On Sunday, February 22nd, the streets of Milan will once again be adorned with the yellow and blue colors of Ukraine. Four years have passed since that fateful February 24th, 2022, which irrevocably altered the face of Europe. This period has been long enough for the news of Russian aggression to recede from front-page headlines to footnotes, from the foreground to the background. As the world verges on ‘war fatigue’ and international politics navigate profound uncertainties, the UaMi association (the Ukrainian community of Milan) is rallying citizens in Piazza XXV Aprile with a march to reaffirm support for Kyiv’s resistance. Linkiesta is also a partner in this initiative.
A Voice for Justice in a European Metropolis
The driving force behind this mobilization is Anna Gordon, the face of the UaMi project. She has articulated the profound significance of continuing to advocate for justice in the heart of a European metropolis and why Milan’s voice holds such weight for those defending Ukraine’s borders and the very concept of democracy, thousands of kilometers away: “We are simultaneously fighting for the right to be members of the European family, for our right to independence, and for a free world without Russia. Because Russia is not development. Russia is totalitarianism and dictatorship. Russia is slavery and oppression. Russia is the occupation of territories and hatred towards those who want to keep up with the times. Russia is not friendship. Russia is murder, torture, and violence. Russia is war.”
“Protect Future Generations”: A Call to Action
The march’s central slogan is “Protect Future Generations.” Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines are daily defending the present and future of all of Europe. For this reason, Ukraine’s allies should commit to supporting this heroic resistance. “We must think now about protecting future generations, because war is closer than it seems, even for those living in Milan,” says Anna Gordon.
“Italy must take a clear stance towards the Russians if it does not want to see war here tomorrow. It is important to remember every hero and every heroine who gave their lives in the war sacrificed themselves for all of Europe.”
As a major Italian metropolis with significant international projection, Milan can serve as an important showcase. Because, as Gordon states, it is a city of opportunities, a city with a voice, a city of people capable of great solidarity. And it is precisely for this reason that it is important to take to the streets not only when Ukraine is on the front page.
Beyond the Four-Year Mark: Twelve Years of Struggle
All commemorative events on February 24th emphasize the fourth anniversary of the invasion. However, Anna Gordon highlights a different statistic: the war in Ukraine began twelve years ago, with the invasion of Crimea on February 19th, 2014. Remembering this historical fact is an indispensable reminder: it tells us that the Russian war arrived in Ukraine gradually, in small steps. For all this time, the Ukrainian people have been fighting for a free, sovereign, and independent state.
The Milanese gathering is scheduled for 2:00 PM at Porta Garibaldi. It will be more than just a meeting point; gathering there will be a choice for those who stand on the side of freedom, democracy, and human dignity. Physical presence is a significant signal. A message to politics, to Europe, to Ukrainians who are not alone. “After four years of full-scale war and twelve years of struggle, the most dangerous thing is habit,” says Anna Gordon. “Today we see that news no longer shocks, pain fades into the background. But for Ukraine, the war never takes a back seat; it is a daily reality. Russia is waging a war of attrition. If we abroad remain silent, if the world’s support dies down, then Russia has won.”
The Power of Citizen Voices in a Fragmented World
The voice of every citizen is a powerful democratic instrument. It can shift political directions, influence decisions and measures. This is why the Ukrainian community of Milan aims to be a megaphone for all of civil society, to send messages to listening political leaders, even beyond Italy’s borders. “The Ukrainian diaspora is part of European civil society,” says Anna Gordon. “We will continue to use our voice openly, peacefully, and argumentatively to remind everyone that support for Ukraine is not a matter of political convenience, but of Europe’s security itself and the stability of the international order.”
At the march, everyone will bring their own sensibilities, their own history, their own experiences. “My first revolution,” explains Gordon, “was the Orange Revolution, but back then I was still very young and didn’t feel directly involved. My next revolution was the Revolution of Dignity: it was my first step as a conscious patriot of Ukraine, my first step of conscious activism, my first moment of understanding that I had to embark on the path of struggle.”
Last year, UaMi’s march also made headlines for its strong stances against figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who, after just a few weeks, had already shown which side they were on – not Kyiv’s. This year, the international landscape seems even more complex and fragmented. But for Ukrainians, a fundamental point remains unchanged: support for Ukraine must be based on the principles of international law, respect for the sovereignty of states, and the aggressor’s accountability.
The Ukrainian community of Milan, Gordon explains, consistently advocates for several key points: maintaining and strengthening sanctions against Russia; military and humanitarian support for Ukraine; confiscation of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction; and a clear position from the democratic world on the inadmissibility of aggression as a political tool. “For us,” Anna Gordon concludes, “it is essential that the world remains on the side of freedom, justice, and the rule of law, and not the law of force.”
