As the U.S. conducts a contentious peace process regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine, a group of activists arrived at the United States Capitol to urge lawmakers to continue supporting Ukraine. Over 600 delegates attended the Ukraine Action Summit—an event organized by the American Coalition for Ukraine—and they held nearly 450 meetings. This was the second summit I attended with this organization. The first, held last September during the final months of Joe Biden’s presidency, was a markedly different experience from the current one.
Photo: Washington state delegates meet with Senator Maria Cantwell
One of the first things that catches the eye at the summit is the group’s diversity. Although most attendees were of Ukrainian heritage, there were many non-Ukrainians and people of other ethnicities. Another notable aspect was the wide range of socioeconomic statuses and education levels among the delegates. There were successful businesspeople, former government officials, and think tank scholars, alongside college students, stay-at-home parents, and retirees. The summit demonstrated that anyone can advocate for Ukraine.
At this summit, our goal was to encourage politicians to sustain support for Ukraine. Our talking points focused on educating policymakers about the war, including topics like child abductions and the persecution of Christians, and urging them to speak out against potential Russian expansion while promoting a just peace. We also encouraged senators and representatives to cosponsor theSanctioning Russia Act of 2025and pressed them to support the REPO Act, which would allow the confiscation of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defense efforts. Although we spoke with many politicians who expressed deep, committed support for Ukraine, it’s challenging to envision substantial outcomes from our discussions.
The unfortunate reality is that, despite verbal support from many politicians, the Trump administration largely shapes the country’s commitment to Ukraine. With Trump allies throughout Congress, including key positions like the Speaker of the House, it’s difficult to imagine legislation passing that opposes Trump’s foreign policy vision.
Similarly, policies ensuring a just peace for Ukraine depend entirely on the administration and its negotiators. While much of the blame falls on the administration, many congressional staffers I spoke with showed little urgency regarding Ukraine.
Although there is bipartisan support for Ukraine, some policymakers are more focused on playing the blame game. This was evident during my first summit, when some Republican staffers expressed this sentiment, and again this week with some Democratic staffers. For legislation to pass, policymakers must recognize the existential threat facing Ukraine and the West. So, what are the takeaways from this summit?
First, our lobbying delegations strive for bipartisanship. While many Democrats and centrists attend these events, true Republicans—and especially MAGA Republicans—are underrepresented. For our lobbying to succeed, particularly in deep-red states, we need more delegates who proudly wear MAGA hats and view Ukraine as an “America First” issue.
Second, Ukrainian supporters must continue raising awareness. In some meetings, it was surprising to hear staffers or elected officials unaware of key issues. Some didn’t realize the Ukrainian diaspora constitutes a significant portion of their electorate. Others were unfamiliar with critical legislation, like the REPO Act.
Issues that have been widely reported, such as Russia’s deliberate persecution of Christians in occupied Ukraine, were not fully known to some officials. This was a clear blind spot for certain politicians.
Third, these events are valuable. It’s critical for policymakers to hear their constituents’ concerns. By traveling from their hometowns to Washington, D.C., constituents signal the importance of this issue. This can spur greater action from policymakers.
It’s fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes workings of our government; there’s always something to learn and improve upon. This experience will hopefully enable us to play a larger role in supporting Ukraine’s fight for survival. We need more policymakers to feel the urgency of Ukraine’s existential war. Each day, thousands of Ukrainians die from Russian bombings. Through our activism, we must ensure that support for Ukraine remains strong so that these numbers drop to zero—and stay there—sooner rather than later.
Author: Eddie Priymak