WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a highly anticipated bilateral meeting between President Joe Biden and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden announced a new 225-million dollar aid package for Ukraine, including a patriot missile system to strengthen their air defenses. Outside of the NATO summit, a group of Ukraine supporters have been rallying nearby these past couple of days. They’re advocating for continued support for Ukraine.
Despite the dreadfully hot weather in Washington, Ukrainian-Americans and Ukraine supporters have rallied outside the convention center where the NATO summit is taking place for the past couple of days. They are holding up signs and Ukrainian flags showing their support for Ukraine.
“These policy makers, these decision makers are so close, we feel like we are making a difference here,” said Mariia Hlyten. She is from Kyiv, Ukraine. Hlyten recalls hiding underground with her family as Russian forces invaded more than two years ago. She and others here have spent the past few days flagging down world leaders en-route to the summit.
“We came to support the Ukrainian delegation, Ukrainian leaders with a message that an invitation of Ukraine into NATO will make this alliance stronger,” said Hlyten.
But they also hope to convey a message to world leaders:
“We want to see real action,” said Hlyten. “For example, Ukraine really needs to be able to strike back.”
They’re advocating for the US and other allies to lift the restrictions on weapons provided to Ukraine. Currently, the Biden administration prohibits their use for strikes deep into Russian territory, only allowing them to use these weapons just inside Russia’s border against targets supporting Russian military operations in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy echoed the same sentiment as these rally-goers.
“If we want to win, if we want to prevail, if we want to save our country and defend it, we need to lift all limitations,” said Zelenskyy.
There are concerns about lifting all restrictions on the weapons provided to Ukraine. Some are worried that the broader use of American-made weapons could provoke Russia to widen the war. But Hlyten said the limitations have prolonged the war.
“They [Russia] can strike to Ukrainian civilian territories, they can strike on children who were receiving treatment from cancer in the middle of Kyiv, they [Russia] can do that,” said Hlyten. “And we cannot fight back.”
