Res 0072-2022

Whereas, Nearly 150,000 Ukrainians live in New York City, according to the New York Times; and Whereas, New York City is home to the largest Ukrainian community in the United States, according to the Wall Street Journal; and Whereas, On February 24, 2022, the world watched as the Russian military launched an armed assault against the nation of Ukraine; and Whereas, To date, Russian military operations are continuing to violate Ukrainian sovereignty, causing the destruction of national infrastructure including hospitals, schools and apartment buildings, and the loss of an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian lives so far, according to Time Magazine; and Whereas, According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, over 600,000 Ukrainians have already fled the country seeking safety and refuge; and Whereas, Neighborhoods in New York City, such as Manhattan's East Village and Brighton Beach, famously known as Little Odessa, have been consumed by anxiety and fear due to the conflict; and Whereas, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated the military intervention was necessary for the "demilitarization and denazification" of Ukraine; and Whereas, This reasoning from Putin has been described as false and irrational, and many believe it to be propaganda to justify an unprovoked and unnecessary war intended to overthrow a democratically elected government and occupy Ukraine; and Whereas, An analysis by Foreign Policy magazine declared Russian's military intervention as the most serious war in Europe since the Second World War; and Whereas, The United States has sent Ukraine military assistance, including ammunition, small arms and other defensive weaponry, according to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR); and Whereas, The CFR reports President Biden has also deployed around 3,000 U.S. troops to Poland and Romania, National Atlantic Treaty Organization countries that border Ukraine; and Whereas, The United States should do everything in its power to bolster humanitarian aid and support for the victims of this ongoing, senseless violence; and Whereas, Everyone who values international peace and democracy must speak out in support for the people of Ukraine who are currently under threat of military aggression and are being displaced due to the armed conflict; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York expresses support for the people of Ukraine. AH LS #7909 03/04/2022 1