June 2025
The United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio (UUOhio) thank the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) for organizing Ukrainian Days, an advocacy initiative in Washington, DC. June 10-12. Members of UUOhio had the opportunity to meet with House Representatives, Senators or their staff to provide information and share concerns of the Ukrainian-American community of Ohio. We pointed out that the prosperity and security of our United States will be enhanced by the increased aid to Ukraine and the imposition of addition sanctions on the Russian Federation and those who financially support them. We also had the opportunity to celebrate the 85th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Congressional Committee of America (UCCA) and hear strong bipartisan statements of support.
Reception attended by Ambassador Oksana Markarova, former Ohio Senator Robert Portman, Pastor Mark Burns and Pastor Otis Burns along with representatives of UUOhio.
Meeting with Ohio Senator Husted (middle figure).
Meeting with Ohio Congressman (District 7) Max Miller (3rd from the Left).
Three full days of promoting the U.S. -Ukraine Strategic Partnership on Capitol Hill. Over 100 meetings with Congressional and Senate Offices representing 25 States.
Honoring Mike Turner for his leadership as Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and for being a strong supporter of Ukraine with former US Senator Rob Portman.
Congressman Max Miller
Representative Marcy Kaptur
Congressman Don Bacon
Rep. Dave Joyce
Rep. Mike Rulli
Ohio Capitol Journal, April 23, 2024
JD Vance’s dismissive attitude toward Ukraine is an insult to 70,000 Ukrainian Americans in Ohio
Meeting with our Ohio Congressional delegation: Congressman Joyce, Congresswoman Kaptur, and Congressman Rulli. Their doors are wide open to Ukraine’s self determination.
Thank you friends and Ukrainian community for your support of the Rally for Ukraine held on March 18, 2024 outside Parma’s Overlook Venue which hosted candidate Bernie Moreno with Senator Vance. A particular expression of gratitude is due to our Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Greek, Estonian and Czech brethren. Despite the inclement weather, we stood shoulder to shoulder. We emphatically reminded our politicians, political candidates and the wider community that the security of our United States depends on Ukraine repelling Russian aggression and that our providing timely, robust military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine is an investment for the future of all Americans. There is a saying “when the people lead, the leaders will follow.” Let us continue to lead together, for the good of Ohio, of our United States and of the free world.
Highly’ intelligent J.D. Vance’s spiteful position on Ukraine a danger to the world
George Jaskiw , Guest columnist, Published in the Columbus Dispatch, February 17, 2024
Dr. George Jaskiw is the vice president of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio and Professor of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University.
To what end Senator Vance?
You declared your animus towards Ukraine’s security shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Differences of opinion are natural, but your position and tone are arguably ill-conceived. Let us ignore moral imperatives and consider purely self-interest.
You contend that by aiding Ukraine we degrade our ability to confront China.
Most analysts, however, consider robust support of Ukraine, as the strongest check on China’s revanchist impulses.
Were Ukraine to fall, increased demands to secure Europe would limit our ability to defend Taiwan.
You dismiss as preposterous Putin’s capacity or intentions to expand his war, even as a growing number of military experts at home and in Europe, warn about the likelihood of further Russian aggression.
Russia has only been escalating its belligerent rhetoric towards NATO. With 30% of his petrodollar-fueled economy committed to war, Putin can restore his prewar military capacity within 2-10 years.
Warning from Estonian intelligence:Putin plans to double Russia’s troops along NATO border, Estonian intelligence warns
Strategic considerations demand that we prepare for and prevent catastrophic events of moderate probability. Mr. Putin’s predicates his conquest of Ukraine on termination of Western support, a termination that you advocate for.
There’s been no blank check
You rail against blank checks to Ukraine, arguing that they fuel corruption, even though the funds, are subject to close scrutiny. No one is writing blank checks.
No one is flying to Kyiv with satchels of dollars. Ninety percent of our military aid to Ukraine is spent in the United States, $700 million in Ohio. As to value, in return for 6% of our military budget Ukrainians have shed their blood to degrade 90% of Russia’s pre-invasion forces.
You recently claimed, “There are people who would cut Social Security, throw our grandparents into poverty. Why, so one of Zelensky’s ministers can buy a bigger yacht? Kiss my ass.”
Really Senator?
Tell me who wants to immiserate our grandparents. I too will advocate against them.
Russian allegations that Zelensky, his family or ministers are buying yachts and other luxuriesare easily debunked. Why spread crude disinformation?
Why insult a partner being attacked by a proven liar?
You call President Volodymyr Zelensky a beggar.
Why insult the head of state of a NATO partner and our military ally in Iraq and Afghanistan? You are incensed that no one else poses “tough questions,” such as why Zelensky resists requests to negotiate and why he throws priests in prisons. The first is based on a falsehood, the second is a paradigm of disinformation.
Ukraine’s leaders, know Russia’s poor record in honoring agreements.
Putin has declared his continuing commitment to conquering Ukraine not to negotiations. His war plans reflect that.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate promotes Russia’s ‘holy war’; an inordinate number of its clergy have been criminally indicted for materially supporting Russia’s invasion. They have been detained for treason, not for religious ministry.
False claim|Putin told Carlson that Biden is a ‘facade’ for ‘those in real power’
Good politicians provide context, educate, weigh arguments and seek consensus.
Demagogues traduce, purvey falsehoods and seek to inflame and divide. Senator, after graduating summa cum laude with a degree in political science and philosophy, you served as a combat correspondent with the United States Marines in Iraq.
You graduated from Yale Law School and were a successful financier.
You possess high intelligence, and a capacity for strategic thinking. You appreciate the power of language, and you can certainly distinguish truth from sophistry. Why are those skills so misdirected in your strident, spiteful and dangerous position on Ukraine?
To what end senator?
Dr. George Jaskiw is the vice president of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio and Professor of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University.
Dear Members of the Ukrainian-American Community,
Since 1928, United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio (UUOhio) has been a non-partisan, coordinating umbrella organization for our community. We are not affiliated with any political party. We do not endorse particular candidates. However, we are politically engaged in maintaining contacts with elected representatives as well as government officials to promote the interests of our community. This engagement includes meetings, education, invitations to elected representatives to attend our functions as well as to clarify their positions on matters particularly important to us. Accordingly, we share this information with you.
We are focused on races in districts with a significant number of Ukrainian-American voters. It is our policy to share only publicly available information about or statements by candidates. As is evident, their positions on Russia’s war against Ukraine vary dramatically. We are providing this information to assist you in deciding whose campaign to support financially and whom to vote for on November 8. The information was aggregated on September 25, 2022.
Of course, the most important action on your part is to be registered and to cast your vote, either by absentee ballot or in person.
THOSE WHO NEVER VOTED OR HAVE NOT CAST A BALLOT IN MORE THAN SIX YEARS MUST REGISTER.
Registered voters will receive information by mail from the Board of Elections that includes the location of their individual voter precinct.
ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION (Deadline October 11)
OHIO ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION:
https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/forms/11-a_english.pdf
CUYAHOGA COUNTY ONLINE ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST:
https://boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/Request-a-Vote-by-Mail-Application
COUNTY BOARDS OF ELECTIONS DIRECTORY:
https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory/
In addition, check your county for other deadlines. The other deadlines for Cuyahoga County are at
https://boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/voter-deadlines
POSITIONS (aggregated on 09/25/22)
For the US Senate seat (currently held by retiring Senator Rob Portman)
| Tim Ryan
(Democrat) |
J.D. Vance
(Republican) |
|
| Contacted UUOhio | YES | YES |
| Met with UUOhio | YES | NO |
| Attended our community functions | YES | NO |
| Supports more sanctions against Russia | YES | NO |
| Supports more arms for Ukraine | YES | NO |
| Supports continuing economic assistance to Ukraine | YES | NO |
| Supports refugees from Ukraine | YES | ? |
| Speeches in support of Ukraine | YES | NO |
| Has visited Ukraine | ? | ? |
“?” no information found
For US Congressional District 9 (currently held by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur)
| Marcy Kaptur
(Democrat) |
Jay Majewski
(Republican) |
|
| Contacted UUOhio | YES | NO |
| Met with UUOhio | YES | NO |
| Attended community function(s) | YES | NO |
| Supports more sanctions against Russia | YES | ? |
| Supports more arms for Ukraine | YES | NO |
| Supports continuing economic assistance to Ukraine | YES | NO |
| Supports refugees from Ukraine | YES | ? |
| Speeches in support of Ukraine | YES | NO |
| Has visited Ukraine | YES | ? |
“?”no information found
US Congressional District 7
| Matthew Diemer
(Democrat) |
Max Miller
(Republican) |
|
| Contacted UUOhio | NO | YES |
| Met with UUOhio | NO | YES |
| Attended community function(s) | NO | NO |
| Supports more sanctions against Russia | ? | ? |
| Supports more arms for Ukraine | YES | YES |
| Supports continuing economic assistance to Ukraine | YES | YES |
| Supports refugees from Ukraine | ? | ? |
| Speeches in support of Ukraine | NO | NO |
| Has visited Ukraine | ? | ? |
“?” no information found
CANDIDATE PUBLIC STATEMENTS AND OTHER LINKS
| Tim Ryan
“I am calling on President Biden to negotiate a deal with NATO allies to have those nations provide the Ukrainian Air Force with the fighter jets they need to compete with Russia in the air. Putin does not get to dictate the size of Ukraine’s Air Force while his forces bomb kindergartens and maternity hospitals. The United States cannot stand idly by and watch that happen. We must also help Ukraine acquire more advanced air defense systems to provide protection from the Russian Air Force’s bombings…I am also calling on the Biden Administration to do more to help Ukrainian refugees displaced by this war.”
“We write in support of the Administration’s recent announcement to welcome to the United States as many as 100,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russian aggression and provide additional funding towards humanitarian assistance to people affected by Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.”
Tim Ryan
[letter to the White House] “quickly work with our NATO allies who have MiG and Sukhoi fighters to enable them to provide those available planes to the Ukrainian military. Providing Ukraine with additional fighter capabilities enables them to counter Russian attacks and provide maximum protection of Ukrainian civilians,”
“I’m joining my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in calling on President Biden to grant Temporary Protected Status to all Ukrainians currently in the United States….This is the right thing to do, and I will continue doing everything in my power to support our Ukrainian friends and loved ones at home and abroad during this time.”
“Today, Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) voted to provide nearly $40 billion in emergency funding to support the Ukrainian people and defend global democracy in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine.”
https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-votes-sanctions-against-russia “I firmly denounce the unlawful actions of Russia in their invasion and annexation of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. I vow to continue my support of the rights, freedoms, and sovereignty of the people of Ukraine,” said Congressman Ryan. “With 80 percent of Russia’s natural gas exports going to the Europe, I am pleased that this legislation calls on the President and Secretary of Energy to increase our natural gas exports to nations in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, giving them an alternative energy source outside of Russia.”
https://twitter.com/RepTimRyan/status/1511454056958595078 “Step 1: Provide Ukraine the weapons they need right now to defend their people and win this war. Step 2: Ensure they have the weapons and resources to drive Russia out. Out of Eastern Ukraine, out of Crimea, out of Ukraine entirely. We can and must do more—and fast.”
Congressional Speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2F1cr3YeTo “This is about much more than just Ukraine. This is about freedom around the world…We cannot let Vladimir Putin gain one inch of soil in Ukraine…when you’re in states like New Jersey or Ohio where we have people from Ukraine and from Poland and Lithuania and those ties run deep. [we need] to knock the legs out of Vladimir Putin.” Tim Ryan
Speech at the Ukrainian Independence Day Parade in Parma, OH “It is incumbent on the United States of America and all its 330 million citizens to back, support, fund the freedom fighters in Ukraine. There is no ambiguity here…we provide the resources, the technology, the military firepower, the aid to move him [Vladimir Putin] out so that he does not take one inch of soil in Ukraine. I stand with you…I stand with my Republican brothers and sisters who also support Ukraine. This isn’t a Republican issue. This isn’t a Democrat issue. This is an American issue.,,this may go on for another week, another month, another year, another decade..I will do everything in my power to make sure that the United States government has the back of Ukraine. We will be with you every single step of the way until Vladimir Putin is out of Ukraine and in jail.”
Campaign site
Twitter account
|
|
J.D. Vance
“I gotta be honest with you, I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other.”
“I will be damned if I am going to prioritize Ukraine’s eastern border right now.”
https://twitter.com/jdvance1/status/1496239566638002179?lang=en “What’s happening in Ukraine doesn’t threaten our national security,”,
https://twitter.com/jdvance1/status/1497367769272176643 “This isn’t our fight. We’ve got our own problems.”
“I think we’re at the point where we’ve given enough money in Ukraine, I really do.”
J.D. Vance
https://twitter.com/McCormackJohn/status/1496962242012667913/photo/1 “Russia’s assault on Ukraine is unquestionably a tragedy, especially for the innocent people caught in the crossfire..We spent $6 billion on a failed Ukrainian army….further engulfing ourselves on Eastern Europe harms and distracts from [our] goals”
Campaign site
Twitter account
|
| In the media
https://time.com/6215770/jd-vance-ukraine-ohio-senate-race/
|
| Marcy Kaptur
https://kaptur.house.gov/issues/foreign-affairs/ukraine Co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus “Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States remains a steadfast ally of Ukraine. Kaptur works energetically to keep the flame for Ukraine alive in Congress. Amongst other Ukrainian priorities, she has advocated for strong humanitarian assistance, full support and integration of Internally Displaced People, and works with allies to ensure a diplomatic solution to fully restore Ukrainian territorial sovereignty.”
“Putin is a murderous dictator whose objective is rigid control of society. He accomplishes his barbaric schemes by suppressing human rights, eliminating independent media, assassinating political opponents, and limiting economic opportunity…Ukraine’s security and its ability to exercise self-determination cannot be bargained away by Russian fiat – they must be guaranteed….Now is the time for the Free World to rise up in defense of liberty.”
“While some Members may seek to sow division and inflame tensions – as a whole, the United States Congress stands firmly behind President Zelensky and his leadership as Ukraine battles for its survival… The United States is committed to Ukraine’s victory, and the Ukrainian people have no greater friend than the United States. As allies, we will continue working hand in hand with President Zelenskyy and his office to see that this war is brought to an end.”
https://twitter.com/RepMarcyKaptur/status/1519713110550065152 “The Lend-Lease Act is an uncommon tool for uncommon times. These are uncommon times. Today, I’ll vote to pass it in order to arm Ukraine and defeat the Russian war machine. The fate of Liberty rests in the balance.”
https://twitter.com/RepMarcyKaptur/status/1547951626089992200 “ In the fight for freedom, President @ZelenskyyUa and #Ukraine have the resolute support of the United States.”
https://twitter.com/RepMarcyKaptur/status/1539998699530719233 “Ukraine’s fight for Liberty is the world’s fight for Liberty…it was a pleasure meeting with @USAmbKyiv to discuss America’s bipartisan stand for freedom in the face of Putin’s tyranny.”
Congresswoman’s visit to the border of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4893331104116031
Statement – as the Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hJkM2ZI91Y “Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war against Ukraine is not a far off skirmish without impact on the global community. Those who love freedom must stand up in defense of liberty when it is threatened. “
Statement on President Zelenskyy’s Address to Congress: “Putin’s invasion of a nation that seeks to be free, peaceful, and democratic has transformed Ukraine into not only the scrimmage line for Liberty in Europe – but the scrimmage line for Liberty throughout the world.”
Campaign site
Twitter account https://twitter.com/Marcy_Kaptur
|
| J.R. Majewski
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1001255280813957 With every passing day the American people grieve over scenes of the Russian military destroying Ukrainian cities and killing innocent civilians…The answer to this crisis is complicated but I believe it’s one of diplomacy,”
Campaign site https://jrmajewski4congress.com/
Twitter account https://twitter.com/jrmajewski
|
| In the media
https://news.yahoo.com/jr-majewski-ohio-republican-candidate-military-service-144958176.html
https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/21/politics/marcy-kaptur-ohio-9-rust-belt/index.html
|
| Max Miller
https://twitter.com/maxmilleroh/status/1497730721313693698 “This is what a REAL LEADER looks like. President Zelensky will be a man this world will never forget. God Bless Ukraine.”
“Max Miller said Russian President Vladimir Putin saw “weak leadership” from President Biden ahead of launching a multi-front war in Ukraine, which he said emboldened him to invade.”
https://www.votemaxmiller.com/issues “Joe Biden’s foreign policy failures have allowed other nations to fill the power vacuum… .. Russian war in Ukraine, … followed.”
“He said he supports U.S. aid to Ukraine, but that an inspector general should oversee how money is being allocated.”
Campaign site https://www.votemaxmiller.com/
Twitter Account
|
| Matthew Diemer
“It’s very hard for Americans to stomach billions of dollars spent overseas when we have such pressing issues at home…Still, I fully support the United States in providing defensive weapons, funding, training, and intelligence to help Ukraine prevail in Russia’s war of aggression.”
Campaign site https://diemerforcongress.com/
Twitter account https://twitter.com/MatthewDiemer
|