We are Ukraine

On May 21, 2024, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Kyiv for a crucial visit. During her stay in Ukraine’s capital, she is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and other key officials. The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Baerbock’s visit aims to reassure Ukrainian leaders of Germany and Europe’s unwavering support, particularly as the situation in the combat zones continues to deteriorate. This visit is set against the backdrop of a significant global initiative for enhanced air defense, which Baerbock recently launched in collaboration with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. The initiative has successfully raised nearly a billion euros to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities. This ongoing effort is intended to help Ukrainians maintain their autonomy and secure a self-determined future, while also safeguarding EU states from potential Russian aggression. #WeAreUkraine #StandWithUkraine

Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion. After the victory, Oleksandr shouted to his father directly from the ring: "Father, can you hear me? We did it!" His father passed away in 2012, but he introduced his son to boxing, which played a crucial role in his life. Oleksandr's win was incredibly emotional. He expressed his gratitude, stating, "Thank you so much for my team. Thank you, my God! It's a big opportunity for me, for my family, for my country. It's a great day! Glory to Ukraine!" #WeAreUkraine #StandWithUkraine

Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in a split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight #boxing champion. The 37-year-old Usyk, a #Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist, took the WBC belt from Fury, adding it to his WBA, WBO, and IBF collection. The match between Fury and Usyk, the two world's best heavyweights, took place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The judges scored the fight 115-112 for Usyk and 114-113 for Fury, leaving the final card to decide, which read 114-113 for Usyk. Before this duel, 35-year-old Fury was victorious in 35 fights and had only one draw; Usyk had 21 fights and won all. Congratulations to the Ukrainian winner! #WeAreUkraine #StandWithUkraine

Every third Thursday of May, International Ukrainian Vyshyvanka Day is celebrated. On this day, Ukrainians and people worldwide salute ethnic embroidered #Ukrainian clothes. On the photos you can see the soldiers of the 27th Pechersk Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine wearing embroidered shirts under their military uniforms. "Today we are wearing our uniforms so that every Ukrainian can wear our vyshyvanka in the future," says National Guard of Ukraine. #WeAreUkraine #StandWithUkraine

Vyshyvanka has a sacred meaning for Ukrainians. It is believed that it protects the wearer against curses and evil spirits. Every third Thursday of May, International Ukrainian #Vyshyvanka Day is celebrated. On this day, Ukrainians and people worldwide salute ethnic embroidered Ukrainian clothes — Vyshyvanka. The holiday aims at popularizing ethnic embroidered clothing and honoring Ukrainian traditions. It is easy to join the celebration of Vyshyvanka Day. You just need to come to work or a place of study in a Ukrainian embroidered shirt. Each region of #Ukraine has its own embroidery technique, details, and themes for ornament and traditional embroidery colors. In total, there are about two hundred different embroidery techniques in Ukraine. Moreover, colors and their combinations also have a coded meaning. Ukrainians are proud to have such a beautiful and meaningful national costume that became one of the symbols of Ukraine’s resistance and freedom in the world. #WeAreUkraine #StandWithUkraine

The United States is allocating an additional $2 billion in military funding for Ukraine. This was announced by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at a joint briefing with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv. "We, of course, have an additional package, and assistance from it is on the way. In fact, some of it has already been delivered. But today, in addition to this, I want to announce that we will provide an additional $2 billion in foreign military financing for Ukraine, and we have combined this into a first-of-its-kind defense enterprise fund," he said. Blinken said the U.S. is "rushing" to get ammunition, armored vehicles, and missiles to the front line. The U.S. is working "to ensure Ukraine can deliver on the battlefield today," but also "deter and defend against future attacks and fundamentally secure for the Ukrainian people the right to decide their own future," Blinken said. Speaking in Kyiv during a press conference, Blinken was asked about recent Ukrainian complaints that a Washington ban meant Ukraine was unable to attack Russian forces as they were building up before crossing the border into Kharkiv Oblast. "We've not enabled or encouraged strikes outside of Ukraine, but ultimately, Ukraine has to make decisions for itself about how it's going to conduct this war," he said. #WeAreUkraine #StandWithUkraine

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During the encounter, the President expressed gratitude towards Antony Blinken for his consistent visits to Ukraine, viewing them as a significant indication of the unwavering and robust support extended by the United States. President Zelenskyy also conveyed gratitude to President Joseph Biden, his administration, the bipartisan collaboration in Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson, and the entirety of the American populace for the recent endorsement of the aid package aimed at Ukraine. Stressing its critical importance for Ukrainian troops stationed at the frontlines, Zelenskyy underscored the significance of this support. Furthermore, discussions encompassed the potential for finalizing a bilateral security agreement, with a particular focus on Ukraine's aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration. In his remarks, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the ongoing and forthcoming aid, emphasizing its potential to impact Russian aggression on the battlefield positively. He affirmed the collective resolve of Ukraine's allies to ensure the nation's triumph. #WeAreUkraine #StandWithUkraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his address on the evening of May 12, 2024, highlighted the ongoing defensive battles along a significant portion of Ukraine's border in the Kharkiv region. He emphasized that certain villages, once peaceful, have now become battlegrounds within the "gray zone," with enemy attempting to establish control in some and exploit others for further advancement. Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, echoed Zelenskyy's sentiments, affirming that Ukrainian #defense units are engaged in intense defensive battles. He stated that efforts by Russian forces to breach #Ukrainian defenses have been effectively thwarted. However, the Russian military, encountering difficulties on the battlefield, has resorted to indiscriminate bombing of cities and towns in the #Kharkiv region, employing guided aerial bombs in some instances. The city of #Vovchansk and its surroundings have particularly borne the brunt of intensified Russian shelling, prompting the evacuation of residents. #WeAreUkraine #StandWithUkraine

Ukraine placed third at the 2024 #Eurovision Song Contest which concluded on May 11, 2024, in Malmö, Sweden. Ukrainian representatives Jerry Heil and alyona alyona received a total of 453 points for their performance with the song “Teresa & Maria.” Having performed second in the contest’s final, the pair placed the highest of any act to perform second (dubbed “the death spot”) in the past 22 years. Switzerland’s winning performance received 591 points. Nemo’s song “The Code” details their experience of coming to terms with their non-binary identity. Congratulations to this year’s winner and Ukraine’s representatives! #WeAreUkraine #StandWithUkraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Facebook that cities and communities across Ukraine, spanning from Sumy to Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, and Kherson, endure relentless and heinous acts of terror day and night. He acknowledged the vital support of global leaders and nations in bolstering Ukraine's air defenses and imposing effective sanctions on Russia's #war efforts, which have saved thousands of lives. Nonetheless, he lamented the tragic loss of many lives due to ongoing attacks, emphasizing that only through collective strength can such terror be halted. Zelenskyy underscored the resilience of the Ukrainian people, the unity of the international #community, the pressure applied on Russia, the provision of air defense systems, and the unwavering courage of #Ukrainian soldiers holding the front lines as pillars of this strength. He hailed all those contributing to Ukraine's defense against #Russian aggression as true champions of life. #WeAreUkraine #StandWithUkraine