On March 16, 2025, the CSO “Democracy Development Center” organized an online meeting with the support of #GNWP, to communicate and outline further plans for cooperation with friends of Ukraine from the USA – public figures, active citizens who support our country in overcoming the consequences of Russian aggression. українською мовою
The following participated in the communication from the Ukrainian side:
Head of the CSO “Democracy Development Center” Ella Lamakh;
Expert of the CSO “Democracy Development Center” Maria Dmytrieva;
Representatives of partner organizations:
Yulia Dupeshko-Dzhus (Chernivtsi region);
Tetyana Gerko (Donetsk region);
Valentyna Holovata (Kherson region);
Kateryna Voznesenska (Kyiv).
In particular, it was discussed how the leadership of the CSO DDC, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian attack, has transformed a network of personal acquaintances and connections in the public sector into a system of targeted assistance to war victims. These are friendly public organizations that support internally displaced persons in relatively safe regions of the country, as well as community leaders located in deoccupied territories in the most dangerous regions.
The participants of the discussion spoke about urgent issues that must be resolved daily for the full functioning of shelters for IDPs. They also discussed organizing the evacuation of people from the territories in the south and east of Ukraine, where hostilities are intensifying, to safer areas, establishing a just peace in Ukraine and saving the lives of its citizens from Russian armed aggression.
The American citizens said, in turn, that support from the American people for the Ukrainian struggle against the occupiers has not weakened; on the contrary, the drastic changes being implemented by the new administration in the White House have strengthened civil society in the United States. “Many people are gathering here, writing appeals to the authorities, the phone lines to Congress are constantly busy, because people are calling and asking what will happen next; our politicians, senators support Ukraine, we will not abandon you. You deserve a free life. Moreover, although the current government does not share our democratic values, the president can be influenced: “He sees the world as spheres of influence, and his fears for his reputation as a person who achieves a goal may work. This may work. There are also Republican politicians who want to save Ukraine, although they are afraid that it may ruin their current careers,” said the participants from the United States during the meeting.
The American activists also noted that Ukrainians report more thoroughly than anyone else on the assistance received, and thanked the Ukrainian side for their endurance in the exhausting struggle for the very existence of the state and nation. The participants of the meeting outlined steps for further cooperation with American friends who are concerned about the future of Ukrainians. Summing up the event, the organizers recalled that access to the Zoom platform was made possible thanks to the support of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders #GNWP.