On June 11-12, Washington, DC hosted one of the most significant advocacy events for the Ukrainian community in the United States – Ukrainian Days 2025 – organized by the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA). This year’s gathering carried special weight, unfolding amid ongoing Russian missile attacks and growing global tensions, and marking the 85th anniversary of UCCA. Among the participants was Olena Davlicanova, Associate Senior Fellow at the Sahaidachnyi Security Center.
During meetings on Capitol Hill, the Ukrainian delegation highlighted urgent security priorities for Ukraine:
– the need for sustained and large-scale military assistance, particularly air defense systems;
– stricter sanctions against Russia and the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s recovery;
– accountability for war crimes and the return of abducted Ukrainian children.
The delegation met with U.S. lawmakers – including Rep. Eugene Vindman, Sen. Tim Kaine, and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam – urging swift passage of the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 (S.1241 and H.R.2548), seen as key to curbing Russia’s genocidal war.
In addition to these advocacy efforts, the team took part in a Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill. The event brought together U.S. lawmakers, veterans, Ukrainian diaspora leaders, and allies such as Sen. Thom Tillis, Pastor Mark Burns, and Ukrainian World Congress President Paul Grod. It served as a powerful reminder of the role advocacy and unity play in building and sustaining international support.
The Sahaidachnyi Security Center expressed its gratitude to UNIS and UCCA for their unwavering leadership and for ensuring Ukraine’s voice continues to be heard in the heart of American policymaking.
