Demonstrators in Philadelphia’s Ukrainian American community gathered on November 23, 2025, to protest a proposed peace plan intended to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The rally took place outside the Ukrainian American Citizens’ Association in North Philadelphia, where participants expressed strong disapproval of the 28-point plan, which they argue capitulates to Russia’s demands.
Participants, waving Ukrainian flags and displaying signs with messages like “Appeasement Isn’t Peace,” voiced concerns that the plan undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty. The proposal calls for Ukraine to cede territory, reduce its military capabilities, and abandon its aspirations for NATO membership—conditions that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected in the past.
Ulana Mazurkevich, president of the association, articulated the sentiments of many at the rally, stating, “Nobody in their right mind would ask a country to give up its territory, its military, its freedoms.” The demonstrators emphasized that the peace initiative could force Ukraine into a position where it must choose between maintaining its independence and preserving its alliance with the United States.
Co-organizer Mary Kalyna expressed her emotional response to the plan, saying, “We will rebuild but it won’t be the same, and I just feel such pain and anger at how much they have taken from us over and over again.” She highlighted the human cost of territorial concessions, noting, “It’s not just dirt; there are people there.”
The proposed peace plan has been criticized for its perceived lack of concessions from Russia. In exchange for Ukraine’s compromises, the plan promises international security guarantees and reconstruction assistance, but critics argue it would leave Ukraine vulnerable and further weakened after years of conflict.
Amid chants of the Ukrainian national anthem and “Glory to Ukraine,” protesters conveyed their frustration regarding the proposal’s implications for accountability. Many expressed dismay that the plan could prevent the prosecution of Russian officials and military personnel for war crimes committed during the conflict. Ukrainian American Eugene Luciw condemned this aspect, stating, “The rapists, the murderers, the genocidal maniacs … are all supposed to be forgiven — absolutely no prosecutions.”
As the situation unfolds, the Ukrainian community in Philadelphia remains vocal and united in their rejection of a peace plan they believe compromises their nation’s integrity and security. The rally reflects a broader sentiment among Ukrainians and their allies who insist on a peace process that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity without capitulating to aggressor demands.
