BREAKING: The Ukrainian American community in Philadelphia is in an uproar over a newly proposed 28-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, which they claim capitulates to Russia’s demands. Thousands gathered outside the Ukrainian American Citizens’ Association on November 23, 2025, to voice their fierce opposition and demand respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
This developing situation signals a profound discontent as rallygoers waved Ukrainian flags and held signs reading, “Appeasement Isn’t Peace.” Demonstrators described the peace plan as a “copy-and-paste” of Russia’s demands, which include controversial calls for Ukraine to cede territory and abandon its aspirations for NATO membership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically rejected these stipulations in the past, making the draft particularly inflammatory.
At the rally, Ulana Mazurkevich, president of the Ukrainian American Citizens’ Association, expressed her disbelief: “Nobody in their right mind would ask a country to give up its territory, its military, its freedoms.” The proposed terms, she argues, would force Ukraine to choose between maintaining its sovereignty or preserving its alliance with the United States.
Co-organizer Mary Kalyna shared her anguish, stating, “We will rebuild but it won’t be the same… It’s not just dirt, there are people there.” Her words resonate deeply with the crowd, underscoring the emotional toll this conflict has taken on families and communities.
While the protestors sang the Ukrainian national anthem and chanted “Glory to Ukraine,” they also condemned the plan’s implications that Russian officials and soldiers might escape prosecution for war crimes. “The rapists, the murderers, the genocidal maniacs… are all supposed to be forgiven—absolutely no prosecutions,” declared Eugene Luciw, a Ukrainian American attending the rally.
This peace proposal, reportedly drafted without Ukrainian input, has raised alarms not only in Philadelphia but also among international observers, who fear it could significantly weaken Ukraine, already ravaged by years of conflict. Critics argue that the deal offers little in return, merely promising international security guarantees and reconstruction assistance while failing to hold aggressors accountable.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. With the conflict ongoing and no end in sight, the rally’s participants are calling for immediate action and a reevaluation of U.S. foreign policy towards Ukraine. They demand that any peace negotiations respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its right to self-defense.
As this story develops, it remains to be seen how U.S. officials will respond to the outcry from the Ukrainian American community and the broader implications of this controversial peace plan. The need for solidarity and support in the face of aggression is more critical than ever.
Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation as it continues to unfold.
