CHICAGO (WLS) — Protesters gathered in downtown Chicago on Monday evening, urging the Trump administration to maintain its support for Ukraine as Russian airstrikes intensified and fears mounted over the toll on civilians.
The demonstration was held outside the Wrigley Building. Participants observed moments of silence and spoke about relatives and loved ones who remain in Ukraine.
Several protesters said family members have been sending alarming updates as Russian attacks continue.
“It would cost the American people nothing, nothing, except maybe some political capital to let Ukraine defend itself,” said Chicago resident Julian Hayen. “It would not cost American people anything to share intelligence with Ukraine so they can intercept missiles.”
Demonstrators cited reports of a sharp increase in Russian airstrikes over the past week. International outrage followed reports that a 1-year-old child was killed at a playground.
“It’s exhausting for everybody,” said Chicago resident Andrew Benson. “It’s exhausting for us protesters, but we need to get the message out and be able to get as much support as necessary.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine received no advance warning about the missiles launched from Russia that day. He said energy facilities were among the main targets, while civilian structures were also hit.
The strikes came as concerns grew in Ukraine over whether U.S. support may be weakening. Those concerns include reports of limited intelligence sharing and questions about access to Starlink and Starshield technology, which play an important role in Ukraine’s satellite operations.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected reports that access to the technology had been restricted.
“There’s been no pause from the United States, but again, what he should be focused on, and what we want to be focused on, is bringing an end to this war,” Rubio said.
Protesters who still have relatives in Ukraine said they felt the Trump administration had effectively left the country to defend itself.
“U.S. has always been on the side of freedom and independence,” said Zoryana Smozhanyka, a U.S. Army veteran. “We have fought for our independence here in the U.S. and I as an American veteran can attest to that. It’s absolutely insane to me that we are now fighting on the side of Russia.”
President Donald Trump disputed that assessment, saying the United States has already delivered substantial support to Ukraine.
“Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine, they haven’t been doing much,” Trump told reporters Monday on the White House South Lawn. He added, “We’ve given a lot to Ukraine, they’ve given us nothing.”
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