UCCA, AJC Mark Ukrainian Independence Day, Urge Continued International Support for the Ukrainian People

As Ukraine once again marks Independence Day in the midst of war, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and American Jewish Committee (AJC) reaffirm our commitment to the principles enshrined in Ukraine's 1991 declaration of independence, including that "the territory of Ukraine is indivisible and inviolable." This Independence Day serves not only as a moment to honor 34 years of this historic achievement, but also as a poignant reminder of the ongoing 42-month struggle against Russia's full-scale, unprovoked military invasion-an escalation of the war that began in 2014.

Since its founding in 1940, UCCA has upheld the right of the Ukrainian people to develop freely in their own national state, on equal footing with the other peoples of Europe. AJC, which was the first Jewish organization outside of Ukraine to call on the United States to recognize the country's independence, has stood in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and staunchly supported a free and democratic Ukraine for over three decades.

As the global community bears witness to the ongoing horrors of Russia's sustained military aggression, the remarkable resilience of Ukraine and its people is clear. In their determination, Ukrainians are defending not only their territorial integrity and sovereignty, but also serving as a bulwark against the expansion of unchecked authoritarianism around the globe.

As we mark this anniversary, UCCA and AJC call on all members of the international community to reassert their support of Ukraine and invest in additional measures to counter Russia's continuing illegitimate and brutal campaign against the Ukrainian people.

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org .

Established in 1940, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America ( UCCA.org ) unites and advocates in the name of 30 fraternal, educational, religious, cultural, veterans and humanitarian organizations in the Ukrainian American community. UCCA maintains local all-volunteer chapters across the United States, with a national office in New York City, as well as a Washington, D.C. bureau, the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS). UCCA is also a founding member of the Ukrainian World Congress ( ukrainianworldcongress.org ) representing 25 million people in over 80 nations, as well as a founding member of the Central and East European Coalition ( ceecadvocacy.org ), which coordinates the efforts of national ethnic organizations representing 20 million Americans.

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