Demonstrators rallied outside the Ukrainian American Citizens’ Association in North Philadelphia on November 23, 2025, to express their opposition to a proposed peace plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The plan, developed collaboratively by Washington and Moscow, has drawn sharp criticism for allegedly compromising Ukraine’s sovereignty by ceding territory to Russia.
Participants in the rally waved Ukrainian flags and held signs reading, “Appeasement Isn’t Peace.” The 28-point peace proposal has been described as a “copy-and-paste” of Russia’s demands, reflecting a troubling concession to Russian aggression. Rallygoers voiced their concerns that the proposal could require Ukraine to yield significant territory, curtail its military capabilities, and abandon its aspirations for NATO membership—terms that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected in the past.
Ulana Mazurkevich, president of the local Ukrainian American community, articulated the rally’s sentiment, stating, “Nobody in their right mind would ask a country to give up its territory, its military, its freedoms.” This sentiment echoed through the crowd, who fear the plan may force Ukraine into a position where it must choose between maintaining its sovereignty and preserving its relationship with the United States.
Co-organizer Mary Kalyna added a personal dimension to the protest, highlighting the emotional toll of the conflict on the Ukrainian community. “We will rebuild, but it won’t be the same,” she lamented. “I just feel such pain and anger at how much they have taken from us over and over again. It’s not just dirt; there are people there.”
The peace plan, which has not involved direct input from Kyiv, proposes that Ukraine receive international security guarantees and assistance for reconstruction while making substantial concessions to Russia. Critics argue that, while Russia would face little accountability, Ukrainian officials and soldiers could be shielded from prosecution for war crimes.
Protesters emphasized the moral implications of the plan, with Eugene Luciw, a Ukrainian American, declaring, “The rapists, the murderers, the genocidal maniacs … are all supposed to be forgiven—absolutely no prosecutions.” This reflects a broader concern among demonstrators that the proposal would effectively reward Russia’s aggression rather than promote a just and lasting peace.
The rally in Philadelphia is part of a larger wave of discontent among Ukrainian Americans and supporters of Ukraine worldwide, who fear that the peace terms could undermine their fight for independence. The community remains vigilant, asserting that any peace agreement must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and reflect the voices of those most affected by the conflict.
As the situation continues to evolve, the response from both local and international stakeholders will play a critical role in shaping the future of Ukraine and its relationship with the West.
