On the Fourth of July the United States of America celebrates its Declaration of Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1776. The War of Independence that ensued – which Americans call the Revolutionary War – lasted eight years (from 1775 to 1783) and set a seal, for better or worse, on the American psyche. Depending on how you count it, the US has been at war for more than 200 years of its 247-year existence.
For better or worse, America has developed a “ballistic” sensibility that often perplexes the rest of the world. It’s a country whose citizens may often strike outsiders as gun-worshippers. Its national anthem, a war song, exalts “rockets’ red glare” and “bombs bursting in air.” For better or worse, the US launched itself into superpower status by becoming the only nation to drop nuclear bombs on populated cities.
Today, the US is feeding Ukraine with the lion’s share of its guns and missiles. And Ukrainians are immensely grateful for the support.
Today, Ukraine is fighting its own war of independence. Since 1654, more or less, Moscow has done its best to rule over Ukrainian lands. In 1991, when Ukraine officially declared its own independence, it seemed like a gift that had fallen from the sky. Even though more than 90 percent of the population voted for independence, very few had any concrete vision of what independence might look like.
For generations, centuries even, Russia had always been there deciding Ukrainian’s political fate. Most people on Ukrainian territory spoke Russian, many families were ethnically mixed. Independence struck a large portion of the population as merely a formality that had insinuated itself into the wake of the Soviet Union’s bankrupt system.
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Since 1991, Ukraine has experienced several turning points that have helped crystalize what independence means.
In 2004 there was the Orange Revolution, a peaceful protest, which overturned fraudulent elections that had made a mockery of Ukraine’s democracy.
In 2013 Ukrainians took to the streets again to protest the president’s decision to renege on a promised turn to the West and move back toward Moscow’s sphere of influence, which was still very strong. The Revolution of Dignity led to war. Russia invaded, annexed Crimea illegally, and occupied and destroyed much of the Donbas.
After eight years of Ukrainian resistance and low-intensity war, Russia tried to complete its dream of forcing the whole of Ukraine back into its sphere of influence. First it sought to blackmail the US and its NATO allies, then it used America’s refusal as a thinly veiled pretext for a massive attack.
Many outside observers – including Americans – felt Kyiv was doomed. For Ukrainians, however, there was no turning back. The doors had slammed shut behind them, and they refused to be dragged back into Putin or Moscow’s clutches.
Thanks to American assistance – as well as those of its other allies – Ukraine has been able to defend its own democracy and independence. On behalf of Ukraine and Ukrainians, Kyiv Post would like to thank the US and all Americans for their stalwart support.
Ukraine’s aspirations to independence have always looked to Washington as a beacon. Indeed, as Ukraine’s national poet Taras Shevchenko asked, “When will we greet our own George Washington at last with the new law of righteousness?”
Despite its flaws, the US today represents more than ever that “new law of righteousness” for Ukrainians. It represents freedom, democracy and the will to fight for its independence.
And, having in the past accepted many Ukrainian refugees and emigrants, it has proved to be not only a source of inspiration but a true friend of Ukraine.
We salute you, the United States of Amerca, on this Fourth of July.
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Comments (7)
Our Motherland monument in Kyiv was illuminated with the colors of the American flag...red (courage), white (truth), and blue ( justice) Happy 247th Independence Day America and many more
Sad the Kyiv Post did not mention this.
Picture of our Motherland Monument in US colors...
https://www.dnronline.com/associated_press/international/ukraine-daily-life/image_734144b9-db63-5183-8e5f-bc33a6378056.html
https://www.hjnews.com/world/ukraine-daily-life/image_bbe12103-8733-565b-8b56-150e982736bc.html
Thank you so much for your touching editorial. We salute you too!
I am not American and there are times i don't understand America. But thank you for your support in this struggle. Glory to America!
Your “George Washington” is alive, well, and in Kiev.
Ukrainians fight on for independence. During American Revolution there were many dark days like fall of New York City, traitors Benedict Arnold, soldiers marching barefoot in snow at Valley Forge. Ukrainians have the will to win and Ukraine will win.
Thank you for this article. You are fighting for Freedom & ALL of the free word.
SLAVA UKRAINE ! SLAVA AMERICA!
My friend, Yaroslav, who lives outside Kyiv, tells me that fireworks are not allowed since the Russian Invasion started. Maybe this time next year, the rules will change, Russia will be defeated, and Yaroslav can shoot some fireworks off to share in the 4th of July celebration my country is having today. Go Zelensky, Go Biden, and let's get Putin, Trump, and all the other global tyrants put behind bars where they belong!!
Joe Biden a hero, Trump a tyrant? Get real!@Pat Frankewicz,
@Pat Frankewicz,
To say that Trump s a tyrant shows that you know nothing about the man nor about his four years and accomplishments as President. You either read too much bs from "Russia Today" or are drinking the Marxist- Communist propaganda coming out of what is falsely labeled s the 'Democrat" Party. The latterhasxveen busy since Marxist Obama's two terms to stage a silent coup, destroy the USA as a democratic constitutional republic and turn it into another failed socialist state. Biden, unfortunately, is the face of Obama operating his shadow leftist government,
@Barry L., Last I checked, it was your cult leader, Trump, who led an insurrection to try and overturn his loss in the 2020 election while trying to nullify my vote here in Georgia. He is literally on tape when he called the Georgia Secretary of state and said, "all I need is 11,780 votes." Democrats didn't storm the Capitol on January 6th and assault police officers. Those were REPUBLICANS. Cant wait for August when Fani Willis will charge your orange hero under RICO statues for conspiracy to commit voter fraud.