WASHINGTON–With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine raging as credit unions are meeting in the nation’s capital, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States and a representative of one Ukrainian-American credit union asked for help from CUs while defiantly pledging Ukraine will fight and resist and, ultimately, prevail.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova told CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) via zoom that Russian attacks on her country were continuing even as she was addressing the meeting, including new rocket attacks on the city center of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.
Markarova, who received a standing ovation from the audience, said the attacks had brought devastation not seen since World War II.
There are a dozen Ukrainian credit unions in the United States and Markarova credited those CUs with being essential to helping fight for Ukraine’s independence 30 years ago after the Soviet Union collapsed.
While that fight was significant, she said that battle was “nothing compared to what my country has gone through the past six days. The Russians have attacked my country from the east, the west, the south and from the air. We have the Russian army coming from all three directions, and they are targeting civilian areas.”
Markarova called the attacks “unjust, unprovoked and criminal,” and called Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian leaders and others “criminals” who must be brought to justice at the Hague.
“I know we will win. Ukraine is a peaceful country. We always work on diplomatic solutions,” she said. “Right now we have no choice but to defend our home. We will not rest. We will not get tired. We will get our country back.”
More Needs to Be Done
But Markarova sad the world must do more, too, calling for sanctions to “cripple” and Isolate Russia.
“This war is not just about Ukraine. We cannot allow any neighbor (to invade). Putin is not only after us. This is a choice between autocracies and democracies. Putin is the threat to anyone who loves freedom. I ask for your help.”
What can people in the U.S. and credit unions do? Three things, according to Markarova:
- Speak to business colleagues and anyone who still works in Russia, who holds investments from Russia or in Russia. “Tell them it’s not OK for anyone in the 21st century to attack a sovereign country. It is up to individual businesses to make decisions. Anyone doing business with Russia is boosting Russia and financing this war. Divest from Russia and support the free world.”
- Provide help. “I am very grateful to the Ukrainian credit unions. This is a full-fledged war. It is not just the devastation. Daily life is interrupted. There are no schools, no supply chains. We need humanitarian assistance. Contact the Ukrainian CUs and they will help you to help us.”
- Talk to everyone. “Contact your congressman, your senator, the White House. The stories of Ukrainian bravery should be told not just to Ukrainians but to the rest of the world. “
Will Not Surrender
Markarova told GAC her country will not surrender.
“I would like to assure you Ukraine will fight, Ukraine will defend its home. We will be thankful to everyone who in this moment stands with us in their words and their actions. And this will end, hopefully, with the Democratic world coming out stronger.”
Ukrainian CU Exec Shares Story
Markarova was preceded in her appearance before GAC by remarks from Anatoli Murha, SVP with Ukrainian Selfreliance FCU in Feasterville, Penn., who shared first-hand accounts of hearing from friends and relatives in Ukraine. He showed the audience one picture of family members sleeping in the hallway of an apartment building due to the threat of rocket attacks.
“I am a first-generation Ukrainian-American. I am an American who deeply values freedom of speech, assembly, press and so much more, which I want so much for my family and friends to also experience,” Murha said. “I want the people of Ukraine to be safe and free.”
Murha noted the 12 Ukrainian credit unions in the U.S. serve more than 100,000 Americans combined, and said to date they have helped wire more than $700,000 to Ukraine to “support the many brave people on the front lines.
“As much as I am here to advocate for Ukraine, there is no stronger advocate for Ukraine in the United States than the Ukrainian credit unions,” Murha said.
As CUToday.info reported here, the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions has established a fund to which donations can be made to support Ukraine.