Thousands of Chicagoans rallied and marched through downtown Sunday and called on the U.S. government to continue to stand by Ukraine and for the war-ravaged country to be admitted into NATO.
Some carried signs that read “Ukraine belongs in NATO” or “Chicago stands with Ukraine.” Demonstrators chanted “Ukraine is not for sale” and “Russia is a terrorist state” as they marched along Michigan Avenue carrying a large Ukrainian flag and greeted by a chorus of approving car horn from passing motorists.
Before taking to the streets the crowd rallied at the Chicago Water Tower, 806 N. Michigan Ave. The rally was organized by the Illinois division of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian Daughters Foundation.
It was held in response to Friday’s contentious Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated the Ukrainian leader for being disrespectful.
Michael Aaron, a Chicago resident who showed up at the rally with a sign that read “Putin out of Ukraine,” said it was “horrifying” to watch the meeting unfold.
“My head was in my hands, I kept saying please make it stop,” Aaron said. “It was a deeply embarrassing moment as an American.”
At the rally several speakers addressed the crowd, including Sen. Dick Durbin, who praised NATO and criticized Trump’s openness toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.
We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and American people. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion. pic.twitter.com/Z9FlWjF101
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 1, 2025
“NATO is a successful alliance, not only designed to stop World War 3 but to protect countries all over Europe. The United States should be standing with NATO,” Durbin said. “We understand that if Putin is given a chance he will invade other countries as well. To think that this president is going to embrace Vladimir Putin is outrageous.”
Rep. Mike Quigley spoke out against those who suggest Zelenskyy should display more gratitude for the support the U.S. has given his country, saying that Trump and Vance should be thanking Ukraine for standing up for democracy and American ideals. He added that Ukraine has earned its spot in NATO.
Sen. Dick Durbin questioned President Donald Trump’s apparent support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We understand that if Putin is given a chance he will invade other countries as well. To think that this president is going to embrace Vladimir Putin is outrageous.”
Emmanuel Camarillo/Sun-Times
“We should be every day thanking them, remembering what Ukraine has earned: it is respect, it is a membership in NATO,” Quigley said.
Rep. Delia Ramirez criticized Trump for his behavior during the meeting with Zelenskyy.
“We have a president of the United States of America that instead of standing with protecting democracy he chooses to berate a president who is doing everything in his power to stand for peace,” Ramirez said.
Mariya Dmytriv-Kapeniak, president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois division, said the American public generally doesn’t trust Putin, and she urged lawmakers in Washington to listen to their constituents and support Ukraine.
“An overwhelming majority of Americans support Ukraine and don’t trust Putin,” she said. “So please, Mr. President, those that are elected, listen to your people; people do not like dictators; people do not like regimes.”
Aaron said the U.S. government should show more robust support for Ukraine by sending additional weaponry and backing its bid to join NATO.
“If I could choose a foreign policy, we would more vigorously support them with arms, ammunition and money, and with political support and endorse their bid to become a part of NATO,” he said.
