Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Ukrainian community in Argentina during his visit to Latin America, Javier Aponiuk Sawicz, representative of Ukrainian organizations in Argentina and Canada, said. During the meeting, the leaders of the Ukrainian community had the opportunity to hear about the situation in Ukraine and the development of relations with Latin America.
Jorge Danylyshyn, UWC Vice President for South and Central America and President of the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Cultural Society “PROSVITA” in the Argentine Republic, awarded the President an honorary medal for leadership and courage in furthering Ukrainian interests.
Ukrainian Central Representation in the Republic of Argentina – a UWC-member organization – noted that Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s presence at the inauguration of newly elected President Javier Milei was historic. “This visit strengthens the ties between Ukraine and Argentina, positioning our country as a gateway for Ukraine in the region,” stated the Ukrainian Central Representation.
The meeting included representatives from various Ukrainian organizations such as: the Ukrainian Central Representation in the Argentine Republic, Ukrainian Plast in Argentina, Union of Ukrainian Women in Argentina, Association of Ukrainian-Argentinian University Graduates, Taras Shevchenko Foundation, Argentine-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ukrainian Society “Revival,” Organization of Ukrainian Women “Revival,” Ukrainian Cultural Society “Enlightenment” in the Argentine Republic, Women’s Union “Enlightenment,” Association of Ukrainian Youth, Ukrainian Society “August 27,” Ukrainian communities in the cities of Oberá and Colonia, Ukrainian community of the city of Apostoles, Ukrainian-Argentinian Club (Apostoles), and representatives of the clergy.
“I am very glad to be here with you today. Thank you for your support and your work. I know that you have been providing financial, humanitarian, and medical assistance. I know that some of you have hosted families and children, and some have helped with medications for the wounded. For all of this, I am deeply grateful,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy also thanked the Ukrainian community in Argentina for preserving its love for Ukraine, Ukrainian identity, and culture for decades. At the same time, in the conditions of a full-scale Russian war, Ukraine needs consolidation and preservation of political support from the world’s countries, Ukraine’s President emphasized.
“We need unity. Here we have representatives from Uruguay and Paraguay. We need to ensure that our communities in Latin America are united. The presence of our nation in one or another country is essential, and as an integral part of society, it always has an impact on state policy,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said and called on representatives of the Ukrainian community to establish economic and business ties both among themselves and with Ukraine.
“So I want to ask you to find additional tools to unite Ukrainians in Latin America until we end the war victoriously,” he added.
Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the Ukrainian community in Argentina has been actively participating in the collection and delivery of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, organizing rallies, picketing the Russian embassy in Buenos Aires and concerts of Russian performers in the country, participating in thematic round tables, conferences and discussions on Ukrainian topics, the Office of the President wrote.
In August, the Ukrainians of Argentina sent Ukraine the 14th batch of aid, which included 7,000 kilograms of food. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, Argentina has sent more than 122 tons of humanitarian cargo to Ukraine, becoming the first in Latin America by this indicator.
Also read the column of Jorge Danylyshyn, the UWC Vice President for South and Central America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela, Central America) and President of the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Cultural Society “PROSVITA” in the Argentine Republic, about whether Argentina can make a historic about-face and its meaning for Ukraine.
Photos: Office of the President of Ukraine
