Washington plants sunflowers outside Russian embassy for fifth time in solidarity with Ukraine
American writer and civic figure Benjamin Wittes launched the tradition of solidarity with Ukraine in the summer of 2022, after Russia began its full-scale invasion. Since then, participants have planted sunflowers every year on Boris Nemtsov Plaza in Washington. Throughout these years, activist Connor O'Bryan has cared for the plants and watered them regularly.
During the event, US-Ukrainian Activists President Nadiia Shaporynska stressed:
Oksana Markarova, adviser to the President of Ukraine on reconstruction and investment, attended the event as an honored guest. She headed the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States from 2021 to 2025 and has personally taken part in the initiative since 2022.
An American volunteer who is currently defending Ukraine's sovereignty on the front line as part of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also joined the participants.
Concluding her remarks, Nadiia Shaporynska said:
After the practical part of the event, during which participants planted the flowers, a group of activists led by Benjamin Wittes held an evening light performance.
Using powerful equipment, they projected large-scale light images of Ukraine's national flag and a blue-and-yellow map of the country onto the residence and building of the Russian embassy in the United States. The map was created based on a design by well-known Ukrainian artist Nikita Titov.
Background
It should be noted that on May 11 last year, activists in Washington held the fourth annual sunflower planting in support of Ukraine. The area opposite the Russian embassy traditionally served as the venue.
Also in 2024, the sunflower planting outside the Russian embassy in Washington brought together more than 100 people.
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4 of June 2026
