PRESS RELEASE
June 24, 2022
General (Ret.) Rick Hillier to lead new Strategic Advisory Council for Ukrainian World Congress #UniteWithUkraine Campaign
(TORONTO) – The Ukrainian World Congress is honoured to announce General (Ret.) Rick Hillier, Canada’s former Chief of Defence Staff, will chair a new Strategic Advisory Council through the UWC’s #UniteWithUkraine campaign.
The Strategic Advisory Council will draw on the military expertise of its members — which includes former generals and defence experts from around the world — to advise and support the Unite With Ukraine initiative on how to best support the Defenders of Ukraine.
“The men and women fighting this war are Ukraine’s sons and daughters,” said Gen. Hillier. “Before Russia’s invasion of their country, they were doctors, students, plumbers and shopkeepers. Today, they are standing on the frontlines with Ukraine’s military, defending their homes and families. I am honoured to work with the Ukrainian World Congress to help lead and guide them.”
“Ukrainians have shown the world their resolve and determination, but they need our support to succeed against a vicious Russian invader that is committed to destroying the Ukrainian people and the rules based international order,” said Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress. “We are honored to have General Rick Hillier lead our Strategic Advisory Council for Unite With Ukraine. Rick has traveled with us to Ukraine and seen first-hand the bravery of the Ukrainian forces defending their homes and families. His military wisdom and expertise is exactly what we need to help the Ukrainians win this war.”
Gen. Hillier recently returned from Kyiv as part of a week-long UWC mission where he visited Ukrainian troops, defence and government officials, including the president’s office. While there, he received extensive briefings on the critical situation in Ukraine and how much help the country must continue to receive to win the war. Gen. Hillier is championing the #UniteWithUkraine campaign, which has been helping procure non-lethal protective equipment for Ukrainians since shortly after the war began.
The formation of the Strategic Advisory Council comes at a critical time in the war. While the resolve of the Ukrainian people is unbreakable, the situation is very challenging. Russia continues its horrific assault on the country, with Ukraine recently announcing that about 20 per cent of the country is under Russian control.
In order to win the war, it is absolutely critical that western powers follow through on their promises to support Ukraine both financially and militarily. In the meantime, Gen. Hillier encourages all to donate to the campaign at www.unitewithukraine.com to provide the Defenders of Ukraine with the equipment they desperately need.
“Ukraine is fighting for its life,” said Gen. Hillier. “The world has a choice; we either help Ukraine now to win and push Russia out or fight Russia after they have seized Ukraine and start invading other countries. We’ve seen this story before. The time is now. Equip Ukraine with what they need to win or else.”
Supporting the Strategic Advisory Council is a dedicated project management team that bring skills and experience in international diplomacy, defence, procurement, intelligence, logistics, communications, law and fundraising to the table.
About Ukrainian World Congress
Over the past 55 years, UWC has been the voice of the global Ukrainian community. Representing the interests of 20 million Ukrainians living more than 60 countries around the world, the UWC has been actively supporting human rights and democracy in Ukraine. UWC is recognized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as a non-governmental organization with special consultative status and has a participatory status as an international non-governmental organization with the Council of Europe.
For more information, please visit ukrainianworldcongress.org, follow on Twitter @UWCongress or Facebook at /UkrainianWorldCongress and see our videos on YouTube.
An initiative of the Ukrainian World Congress, #UniteWithUkraine is a global fundraising initiative that enables anyone, anywhere to show their support for the Ukrainian people as they fight for freedom, human rights and democracy. Funds raised will be used for supplying an evolving range of needs to people on the front line, including: IFAK – first aid kits; bullet-proof vests and helmets; night-vision goggles; communication equipment and fuel, among other things.
For more information or to donate, please visit unitewithukraine.com.
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The strength, resilience, and perseverance of the ‘Defenders of Ukraine’ remains steadfast in the face of the invaders but they continue to need our support, and they need it TODAY – please spread this message!
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THE DEFENDERS OF UKRAINE
NEED OUR HELP!!
