Three thousand American volunteers are ready to join the forces of the International Legion on Ukraine’s side. This was reported by “Voice of America,” citing the representative of the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington.
Out of those expressing the will to fight in the International Legion, which was created at the end of February, most are people from post-Soviet countries - Georgia and Belarus.
Among American volunteers, there are veterans with 20 years of experience.
"I had a soldier from Ukraine with me in Iraq," Matthew Parker, an American veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 22 years, told the Voice of America. He told me about his family and how proud they are. I remember him telling me about his little sister. Now I want to think that when I go to Ukraine, I might be protecting his mother or his little sister or his house. Maybe that's how I can thank him a little for his service."
For Parker, the fight in Ukraine is more than just a defense of one Central European country that suffered an unprovoked attack by the larger neighbor. Like many volunteers, he believes that Americans' democratic rights will be in danger if Russia manages to win.
On February 27, President Zelenskyy urged all foreigners who want to protect the safety in Europe to join the International Legion of the territorial defense forces of Ukraine.
On February 28 the International Legion was formed. On the same day, the President of Ukraine signed a Decree № 82/2022 on the introduction of a visa-free regime for foreigners who will help protect Ukraine from Russian aggression.