Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Paul Grod began a European capitals “Supporting Ukraine in the most difficult times” tour with the capital of Germany.
In Berlin, Paul Grod, Lyudmyla Mlosch, Head of the Central Union of Ukrainians in Germany (CUUG), and Yevgeniya Petrova, Acting WFUWO Chair, met with the Member of the Green Party Vasili Franco to discuss further assistance to Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees, who currently number about 100,000 in Berlin alone, as well as with Lilia Usyk, a member of the Berlin Parliament from the Christian Democrats. The development of Ukrainian education, the possibility of studying Ukrainian as a foreign language in German schools, and establishment of a Ukrainian community center in Berlin were key topics of discussion with representatives of the German authorities. The UWC delegation expressed gratitude for the powerful voice of Germany in assisting Ukraine and pledged continued support.
In a meeting with Matthias Lüttenberg, Ambassador, Representative for Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia, German Federal Foreign Office, the UWC President called upon Germany to take a proactive position on the issue of Ukraine’s accession to NATO and use its high profile to convince the other NATO member states of this necessity.
The UWC leader also met with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany, Oleksiy Makeev. Mr. Grod thanked the German state for its strong and consistent support of Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and for recognizing the Holodomor of 1932-33 as genocide of the Ukrainian people.
The Ukrainian World Congress delegation visited Ukrainian defenders undergoing treatment and rehabilitation in Berlin. The UWC President spoke with the wounded fighters, thanked the brave warriors on behalf of the global Ukrainian community for their resilience, courage, and fortitude, and conveyed wishes for a speedy recovery.
Paul Grod expressed his gratitude to the Central Union of Ukrainians in Germany (CUUG) and all the female volunteers who care for Ukraine’s defenders away from home.
On 28 May, the UWC President met with leaders of Ukrainian community organizations from across Europe during the XIV Congress of the European Congress of Ukrainians (ECU). In his address, he thanked Ukrainian organizations and communities for their unique role in these difficult historical times and emphasized that “the heart of assistance to Ukraine beats in Europe.”
The important meeting with the Ukrainian community, students, temporarily displaced persons, and defenders of Ukraine undergoing rehabilitation in Germany began at the Pangea Haus. It continued at a picnic organized by the Central Union of Ukrainians in Germany (CUUG).
Paul Grod visited the “Bedryk” kindergarten opened by the Central Union of Ukrainians in Germany (CUUG) with the assistance of CUUG Head Lyudmyla Mlosch. The UWC President thanked Ms. Mlosch for educating Ukrainian youth and building the “Ukrainian world” and presented her with a commemorative award for her devoted service.
Separately, the UWC President met with representatives of the parish of Prince Ihor Chernihivskyi in the newly opened Ukrainian Church, St.Thomas Kirche Mariannenpl.
On 31 May, the UWC President is scheduled to meet with Ukrainians, community leaders, and politicians in the French capital, Paris.
