Protesters demand more US aid for Ukraine ahead of NATO's 75th anniversary summit

WASHINGTON (7News) — The NATO 75th anniversary summit is set to begin Tuesday.

On Monday evening, dozens of protesters marched to the White House to express their opinion on an issue that will be a big part of that summit – support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

“We’re calling for the United States to provide more aid to Ukraine, provide more security guarantees to Ukraine, and to help Ukraine further defend its airspace against Russia,” said Robert Harvey, who organizes for Ukraine Rally DC.

Protesters also condemned Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities Monday, including the partial destruction of a children’s hospital in the capital Kyiv.

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“It’s a really, really hard day, and all humans can feel this big pain today,” said Ukrainian protestor Ira Fiheroa Kuentas with tears in her eyes. She says she and her family came to the United States to escape from the war.

At a White House press briefing Monday afternoon, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby talked at length about the role support for Ukraine will play at the NATO summit. He said there will be a meeting about Ukraine Thursday afternoon followed by an event with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky that will be hosted by President Biden.

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“To strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses and to help Ukraine protect its cities, the United States and several of its allies will have several big announcements at this week’s summit,” Kirby said.

The NATO Summit will bring with it a lot of street closures and traffic backups to DC, especially near the three areas where events will be held – the White House, the Mellon Auditorium off Constitution Avenue, and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.