Supporting Ukraine in most difficult of times: highlights of UWC delegation’s visit to Chicago

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) delegation led by the UWC President, Paul Grod,  held a series of essential community meetings in Chicago to coordinate efforts to support Ukraine in these most difficult times.

The UWC President met with the Ukrainian community and leaders of Ukrainian community organizations in Chicago at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. “Supporting Ukraine in its most difficult times” was the topic of the discussion and Paul Grod’s presentation. 

The meeting brought together about a hundred guests, including leaders of non-profit organizations, activists, and volunteers of Ukrainian descent. The dialogue focused on establishing a Russian war crimes tribunal, monitoring compliance with sanctions against Russia, and coordinating global aid for Ukraine. 

The newly elected President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), Illinois Division, Dr. Mariya Dmytriv, M.D., MPH, opened and moderated the evening. 

In his welcoming remarks, the UWC President thanked the United States for its steadfastness and leadership in supporting Ukraine. “This would not have been possible without the cohesive and coordinated work of the Ukrainian community and powerful organizations such as the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America,” noted Paul Grod, “We must work together and create global platforms to coordinate assistance to Ukraine and work together to bring our Victory closer.” 

The UWC President also presented the main areas of the Ukrainian World Congress’ focus –  defending Ukraine and advocating for Ukrainian interests, rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Russian troops, including the energy sector, and supporting worldwide Ukrainian communities.  

As Paul Grod emphasized, Ukrainian communities must be strong and united to build a Ukrainian world “from cradle to grave”; communities should unite, engage newly arrived Ukrainians in community work, become stronger to put even more pressure on politicians, and obtain even more assistance for Ukraine.

During his speech, UCCA President Andriy Futey thanked the UCCA Illinois Division and noted that it is one of the best Divisions in the United States, its diligent work serving as an example for other organizations in the country. 

Paul Grod also presented Dr. Mariya Dmytriv with a symbolic candlestick made of 155-caliber American shell casings, fragments of broken glass from a window in the city of Lyman, Donetsk Oblast, a part of an S-300 missile fired by Russians at peaceful Ukrainian soil, and a metal willow branch symbolizing the revival of life and the victory of Ukraine. “I am gratefully handing over this wonderful symbol for you further to inspire your work and the victory of Ukraine,” said Paul Grod. 

In gratitude for his assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, the UWC President also presented Andriy Futey with a symbolic gift – the first hryvnia made from Ukrainian shell casings. “In every hryvnia, there is a piece of victory” – these words are inscribed on a replica of the silver hryvnia from the time of Ukraine-Rus. The same Kyivan hexagonal hryvnia was used as a payment bullion in the 11th-13th centuries. 

Also addressing the Ukrainian community in Chicago was the director of the “Unite with Ukraine” initiative at the Ukrainian World Congress, Andrew Potichnyj. Unite With Ukraine has successfully procured and delivered over $40 million in military aid for Ukraine’s defenders, funded by donations collected in over 70 countries.

The director of “Unite With Ukraine” showed a video of an armored vehicle purchased with donor funds that was hit and burned at the front. “But this is not the main thing; the main thing is that people survived, and they are already on their next mission, continuing to defend Ukraine. For the UWC, this is worth all the money in the world,” said Potichnyj. 

Among other strategic meetings attended by UWC President Paul Grod, UWC Director of Development Maksym Stolyarevskyy, and Director of “Unite With Ukraine” Andrew Potichnyj was a meeting with the Heritage Foundation and the Selfreliance Credit Federal Credit Union and its foundation. The discussions focused on continued support for Ukraine and a coordinated strategy for future cooperation.