Ukraine's struggle is also one for truth: Thousands, including President Pavel, packed Old Town Square to show their support.
Published: Feb 24, 2025 Reading time: 4 minutes Share: Share an article"I am proud that we have been on the side of Ukraine from the beginning, and for that, I thank you," Czech President Petr Pavel said at the Together for Ukraine rally, which expressed support for the invaded country on the third anniversary of the Russian war.
In front of a packed Old Town Square, he was joined by numerous public figures, the Ambassador of Ukraine, people from all over the country whose lives were affected by the Russian invasion, as well as representatives of the coordinating organisations People in Need, Pamět národa (Memory of the Nation), Díky, že můžem (Thanks, We Can), Milion chvilek pro demokracii (Million Moments for Democracy), and the European Congress of Ukrainians.
The events of recent weeks gave the rally a new urgency.
"Recently, we have been hearing speculation about who actually caused the war, whether it was Ukraine or an aggressive NATO that is expanding eastwards. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine wanted nothing more than we did: to become a separate, independent country and follow its chosen path. Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons and was guaranteed sovereignty and the inviolability of its internationally recognised borders in the Budapest Memorandum. Three years later, it concluded a bilateral treaty with Russia that guaranteed the same. Russia violated all of this, annexed parts of Donbas and Crimea and invaded the whole of Ukraine in ‘22," said Czech President Petr Pavel.
"We don't want to destroy Russia; we want to send them back where they belong; in Russia. We cannot give in to such aggression," said actor Václav Vydra.
Actress Jitka Čvančarová welcomed children on stage who had survived the siege of Mariupol and were taken to Russia. “The Russians told these children that Ukraine no longer existed, that no one needed them, and no one would look for them. That their future would be new Russian families and citizenship… I will always support the weak, and I will always defend justice and fight against injustice,” she added.
Liudmyla Korostashevych, who found a second home in the Czech Republic after having to flee Ukraine from Russian tanks with her children, also spoke at the rally.
"I want you to know that we remember your help. I remember the volunteer at the registration centre who poured me tea and how tears of gratitude gripped me. I remember the woman who walked up to my grandmother on the street, shook her hand, and gave her a thousand crowns without a word, but I didn't have time to thank her. This war is not just our fight; it is a fight for human rights and common security."
The event also included a musical "flash mob"
One of the most emotional moments of the entire gathering was a unique flashmob, singing the folk song Plyve Kacha, which has become an informal mourning anthem since the Maidan protests.
This song is played at the funerals of fallen soldiers and all those who fought for a free Ukraine. Singer-songwriter Anna Vaverkova performed the song on stage, accompanied by more than 100 singers in the audience.
The rally was closed by representatives of the organisers. "Just because someone questions who the aggressor is or questions what the truth is, it does not mean that we should resign ourselves to it. On the contrary! Europe represents 500 million people. If we throw away our childish disputes, Europe can become an extremely strong and positive force in the world," said Šimon Pánek, director of People in Need. "Every day, each of us can fight for millimetres of truth, openness, and what is right. After all, that's what we promised ourselves in '89."
According to Mikuláš Kroupa of the Memory of the Nation, "Our task is not to be discouraged from helping Ukraine. Our own historical experience obliges us to continue to support Ukraine, even though some are betraying it at this very moment."
Lukas Hilpert, from Million Moments for Democracy, added, "We are seven months away from the parliamentary elections. Please, let's elect politicians who will not tear Europe apart from within but will contribute to making it a strong world player. It is time to roll up our sleeves and not wait."
Bohdan Rajchinets, the President of the European Congress of Ukrainians, also highlighted the struggle of the Belarusian volunteers, saying, “The last of them to die was a girl near Pokrovsk. Her name was Maria Zajec. And besides her, there were eighty others who fought for Ukraine without having to and were killed."
"I would also like to thank the younger generation. I see a lot of you in the audience. Thank you for showing every day that you don't take freedom and democracy for granted but as your responsibility. Let's stand in solidarity. Let's be open. Let's help others," Bára Stárek, from Díky, že můžem, appealed.
