Ukrainians and their supporters gathered at Santa Monica City Hall on Sunday to protest the three-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. The event, organized by the Stand with Ukraine Foundation, served as both a demonstration and a show of solidarity amid growing tensions between the United States and Ukraine.
The rally took place against the backdrop of a significant shift in the U.S. approach to Ukraine under the Trump administration. The U.S. held peace talks with Russia regarding Ukraine, but without Ukrainian representation.
Trump has also openly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him a “dictator” who has “done a terrible job,” while placing blame on Ukraine for initiating the war.
But Sunday’s rally showed that Trump’s approach to Ukraine is not reflective of the national response. Attendees waved Ukrainian flags, held signs condemning the violence and spoke in solidarity with the Ukrainian community.
The Los Angeles Ukrainian support network goes beyond community events and resources. Some organizations are engaging directly in humanitarian aid with international ties.
Nikol Simakovski, a Ukrainian immigrant who co-founded GoUkraina in 2022, has mobilized medical supplies, food and clothing for soldiers on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine.
Simakovski attributes the success of her foundation to the network she was introduced to in Los Angeles.
“Ukrainian people are some of the kindest people on the planet. They have big hearts and accept everyone with open arms.” said Simakovski. “That’s why the connections I’ve made in Los Angeles have allowed me to create networks that support both our people here and our people back home.”
Most recently, GoUkraina aided in the medical evacuation of Illya Chornenki, a Ukrainian National Guard soldier who was severely injured in combat. Through their efforts, Chornenki was flown to the United States, where he received medical treatment in California and regained mobility with a prosthetic leg.
The main event was also highlighted by speeches and words of support from members of Congress, California State Senate and Assembly representatives.
Senator Ben Allen of California condemned the war, saying, “Ukraine did not start or welcome this invasion, but instead has faced unimaginable suffering at the hands of a dictator.”
He urged continued support for the over 117,000 Ukrainians now residing in California, a dramatic increase from the almost 60,000 Ukrainians that resided in California before the war started.
Politicians and community leaders from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Georgia, Spain, Ireland, Belgium and the Czech Republic also rallied with Ukrainians, flying their nations’ flags in support.
Finnish representative Okko-Pekka Salmimies was strong in his statement in favor of Ukraine. He said, “Ukraine decides by itself when and on which issue it is ready to negotiate.”
The rally concluded with a march to the Santa Monica Pier, where demonstrators carried a 100-foot-long Ukrainian flag, in a show of unity.
As global leaders discuss the future of Ukraine, those gathered in Santa Monica sent an important message.
“Ukraine is the iron shield defending itself in front of the entire world. We are defenders and our people are running out. It’s extremely important to relay this message to all Americans,” Simakovski said.
