Paul Grod on the meeting with Ukrainian defenders: “We heard their needs – from the rank and file to the Territorial Defense commander”

In an interview on Espresso TV with Vitaly Portnikov, one of the most famous and respected Ukrainian journalists, the Ukrainian World Congress President, Paul Grod, discussed the UWC delegation visit to Ukraine and explained why the UWC’s campaign “Winter Is Here” is of critical importance.

According to Paul Grod, the purpose of the visit was to hand over the equipment purchased with the UWC-collected funds to the Territorial Defense forces. “We have already handed over $40 million worth of equipment,” the UWC President emphasized.

In addition, the purpose of the visit was to communicate with a wide range of defenders of Ukraine – from the rank and file to the Territorial Defense commander – and hear the opinion of the military about their needs. The visit also aimed to assure the Ukrainian warriors that worldwide Ukrainians will always be by their side and will call on the world to provide as much military, economic and political support to Ukraine as it will take.

“Each phase of the war is different. During the first phase, the defenders required body armor and helmets. Today, something else is needed, for example, armored vehicles. We are constantly adjusting to the greatest needs for Ukraine on any given day,” Grod said. Therefore, each fundraiser must adapt to the current situation.

“During the war, we want our donors, Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine all over the world, to hear what is most important – that today is winter, and it is necessary to help our military not only to endure but to win,” Grod emphasized, talking about the “Winter Is Here” campaign.

Other topics discussed during the interview were:

• How Ukrainian communities actively support refugees;
• How to counteract assimilation;
• How to prevent refugees from falling into the trouble of the “Russian world”;
• How to create conditions for Ukrainians to want to return to Ukraine.

Paul Grod also talked about the meetings with the hierarchs of Ukrainian churches, during which they discussed how the church could help Ukrainians to avoid involvement in the “Russian world” and how the UWC can strengthen churches and religious organizations’ efforts.

“Another step and priority, which we started working on, is the restoration of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure,” Paul Grod shared the UWC plans.