- Utah leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion.
- Gov. Spencer Cox called it a "somber day," saying Ukrainians still fight for the "gift of liberty."
- Sen. John Curtis introduced a resolution condemning Russia's attacks and supporting Ukraine's sovereignty.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah leaders marked the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday, reiterating the state's commitment to supporting Ukrainians in their fight.
During an event at the Capitol, leaders accepted a flag from Ukraine's Kharkiv Regional Council that was covered with handwritten notes in English and Ukrainian saying things like "Thank you, friends," and "Glory to the heroes."
"I think it is just a powerful symbol of the commitment that we have between Utah and Ukraine," said Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, whose wife is Ukrainian and who has visited that country many times. "Utah remains committed to supporting Ukraine and standing with those that are working toward peace and working toward freedom and a more secure future."
Gov. Spencer Cox called the four-year anniversary of the invasion a "somber day," while noting Ukrainians' persistent fight for the "gift of liberty."
"Four years ago, an evil superpower tried to take that gift away from Ukrainians," Cox said. "Everyone thought that that invasion would be over in four days, and here we are four years later because people believe in liberty."
Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, who visited the war-torn nation several years ago, recalled seeing the destruction and speaking with Ukrainians who lived through it.
"They talked about the Russians actually shooting men, women and children in the street. They went into their homes. They took kids in their homes," he said. Adams said he saw "destruction I didn't think I'd see in my lifetime. This is evil at its very worst and we're going to stand for good. Utahns always stand for good against evil."
Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, appeared virtually from Washington, D.C. and thanked Utah leaders for their support.
"Thank you to the residents and leaders of Utah for your extraordinary solidarity and support for Ukraine," she said. "Your generosity matters deeply to the people of Kharkiv, who endure daily Russian attacks, and to every Ukrainian. Today, as we mark the somber four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, your backing feels especially meaningful and symbolic. Thank you for standing with us in this fight for freedom and for life itself."
In a later speech on the House floor, Teuscher said Ukraine's fight underscores the freedoms often taken for granted in the U.S.
"We are always just one generation away from losing our freedoms here in the United States," he said, paraphrasing President Ronald Reagan. "That's why I think it's important not only that we show recognition for Ukraine and the fight and continue to stand in solidarity with them, but recognize the great freedoms that we have here in the United States and continue to fight for those freedoms."
Utah has frequently expressed support for Ukraine since Russia launched an invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. That same week, state leaders hosted a large rally and lit up the Capitol in Ukraine's national colors of yellow and blue.
Utah sent a trade and humanitarian delegation to Ukraine in 2023. Adams led that group and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express the state's support for Ukraine.
And in 2024, the governor introduced Zelenskyy as he spoke at a packed gathering of the National Governors Association in Salt Lake City.
But Utah leaders' support for Ukraine has sometimes stood in contrast to the mixed messages from the White House. Near the three-year anniversary of the invasion, President Donald Trump called Zelenskyy a "dictator" and suggested that Kyiv started the war with Russia.
At other times, the president has publicly reinforced Ukraine's position, promising last summer to funnel new weapons to Ukraine and threatening economic sanctions against Russia if the bloodshed continued.
Other Utah leaders are also marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution Tuesday to recognize the anniversary while condemning Russia's continued attacks on people and infrastructure.
"Four years after Putin's illegal invasion, Ukraine still stands — and democracies must remain united in standing with them," Curtis said in a statement. "This resolution reaffirms our unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty, rejects Russia's brutal aggression, and underscores that any lasting peace must be backed by strong security guarantees."
Meanwhile, supporters of Ukraine plan to hold a rally at the Utah Capitol on Saturday at noon, "commemorating the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and reaffirming Utah's commitment to freedom, justice and international law."
