Ukrainian community’s response to Dublin pro-Russia rally

Ukrainians in Ireland say they are “deeply saddened” by the plan of the Russian community of Ireland, the Council of Russian Compatriots together with the Immortal Regiment of Ireland to organize their “annual rally” dedicated to Victory Day on May 9.

This rally to be held in Dublin this weekend in Phoenix Park.

The Association of Ukrainians in the Republic of Ireland (AURI) say this rally is not to celebrate Victory Day but to ‘’support Putin and help him justify his barbaric invasion of Ukraine.’’

“We cannot deny the common past of Ukrainian, Russian and the many other peoples of Soviet republics in fighting against invaders during WW2, but we paid a high price for this victory,” the group said in a statement.

“Russia is deliberately distorting historical facts and using this day as a nationalist political tool to demonstrate the power of ‘mother Russia’.

“This is not a rally to remember the suffering of WW2 or to celebrate the Allied victory over Nazism.

“This is a rally to support Putin and help him justify his barbaric invasion of Ukraine.

“We believe that this march offends the Irish people along with all Ukrainians.

“Ireland has sheltered tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing from war, suffering from the Russian invasion of their country.

“Unlike in Russia, Ireland is a country where freedom of speech is respected, but let us not use this freedom to promote a brutal dictator’s hateful war against an innocent people.”

AURI say they are calling on the Irish people to help them stop the parade from going ahead.

“We commemorate the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the War together with the entire civilized world on 8th May,” they said.

“We will spend the day mourning for ancestors and talking about the value of human life with the younger generation, not with festive parades and processions.

“In this difficult time for the Ukrainian nation, we ask for understanding.

“Ukrainians succumb not only to physical destruction, but to the humiliation of human dignity and ethnic values which are the core of our identity.

“We hereby appeal to human values, to the authorities of this country which has protected us and became a second home for many.

“Ireland, please support us to stop this parade which is nothing more than another malicious attempt of Russian propaganda to poison people’s minds and spread doubts.

“We stand together, not with Russia.

“Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Democracy and protecting Human Values!”