On 15 March 2016 in Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij held an official meeting with the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, to discuss the coordination of actions to further Ukrainian national interests throughout the world.
During the meeting the following key issues were discussed: unifying the international community in effective action to stop Russian aggression in Eastern Ukraine and the de-occupation of Crimea, strengthening targeted sanctions against the Russian Federation until such time that it fully complies with the Minsk agreements, and ensuring the release of all illegally detained Ukrainians by Russia, particularly Nadiya Savchenko. In this context, the importance of providing Ukraine with humanitarian aid to overcome the devastating consequences of the Russian invasion was also underlined. Further discussions included forming a positive image for Ukraine and counteracting Russia’s disinformation campaign intended to discredit Ukraine.
Particular attention was devoted to the support for Ukraine’s Euro-integration processes, and the 6 April 2016 referendum in the Netherlands on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
Joint actions in commemorating the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence were also discussed.
The President of Ukraine was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin, and the Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of Ukraine, Kostyantyn Yelisieiev.
The UWC delegation, headed by UWC President Eugene Czolij, included UWC Secretary General and President of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations Stefan Romaniw and UWC Vice President and President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Paul Grod.
“During this constructive meeting we discussed concrete means of cooperation in furthering among the international community the defence of Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity, stopping thereby the advance of Russian imperialism into the West,” commented UWC President Eugene Czolij.
More information on this meeting can be found on the official site of the President of Ukraine.