By Lacity
From 29 January to 3 February, the US capital will host Ukrainian Week, with the participation of US congressmen and a Ukrainian delegation of MPs, government officials, church leaders, chaplains, wounded soldiers, and children who were released from Russian captivity with the help of Save Ukraine.
“This year’s event will take place against the backdrop of the important establishment of a strategic partnership between our countries and in a very significant year for Ukraine. We want to thank America and deepen our cooperation, to convey the truth. The religious community understands the importance of fighting Russian propaganda fakes like no other. Such events have an impact in the United States,” commented Pavlo Unguryan, coordinator of Ukrainian Week in Washington.
Senators and members of the House of Representatives from the Republican and Democratic parties, including Senator James Lankford, Senator Roger Wicker, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Congressman Tim Walberg, Congressman Gary Palmer, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, are also scheduled to attend the Ukrainian Week events.
In addition, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova, USAID Director Samantha Power, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine in 2017-2019 Kurt Volker, and representatives of U.S. ministries are invited.
The Ukrainian delegation will be headed by David Arakhamia, chairman of the Servant of the People faction in the parliament. A total of 15 MPs are expected to attend.
“Advocacy trips to the US are extremely important as an element of parliamentary diplomacy, which is a part of all diplomatic efforts of the country. The United States is our number one strategic partner. It is important to maintain bipartisan support and lobby for support for our programmes, especially now,” says Arakhamia.
The National Prayer Breakfast will also include a Ukrainian breakfast, which, according to its coordinator Mykhailo Zhovnir, will be attended by American officials and members of the Ukrainian delegation. The main purpose of this event is to promote and advocate for Ukraine’s interests in the United States, which is currently the main partner in providing military and financial assistance.
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event attended by the highest US leadership, including the President and Vice President, members of Congress, and high-ranking delegates from around the world. Unofficially, such meetings began to be held during World War II, but the first National Prayer Breakfast was held in 1953, when Dwight Eisenhower was head of the White House.
