RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina is home to thousands of Ukrainian refugees, and asthe war continues after recent peace negotiations stalled this week, they’re facing an uncertain future.
Governor Josh Stein issued an official proclamation honoring Ukraine’s Independence Day, saying that North Carolinians support Ukraine’s sovereignty in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion.
As the war continues in Ukraine, for many refugees in the Triangle, it’s bittersweet to celebrate from thousands of miles away.
With music and food, as they flew the blue and yellow flag in Raleigh, Ukrainians celebrated marking 34 years of independence from the Soviet Union.
“It is really beautiful. You see, when you are surrounded by your people and by this love we share, it is like very beautiful. I like it here…We have, really, very beautiful celebration,” said Galyna Shostak.
Shostak thought by now she’d be back in Ukraine with her kids, but instead she is staying in North Carolina longer as the war goes on.
“We were supposed to come back this year. We wanted very much. But still…we cannot come back because it’s not safe. And I’m here with my two children. And this is my duty to support them,” she said.
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That support, coming from donations made on Saturday, is going to medical and military supplies to the frontline.
They also heard from local leaders urging people to contact their members of Congress to push for sanctions on Russia and continued military support for Ukraine.
“It’s hard with the administration. They are a bit difficult to read. But we do know that Congress is very, very supportive. And we also know from the polling that’s coming out, the majority of Republicans, the majority of Democrats, and the majority of independents support Ukraine,” said Olena Kozlova-Pates.
They also want protections to stay in place for Ukrainians in the United States, admitted on temporary humanitarian grounds to be able to have their status here renewed until it’s safe to return.
“Many arrived in 2022 and 2023. It was always intended to be a temporary program to provide them safety. While it was not safe to go home, clearly with constant Russian aggression, rocket, drone attacks, it’s not safe to go home. And we’re calling on our elected officials to extend these humanitarian protections until they can do just that,” said Brian Snyder with Sister Cities of Raleigh and Durham.
In the meantime, they are celebrating freedom from across the globe and not giving up hope.
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