UWC President, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister forge stronger global partnership in Toronto

TORONTO — Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Paul Grod met with Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister Andriy Sybiha and Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Andrii Plakhotniuk in Toronto on Nov. 12 that reaffirmed cooperation between’s Ukraine’s diplomatic corps and the global Ukrainian diaspora.

The meeting followed the G7 Foreign Ministers’ summit that was held in the Niagara region of Ontario, and which was hosted by Canada.

Held with the seven dominant economic countries of the world, the assembly highlighted the growing importance of diaspora engagement in Ukraine’s international strategy. 

Discussions centered on key areas of cooperation between Ukraine and the global Ukrainian community. Topics included the UWC initiative “Year of Ukrainian Unity — 2026,” aimed at uniting Ukrainian communities worldwide, as well as military support for Ukraine and the UWC program United with Ukraine.

Both sides also addressed advocacy priorities, including the coalition of willing nations, the unfreezing of Russian assets, and humanitarian issues.

Minister Sybiha praised the efforts of Ukrainian communities in Canada and around the world and thanked the UWC for raising funds in support of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

“Next year must be the year of strengthening unity among the entire Ukrainian nation at home and abroad,” Sybiha wrote.

Grod and Sybiha agreed to continue working together to ensure Ukraine’s voice is heard internationally and to keep Ukrainian communities active partners in defending the nation’s interests.