4 February 2025
Washington, USA
Ukrainian Week 2026 in Washington: a Ukrainian voice at the heart of global decision-making
In early February, the US capital hosted Ukrainian Week in Washington DC — one of the key international platforms where Ukrainian politicians, military personnel, veterans, experts and community leaders have the opportunity to speak directly with American lawmakers, diplomats and opinion leaders about the war, security and the future of Ukraine.
In 2026, the event is taking place for the fifth time — and over this period has become a vital tool for advocating Ukrainian interests in the US. It is here that new partnerships are formed, strategic discussions take place, and the voices of those who have directly experienced the war are heard.
One of this year’s key events was the Veterans Impact Forum: US–Ukraine Strategic Dialogue, organised by the team at the Kyiv School of Public Administration named after Serhiy Nyzhnyy (KSPA). The forum provided a space for discussion on veterans’ policy, the reintegration of military personnel, support for the families of defenders, and the protection of the rights of prisoners of war.
Voices of war that must be heard
On 4 February, the Veterans Impact Forum opened in Washington – an event that has a direct impact on how the international community’s understanding of Ukraine’s experience of war and our path to victory is shaped.
The forum served as a platform where Ukrainian military personnel, veterans, leaders of communities and representatives of state institutions were able to address directly those who make decisions affecting global security.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from:
Olena Kovalskaya, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, who thanked Ukrainian servicemen for their strength and resilience.
Anna Mishchenko, Managing Partner at KSPA, emphasised the special role of veterans in Ukraine’s future:
“It so happened that, as civilians, we became as deeply involved as possible in what is happening today. And this is because we sincerely believe that veterans represent a new architecture of the elite in our society, one in which there is a genuine demand for justice.”
The floor was then given to participants whose experiences of war and service serve as direct testimony to what Ukraine is fighting for and what international partners need to know.
Speakers included:
- Ryan Hendrickson, a veteran of the US Army Special Operations Forces (‘Green Beret’), founder and CEO of Tip of the Spear Landmine Removal Inc.
- Brian Pickens, a veteran of the US Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment
- Kyrylo Masalitin (‘Maslo’), Master Sergeant of the First ‘Azov’ Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine
- Oleg Hushchin, representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War
- Nestor Barchuk (‘Nestor’), Junior Sergeant of the First Corps ‘Azov’ of the National Guard of Ukraine, lawyer in the strategic communications unit
Their stories are a conversation about the reality of war, the daily struggle on the front line, and the responsibility of allies to support Ukraine.
The reintegration of veterans — a key post-war challenge
The forum also featured presentations by experts working on the reintegration of military personnel into civilian life.
In particular, Antonina Kovalenko, founder of the Leonid Gryschenko ‘Unlost Generation’ programme, emphasised the importance of education and retraining for veterans:
‘Educational programmes and retraining are vital for reintegration. War, especially the experience of combat during a full-scale invasion, truly changes people. Many veterans do not want to return to their previous profession — they are looking for new opportunities, new meaning.”
This is one of the themes increasingly featured in international dialogue: veterans are not merely people who have lived through war, but also a powerful resource for national development.
Dialogue between US and Ukrainian veterans
As part of Ukrainian Week, the KSPA team also took part in a conference to exchange experiences between US and Ukrainian veteran communities, held at the historic Navy Club of Washington, DC.
The event was organised by the People of Ukraine Foundation, with partners including The American Legion National Headquarters, Nova Ukraine, TitansUA, Azov and the Allied Forces Foundation.
During the discussion, key areas of support for veterans were addressed:
- the ‘peer-to-peer’ principle
- involving families in the reintegration process
- developing veterans’ leadership skills
- employment and entrepreneurship
- long-term reintegration
- international cooperation in veterans’ policy
One of the main conclusions of the meeting was the realisation of the need to view veterans not merely as people who have been through war, but first and foremost as those who possess significant potential for the development of society.
The Ukrainian position among US lawmakers
Meetings between the Ukrainian delegation and US lawmakers were also a key part of Ukrainian Week.
In particular, a private meeting took place in Washington between the Ukrainian delegation and US Senator Kevin Cramer.
Such formats provide an opportunity to convey the Ukrainian position directly to those who make decisions regarding sanctions, security and financial support for Ukraine.
During the meeting, the following were discussed:
- the need to strengthen sanctions against Russia
- the responsibility of the Russian leadership for war crimes
- attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
- further support for Ukraine at the international level
The meeting was attended by Anna Mishchenko, Olga Babiy, Andriy Mishchenko, Nikolaos Denisenko, Pavlo Frolov, Viktoria Lyub, Oleksandr Dombrovskyi, Stepan Kozitskyi and Lada Kotyash.
Stories that speak louder than figures
As part of Ukrainian Week, the KSPA team also presented the photo project ‘Veteran’s Wife’ — an initiative created to showcase the strength, resilience and real-life stories of women whose husbands are defending Ukraine.
The project is being exhibited as part of the Veterans Impact Forum Strategic Dialogue.
Its aim is to bring to light the stories of those who hold the home front and support Ukrainian troops every day.
The Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast — the spiritual highlight of the week
On 6 February, the Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast took place in Washington — an event that marked the spiritual highlight of Ukrainian Week.
The event brought together political leaders, diplomats, spiritual mentors and the Ukrainian diaspora.
Key speakers included:
- Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
- Paula White-Cain, spiritual mentor to US President Donald Trump
- Olha Stefanishyna, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the US
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also addressed the attendees.
His words served as a reminder that faith and solidarity can change the course of history, even in the most difficult times.
A Ukrainian voice at the heart of global decision-making
Ukrainian Week in Washington is not just a series of events.
It is a space where Ukraine speaks to the world directly and candidly.
It is a place where partnerships are forged, decisions are made and support is built, on which the future of our country depends.
And today, this voice rings out loud and clear — even thousands of kilometres from Ukraine.
