Ukrainian Week, Washington DC

"I am the former Vice President of the United States of America. I am the former governor of the great state of Indiana. But I am here just as an average American to simply say—from the bottom of my heart—thank you for your support. President Reagan once said that if you are willing to fight our enemies on your soil with your soldiers, we will give you the means to fight them there so we don’t have to fight them ourselves. It is in the interest of freedom, in the interest of Ukraine, and in the interest of the security of the United States of America to ensure Ukraine gets the support it needs. I believe Vladimir Putin thought his war would be over in days. I believe that it would be difficult for us to fight our enemies on our own soil. But the people of Ukraine have fought bravely. Their courage burns bright and inspires the world. Because the Bible tells us: ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.’ And when we stand for freedom—when your people fight for freedom—they make His work known. So thank you all for standing with Ukraine. It is my honor, from the bottom of my heart. We will stand with you until peace and security return to Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!" Former Vice President Mike Pence took the stage at the Gala Dinner of Ukrainian Week 2025, delivering a powerful call for Americans to stand with Ukraine.

The Ukrainian-American Partnership Summit gathered a distinguished group of participants from both Ukraine and the United States, including government officials, business leaders, humanitarian experts, educators, and advocacy representatives. The event consisted of three key blocks: Regional Partnership, Humanitarian Partnership, and Education, Business, and Advocacy Partnership. The Regional Partnership brought together Ukrainian regional leaders and U.S. officials, including senators, mayors, and members of Congress, to strengthen interregional cooperation. The Humanitarian Partnership featured major U.S. aid organizations, faith-based groups, and philanthropic leaders discussing humanitarian efforts, with Ukrainian representatives highlighting key support initiatives. The Education, Business, and Advocacy Partnership connected executives, industry experts, and advocacy leaders from both countries to explore opportunities in business, education, and public engagement.

The U.S.-Ukraine Veterans Forum: Recovery and Resilience brought together 300 participants—U.S. and Ukrainian government officials, veteran support organizations, chaplains, and rehabilitation experts—to share knowledge, experiences, and solutions for supporting those who have served. From battlefield bravery to post-war recovery, the discussions highlighted the unbreakable spirit of Ukrainian veterans and the critical role of international partnerships in their rehabilitation. With insights from U.S. agencies and NGOs, Ukrainian organizations explored new avenues to enhance veteran support programs at home. #uaweek2025

Thursday at Ukrainian Week in Washington was a Women’s Day! The day started with the USA-UA Women’s Gathering – a networking event where Ukrainian and American women connected, shared experiences, and discussed important issues together. It was a great opportunity to strengthen ties between women leaders, diplomats, activists, and community figures. Later in the day, the American-Ukrainian Women's Afternoon Tea took place as part of the National Prayer Breakfast. This event fostered meaningful conversations about today’s challenges, inspiration, and the role of women in international support for Ukraine. A distinguished guest was Grace Nelson, Board Secretary of the National Prayer Breakfast.

U.S.-Ukraine Business Forum 2025: Advancing Bilateral Economic Cooperation to a New Level The U.S.-Ukraine Business Forum, organized by the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) in partnership with the Atlantic Council, was a bilateral summit of the business, governmental and regional leaders, as well as top representatives of international financial institutions and industry experts. John Herbst, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, remarked: "We were delighted to host the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council Forum and their many sponsors for a five-star event involving thought leaders discussing Russia's war in Ukraine, Ukrainian prospects for victory, and turbocharged development after victory." #uaweek2025

During the day, we spoke with Congressman John Moolenaar from Michigan’s 2nd congressional district about the potential expansion and extension of United for Ukraine (U4U) and other humanitarian assistance programs for Ukrainian refugees. When asked about Congress’s stance on these programs, Moolenaar acknowledged the significance of the issue but emphasized that current priorities remain centered on budget discussions and the transition of the new administration. “This is called Congress considering the possibility of expanding or extending its assistance program for Ukrainian refugees, such as yourself, under your or humanitarian status. I believe this issue will be discussed, but at the moment, Congress is focused on various aspects related to the budget, as well as the arrival of the new administration. I know that Congress will work with the new administration to establish the appropriate policy. However, right now, we need to complete our work on appropriation matters. We have a budget reconciliation bill, as well as many other important issues we are working on. This will certainly be part of future discussions as we move forward.” While no immediate legislative action is planned, Moolenaar reaffirmed that discussions regarding assistance for Ukrainian refugees will continue as congressional priorities evolve. #uaweek2025

Big news! The New York Times covered the National Prayer Breakfast. At the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, a Ukrainian delegation emphasized how Russia threatens religious freedom, targeting Christians who don’t align with Kremlin-controlled orthodoxy. This is a crucial moment to rally bipartisan support and reinforce the true stakes of this war—defending democracy, faith, and fundamental human rights. https://lnkd.in/ghEvAcYv

Prayers for Ukraine in Washington, D.C. Religious leaders, members of parliament, and U.S. officials gathered at a Ukrainian Week reception at the Ukrainian House in Washington, D.C. to pray for peace in Ukraine and freedom for the entire world. "We have gathered to offer our joint prayers for Ukraine. Everywhere I meet with religious leaders around the world, I call on everyone to strengthen our common prayer." — Metropolitan Epiphanius, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) "If we leave one war alone, it'll fester and give power to these acts of evil to attack further. And if we're going to fight against evil, we have to fight wherever and however it emerges." — Moshe Reuven Azman, Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Among the speakers were Yaroslav Bazylevych, who lost his wife and three daughters in a Russian missile strike in Lviv on September 2, and families of hostages from Gaza.09:29 AM #uaweek025

At the Family and Demography forum, speakers emphasized the critical role of family in Ukraine’s resilience and future. "Time + Energy = Love." – Vadym Dashkevych highlighted the need to instill family values from childhood to ensure they carry forward. “Demographics are not just economics; they are national security.” – Pavlo Unguryan stressed the urgency of addressing Ukraine’s population crisis. "Every child is a blessing, not a burden." – Tony Perkins underscored the importance of policies that protect and support families. Ukraine’s strength lies in its people. Building roads and cities means little without strong families to fill them. #uaweek2025

A Story That Must Be Told - We Were Recruits 🎥 "This film is not just about war—it’s about the heroes who fight for Ukraine’s future. We often see the action, but rarely the faces behind it. That’s why I chose eight real commanders to tell their stories." – Lubomir Levitsky. Using raw battlefield footage, this film sheds light on the impact of international support and the true cost of freedom. Led by a young recruit as the narrator, it offers a unique and powerful perspective on war. This is not just our fight—it’s yours too. Witness the truth.