UWC board member appointed Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sydney

Kateryna Argyrou, who chairs the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations and is a UWC Board of Directors member, has been appointed Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sydney, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha presented Ms Argyrou with a consular patent,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry noted that expanding Ukraine’s presence in Australia would help, among other things, “strengthen engagement with the Ukrainian community.”

“The minister expressed his sincere gratitude to Kateryna Argyrou and the Ukrainian community in Australia for their ongoing support of Ukraine’s Defense Forces,” the statement said.

The appointment was made during a meeting between the UWC delegation and officials from Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. 

UWC President Paul Grod also joined the conversation online.

They discussed UWC’s global advocacy work, its efforts to coordinate Ukrainian community actions abroad, and ongoing dialogue with foreign governments – particularly in support of Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.

“The minister also thanked the UWC for contributing to the development of a draft law on dual citizenship, calling the initiative a key step in maintaining strong ties between Ukrainians abroad and their homeland,” the ministry said.

He also praised “Stand With Ukraine! Unite for Ukrainian Victory!”– a global advocacy effort that marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, held in 710 cities across 78 countries.

Andriy Shevchenko, head of the UWC Mission to Ukraine, provided updates on recent aid to Ukrainian troops, including the delivery of a medically equipped Sikorsky S-76A helicopter that recently arrived in Ukraine. 

The medical evacuation helicopter was secured through the UWC’s Unite With Ukraine initiative and its partners.

Both sides agreed to continue their cooperation – particularly in preserving national identity and countering Russian disinformation.