November 09, 2016 at 06:58PM

On Thursday, November 3rd, UCCA President Andriy Futey organized and chaired a meeting between representatives of Ohio’s Nationalities communities and Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and John Barrasso (R-WY). The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian, Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Czech, Slovenian, Serbian, German, Slovak, Romanian, Italian, Macedonian and Lebanese communities of Ohio. At the meeting, both Senators reaffirmed the necessity of maintaining and reinforcing a strong U.S. foreign policy and a strong NATO alliance in face of Russian aggression in Ukraine, as well as the global threat posed by Russian actions around the world. Having sponsored and pushed through legislation in the U.S. Senate designed to provide Ukraine with defensive military weapons – the Ukraine Defense Act – Senators Portman and Barrasso have also strongly advocated for the protection of our NATO allies Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania against Russian threats and aggressions in those countries. Both Senators recognize that Russia is spending over a billion dollars on propaganda and disinformation campaigns in the United States. Earlier this year, Senator Rob Portman, co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, introduced a bill with his caucus co-chair Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), to help American allies counter foreign government propaganda from Russia and other countries. Such legislation would also improve the ability of the U.S. to counter all foreign propaganda and disinformation. In addition to UCCA President Andriy Futey, the Ukrainian community was represented by Marta Liscynesky Kelleher - President of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio (UZO), Mr. Taras Szmagala Sr., Mr. Vasyl Liscynesky and Mrs. Vira Ivanytska. Senator Barrasso is a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Senate Committee on Energy. On October 19th, Senator Portman received the distinguished Shevchenko Freedom Award, the highest accolade accorded by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, for his continued support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and for pursuing steadfast relations with Ukraine in recognition of its vital importance to Trans-Atlantic peace and security. Both, Senator Portman and Senator Barrasso have visited Ukraine on several occasions and continue to be actively engaged with ongoing political, economic and military developments in Ukraine.
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