On 7-11 December 2015, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij met in Brussels, Belgium, with high-ranking officials of the European Union, Council of Europe, NATO, Belgium and Ukraine, and representatives of civil society to discuss continued support for Ukraine.
The UWC President highlighted the threat to European and global security posed by the Russian aggression against Ukraine in the Donbas region and emphasized the importance of staying focused on the geopolitical consequences of this hybrid war.
Eugene Czolij stressed the need to further consolidate support of the international community for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements by the Russian Federation and strengthening, if not maintaining, targeted sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with these agreements.
Addressing the overwhelming consequences of the violations of Ukraine’s borders by Russia-backed terrorists, the UWC President urged the high-ranking officials to increase humanitarian aid for the citizens of Ukraine and coordinate the efforts of international donors. Also discussed were the following topics: concrete measures to combat Russian disinformation, including the blatant attacks on fundamental European values in Russian mass media; human rights violations of Ukrainian citizens in the Russian Federation, including political prisoners, and residents of the illegally invaded Crimean peninsula; the European Neighbourhood Policy; the implementation of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens to the European Union Member States that belong to the Schengen Area; and the referendum on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement scheduled in the Netherlands for 6 April 2016.
On 7 December 2015 UWC President addressed the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the Political consequences of the crisis in Ukraine.
On 8 December 2015 Eugene Czolij addressed a session of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee of the European Parliament dedicated to the Exchange of views on EU strategic communication and the hybrid war in Ukraine.
“Despite attempts by Russian President Vladimir Putin to create another frozen conflict in the world and distract the international community from his imperialist ambitions, the European Union, Council of Europe and NATO high‑ranking officials assured the Ukrainian World Congress of their unwavering support for the Ukrainian people,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
The UWC Liaison Officer in the EU Maryna Iaroshevych participated in these meetings.
