In Washington, D.C., as part of the fifth Ukrainian Week, the 20th Annual Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast was held—an event that over five years has evolved into one of Ukraine’s key international platforms for faith- and values-based diplomacy in the United States. The anniversary Prayer Breakfast brought together American and Ukrainian political leaders, religious figures, chaplains, veterans, business representatives, and members of the Ukrainian American community in the U.S. capital. Once again, the event underscored that the spiritual dimension of Russia’s war against Ukraine is an integral part of the international dialogue on freedom, human dignity, and responsibility.
This was reported by the press service of Ukrainian Week.
Among the distinguished participants throughout Ukrainian Week were Paula White-Cain, Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office; the co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Ukrainian Caucus — Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Congressman Don Bacon, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Chief Operating Officer of Samaritan’s Purse Edward Graham, and others.
From the Ukraine’s side the prayer’s breakfast program featured a video address from the President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, as well as keynote remarks by Ruslan Stefanchuk chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and Olga Stefanishyna Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States
Key messages
“We truly hope that together with you – with America – together with our European friends, and other countries, we can end this war this year. And diplomacy, unfortunately, takes time. And I am grateful to America, to the President of the United States, and to all American people for investing your time and your effort to bring peace back.”- said president Zelenskyy of Ukraine, addressing his speech at 20th Annual Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C and added “Russia is trying to destroy our power plants and our entire energy system. It’s trying to kill our light. And Ukraine, together with our friends, is fighting against the darkness. This is a battle where everything is clear. There are no gray zones here. And there are also deep Christian meanings in this – is how we defend ourselves, in how we get assisted, in how our people help each other in any circumstances.”
Addressing participants of the 20th Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Olga Stefanishyna emphasized the power of faith, unity, and perseverance in standing with Ukraine during its darkest times. “It is a profound honor for me to join you at this year’s 20th Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast — not only as a believer, but also as the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States. I have been entrusted by the Ukrainian people with this responsibility, and today, like all of you, my thoughts are with Ukraine. We pray for Ukraine, trusting in God’s mercy and grace. As we come together in prayer, we are reminded that darkness does not have the final word — light does. And it calls on us to stand firm, even if it takes a little longer.”, Stefanishyna said.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk warned of Russia’s escalating war crimes against civilians and called for continued international resolve. “Ukrainians are suffering from freezing temperatures and from the lack of water, electricity, and heat. Unable to achieve success on the battlefield, Russia carries out daily missile and drone attacks against civilian targets — power plants, residential areas, markets, and transport hubs — killing civilians and destroying lives, homes, and futures. There is no end to the countless war crimes committed by Russia, and behind each crime strand specific individuals who carry them out. They execute unarmed prisoners of war. They abduct Ukrainian children and poison their young minds with hateful ideology. They blackmail the civilized world and lie to it — because this is their nature, because they know no other way, and because they refuse to change.” said Ruslan Stefanchuk chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Moments of the gala evening
The Gala Concert “Two Countries — One Independence” concluded Ukrainian Week with a powerful cultural evening celebrating shared democratic values and the enduring partnership between the United States and Ukraine. The event featured special guests Edward Graham of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association “No matter the circumstances, Ukraine cannot forget that their country’s foundation must be built on the rock of Jesus Christ for it to prosper, and is the same reason our great nation celebrates 250 years of freedom. I pray for the leaders and the people of both Ukraine, America, and Russia, that God would give them wisdom and eyes to see the truth of the Gospel.”, - said Graham.
The Gala evening featured Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman, Chief Rabbi of Ukraine; Romchyk Oleksiv is a 11-year-old boy from Vinnytsia who was in the hospital with his mother when three Russian missiles struck that hospital on July 14, 2022. Romchyk has lost his mom and been through more than 100 days of rehabilitation, over 36 surgeries, and nearly three years of intensive treatment and recovery in Germany.; and powerful testimonies from Ukrainians who have suffered directly from the war. Among them were Vladyslav Stotskyi, Hero of Ukraine and Senior Lieutenant of the National Guard who spent nearly 67 days in Russian captivity; pastors Mark Sergeyev and Mykhailo Brytsyn, who endured persecution in temporarily occupied territories; and the Seniuk family, who lost both a father and a son defending Ukraine.
“Over the past five years, Ukrainian Week in Washington has evolved into a sustainable platform strengthening the partnership between the United States and Ukraine. It has fostered meaningful advocacy and dialogue across American society — engaging political, business, faith, and policy leaders — while deepening regional ties between our cities and advancing joint initiatives rooted in enduring Christian values,” said Vadim Dashkevych, American-Ukrainian Christian Alliance leader.
We remind you that throughout the week in Washington, numerous events took place involving high-ranking U.S. and Ukrainian officials, religious leaders, and civil society representatives. Ukrainian Week kicked off with a joint press conference of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, which demonstrated bipartisan support for Ukraine on Capitol Hill.
Yes, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur emphasized that support for Ukraine spans the entire United States—from the East Coast to the West Coast. Congressmen Tom Suozzi, Joe Wilson, and others issued clear warnings: abandoning support for Ukraine would encourage further Russian aggression in Europe. A particularly emotional moment was the speech by Sandy Nawrocki, the mother of a U.S. Marine who was killed in Ukraine, who called for unity so that the sacrifices made would not be in vain.
Photo: the Press Office of Ukrainian Week in Washington, D.C., Embassy of Ukraine in the USA
Prepared by: Inna Mikhno