Ukraine Action Summit, Spring 2025

Over 600 Advocates from 49 States, and Puerto Rico, joined Ukraine Action Summit, Spring 2025 to Deliver a Unified Message to Congress: Stand with Ukraine

Equipped with training and all materials necessary for successful advocacy from the American Coalition for Ukraine, the participants were well prepared to meet with lawmakers and deliver clear, united messages.

Ukraine Action Summit delegates represent a variety of Ukraine-focused organizations and continue their advocacy between Summits. This high level of engagement and ongoing communication with elected officials helps keep the advocacy community focused on the most pressing issues related to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

For the Summit in Spring the key policy priorities reflected ongoing peace talks led by the U.S. government.

A central message delivered to lawmakers during the Summit was that supporting a just and lasting peace in Ukraine directly aligns with U.S. national interests and global security priorities. One of the most central messages that advocates have been delivering was a demand to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia and respond to Russian crimes against religious freedom.

Over the past three years, the Ukraine Action Summit has helped build a national network of more than 1,500 trained advocates — active year-round, not just in Washington, but across the country in their home districts.

Ahead of the official opening of the Ukraine Action Summit, delegation leaders participated in a special leadership training made possible through the generous support of Razom for Ukraine and Nova Ukraine—both founding member organizations of the American Coalition for Ukraine. The session was led by Nikola Ilic, a professor of Democratic Leadership, Development, and Activism at Georgetown University, and focused on equipping participants with tools to become more effective and impactful team leaders. Marianna Tretiak, Chair of the ACU Board, and Kateryna Kovalenko, a member of Nova Ukraine’s leadership team, opened the training by welcoming the delegates and introducing Professor Ilic.

The first day of the Summit was dedicated to Policy Master Classes led by recognized experts. These in-depth presentations offered valuable insights into the key issues delegates would be advocating for in the following two days. Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, traditionally welcomed delegates at the start of the Summit, expressing gratitude for their dedication and unwavering support for Ukraine.

The Policy Master Classes were followed by State Breakout Sessions, during which teams had time to plan for the upcoming two days on Capitol Hill. To conclude the day, all delegates were invited to a showing of the Oscar-nominated film Porcelain War. Delegates were greeted by Representative Tom Kean of New Jersey’s 7th District.

After the first day of the meetings on the Hill, ACU held an official Ukraine Action Summit reception at Ukraine House. Delicious food was served by Ruta restaurant and Ukrainian wine was provided by the Artwine company. The keynote speaker of the receptin was Oleksandra Matviichuk – the Nobel Prize recipient and a Ukrainian human rights lawyer.

As part of the sixth Ukraine Action Summit, a high-level Capitol Hill panel titled “Vladimir Putin – World’s Number One Terrorist: Implications for U.S. Policy” brought together distinguished voices to examine the urgent need for U.S. action against the Kremlin’s terror campaign. Organized by The Remembrance Society in partnership with the American Coalition for Ukraine, the event featured remarks from Reps. Steny Hoyer and Don Bacon, Dr. Don Ritter, and was moderated by Ambassador James Gilmore. Speakers included David Satter, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Alex Drueke, Mychajlina Skoryk, and Rye Barcott, with opening remarks from Marianna Tretiak, a Chair of the Board of the ACU.

The Ukraine Action Summit concluded on April 9th with over 400 congressional meetings held. It was wrapped up with a happy hour attended by former Congressman Adam Kinzinger and the world premiere of the film No Sleep Til Kyiv.

The American Coalition for Ukraine and its flagship event, the Ukraine Action Summit, remain 100% volunteer-driven initiatives. Yet, they continue to attract growing attention from the community, socially responsible artists, media, and partner organizations. The Spring 2025 Ukraine Action Summit was made possible thanks to the efforts of nearly a hundred dedicated volunteers and the generous financial and in-kind support of our sponsors.