JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Ukrainian community in Jacksonville set up a car parade Sunday in order to show support for citizens of the country and to bring awareness to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Some of the people were begging for the United States to help this conflict end peacefully.
Some of the Ukrainians in the parade were saying they have family members who are suffering and they hope the U.S. will do something to help in this war.
“We need to stop the war in Ukraine,” said Artem Koldach, a Ukrainian-American.
“We wanted to ask the American government to keep the promise that was made to Ukraine in 1994, to protect us,” said Ivan Bochkovskyi.
Dozens of people showed who started the parade in downtown Jacksonville ended up in Jacksonville Beach with Ukrainian flags and posters in support of Ukraine.
This is as Russian President Vladimir Putin put his nuclear forces on increased alert in an unprecedented escalation of tensions with the West.
MORE: Ukraine invasion: What to know as Putin alerts nuclear force
Russia’s massive conventional military assault on Ukraine entered its fourth day with fighting in the streets of the country’s second-largest city, Kharkiv.
“We’re trying to provide the message to the American people that we need to stop aggression,” Koldach said.
Koldach said he has family and friends in Ukraine right now.
James Singleton said his wife is from Ukraine. He wants President Joe Biden to step up and help the Ukrainians.
“Help the Ukrainian people by being energy self-sufficient and opening up our pipelines drilling and creating revenue,” Singleton said.