Hundreds rally for Ukraine in Kitchener, amid escalating tensions

Ukrainian-Canadians in Waterloo region are growing anxious as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, threatening the lives of their loved ones there.

Sophia Gryshchenko, whose extended family lives in Kyiv and in western Ukraine, said the last several days have been extremely difficult.

"It's just scary every day to be like 'will they answer me the next day?'," she said.

"It's been hard to focus on school right now and to get everything done. Sometimes it's just hard to even believe and to process that it's happening in the 21st century because it shouldn't be happening," she added.

Despite the growing tensions, Gryshchenko said regional support has been overwhelming. She was among several hundred people who attended a rally in support of Ukraine at Victoria Park on Sunday.

"I think that the support is just so important to everyone right now and to show to the people in Ukraine that everyone knows what's happening and we want to help them and we're trying the best we can," she said.

For Gautham Kolluri, the last few days have been bitter. He lived in Ukraine, where his wife and children are from, for two decades as an international student, and has business ties there.

However, the community support has also been uplifting.

"What is important about today is unity and courage … all the support here … from Ukrainians here is what is keeping the movement and the confidence out there," he said.

The event, planned by the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Transfiguration, was one of several in the region over the last few days.

Action items

Members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community and their allies gathered to comfort one another, rally around the park and call for action from upper-level governments.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic called for his community to rise up and take action.

"We [gather] to call for an immediate end to the Russian-initiated war upon Ukraine, to a diplomatic resolution that leads to an exit of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory and to support the Canadian government in support for Ukraine and in all necessary sanctions against Russia to bring about this result," he said.

Vrbanovic asked community members to consider three action items:

• Donate to support relief efforts for Ukrainians.
• Contact the federal government, "regardless of political stripes," and demand support for Ukraine.
• Be a more caring, kind and loving community. Check in on people struggling right now.

A Ukrainian flag has been raised at Kitchener City Hall.

The Sunday event comes as Ukraine confirmed a delegation will meet with Russian officials on the Belarusian border. Ukrainian officials initially rejected the meeting.

That same day, President Vladimir Putin ordered his nuclear deterrent forces to be on alert, noting NATO powers had made "aggressive statements."