This year, Ukraine celebrates 35 years of independence—a day that has become a symbol of the struggle for our own land and common European security. 

On August 24, Ukraine’s Independence Day, ICUV together with the Communities Army of Ukraine, calls on all friends of Ukraine to join the rallies taking place in various cities and hear our voice: Ukraine is fighting not only for its own freedom, but for the principle that borders cannot be changed by force, aggression must not be rewarded, and democracy has the power to defend itself. 

Ukraine’s victory will make the entire democratic world safer. Ukrainian victory is the whole world’s victory.

For the first time in a long while, this date falls during a window when members of the U.S. House of Representatives are back in their districts meeting with constituents ahead of August 31. The vote on the sanctions legislation against Russia is ahead. What we do on August 24 can be heard where decisions are made—provided we speak with one voice and make specific demands.

“Ukraine is fighting, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are doing everything possible against this bloodthirsty enemy. Therefore, on August 24, Ukraine’s partners must understand that independence is not a gift. It is not a privilege that Ukraine simply received. It is a legacy paid for with the blood of generations of Ukrainians. That is why, as Ukrainian soldiers fight and create a window of opportunity for victory, we must move forward in sync and work together toward a common victory. Because Ukraine’s victory is a victory for the whole world.

We must confront Russia and the Axis of Evil together, because today they are committing genocide against the Ukrainian people, who are part of the European nation. Accordingly, this is a direct attack on the security of the entire region and the entire continent. The task of Ukrainians today is to unite and make Russia pay for the crimes it has committed. #MakeRussiaPay,” says Vlada Dumenko, co-coordinator of global actions in support of Ukraine.

Join the rallies in your city: 

22.08.2026

• South Korea, Seoul (Seoul Plaza, 54-3, Taepyeongno 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, 17:00)

• USA, Florida (West Palm Beach, 16:00)

• Turkey, Istanbul (SISHANE MEYDANI. 16:00)

• USA, Texas, Austin (Congress Ave, Austin, 11:00)

23.08.2026

• Sweden, Linköping (Stora torget, 16:30)

• Switzerland, Basel (Wettsteinbrücke, 15:00)

• France, Nice (Place Garibaldi → Kiosque à Musique, 17:00)

• Germany, Augsburg (Rathausplatz, 16:00)

• Germany, Mainz (Gutenbergplatz, vor dem Staatstheater, 15:00)

• Germany, Osnabrück (Theater Osnabrück Domhof 10/11, 16:00)

• Germany, Schwäbisch Gmünd (Marktplatz, 18:00)

• Poland, Rzeszów (Park Papieski, 14:00)

• Portugal, Lisbon (Parque Eduardo VII, 17:00)

• Slovenia, Ljubljana

• Turkey, Istanbul (SISHANE MEYDANI. 16:00)

• United Kingdom, London

24.08.2026

• Australia, Sydney

• France, Lyon (Place Bellecour, 18:00)

• France, Grenoble (Place Félix Poulat, 17:30)

• France, Nantes (10 – 20 Place Royale, 18:00)

• France, Valence (Kiosque Peynet, Champ de Mars, 19:00)

• Germany, Leipzig (Augustusplatz, 17:30)

• Germany, Hamburg (KIRCHENALLEE, 16:30)

• Greece, Thessaloniki (“Epoxon” Theater, New Thessaloniki Waterfront, Leof. Meg. Alexandrou 31, 18:00)

• Japan, Tokyo (Shibuya Station, near the Hachiko statue, 19:00)

• Sweden, Stockholm (17:30, Medborgarplatsen & Sergels torg)

• Lithuania, Vilnius (Cathedral Square, 18:30)

• Poland, Rzeszów

• Spain, Alicante

• Denmark, Aarhus (Hack Kampmanns Plads 2, 16:00)

• Germany, Jena

• Germany, Munich (Marienplatz, 17:00)

• Germany, Regensburg (Haidplatz, 18:00)

• Mexico, Mexico city (10:40 Puerta de los leones, Chapultepec – Ángel de la Independencia)

• Switzerland, Zürich (Umzug ab Helvetiaplatz, 18:00)

This year, ICUV, together with the Communities Army of Ukraine, is advocating for four key priorities:

MAKE SANCTIONS BITE—While 21 sanctions packages have already been adopted against Russia, the aggressor bypasses them through third countries, shadow fleets, and re-exports. Today’s main challenge is not declaring new restrictions but creating an effective enforcement system for existing ones.

MAKE RUSSIA PAY—In December 2025, the EU approved a loan to Ukraine raised through market borrowing rather than frozen Russian assets. This shifted costs onto European taxpayers and made every installment politically vulnerable. The only sustainable solution is the direct transfer of frozen Russian assets to a dedicated reconstruction and defense fund for Ukraine.

SKY SHIELD—Ukraine has learned to intercept Russian drones effectively, but Russia has shifted its strategy to mass ballistic strikes. Protecting cities from missiles and guided aerial bombs requires immediate joint action: a unified air defense system with partners, the development of countermeasures against guided aerial bombs, and the joint production of anti-ballistic systems leveraging Ukraine’s battlefield experience and Western technology.

JUSTICE & ACCOUNTABILITY—In May 2026, 37 member states of the Council of Europe approved the creation of the Steering Committee for the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression by Russia. However, its launch remains stalled by internal procedures in several countries. It is crucial to finalize ratification, transition the tribunal into its operational phase, and officially recognize the genocidal nature of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Materials—specifically banners and bills with messaging for rallies—are available for download at the link below.

Key hashtags:

• #UkrainianVictoryIsTheWholeWorldsVictory
• #MakeSanctionsBite
• #MakeRussiaPay
• #SkyShieldNow
• #JusticeAndAccountability

Join the Ukraine Independence Day rallies on August 24 in your city. 

Be part of those fighting for Ukraine’s victory and the security of Europe—because the future of Europe, which Russia has already targeted, is being decided in Ukraine today!