The 'Bell of Solidarity' with Ukraine tolls for the first time at the National Cathedral of Washington.

The National Cathedral of Washington held a festive service to mark the beginning of the year. During the ceremony, a prayer for Ukraine was read, and a symbolic bell made from ammunition found on the front lines was used. The spokesperson for the National Cathedral of Washington, Kevin Ekstrom, noted that this cathedral has always supported Ukraine, and they take pride in this. The bell was consecrated, and it bears an inscription of a quote from the poetry of Taras Shevchenko 'Truth will rise! Freedom will rise!' and the slogan 'Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!'

The bell was created at the request of the National Bell Festival, which is dedicated to Ukraine, which will be in the spotlight in 2025. 'This bell will travel as part of the national bell celebration. Its final home is yet to be determined. We are glad that this cathedral was one of its stops,' said Kevin Ekstrom.

Representatives of the Ukrainian community and the Ukrainian embassy in the USA were also present at the service. Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova expressed gratitude to Americans for their solidarity with Ukraine and noted that Ukrainians also responded to the tragedy that occurred in the USA during the New Year celebrations.

The 'Bell of Solidarity' is symbolically connected to the American 'Liberty Bell' in Philadelphia, which was used to announce the Declaration of Independence of the USA in 1776.

US President Joe Biden announced the provision of nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including artillery shells and armored vehicles. Earlier, on December 24, Ukraine had already received $1 billion funded by Russian assets.