- Utah's leaders acknowledged four years of ongoing aggression in Ukraine Tuesday at the state Capitol.
- Gov. Spencer Cox emphasized the power of freedom.
- With Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S. watching, Utah leaders recognized the resilience and bravery of the Ukrainian people.
“Everyone thought that invasion would be over in four days, and here we are, four years later, because people believe in liberty,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox about Ukraine’s resilience in the war with Russia.
On Tuesday, a group of Utah leaders gathered at the Capitol to receive a flag from Ukraine’s Kharkiv Regional Council and recognized four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“The United States is a special place because we believe in freedom. I believe that freedom is one of the most powerful forces on Earth,” Cox added.
During the event, Utah’s leaders were joined over Zoom by Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Olga Stefanishyna.
“This is not, of course, a celebration and not even an anniversary,” she said. “This is the recognition that four years since the beginning of a full-scale aggression against my country, we’re still under this aggression. We’re still under this terror and genocide.”
“Your backing feels especially meaningful and symbolic. Thank you for standing with us in this fight for freedom and for life itself,” she added.
The governor highlighted that Utah was the first state to send a delegation to Ukraine after the war began.
Along with Cox, the event included Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton; Utah Speaker of the House Mike Schultz, R-Hooper; Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan; Utah’s Honorary Consul of Ukraine Jonathan Freedman; and Nathaniel Saunders, the executive director of Utah for Ukraine.
“Today is a somber day, but one that we definitely wanted to make sure we took some time to reflect and remember,” Teuscher said.
“We stand in support of Ukraine and in friendship with the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and rebuild their nation,” he added.
As each person spoke, they recognized Utah’s strong partnership and support of Ukraine while also highlighting the strength and resilience of Ukrainians.
Saunders spoke about how Ukrainians keep fighting despite having so many people lose their lives.
“Why do they do it? It’s not for the land. It’s for the people,” Saunders said.
Adams talked about his time visiting Ukraine with a delegation from Utah and said that what the Russians are doing there is evil, an evil that he didn’t think he would see in his lifetime.
“This is evil at its very worst, and we’re going to stand for good. Utah always stands for good, against evil,” the Senate president said.
He also highlighted how Utahns have spent millions of dollars and many hours to help provide humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
Schultz highlighted Ukrainians’ perseverance in how they have lasted longer than anyone thought they would.
“Ambassador, please let the people of Ukraine know that we love them and that we see them, and what we do is truly support them, and our prayers are with them, and we are praying daily for peace in Ukraine,” he said.
Cox built on Schultz’s sentiment.
“We stand with you. We will help to rebuild. We know that the future is still very bright, and we want to be a part of that future,” the governor said to the people of Ukraine.
