**Children‘s Plea for Peace**
Two young girls from London’s St Mary’s Ukrainian School Choir made a heartfelt appeal for peace in Ukraine. 11-year-old Liza and 13-year-old Arina spoke out after performing at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral to mark three years since Russia‘s full-scale invasion.
“We want freedom and we want peace,” said Liza, who fled Ukraine with her family. “I really want to see my bedroom again. We want this cruel, frightening war to stop.”
Arina added: “Children in Ukraine need a normal childhood. This day is really hard. It’s a reminder that there’s still a war in Ukraine. Children in Ukraine need peace.”
**Memories of War**
The girls shared their personal experiences of fleeing the war. Liza remembered entering the UK without speaking the language, and feeling scared and frightened. Arina said it was harder for her to adjust as she got older and understood the risks her family and friends faced back home.
**A Call to Action**
Arina expressed hope that one day she might return to Ukraine and help rebuild the country. The girls’ messages were echoed by community leaders, who gathered at an interfaith service on Monday. Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski said it was “saddening” to mark three years since the war began.
**Prayers for Peace**
Nataliya Vitiv, from the Ukrainian Community Centre East London, prayed for peace in Ukraine and around the world. She shared stories of young people who had died in the conflict and friends fighting to defend their country.
“We pray and we wish that the war will stop soon,” she said. “Even when we are far from them, our heart is there.”