US embassies and consulates general lit up with the colors of the Ukrainian flag
US Mission in Italy
February 23, 2023
press release
To mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the US Missions in Italy, the Holy See and the UN agencies in Rome will illuminate their office buildings in Rome, Florence, Milan and Naples in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. These symbolic gestures represent US solidarity with the government and people of Ukraine. The Italian people and government also illuminates a number of landmarks across the country. We would like to express our gratitude for Italy’s excellent leadership in supporting Ukraine.
The United States, along with our partners and allies, remains committed to assisting the people of Ukraine in defending their freedom and democracy against Russia’s brutal and barbaric war. According to the United Nations, more than 7,000 civilians died last year, including over 400 children. An estimated 13.7 million Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes, 7.8 million as refugees and 5.9 million as internally displaced persons. That’s about 30 percent of the entire population displaced in just one year. Entire cities were destroyed. Russia is targeting civilian infrastructure, leaving millions of homes without reliable electricity, heat and water in the dead of winter.
As President Biden said in Kiev this week, the struggle of the Ukrainian people to defend their country reminds us that freedom is priceless. The United States will stand by the Ukrainians until they secure their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
The lighting schedule for the buildings of the US missions in Italy is as follows:
US Embassy Rome: February 23 at 5:00 p.m. to February 26 at 12:00 a.m
US Consulate General Florence: February 23 at 5:00 p.m. to February 26 at 12:00 a.m
US Consulate General in Milan: February 23 and 24 from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m
US Consulate General in Naples: February 23 and 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m