On 31 May – 3 June 2016, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij met in Brussels, Belgium, with high-ranking officials of the European Union (EU) and representatives of civil society to discuss continued support for Ukraine.
During his meetings, Eugene Czolij focused attention on the geopolitical consequences of the ongoing hybrid war of the Russian Federation, including its illegal occupation of Crimea and military actions on the Eastern territories of Ukraine. He also emphasized the need for the international community to support Ukraine which, in defending its borders, is protecting European and global security. As a result, the UWC President called for continued sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with the Minsk agreements and de-occupies Crimea. Eugene Czolij also expressed concern over the intention expressed by the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Junker to participate in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2016.
The UWC President stated that European institutions should be conscious of the fact that the Russian disinformation campaign aims to present Ukraine to the world as a failed state. He discussed the strengthening of joint communication strategies in combating Russian disinformation, and noted that the European community should recognize the reforms being realized in Ukraine.
Also discussed were the significance of the full implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and the visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens to the European Union Member States that belong to the Schengen Area, and continued support for the reform process in Ukraine.
Eugene Czolij highlighted the violations of human rights in the illegally occupied Crimea by the Russian Federation, the increasing pressure on Ukrainians in the Russian Federation, and the unlawful imprisonment of Ukrainians on politically-motivated charges in the Russian Federation.
The UWC President delivered remarks on the current situation in Ukraine during a coordination meeting of non governmental organizations with representation in Brussels dealing with Ukraine-related matters, chaired by UWC Liaison Officer in the EU Maryna Iaroshevych.
Eugene Czolij also participated in a meeting when the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák presented the priorities of the Slovak Republic during the period of its chairmanship of the Council of the European Union beginning 1 July 2016. During this event, the UWC President underscored the gross violations by the Russian Federation of the global order, particularly its aggressor actions in Eastern Ukraine and its illegal occupation of Crimea, and the importance of finalizing the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
The UWC Liaison Officer in the EU Maryna Iaroshevych also participated in these meetings.
“The Ukrainian World Congress calls for a united European Union in countering Russian expansionism and taking decisive action in support of Ukraine to ensure peace and stability in the world,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
