On 20-27 August 2016 in Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij met with Church leaders and high-ranking government officials of Ukraine to discuss the most effective ways to further current Ukrainian issues related to the defence of Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.
On behalf of the 20-million Ukrainian diaspora, the UWC President expressed greetings on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence.
During the meetings with the Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Kyiv Patriarchate, Patriarch Filaret, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, Patriarch Sviatoslav, and the Chief Rabbi of Kyiv and Ukraine, Yaakov Dov Bleich, the UWC President had the opportunity to discuss the reform process in Ukraine and the need to resolve historical issues between Poland and Ukraine through education and reconciliation.
During the meetings with high-ranking government officials of Ukraine particular attention was devoted to the coordination of the efforts of Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora led by the UWC to counteract the Russian hybrid warfare in Ukraine. Emphasis was placed on the importance of convincing the international community that Russian aggression in Ukraine is an international crisis that threatens peace and security in the world, and that by defending its borders, Ukraine is stopping the advance of Russian imperialism further West. In addition, cooperation in the following areas was discussed: the continuation of economic sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with the Minsk agreements and de-occupies Crimea; the provision of military aid for Ukraine to assist with the defence of its territorial integrity and humanitarian assistance for overcoming the devastating consequences of Russian aggression; countering Russian disinformation; and furthering the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.
With Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman the UWC President also discussed the signing of a revised Memorandum of Cooperation between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Ukrainian World Congress which is scheduled for the end of September 2016.
Together with the leaders of the Ukrainian communities in Latvia and Romania, Eugene Czolij met with the Ambassadors of these countries in Ukraine and appealed to them for their continued support for Ukraine.
The UWC President also delivered remarks during the presentation of the photo documentary book “Sche ne vmerla Ukraiiny ni slava, ni volia! Shliakh neskorenykh”, a publication dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine and initiated by the First Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv.
Joining Eugene Czolij at separate meetings were UWC First Vice President and President of the European Congress of Ukrainians Jaroszlava Hartyanyi, UWC Secretary General and President of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations Stefan Romaniw, UWC Vice President and President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Paul Grod, UWC Treasurer Zenon Potichny, UWC Chair of the Council to the UN and Executive Vice President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Andrew Futey, Director of the UWC Mission to Ukraine Serhiy Kasyanchuk and UWC Liaison Officer to International Organizations Maryna Iaroshevych.
More information on the meetings of the UWC President is available on state web portals including the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Minister for Internal Affairs of Ukraine and Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
List of individuals with whom the UWC President met:
Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate Patriarch Filaret
Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk)
Chief Rabbi of Kyiv and Ukraine Yaakov Dov Bleich
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman
Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yurii Lutsenko
First Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv
Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze
Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov
Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine Yurii Stets
Minister of Culture of Ukraine Yevhen Nyschuk
Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Ihor Zhdanov
Acting Minister of Health Dr. Ulana Suprun
Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council Oleksandr Turchynov
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vadym Prystaiko
Member of Parliament, Head of the Ukrainian Delegation to the OSCE PA Artur Gerasymov
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs at the Parliament of Ukraine Hanna Hopkо
Additional meetings of the UWC President:
Ambassador of Romania in Ukrainе Cristian-Leon Țurcanu
Ambassador of Latvia in Ukraine Juris Poikāns
Head of the Board, Center for Civil Liberties Oleksandra Matviychuk
