Standing with Ukraine in Washington: Our Participation in the Ukrainian Action Summit 2026
In April 2026, members of our organization traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Ukrainian Action Summit—an important opportunity to advocate for Ukraine directly with U.S. lawmakers and ensure that the voices of the Ukrainian-American community continue to be heard.
Throughout the summit, we met with members of Congress, senators, and their staff to discuss issues that remain critical for Ukraine’s future. Our conversations focused on three key policy priorities:
- Strengthening sanctions against Russia
- Addressing the abduction of Ukrainian children
- Expanding U.S.–Ukraine defense and economic partnerships
One of the most powerful moments of the summit was the nationwide “Bring Kids Back” initiative. Although we were unable to attend the April 23 event at the National Mall, its message deserves to be amplified.
Thousands of Ukrainian children have been forcibly taken by Russia, separated from their families, and placed into environments where they are subjected to forced re-education and militarization. This humanitarian tragedy does not receive nearly enough attention, yet it remains one of the most urgent human rights issues arising from the war. These children deserve to return home.
Advocacy is not about expecting immediate results from every meeting. Meaningful change takes persistence. While not every conversation resulted in immediate action, each discussion helped keep Ukraine’s priorities on the agenda and reinforced the importance of continued bipartisan support.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Representative Greg Landsman for his continued support of Ukraine. It is always a pleasure to meet with leaders who consistently stand for freedom, democracy, and justice, and who take the time to engage in meaningful dialogue with our community.
We are also grateful to Nazly Mamedova and Alla Deroun, who proudly represented the Ukrainian community of Cincinnati throughout the summit, advocating on behalf of those whose voices must continue to be heard.
A special thank you goes to the entire Ohio delegation for making this important mission not only productive but also inspiring. Your professionalism, teamwork, and positive spirit made the experience truly memorable.
Our work does not end when the summit concludes. We remain committed to raising awareness, advocating for accountability, and supporting Ukraine through education, community engagement, and ongoing conversations with policymakers.
If you are interested in participating in the next Ukrainian Action Summit and becoming part of future advocacy efforts, we encourage you to reach out. Together, we can continue making a difference.