Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Paul Grod congratulated newly-inaugurated President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and offered UWC support in furthering Ukraine’s development and prosperity while protecting its territorial integrity and promoting its image internationally.
The UWC delegation consisting of UWC President Paul Grod, UWC Vice President and President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Andriy Futey, UWC Vice President and Chair of the UWC Committee for Ukraine’s Economic Development and Investments Olena Koszarny and Director of the UWC Mission in Ukraine Serhiy Kasyanchuk, met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on May 21, 2019 to outline priorities for supporting Ukraine in its battle with Russia’s military aggression, economic development of Ukraine and strengthening the ties binding all Ukrainians wherever they may live to create one powerful voice.
“The Ukrainian World Congress was pleased to witness President Volodymyr Zelensky’s inaugural address which emphasized engaging all 65 million Ukrainians living in Ukraine and abroad, in Ukraine’s continued development,” stated UWC President Paul Grod. “During our comprehensive meeting, we called on President Volodymyr Zelensky to continue countering Russian aggression, realizing the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of its people, and bolstering Ukraine’s international trade and economic relations. At the same time we outlined a number of immediate risks to Ukraine including the completion of the NordSteam2 pipeline, weakening of sanctions by Europe and reinstatement of Russia into the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The President of Ukraine agreed with UWC’s assessment and committed to continue to advocate on these issues, including the deoccupation of the Donbas and Crimea.”
The delegation emphasized the need to support the many valuable reforms that have been put in place and should be allowed to continue, including Health Care reforms.
Paul Grod also focused on the critical importance of the preservation of Ukraine’s cultural identity to Ukraine’s unity and the need for promoting and popularizing Ukrainian language, culture, traditions and history. During the meeting, UWC discussed the need to create a positive framework, including revising citizenship laws, that will encourage diaspora Ukrainians to come to Ukraine in order to make a difference. Support for vulnerable Ukrainian communities around the world, particularly in Russia, is very much needed from the President of Ukraine.
President Zelensky recognized the work of the UWC in building and consolidating a strong community network in the diaspora and expressed gratitude for its support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. He was very interested in learning more about Ukrainian life in the diaspora, and the work of the UWC and its member organizations around the world in supporting Ukraine in building a positive image for Ukraine, advocacy with governments and NGOs, economic development, and humanitarian and technical assistance for Ukraine.
The UWC President proposed the development of a joint strategic vision for the continued cooperation between the UWC and the President of Ukraine with specific actions to defend the interests of Ukraine and Ukrainians throughout the world.
More information about this meeting is available on the Official website of the President of Ukraine.
