UWC President begins official visit to Ukraine, urges daily support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces

Kyiv, September 9. Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress, has commenced a visit centered on supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine and engaging in high-level discussions aimed at advancing Ukraine’s victory and enhancing support for Ukrainian initiatives.

The President of the Ukrainian World Congress met with Mykola Tochytskyi, the newly appointed Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications. In his first official meeting in this role, Minister Tochytskyi focused on such key issues as the global counteraction of Russian disinformation and propaganda, as well as advocating for the recognition of the Holodomor as a genocide of the Ukrainian people.

Paul Grod emphasized that cultural diplomacy, preserving and reviving national memory, and information policy are of utmost importance for the Ukrainian diaspora.

Following their discussion, both sides agreed that a key priority in culture and communication is to unite the efforts of the Ukrainian diaspora and the government to promote Ukrainian narratives globally and counter Russian disinformation effectively.

While in Ukraine, UWC President Paul Grod delivered drones worth 23 million UAH / $555,275.50 USD to three units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The advanced systems stand as a substantial contribution to Ukraine’s defense capabilities from the global Ukrainian community.

The 18 units were divided among three groups: the 420th Separate UAV Systems Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Special designation unit “Kryla” (Wings) of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR), and the volunteer UAV reconnaissance-strike unit “Barracuda.”

A productive meeting took place between UWC President Paul Grod and Major General Ihor Plakhuta, Commander of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The discussion focused on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, which are in increasing demand in Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

“Nothing happens on the front lines without drones. Wherever UAVs and electronic warfare systems are used, there is success,” emphasized Plakhuta. 

“Thanks to the Avenger drones provided through Unite With Ukraine, 73 enemy units worth US$136.5 million have already been destroyed. The return on investment is US$1 to US$415,” said Lieutenant Colonel Andrii Sukhin, Commander of the Yastruby (“Hawks”) Battalion.

On behalf of the UWC, Paul Grod expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian defenders. “We are prouder, more grateful than ever for your defense of Ukraine,” he said.

In a meeting with Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the discussion centered on engaging the international community to facilitate the repatriation of deported Ukrainian children and prisoners of war.

The Ombudsman extended his gratitude to the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) for its significant contributions and dedication to advancing Ukraine’s interests on a global scale. Both parties concurred that leveraging the UWC’s broad network of regional organizations and Ukrainian communities around the world will bolster the Ombudsman’s initiatives, particularly in areas where such support is currently insufficient.

How to maintain spirituality in times of historical challenges and strengthen the bonds between Ukrainians around the world and Ukraine — these were the issues discussed by UWC President Paul Grod with His Beatitude Epiphanius, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine.

The meeting also covered the law banning religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church and its significance for Ukraine. In addition, they focused on the recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) internationally and meeting the spiritual needs of Ukrainians abroad, particularly in Europe.

At the end of the first day of his visit to Kyiv, the UWC President joined the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Ukrainian Service of “Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.” “On behalf of the UWC, which has been uniting and representing the interests of the Ukrainian diaspora for almost 60 years, I want to congratulate you on this remarkable anniversary. We are proud of you. I would like to thank you for three things: for preserving the identity of Ukrainians everywhere in the world, which is extremely important, whether during the Soviet occupation of Ukraine or today, amidst the full-scale Russian invasion; for your courage in defending the truth; and thirdly, for keeping alive the spirit of freedom, the DNA of the Ukrainian people,” said the UWC President.