that real and lasting peace is possible if we stand together,' Zelenskyy said.
After visiting Ukraine six times in the last few years, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) agrees and wants to unite to defend democracy.
'Their fight is our fight. The fight for freedom,' Blumenthal said.
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