Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991, with over 90% of voters in the country supporting an independence referendum. Subsequently, in 1994, as part of the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine agreed to completely relinquish its nuclear arsenal in exchange for an assurance that the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia would respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and refrain from the use or threat of military force. In the decades since, Ukraine has been caught between pro-Western and pro-Russian factions.
 
While Ukraine made moves towards the European Union, in 2013, the Ukrainian government, under pressure from Russia, decided not to sign an association agreement with the European Union, which set off protests in Ukraine. In the aftermath, Russia seized Crimea and backed insurgents in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts. Subsequently, on February 24, 2022, Russia began its unjust and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. In the three years since, Russia has killed tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians while destroying large swaths of Ukraine.
 
In honor of the bravery of Ukraine’s freedom fighters and our state’s strong support for Ukraine, I will be introducing a resolution designating August 24, 2025, as “Ukrainian Independence Day” in Pennsylvania. Our state has made important contributions to Ukraine’s defense and fight for freedom, with Pennsylvania munitions plants providing critical weaponry. Moreover, knowing Pennsylvania’s history as the cradle of freedom and democracy, it is vital that we recognize and support the same spirit of 1776 exhibited by the brave Ukrainian freedom fighters. Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution to show your continuing support of Ukraine’s defense against the aggression of Russia.