Monday, April 7, 2025

Climbing a steep Capitol Hill

In the basement of the US Capitol Building, yellow “Ukraine Action Summit” lanyards dangled around the necks of delegates from around the United States. Each biannual Summit has attracted new and seasoned faces, deepening engagement with Congressional members. The Spring 2025 Summit, the American Coalition for Ukraine’s (ACU) 6th gathering, brought together over 600 delegates representing all 50 states, setting record attendance.

After attending trainings with fellow delegates led by state delegation leaders, Ukrainian witnesses and veteran heroes, Ukrainian-Americans, and allies mingled in the halls of the Capitol, admiring one another’s blue and yellow scarves, ties, bowties, and pins. Bonding over shared disorientation and nervous excitement, Summit attendees settled into the Congressional auditorium, reconvening for the first time since the administration change in January.

Monday evening events included a demining symposium in the Rayburn House Office Building co-hosted by The Halo Trust, and a film screening of “Porcelain War,” featuring remarks from Congressman Tom Kean (R-NJ).

In Rayburn, Ukrainian advocates networked with military leaders and other demining experts. Exchanging business cards with intent to build collaborative and supportive relationships between the US and Ukrainian militaries and NGOs, it was apparent that experienced, nonpartisan public servants understand the value of investment in Ukraine’s cause. Although Ukraine may prefer formal bipartisan aid, sanctions against Russia, and security commitments, informal connections between players with aligned interests may prove to be pragmatic and fruitful.

According to Humanity & Inclusion’s 2023 Landmine Monitor, “Russian forces have widely utilized antipersonnel mines since their full invasion of Ukraine commenced on February 24, 2022. It has been reported that Russian forces have employed at least 13 types of antipersonnel mines. The Monitor also reports the use of antipersonnel mines by Ukrainian government forces in and around the city of Izium in 2022 when the city was under Russian control. Ukraine is bound by the Mine Ban Treaty.”

In 2023, 22 donors contributed 308 million US dollars to mine action activities in Ukraine. Ukraine received the most mine action assistance of all recipient countries in 2023, accounting for 39% of total contributions.1 Demining efforts in Ukraine will continue for decades to come.

Crowd favorites from the symposium included demonstrations featuring a gigantic rat from a Maryland Zoo - Apopo partnership, and an explosive-detection dog named Rico. The robotic machinery didn’t stand a chance against such cute competitors.

10 USC Sec. 407 states that under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department may provide humanitarian demining assistance and stockpiled conventional munitions assistance to a country if the Secretary concerned determines that the assistance will promote either: 

(A) the security interests of both the United States and the country to which the assistance is to provided; or

(B) the specific operational readiness skills of the members of the armed forces who participate in the activities

As for US collaboration on demining efforts, former-Fox News personality Pete Hegseth’s interpretation of US security interests may not include a secure and democratic Ukraine, or even a democratic United States. A Trump loyalist, Hegseth echoes the Commander in Chief’s talking points on the Russia-Ukraine War and defers to his decision-making.

"My job today and in Brussels was to introduce realism to the conversation. The reality that returning to 2014 borders as part of a negotiated settlement is unlikely. The reality of U.S. troops in Ukraine is unlikely. The reality of Ukraine membership in NATO as a part of negotiated settlement, unlikely," said Hegseth last Friday.2

Trump has made clear that he subscribes to Putin’s justification for invading Ukraine and committing war crimes: a neighboring country potentially joining NATO was an instigating act. Also clear, Trump sees peace as an end that should be achieved by any means necessary, including conceding to Russian interests.

Undercutting Ukraine’s bargaining position, Hegseth signals to Russia that American isolationism applies both to economic and foreign policy. If Russia is able to stall peace negotiations, it can count on waning US patience and support, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to Putin and his war crimes.3

Hegseth’s “realism” is weak and aligned with Putin’s interests, who has asserted that all of Ukraine should be governed by an external body with elections overseen by the United Nations, revoking its sovereignty and legitimizing unlawful borders.4 Without the security assurances of NATO membership, continued Russian expansion into Ukraine over the next decade is predictable if not inevitable.

Competing for Congressional Attention

With high stakes, the energy echoing through the corridors was positive, and the community optimistic despite gloomy weather and push notification reminders of a turbulent economy. Members of Congress undoubtedly split attention between competing interests this week. Morning Star reported “roughly $11.1 trillion has been wiped away from the US stock market since Jan. 17, the Friday before President Donald Trump took the oath of office and began his second term, according to data from Dow Jones Market Data.”5

Trump’s tariff policy streak has destabilized the market and created opportunities for insider trading. Between additional retaliatory tariffs on China and a 90-day pause on retaliatory tariffs between the US and EU, each announcement moved markets. For this reason, Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) has called for an insider trading investigation.6

Despite the change in political and economic landscape, the main priorities of the American Coalition for Ukraine are consistent with years past. The coalition’s main legislative priority is sanctions on Russia to hold Putin accountable for good-faith negotiations and progress toward peace. Ahead of Tuesday April 9th, UAS attendees were prepared to attend scheduled meetings and drop by congressional offices to share data and stories, aiming to influence policymaking.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Yellow lanyards lined up at Common Grounds in the House Office basement cafeteria to caffeinate for a long day ahead. Staffing the registration desk, I connected with other volunteers for the American Coalition for Ukraine, currying boxes of name tags, folders, and one-pagers with the following high-level messaging:

Target Legislation

H.R.2548 / S.1241

Bipartisan and bicameral sanctions legislation targeting Russian aggression aimed at ensuring accountability and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. It imposes sanctions on Russia if it refuses to negotiate peace, violates agreements, or initiates further aggression against Ukraine.

Policy Priorities:

Enduring Peace

The Ukrainian people seek peace above all and look to strong, decisive American leadership to secure it. By agreeing to a ceasefire, Ukraine has welcomed and demonstrated its willingness to follow US leadership toward peace . However, history shows that Russia cannot be trusted to honor peace agreements - it has broken every deal since 2014

Reject Russian Expansion

The US must never recognize Russia’s illegitimate claims on Ukrainian territory. Rewarding Putin’s aggression would embolden tyrants worldwide, signaling that wars of conquest can succeed and occupied territories can become theirs with time.

Make Russia Pay

Frozen Russian assets held in the US and Europe should be transferred to Ukraine to support its defense efforts and ease the financial burden on American taxpayers. Seizing frozen Russian assets strengthens the US and Ukraine’s position ahead of any peace talks and ensures Russia pays for the destruction it caused.

Act Against Religious Persecution and Child Abduction

Russia targets Christians in occupied territories through re-education, detention, and execution. Additional, Russia’s forced transfer of Ukrainian children constitutes genocide under international law. As a signatory of the Genocide convention, the US must act decisively against these atrocities.

Lobbying Strategy

S.1241 was introduced with fifty Senate co-sponsors, indicating near-certain passage. Strong bipartisan support in the Senate may inspire confidence in representatives on the fence to vote in favor the House version of the bill, H.R. 2548. Given these political dynamics, the American Coalition for Ukraine invited delegates from across the ideological spectrum to meet members “where they’re at” while sending a unified pro-Ukraine message.

Religious leaders prayed with conservative Senators and Speaker Mike Johnson, Ukrainian heroes in fatigues shared their harrowing experiences in battle, and Ukrainians from minority ethnic backgrounds described living through an active genocide.

Cardboard virtual reality headsets transported viewers to the sites of destruction in Ukraine through a smartphone, bringing scenes from the war into congressional offices. A gentle “in your face” tactic, delegates returned to the cafeteria from early meetings and confirmed the persuasion power of the interactive tool. Children’s art work demonstrated the strong and hopeful spirit of the Ukrainian nation and made for touching gifts to members of Congress.

Blue and yellow portrait cards of the 40th President with the words “WHAT WOULD REAGAN DO?” flew off the registration desk as delegates restocked for meetings and youthful congressional staffers passed by. Some rolled their eyes, others smiled and said “I love this design.”

Delegates understood that Spring 2025 was the most challenging and perhaps critically important Summit since the start of the war, and packed their schedules accordingly. When asked how a meeting went, one of the most common responses was “surprisingly well!” Going back-to-back-to-back, one would have expected exhaustion to kick in. But the delegates were on a mission to knock on every door and make their voices heard.

Party Time!

Tuesday evening’s event was across the river at the Ukraine House, a charming venue celebrating Ukrainian people and culture. Ukrainian beer and cherry wine flowed, and the pirogies were popping off. Pickled beets? More please!

Inside the house, an art exhibit featured paintings of Ukraine’s history and photos capturing the acutely human experiences of Ukrainians under Russian siege. In-frame, couples separated at train stations, youth fended for themselves and their siblings, and mass graves revealed the war crimes committed by Russia.

My new friend Iuliia (pronounced Yulia) was kind enough to take me on a guided tour of the exhibit and provide context behind the moving still images. Iuliia proudly heralds from Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, which has remained under Ukrainian control thanks to the courageous defense mounted by citizens and Artan warriors, one of Ukraine’s elite special forces unit.7

One photo brought tears to both of our eyes - a mass grave in Izium, where 440 Ukrainians were hastily buried and discovered after Ukrainians forced Russian troops to retreat from the area.

According to officials documenting war crimes, most of the dead showed signs of violent death and 30 presented traces of torture and summary execution, including ropes around their necks, bound hands, broken limbs and genital amputation.8 Outrageous, dismal, inhumane.

I look forward to joining Iuliia in Ukraine later this month, and one day visiting her home city when safety risks are lower.

As we roamed, Iuliia emphasized that Ukrainians’ main concern is not about geographic territory, but rather the Ukrainian people living in occupied regions.

At the onset of the full-scale invasion, Russians created a network of filtration camps to detain the local population, targeting those deemed undesirable or a threat to Russian interests. Approximately four million Ukrainians live under Russian occupation, facing genocidal policies. Over 40,000 youth have been sent to re-education camps, and the general population has been forced to apply for Russian passports in order to acquire housing vouchers in their own homeland.9

“Nobody wants peace as much as the soldiers on the front lines and their families,” said Iuliia. But without security guarantees, Ukrainians do not trust that peace will last. Moreover, many Ukrainians feel a strong and emotional desire to ensure heroes who gave their lives to the fight did not do so in vain.

🌻 In the poetic words of

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Working with MAGA teammates

Volunteering with ACU I had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with individuals holding different political ideologies from my own, who share the same values of individual liberty and democracy.

From registered Republicans with disdain for the MAGA movement, to two-time Trump voters, we found common ground in our support for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, and recouping frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s ongoing war effort.

Comforted by a safe policy area of mutual agreement, I found I was more willing to both hear out and challenge individuals on other policy topics. I was genuinely curious how a pro-Ukraine Trump supporter rationalizes these seemingly conflicting viewpoints. After all, Trump has blamed Ukraine for its own invasion.

This morning photos of that same delegate smiling for a photo with Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio, a deeply conservative Freedom Caucus member, popped up my social media feed. Immediately, I felt gratitude. Firstly, I didn’t have to pose for photos with Jordan myself, and secondly, our coalition was able to deliver a pro-Ukraine message from a messenger much more likely to persuade Jordan to support our cause than I. To achieve our common goals, we all have specific roles to play.

On the final day of lobbying, delegates channeled their remaining energy into meetings with legislators and staff. Though Congress has a heaping plate with budget reconciliation on the docket, many still made time to meet with Ukraine’s advocates. If H.R. 2548 does not pass the House, it will not be due to a lack of advocacy or awareness - delegates made sure of that.

In the evening, Summit participants celebrated their most expansive lobbying effort yet with a world premiere of the documentary film “No Sleep Til Kyiv - citizens defending democracy.” Joined by former Representative