March 12, 2025 – The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) welcomes the recent constructive dialogue between Ukrainian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia, as emphasized by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
We strongly support Ukraine’s clear commitment to achieving a lasting and honorable peace, which includes critical humanitarian measures such as ensuring silence in the skies and seas, securing the immediate release of prisoners, and facilitating the return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia.
The UWC particularly endorses the proposed 30-day ceasefire initiative, supported by the United States, which presents an essential opportunity for meaningful progress towards peace. We commend Ukraine’s proactive approach and readiness to implement this ceasefire immediately, contingent upon Russia’s reciprocal agreement.
However, we must underscore the harsh reality that Russia is the aggressor in this conflict, having illegally invaded Ukraine and continuing to launch daily missile and drone attacks deliberately targeting civilians. These relentless attacks have resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and inflicted hundreds of billions of dollars in damage upon Ukraine. Russia must be held accountable for its war crimes and compelled to finance the extensive rebuilding required.
“President Zelensky’s steadfast commitment to peace, articulated clearly through constructive diplomacy, demonstrates Ukraine’s sincere intentions to end this devastating conflict. However, given Russia’s relentless aggression, ongoing war crimes, and its evident ambition to re-establish a Soviet-style empire and sphere of influence, we have little confidence in Russia’s willingness to genuinely end this war,” said UWC President Paul Grod.
Grod said it is critical that Ukraine’s allies “continue to expand and strengthen the coalition of the willing, ensuring Ukraine has the military and economic resources required to decisively end this war and guarantee Russia can never again wage war against Ukraine or threaten Europe’s peace and security.”
UWC urges Ukrainian organizations and communities worldwide to include the following in their appeals:
- Emphasize Russia’s role as the aggressor and its continued targeting of civilians.
- Highlight the humanitarian necessity of a ceasefire: silence in skies and seas, prisoner release, return of Ukrainian children.
- Stress the urgency for holding Russia accountable for war crimes and financial reparations.
- Advocate for increased military and economic support from Ukraine’s international allies.
- Warn about Russia’s broader geopolitical ambitions and the ongoing threat to European security.
- Encourage global solidarity and continued coalition-building to ensure lasting peace and stability.
