Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence in Washington, DC
14 September 2016 23:27
For celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence in Washington, DC, the Embassy of Ukraine in the U.S. has chosen the venue that has the name with a symbolic meaning for our country – the Institute of Peace, which is located in the very center of downtown.
There were over 500 guests at Embassy’s reception: U.S. officials and foreign diplomats, American political analysts and NGOs’ activists, representatives of international financial institutions and U.S. business, local Ukrainian community and media.
In his welcome address to the audience, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Valeriy Chaly expressed gratitude to the U.S. for the firm support of Ukraine in counteracting Russian aggression and American leadership in consolidating world’s joint response to Russia’s violations of the international law. He emphasized that Ukraine appreciated the U.S. assistance in implementing reforms in the defense and security sector as well as in social and economic sphere. Acknowledging the efforts of the U.S. Ukrainian community, on behalf of the President of Ukraine the Ambassador decorated Dr. Ihor Voyevidka, President of Omelian and Tetiana Antonovych Foundation with the Order for Merit (of the 3rd Degree).
The event was attended by Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for the Affairs of Crimean Tatars Mustafa Dzhemilev, who stressed that any kind of compromise on Crimea was unacceptable. Among other guests of honor were wounded Ukrainian’s defender Oleksander Kosolapov (he is currently undergoing medical rehabilitation at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center) and His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the U.S.
The strong support of Ukraine was confirmed in speeches delivered by Congressmen Brendan Boyle, Gerald Connolly, Duncan Hunter, Sander Levin, Bill Pascrell, David Price, Peter Roskam, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of State Bridget Brink. In particular, Ms. Brink underscored that sanctions against Russia would remain in place until commitments were fully fulfilled by Moscow. Members of the U.S. Congress emphasized that the United States would never recognize the illegal attempt of Crimea’s annexation, and America would stand by Ukraine in counteracting Russian aggression because it was the fight for universal human values.
Ukraine’s achievements and perspectives in scientific research and development were presented in a form of the Exhibit “50 Inventions Bestowed by Ukraine to the World”. Ukrainian Crisis Media Center’s Trustee Ms. Natalia Popvych briefed the guests of the Embassy about the emergence and implementation of that outstanding project.
