Calgarians and Ukrainians alike gathered for a flag raising marking 34 years of Ukrainian independence at the Municipal Plaza on Sunday.
Elected officials from all levels of government took part, along with community leaders and Ukrainian newcomers. Musical performances also accompanied the ceremony.
Anna Tselukhina, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress chair, tells 660 NewsRadio it’s not just 34 years Ukraine has been celebrating independence, but it’s been fighting for independence for the last 100 years.
“We can honestly say for hundreds of years and now when Ukraine stands as a democratic, independent country, this is a result of many people who are thinking and dreaming and doing whatever is possible to make it,” she said.
Ukraine declared independence in 1991 from the Soviet Union, and the 34th celebration comes as Russia continues its siege on Ukraine, firing 72 drones and decoys, and a cruise missile into Ukraine overnight into Sunday.
Earlier, Prime Minister Mark Carney attended independence day celebrations in Kyiv with Zelenskyy on Sunday, and would not rule out deploying Canadian troops on the ground as part of a security guarantee against Russia.
Carney also announced drones, armoured vehicles and other munitions are headed to Ukraine as part of a $2-billion military aid package, which was first announced at the G7.
Tselukhina says it’s encouraging to see the Canadian government show support for Ukraine as an ally and a part of Canada, “not just immigrants who need help.”
“They understand that Ukrainians, they started coming to Canada 100 years ago, invested a lot into building this country, building the history, the economy and everything,” she said.
“We don’t wanna be like somebody who just use Canada to survive, but we want to invest into this country and I really believe that.”
U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to advance the peace process with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, and subsequently with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, just days later.
A Russian diplomat, however, said Friday Putin wasn’t interested in meeting with Zelenskyy unless he agreed to longstanding demands. It also insisted Russia must be involved in any security guarantees with Ukraine, something Zelenskyy has rejected.
With files from Nadia Moharib and The Associated Press