Former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton visit a Ukrainian church in Chicago

• Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush visited a Ukrainian church.
• They left a bouquet of sunflowers as a token of their solidarity.

Former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush recently visited a Ukrainian church where they brought bouquets of sunflowers as a show of affection and solidarity in the face of the violence in Ukraine at the hands of Russian troops whose brutal and ceaseless invasion has caused the deaths of thousands of civilians.

Both former presidents went to the Ukrainian Catholic Church and said that «the United States will always remain united with the Ukrainian people.» On social media, Bill Clinton shared the images of the event and reaffirmed his support for the Ukrainian families who are experiencing the terror of war.

BILL CLINTON AND GEORGE W. BUSH MEET FOR UKRAINE

Former Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush appeared at Saints Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, located in the middle of Chicago’s vibrant Ukrainian Village neighborhood. They left bouquets of sunflowers in front of the church where they met to show their solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Both of the former presidents brought sunflowers (the Ukrainian national flower) and gave them to the parishioners of the Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church. The visit went viral on social media and, shortly after, former President Bill Clinton shared a video showing himself arriving with George W. Bush at the religious site.

«We are united»

In a post made by Bill Clinton, the former president announced that the United States has always been united with the Ukrainian people and that they will be by their side in the fight against the oppression that Ukraine is suffering at the hands of Russian forces. He shared a video showing his arrival at Saints Volodymyr and Olha Catholic Church.

«The United States stands united with the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom and against oppression,» wrote President Bill Clinton Twitter. He also shared images of both former presidents in the Catholic compound where they left their expressions of affection and support for the people of Ukraine. Filed under: Clinton Bush Solidarity Ukraine.

Parishioners appreciate the visit

On social media, the parishioners of the church thanked both former president for their show of solidarity. In the post, they also attached the video shared by former President Bill Clinton, where they explain the meaning of the sunflowers and the reason for the predominant blue and yellow color.

«Thank you, Mr. President Bush and Mr. President Clinton,» the parishioners of the Saints Volodymyr and Olha Catholic Church in Chicago wrote in their post. In the images, the former presidents are seen wearing a yellow ribbon and the sunflowers are tied with blue and yellow ribbons. Filed under: Clinton Bush Solidarity Ukraine.

Fighting for Ukraine

In the video shared by former President Bill Clinton, he noted that the United States has maintained diplomatic relations with Ukraine since 1991, when it gained independence from the Soviet Union. He want that relationship to remain strong, the New York Post reported. In the clip, he and Bush let it be known that they suppost the nation at war and that they disavow Russia’s actions.

«These flowers say ‘in solidarity’ with Ukraine,» says the video shared on social media, after the arrival of both presidents at the Saints Volodymyr and Olha Catholic Church in Chicago was announced. In the video, there were two parishioners present with them. Filed under: Clinton Bush Solidarity Ukraine.

Former presidents show solidarity with Ukraine

In the clip shared by the former presidents, they point out that during their tenures they worked hard to maintain good relations with Ukraine. In addition, they said that they always maintained agreements in favor of both nations and that they expect the American people to support Ukraine in times of need.

«Presidents Clinton and Bush worked to support Ukraine’s democratic institutions,» the video says. «Both former presidents have called on Americans to support Ukraine.» The show of solidarity was also quite controversial on social media.

The true meaning of flowers… and colors?

The parishioners present stated that the flowers that both presidents brought mean «in solidarity.» In addition, he clarified the true meaning of the yellow and blue colors that have been displayed since the beginning of the war. They represent the sky and the wheat that is Ukraine’s biggest crop.

«They represent the fight for freedom, which today are the colors blue and yellow,» the man says. «Blue for the sky, yellow for the wheat, since Ukraine is the breadbasket of Europe and now Ukraine is the citadel of the fight for freedom,» reported the parishioner who appears in the video along with the presidents at the church.

A criticism of the government?

On Twitter, users commented about presidents’ visit after the video was shared. Some pointed out that the current leaders should «see» what past generations did and take that into account. CLICK TO SEE THE VIDEO HERE.

«It’s nice to see a little solidarity and kind of people on opposite sides of the aisle. Hopefully we’ve seen more of this,» commented one user. «I was about to mention this! It always happens after the fact (i.e., once they are out of the office). I wish the same would happen with the people who are currently in office,» they replied.

How is the situation in Ukraine?

Russian forces pushed into the besieged and battered Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Saturday, where heavy fighting has shut down a major steel plant and local authorities have called for more Western help, The Associated Press reported. A couple of days ago, President Zelensky asked for the help of the United States to stop Russia’s actions, which caused the suspension of the Russian economy in the Western territory.

The fall of Mariupol, a scene of some of the worst suffering in the war, would mark a major battlefield breakthrough for the Russians, who are largely bogged down outside major cities more than three weeks after the greatest land invasion in Europe since World War II, the AP noted.

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