Mama, I’m All Grown Up

This week I was asked to advocate at Capitol Hill in front of the bipartisan Congress for Ukraine in part with the American Coalition for Ukraine. There were four pillars of discussion: Make Russia Pay, Return of Abducted Ukrainian children, Sanctions, and Security Guarantees & Economic Partnerships. Just hearing the titles of these pinnacle ideas alone should be enough to suffice the obvious answer—to stop the illegal Russian invasion that Putin cast into Ukraine. These five days of continuous conference now seem almost redundant in the face of one undeniable reality. Not even appealing to morality, the statistics and numbers provide enough sustenance to demand an end to this war. 

Being the first-generation in the states from immigrant parents, civic engagement has always come as a non-negotiable for me. I’ve always had to stand behind my own beliefs, even if that meant my peers viewing me different and me having to fly solo. It never really bothered me, because I had something they don’t–passion. My parents weren’t educated here either, nor is there ending education of any high status, but I love to learn. I love education, critical thinking, logic solving, public speaking, and seeing interests through different lenses of perspective. 

I never understood the term ‘advocacy’ until this past week–I don’t think I’ve ever really taken the word in. Everyone always told me that “You’re such an advocate,” but I was just defending what I believe in. I didn’t realize that what I was doing had a name, a structure, and a purpose beyond instinct and passion. Seeing advocacy in action—organized, strategic, intentional—was eye-opening. There’s something about projecting your truth that just sits naturally within me. For the first time, I felt the bridge between passion and profession form. I want to contribute meaningfully. I want to be effective. I want to be someone who doesn’t just speak, but moves things. This week made me realize I am ready to earn my place in this space and work hard for the skills needed to make a real impact. No matter the resolutions and negotiations I was educated upon, my question still falls back to—“Why?”

What a simple term, with such a cumbersome answer. Not everyone can win. I heard perspectives such as “pain is useless unless it is reflected upon,” or “we cannot trade accountability for peace.” As true and philosophical as those statements are, they lose meaning when compared to the image of a distressed woman in a vyshyvanka vs. a detached 3rd party commenting from afar. Who do you think the government won’t frown upon? 

There was an incident where a government congressional woman posted us on her account, shaming us on multiple levels for advocating for where our hearts lie. Putin’s clear, stated, and quoted goal is to eliminate Ukraine as a country. The word identity is used to frame their objective. The mass media often twists this truth, labeling it a “conflict” or a “dispute,” when in reality it is an illegal invasion orchestrated by the Kremlin with the sole intent to erase the Ukrainian identity. This is not just politics; it is the intentional commission of war crimes, documented and denied in the same breath. 

Chronologically, this war is not just a two-year tragedy—it’s a continuation of history. Tracing all the way back to 1993–1994, when Vladimir Putin was just the deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, he openly declared his ambition to reunite the Soviet Union. That ambition never died; it only evolved into the current campaign of destruction. Russia’s language to the world has always been one of domination, and today it speaks in missile strikes. What does it say about a country that uses a million-dollar weapon to shoot down a thousand-dollar drone? Ukraine’s average annual income is under $10,000, yet Ukrainians continue to donate to NGOs, rebuild their cities, and support soldiers. Giving back has never been a question in any Ukrainian household. Ukrainians are not victims of the world—they are contributors. Yet Ukraine has never asked for American troops on its soil. It has only asked for partnership, for opportunity, and for recognition that this is not simply a regional dispute—it’s a moral battle between freedom and authoritarianism. 

And yet, the redirect from international leaders is still the same: “Get Russia to the negotiation table.” But how do you negotiate with someone who seeks your extinction? If Congress, the press, and the public fail to understand Russia’s true goal, the war will continue—and so will the crimes. Russia is not interested in conversation; they do not want peace—they want permission.

Anyone who believes this war is about territory is deceiving themselves. On a geographical level, yes, borders matter. But at its core, this is a cultural war, one that threatens not only Ukraine’s existence but the entire global balance of freedom. The lesson is clear: allowing the destruction of one democracy only feeds the hunger of another aggressor. Ukraine’s fight is not only for itself—it is for every nation that is struggling to hold onto their own voice.