WASHINGTON – The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) will sponsor a “Ukrainian Day” advocacy event on Wednesday, April 10. This endeavor is especially critical considering that Ukraine will have undergone presidential elections on March 31 (with parliamentary elections scheduled in the autumn) while fending off Russia’s ongoing illegal occupation of Crimea and the continued war being waged in eastern Ukraine. The year 2019 is equally as important as it marks the fifth anniversary of the culmination of the Revolution of Dignity and the heroism of the Heavenly Hundred.
The goal of the “Ukrainian Day” advocacy events is to interact with Members of Congress to discuss the community’s concerns regarding continued Russia sanctions and desperately needed economic and military assistance to Ukraine.
With over 100 new members of Congress, this first-in-a-series of advocacy events for 2019 will be used as an opportunity to inform the newest elected officials to support a strong, vibrant and reform-minded society in Ukraine. Likewise, Ukrainian Day will enhance and build upon cooperation with congressional friends of Ukraine to: promote military assistance to Ukraine to deter Russian aggression and preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence; seek full implementation of a sanctions regime against the Russian Federation; and provide crucially needed economic assistance to stabilize Ukraine’s economy.
As is traditional, Ukrainian Day will feature a special congressional reception to celebrate the Ukrainian community’s friends of Ukraine in the U.S. Congress. The “Friend of UNIS” award will be presented to individuals who have contributed to the betterment of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
The April 10 advocacy program is also supported by the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC). The CEEC will hold its own advocacy event on Thursday, April 11, in conjunction with Ukrainian Day. As a founding member of the CEEC, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America works in tandem with the coalition to advance U.S. foreign policy issues in the Central and East European region.
Further information about the April 10 Ukrainian Day will be forthcoming on the UNIS Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, as well as the UCCA website at www.ucca.org.