Voice of America Ukrainian Service Director Ruslan Petrichka urged US citizens to submit written appeals to the US House of Representatives in support of Voice of America, including its Ukrainian Service, by Friday, April 17, 2026. The appeal came amid the preparation of budget decisions for the 2027 fiscal year and discussions on the restoration of the broadcaster’s full-fledged operation, its editorial independence, and the return of employees to work.
This was reported to Vilni Media by Ruslan Petrichka, the Director of Voice of America Ukrainian Service.
“We urge Congress to fully restore VOA, protect its editorial independence, bring its employees back to work, and resume broadcasting in as many languages as possible. Your words can have a real impact. Please, if you are a U.S. citizen, use your own voice—a brief personal example of why VOA is important to you can be especially compelling,” Ruslan Petrichka, a member of the Voice, told supporters.
The House Subcommittee on Homeland Security, State Department, and Related Programs is reportedly accepting written testimony for the record. The committee’s documents state that the deadline for submissions is Friday, April 17, 2026, and that a Truth in Testimony form must be submitted with the petition.
He also noted that VOA supporters are encouraged to use their own voice and personal examples to explain why the broadcaster is important. The widely circulated information note emphasizes that the VOA Ukrainian Service needs special support as one of the key channels of direct US communication with the Ukrainian audience during the war.
“Your words can have a real impact. Please use your own voice – a short personal example of why VOA is important to you can be especially convincing,” he emphasized.
Separately, the campaign information materials emphasize the importance of the VOA Ukrainian Service in the context of a full-scale war. It is called an important tool for countering Russian propaganda, communicating the US position to Ukrainians, and maintaining access to verified, editorially independent journalism in the Ukrainian language.
“Restoring the VOA Ukrainian Service means returning a reliable voice of America at a time when Ukraine needs verified information, a democratic perspective, and a clear understanding of US policy,” the information note summarizes.
Instructions for submitting an appeal to the House of Representatives can be found here, and a short information material with an overview of VOA can be found at link.
Amid this call, a broader struggle to restore VOA's operations is also underway. In early March 2026, a federal judge in the United States invalidated a series of 2025 decisions related to staff reductions and the closure of many Voice of America operations. Reuters notes, that this was another blow to attempts to significantly limit the broadcaster's operations.
Photo: usagm.gov
Author: Inna Mikhno