Eastern European Ukrainians unite in Przemyśl forum

Dec. 12–14, 2025, Przemyśl, Poland — The Forum of Ukrainians of Eastern Europe took place in Przemyśl, marking the first large-scale gathering to unite representatives of Ukrainian communities from thirteen countries, including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.

“The forum became a shared space for action in support of Ukraine’s Victory, its European future, and the strengthening of unity and cooperation among Ukrainian communities in Eastern Europe,” said Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC).

Over the course of three days, senior officials from Ukraine and Poland, diplomats, prominent civic leaders, activists, military representatives, spiritual and educational leaders, and heads of Ukrainian communities from across the region convened in Przemyśl. 

Participants discussed the key challenges facing Ukrainians amid Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, shared practical experience, and launched new initiatives aimed at amplifying Ukraine’s voice internationally.

The event brought together communities from the networks of the Ukrainian World Congress and the European Congress of Ukrainians, along with representatives of patriotic Ukrainian organizations and associations operating across Eastern Europe and united by shared values of freedom, democracy, and Ukraine’s European choice.

The forum program featured plenary sessions, roundtable discussions, working groups, and presentations of practical solutions. Core discussions focused on international advocacy, countering disinformation, youth and education development, the affirmation of spiritual values, the preservation of Ukrainian identity, and strengthening the Ukrainian presence in the region.

Participants outlined new formats of partnership, cooperation, and co-creation that contribute to strengthening Ukrainian agency in Eastern Europe and laying the groundwork for sustainable collaboration between the state and civil society.

Dedicated thematic blocks addressed war, resilience, and truth, including coordination of Ukrainian communities during wartime, support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and assistance to refugees, countering Russian propaganda, fakes, and disinformation, and shaping a positive international image of Ukraine. 

Significant attention was given to the role of Ukrainian communities in Eastern Europe, new forms of self-organization among autochthonous, migrant, and refugee communities, political participation and leadership, challenges of integration and identity preservation, and opportunities for cross-regional cooperation.

An important part of the discussions focused on partnership between European Ukrainian communities and Ukraine, joint action on the path toward EU and NATO membership, advocacy as a tool of political influence, and education as a strategic investment in the future of global Ukrainian communities. 

Particular emphasis was placed on the development of Ukrainian schools abroad, preserving linguistic identity among younger generations, and modern educational programs for Ukrainians living outside Ukraine.

A separate focus of the Forum was dedicated to the role of youth as a driving force of the Ukrainian movement abroad. Discussions covered political and civic education of young leaders in the diaspora, value-based leadership through culture and spirituality, new formats of youth leadership, and cooperation and integration of young people into national and international institutions of the Ukrainian world.

“The Forum in Przemyśl confirmed the readiness of Ukrainian communities in Eastern Europe for joint, coordinated action and became an important step toward strengthening a united, strong, and European future for Ukraine,” said the UWC President.

The Forum of Ukrainians of Eastern Europe was initiated by the Ukrainian World Congress and held in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the European Congress of Ukrainians, the Association of Ukrainians in Poland, the Ukrainian House in Przemyśl, and the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations of Lviv Polytechnic National University (MIOK).