North Carolina residents hold rally to support Ukraine

RALEIGH, N.C. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - Dozens gathered in front of the state capitol to show their support for Ukraine.

This comes as the devastating war reaches the three-year mark and growing calls for an end to the fighting.

Organizers with the Ukrainian Association of North Carolina say during those three years, North Carolina has helped donate and also support more than 1,000 Ukrainian families in the state, with local universities like duke even researching the country's economic impact.

Many not only noted the recent political climate, but also remarks from Republican Senator Thom Tillis just days ago, who spoke about the Russia-Ukraine war and called Russian President Vladimir Putin "the greatest threat to democracy."

"We're grateful for Senator Thom Tillis' comments to just set the record straight. It's one thing to have political differences but it's quite another to abandon reality," said Donna Goldstein with Ukrainian Association of North Carolina.

Negotiations to end the conflict have been held in Saudi Arabia, but without any representation from Kyiv.

Organizers encourage people to also reach out to their legislators.