22-02-2025
‘Stand with Ukraine' candlelight vigil for heroes at Oceanfront
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Tidewater Ukrainian Cultural Association will 'Stand with Ukraine' Friday night at the Oceanfront.
The 'Three Years of War Against Ukraine: Candlelit Vigil for Heroes' is at 6 p.m. near the King Neptune statue at the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach.
'Tonight, we will have a vigil … not just for Ukraine heroes who fought and put their lives for Ukraine,' said Dr. Anna Makhorkina, an Old Dominion University faculty member with expertise in international affairs and Eastern European politics, as well as the president of the Tidewater Ukrainian Cultural Association. 'These heroes fought for Ukraine's independence and continue fighting for freedom. They're really fighting for all of us. The concept of freedom, the concept of independence, the concept of sovereignty, that is what they're fighting for.
'When we light the candles tonight, it will not just be for Ukrainian fallen heroes, it will not be just Ukrainian fallen soldiers, but it's also for fallen soldiers everywhere in the world who were fighting for their independence.'
Russia seems to have time on its side as the war in Ukraine reaches its third year
On Feb. 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine while demanding that NATO abandon membership for Ukraine.
Makhorkina told Thursday that Ukrainians around the world commemorate the 'Heavenly Hundred' who died 'standing up for all the principles that are so close and dear to our hearts in our democratic world.'
'Those fallen defenders of independence that were killed in February 2014 during the 'Revolution of Dignity,'' Makhorkina said. 'The Revolution of Dignity was when Russia manipulated Ukrainian elections. Russia wanted to install its puppet Yanukovich, in Ukraine as a president. [The] Ukrainian people had enough. Ukrainian people were ready to officially be a part of Europe, to join the European Union, to have prospects to join NATO. They had enough of Russian oppression and Russian puppeteering for decades. Ukrainians stood up. There was a revolution.
'That was 11 years ago, Feb. 18 through 20. There was that apex of fighting in the Kiev. Ukrainians came from all over to support that freedom and independence. They could no longer agree to what Russia was telling them to do.'
Russia launched a full-scale invasion three years ago, this month.
'Russia cannot really be an empire without Ukraine being part of it, so it's fighting hard for it. But Ukraine, is a sovereign country,' Makhorkina said.
This week, national news outlets reported President Donald Trump falsely blamed Ukraine for starting the war and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a 'dictator.'
The Old Dominion University staff member said recent comments made by Trump were shocking and hurtful.
'The initial reaction is disbelief and betrayal,' Makhorkina said. 'There are some things that you expect from your enemies. … You know what to expect. But when certain things are said [and done] from your friends, from your allies, from people (or countries) that you were looking up to and still are looking up to, that definitely hurts. It hurts and takes some time to regroup.'
Makhorkina believes there is possibly a lack of understanding.
'There is this emotional, first reaction like, 'Wow, I did not see this coming,' in the way,' Makhorkina said. 'Then still, being hopeful because no matter what, the United States of America is literally the most powerful country in the world and its leader is also one of the most powerful leaders in the world. The explanation that I see is … possibly lack of understanding of the region, the history overall, a very powerful stream of misinformation and possibly manipulation.'
Now the Tidewater Ukrainian Cultural Association hopes to share the truth: 'Russia started the war.'
'Ukraine is a free and democratic country,' Makhorkina said. 'President Zelensky was elected by an overwhelming democratic vote. This war has been hard on the people. Ukrainians are used to fighting but this war, … it is brutal. No leader would probably sustain 100% or 85% support. … Unpopular decisions are made. President Zelensky still has approval of above 50% with how he is handling war.'
'In Ukraine's constitution, you cannot have elections under martial law and Ukraine is absolutely under martial law as long as the war continues. … Logically, with millions of Ukrainians displaced, buildings bombed … and with so many Ukrainians overseas, you cannot have elections under martial law.'
Despite the recent false claims, Makhorkina remains hopeful that Trump will work toward a peace agreement with security guarantees for Ukraine and the return of prisoners, including children.
'Russia, if allowed, will not stop at Ukraine. Same as China, if given the opportunity, will not stop in Taiwan,' she said. 'Those threats are there. … We know that our American sons and daughters, our military, they will have to put boots on the ground and be much more involved and we can prevent it now.'
The Hampton Roads-based group is grateful for the ongoing Americans support.
'President Trump has this amazing opportunity to go down in history as a maker of peace through strength,' she said. '… When he does it in a fair and strong way, he will have a lot of support on both sides of the aisle if if this is done right. There should be no negotiations with authoritarian regimes. Ukraine has to be at the table. Ukraine has to have a say in how to end this war.
'Every Ukrainian and American Ukrainian abroad is an ambassador. It's our responsibility to share the truth. Hopefully people will hear [us] and will check their sources. We'll dig a little deeper.
Makhorkina said a peace agreement must:
Provide Ukraine with robust security guarantees to deter any future Russian invasion
Protect Ukraine's right to self-defense
Ensure freedom for captive Ukrainians
Ensure frozen Russian state assets that are used to compensate and aid Ukraine
'If President Trump is serious about reaching this peace, and I believe he is serious in ending this war,' she said, 'he will find millions of supporters on both sides of the Atlantic, on both sides of the political aisle here in the United States. If he is successful, he will go down in history as celebrated around the world, because this will be a great achievement.'
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