Rally supporting Ukraine held in Wilmington on 34th anniversary of country’s independence from Soviet Union

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A rally to support Ukraine was held in downtown Wilmington Sunday evening.  

The rally was held at Thalian Hall in downtown Wilmington to support and uplift the voices of Ukraine.

Attendees gathered to show their support for the country.  

While war has been raging in Ukraine since 2022, local supporters held Sunday’s rally in part to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day. With such a large Ukrainian community in Wilmington, dozens of people came out. 

Ukrainian native and Wilmington local Anastasiia Ovcharuk came with her family to show support at the rally. She spoke on behalf of the people of Ukraine and to show her unwavering support. 

“So, we are celebrating Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day,” Ovcharuk said. “As a Ukrainian myself, this brings me as close to home as I could possibly be.” 

Support for Ukraine ran high at the rally and people hope to see that support continue throughout the community as the conflict in Ukraine persists.   

Ovcharuk touched on the summit last week between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

“We’re twisting Ukraine’s hand and shaking hands with a dictator, we are kneeling down in front of the dictator,” stated Ovcharuk. “I don’t believe any community too small or too big for that, to show that we are standing for the right thing and want to be on the right side of history.”

President Donald Trump is working with Vladimir Putin to negotiate a potential ceasefire.