Volodymyr Kogutyak, UWC Vice President in Western Europe and head of its Advocacy Committee, on the campaign marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence and why gratitude has become an essential part of international advocacy.
Thirty-five years ago, Ukrainians restored their independence. Over the decades since, Ukraine has grown from a newly independent state into a country that is helping shape Europe’s security future. For nearly five years, Ukrainians have defended not only their own freedom but also the international order based on respect for sovereignty, international law, and human dignity.
Throughout this time, Ukraine has not stood alone. Millions of people around the world have become our allies. Parliaments have passed historic resolutions, governments have provided military, financial, and humanitarian assistance, sister cities have welcomed Ukrainian refugees, volunteers have raised funds, journalists have reported the truth about Russia’s aggression, and ordinary citizens have joined rallies in support of Ukraine.
That is why the UWC’s campaign marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence carries a special message. This year, we are reaching out not only to Ukrainians but also to everyone who stood with us during our darkest moments.
“Thank you for standing with Ukraine” is a global campaign of gratitude dedicated to Ukraine’s friends – those who have supported our country through political decisions, humanitarian assistance, civic engagement, or their daily work.
Why this campaign matters
In international advocacy, gratitude is more than a gesture of courtesy. It is a way to strengthen the partnerships that help Ukraine endure.
People want to know that their efforts matter. By publicly thanking Ukraine’s friends, we show that their support has not gone unnoticed. We create stories of successful cooperation that encourage continued support in the future.
For Ukrainian communities, this campaign is also an opportunity to remind local societies that the war is far from over. Although Ukraine appears less frequently in international headlines, the need for global support remains as urgent as ever. Independence Day should be more than a celebration – it should be another opportunity to engage with politicians, journalists, local officials, and community leaders about Ukraine.
Ukrainian communities serve as the bridge that keeps this dialogue alive.
How communities can get involved
We encourage Ukrainian communities to go beyond traditional Independence Day celebrations and use the occasion as a platform for international advocacy.
The centerpiece of the campaign is the presentation of the “Honorary Friend of the Ukrainian People” award to individuals whose actions have supported Ukraine.
Recipients may include members of national parliaments, mayors, government officials, diplomats, military personnel, volunteers, philanthropists, journalists, academics, cultural figures, or representatives of civil society. Every community knows its own allies best and can recognize those who have made a meaningful contribution to supporting Ukraine. A detailed list of award criteria is available at the link.
Presenting these certificates should be more than a symbolic expression of gratitude – it should send a public message that Ukraine remembers its friends.
At the same time, we recognize that publicly expressing support for Ukraine is not possible in every country or region. For those communities, we recommend using the more neutral messages “With gratitude from the Ukrainian people” or “With thanks from Ukrainians.” These alternatives allow communities to express appreciation to Ukraine’s friends even in difficult political or security environments.
Communities can also organize meetings in parliaments and municipal councils, hold official ceremonies, raise Ukrainian flags over government buildings, encourage landmark buildings to be illuminated in blue and yellow, organize Vyshyvanka parades, cultural festivals, and film screenings dedicated to Ukraine’s history and the Ukrainian people’s ongoing struggle.
Together, these initiatives share one goal: to make Ukraine more visible in the countries where Ukrainian communities live.
Social media as an advocacy tool
Today, advocacy takes place not only in government offices but also online.
That is why we encourage Ukrainian communities to actively participate in the campaign on social media. Record video messages of gratitude, share the stories of people who support Ukraine, post photos and videos from award ceremonies, and tag those you are thanking.
The campaign hashtag #ThanksFriendsUA will help unite these stories.
Each post is more than a thank-you to one individual. It is another message to the international community that support for Ukraine delivers real results and that the bond between Ukrainians and their allies has remained strong despite the war.
The campaign also includes a charitable component, as Ukraine continues to need support every day. Independence Day should not only bring Ukrainians around the world together but also remind the international community that the fight continues – and so must international solidarity.
For many years, Ukrainian communities have demonstrated that they are a powerful force in international advocacy. Their work has helped secure parliamentary resolutions, organize humanitarian initiatives, advance sanctions against Russia, and strengthen international support for Ukraine at every level.
Today, we have another opportunity to show the world the strength of Ukrainian unity.
We invite every Ukrainian community to join the “Thank You for Standing with Ukraine” campaign.
Identify the people in your country who have stood with Ukraine. Thank them personally. Tell their stories. Organize events that bring together Ukrainians and our friends. Share the campaign materials and use this initiative as another opportunity to remind the world that Ukraine’s fight continues – and that international solidarity remains one of the key foundations of our future victory.
Every “thank you” spoken today is an investment in tomorrow’s partnerships. And every friend of Ukraine who feels our gratitude becomes an even stronger ally in the fight for freedom.
Read also: Who can be recognized for supporting Ukraine – and how
