On 24-25 May 2017, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij made a working visit to Washington, U.S.A., where he met with high-ranking government and civil society officials, and addressed the Gala Dinner on the theme, “U.S.-Ukraine: Partners in the Battle for Democracy and Security in Europe”.
During his meetings, the UWC President encouraged continued support for Ukraine, particularly the defence of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and the strengthening of targeted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with the Minsk agreements and de-occupies Crimea. Eugene Czolij also emphasized the importance of the deployment of a police mission in Eastern Ukraine by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and its observer mission in Crimea. In addition, the UWC President called for the strengthening of the Normandy format by including the U.S.A., and a meeting between the Presidents of the United States and Ukraine to address timely issues. Eugene Czolij focused attention on the plights of illegally detained persons by the Russian Federation, Ukrainian political prisoners in Crimea, Eastern Ukraine and the Russian Federation, particularly Oleh Sentsov, Roman Sushchenko and Oleksandr Kolchenko. The UWC President also discussed the use of Magnitsky legislation to deal with blatant cases of human rights violations by the Russian Federation.
On 24 May 2017, the UWC President attended a Gala Dinner organized by Alexa Chopivsky, Executive Director of the American Center for a European Ukraine, to highlight Ukraine’s reform process and recognize the contribution of several individuals and corporations to Ukraine’s democratic and economic development. Speaking at the event were U.S. Senator and honoree John McCain, U.S. Congressman and honoree Brendan Boyle, the Chief Investment Officer to the Prime Minister of Ukraine and Director of UkraineInvest Daniel Bilak, UWC President Eugene Czolij and President of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council Morgan Williams. U.S. corporations Bunge, Cargill and Westinghouse were also honored for their outstanding record of doing business and investing in Ukraine.
In his address, Eugene Czolij highlighted the new Ukraine which is gradually and decisively moving toward full integration with the European community due to the success of core reforms. Eugene Czolij also recognized the great contribution to Ukraine’s development of its vibrant civil society, which is driving and shaping the reform agenda.
The UWC joined the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, U.S.‑Ukraine Foundation and Aspen Institute Kyiv in partnering with the American Center for a European Ukraine regarding this Gala Dinner.
During the visit to the United States, the UWC President met with the Ambassador of Ukraine in the United States Valeriy Chaly to discuss future cooperation on current Ukrainian issues.
The UWC President was accompanied to the meetings by the Executive Vice President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and UNIS Director Michael Sawkiw.
“The Ukrainian World Congress calls upon the governing authorities of the United States to continue supporting Ukraine in the defence of its territorial integrity in order to ensure peace, security and stability in the world,” stated Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij.
List of individuals with whom the UWC President met:
Andrews Jorgan, Director of the Office of Eastern European Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Boyle Brendan, Congressman, Member of House Foreign Affairs Committee, Member of Congressional Ukrainian Caucus
Chaly Valeriy, Ambassador of Ukraine in the United States
Rottman Gabe, Director PEN America, Washington, DC
Wilczek Piotr, Ambassador of Poland in the United States
Officers of the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
