A roundtable discussion was held in Chicago by the Ukrainian Congressional Committee of America, Illinois Chapter, with the participation of Senator Dick Durbin and leaders of the Ukrainian community. After the discussion, a press conference was held, during which they discussed – NATO security, sanctions against Russia, as well as urgent issues of immigration and refugee support.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Congressional Committee of America.
During the meeting, Senator Durbin listened to the community on three key topics: how Russia’s war in Ukraine affects Ukrainian Americans; the challenges and priorities of the Ukrainian-American community in Illinois; and initiatives on immigration, resettlement, and community support.
“Питання торкалися тем щодо недавніх порушень расією кордону НАТО та постійної неспроможності Конгресу прийняти на законодавчому рівні санкції проти агресора расії, також викликів, з якими стикаються біженці війни в Сполучених Штатах. У дискусії взяв участь Френк Спула, президент Польського національного альянсу. Центральною темою було те, що єдність – це шлях вперед, і що необхідні більш рішучі дії для протидії російській агресії на всіх рівнях. Представниця офісу сенатора виступила з інформацією щодо продовження віз та отримання дозволу на роботу для біженців”, – said Marta Farion, President of the Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America, about the event.
The participants raised a number of important demands – from increasing sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation to accelerating procedures for visa extensions and work permits for refugees.
“I want the Ukrainians to win. We have to achieve a lasting peace so that the Ukrainians can rebuild their nation. And the Russians have to pay for it. Because they caused this destruction, so they have to pay for the reconstruction. And we have to help with that,” Dick Durbin said.
Diplomatic steps to strengthen NATO cooperation and support Ukraine’s defense needs were also discussed separately.
“We asked the Senator to use all possible political and personal leverage – the American Congress must act as soon as possible, because the threat and troubles from Russian aggression are spreading far beyond the borders of Ukraine. It seems that all words have been exhausted – it is time to act! But everyone must act – starting with each of us and ending with the Senate, the European Parliament and NATO. Words do not knock down Russian missiles and drones, we need weapons and appropriate protection!”, emphasized the president of the Illinois branch of the Ukrainian Congressional Committee of America (UCCA IL) Maria Dmytriv-Kapeniak.
After the discussion, a press conference was held with the participation of local TV channels, where the participants outlined further steps for cooperation with Congress and possible solutions to ease the status of refugees in the USA.
“Ми глибоко вдячні “We are deeply grateful to Senator Dick Durbin for his unwavering support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Today’s meeting is another example of that. On behalf of our community, our executive director presented a symbolic gift – a brooch with two flags,” added the Selfreliance Association, which provides consulting services to the Ukrainian community.
The organization recalled that the senator has repeatedly spoken out and strongly condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
“I stand for Ukraine because I believe these people are fighting for the values we hold dear. And they stood by the United States and said ‘thank you’ many, many times to me and others,” Durbin was quoted as saying in the organization.
The meeting had both a warm and symbolic moment: community representatives presented the senator with Howard Buffett’s photo book “Courage of the Nation” and a pair of socks with the flags of the United States and Ukraine “as a good memory” – a gesture that brought smiles and positive feedback from the participants.
The organizers thanked everyone who joined the roundtable and noted the importance of continuing the dialogue with government officials to protect the interests of the community and strengthen support for Ukraine in the international arena.
Photo: Maria Kliachko
Author: Inna Mikhno