Archive of news, events, and projects
UUOhio expresses its appreciation to the government of Israel for providing support to Jewish-Ukrainians who are suffering from lack of heat and light due to the weaponization by the Russian Federation of the coldest wintter in many years. This criminal destruction of civilian infrastructure serves no purpose other than to terrorize the civilian population
2025 International Healthcare Summit-Sept 23-29, Kyiv, Ukraine
Several members of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio (UUOhio) attend the International Healthcare Summit.
Speakers included:
Taras Malay, M.D., Board Member Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA), President Cleveland Maidan Association: U.S. Procurement and Medical Exchange Coordinator University Hospitals Cleveland. “Venous Thromboembolism Risk and Prevention in Severe Trauma.”
Michael Samotowka, M.D., Board member of the Ohio Chapter of UMANA; Board member, MedGlobal; Staff Critical Care Surgeon, Cleveland VA Medical Center. “Drone Warfare: What’s on the Horizon.”
George E. Jaskiw, M.D., President UUOhio, Board member of Ohio Chapter of the UMANA, Professor of Psychiatry, School Medicine Case Western Reserve University. Substance Use and Disorders During War and its Aftermath.”
UUOhio is deeply grateful to the American Jewish Commission for their wisdom and promptness in recognizing the effects of the current 28-point plan for peace. The Jewish people are unfortunately all too familiar with expressions of genocidal hatred, the last on October 7, 2023. The AJC has vigorously supported the cause of truth, justice and a robust defense of Ukraine in its battle against the Russian Federation. We appreciate the solidarity!
Congressional Ukraine Caucus Statement on President Trump’s Reported Ukraine-Russia Peace Plan
- Reject any framework that requires Ukraine surrender further territory or cede legal authority over its sovereign land.
- Maintain and strengthen sanctions on Russia until it fully withdraws and makes reparations.
- Ensure Ukraine is a full, equal partner in any, and all, negotiations — not a passive recipient of Moscow-dictated terms.
- Provide robust, enforceable security guarantees that deter further aggression.
- Coordinate closely with NATO and European allies to uphold international norms and prevent renewed conflict in Europe.
UUOhio commend Brandon Chrostowski, Cleveland’s culinary wunderkind, entrepreneur and staunch supporter of Ukraine for his successful mission to L’viv. Brandon raised money for a children’s hospital, prepared meals for displaced and wounded persons and with his family delivered medical supplies to the Children’s Hospital in Ukraine.
The supplies were donated by MedWish International and packaged by UUOhio and UMANA.
October 2025
Ohioans joined over 700 attendees at the Ukraine Action Summit in Washington D.C., October 25-29. This event offered panel discussions, networking opportunities, an expo with numerous Ukraine-focused organizations and the opportunity to advocate on Capitol Hill.
Front Row, 2nd from left, Natalia Lebedin, President of the Ukrainian Cultural Association of Ohio. Back Row, 5th from left, Taras Malay, M.D., President Cleveland Maidan Association, 2nd from right, George E. Jaskiw, M.D., President UUOhio.
Ambassador Oksana Markarova on Fox News Live discussed with Kevin Corley possible talks to end the war in Ukraine and membership in NATO.
August 2025
2025 Ukrainian Independence Day Parade
UUOhio greets all the participants and observers in the 2025 Ukrainian Independence Day Parade held in Parma on August 23. The weather was excellent and the marchers energized. Over 50 groups marched
. Music was abundant and a good time was had by all.
We congratulate Andrew Fedynsky, who has honored as the Parade Marshal, in recognition of his lifelong work at the Ukrainian-Museum Archives, collecting, curating, securing funding and organizing written and other materials that tell the story of Ukrainian-Americans in Northeast Ohio. We thank his Excellency Bohdan Danylo, Ukrainian Catholic Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma for offering the opening prayer and also thank the Reverend Mykhailo Hontaruk, pastor of St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. Attendees heard wonderful renditions of the American and Ukrainian anthems, provided by Polina Kornyushenko, a student at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Mayor Time DeGeeter offered his enthusiastic support. We thank Representative Sean Brennan for attending and note that this was the first Ukrainian Independence Day Parade since Representative Brennan and Representative Seitz, along with others passed the historic HB. 360 in the spring of 2025, establishing August 24 as Ukrainian Independence Day in Ohio. We thank Governor Mike DeWine for issuing a Proclamation that was delivered by, Tobias Engel, Manager, International Affairs at the Ohio Department of Development. We are grateful for the attendance of the Mayor of Seven Hills Anthony Biasiotta and Chris Ronayne, Cuyahoga County Executive. We also thank the multiple members of Parma City Council who also joined us. Dr. George (Yuriy) Jaskiw reminded those assembled of the significance of Ukrainian Independence Day, the similarities between the American and Ukrainian Constitutions, the geopolitical gravity and the threat to U.S. interests posed by the Russian Federation’s genocidal invasion of Ukraine. The speeches lauded Ukraine’s resilience and resolve to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity and pointed out the value to the prosperity and security of our United States to continuing supporting Ukraine.
A special note of gratitude is owed to Roman Fedkiw, the Chair of the Ukrainian Village Committee and to the many members of the committee who made the event a success.
God Bless America! Slava Ukraiini!
UUOhio thanks John Benson and the Sun Newspaper for reporting on our 2025 Independence Day Parade in Parma Ohio.
May 2025
UUOhio expresses its deep gratitude to Anthony Biasiotta, the Mayor of Seven Hills Ohio, for using the city website to highlight our community’s participation in the annual Seven Hills Memorial Day Parade.
https://www.sevenhillsohio.org/mayors-corner
Ohio Call to Action on Monday February 24th, 3rd anniversary of war on Ukraine. Let’s get the facts straight! Make your voice heard and stand up for the truth about Ukraine, Russia’s criminal aggression and the security interests of the United States.
Contact:
White House: 202-456-1111
Senator Moreno: 202-224-2315 (DC), 614-469-2083 (Columbus) 216-522-7272 (Cleveland) 513-684-1021 (Cincinnati)
Senator Husted: 202-224-3353
Call on February 24th from midnight throughout the day. During office hours, the staff may answer and take your message. At other times you can leave a voicemail.
Compose your own message or use the following text.
Hello, My name is (state your name) and I am a constituent residing at (state your street address, City, State, and ZipCode). I urge you to continue supporting Ukraine and its fight for freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. By doing so, we are stregthening our own security which is being threatened by Russia and its allies, Iran and North Korea. I urge you to continue backing military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, combating disinformation and publicly declaring your commitment to helping Ukraine resist Russian aggression. Thank you for your work. I look forward to hearing from you.
Prayer for peace in Ukraine in the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Andrew, Parma, OH, February 23, 2025.
2024
The United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio express their gratitude to Governor DeWine for issuing the resolution recognizing November as Ukrainian Holodomor Genocide Remembrance Month.
We add our voice to many others who have expressed concern, frustration, disappointment, and outrage at the celebration of Russian heritage at the upcoming Columbus Blue Jackets hockey game.
November 23, 2024
The Ukrainian-American Community of Northeast Ohio gathered at St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian-Orthodox Cathedral in Parma Ohio to commemorate the memory of the more than four million victims of the Holodomor-Genocide. Father Mykhailo Hontaruk, the pastor of St. Vladimir’s Cathedral, along with priests from Ukrainian-Orthodox and Ukrainian-Catholic parishes across the Greater Cleveland area, conducted a panakhyda, a service for the repose of the souls of the victims. The audience included the older classes of the Taras Schevchenko School of the Ukrainian Studies, the School of Ukrainian Studies of the Association “Ridna Shkola” and also members of the wider community.
Father Hontaruk spoke about the commonality of the perpetrators and the intent of the Holodomor-Genocide with eh current genocidal war launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Dr. Yurii (George) Jaskiw highlighted the importance of preserving the memory of the tragic events of 1932-1933 and introduced our honored guest, a 101-year old member of St. Vladimir’s parish who lived in Eastern Ukraine and witnessed some of the atrocities of the Holodomor-Genocide. She forcefully spoke to the students about what she had seen
After the service, the students and community retired to St. Vladimir’s hall where they viewed a movie about the Holodomor-Genocide and engaged in a discussion about it.
The. United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio express their gratitude to Father Mykhailo Hontaruk and the parish of St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian-Orthodox Cathedral for hosting our event. We thank all those that attended to express our undying gratitude to the survivor of the Holodomor-Genocide who came to bear witness to the truth.
November 7, 2024
UUOhio expresses its deep gratitude to Governor DeWine and his administration, particularly Lydia Mihalik, the Director of the Ohio Department of Development, for promoting the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the State of Ohio and Kharkiv Oblast. This will foster the development of commercial, cultural and educational ties that will benefit citizens of Ohio as well as those of Kharkiv Oblast. We welcome Oksana Markarova Ambassador of Ukraine to the United and Counsellor Andrii Tsymbaliuk, and members of the Kharkiv Oblast delegation, Tetiana Yehroba-Lutsenko, Head of the Kharkiv Oblast’s Regional Council, Vita Kovalska, Deputy Head of Kharkiv Regional Military Administration and Vitalii Lutsenko, Director of the University Recovery Center of O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv and look forward to supporting their work. We appreciate State Representative Sean Brennan’s steadfast support and participation in the signing. A special note of gratitude is due Tobias Engel, Manager, International Affairs at the Ohio Department of Development for organizing the signing and the highly productive subsequent meetings between members of the administration of the State of Ohio, commercial and educational leaders and members of the Kharkiv delegation.
The following links have information of the days events.
November 3, 2024
Members of the board of UUOhio, along with community members enjoyed an integrated piano – poetry recital performance by the renowned Latvian pianist Andrejs Osokins and the accomplished actor Gundars Abolins. All proceeds were designated for Ukraine and/or Ukrainian refugees. Mr. Osokins has been a stalwart supporter of Ukraine and has established a music Festival which supports Ukrainian causes. UUOhio is very grateful to Andrejs Celcherts, Paul Barbins, Karl Blums, Martins Daubs and others from the Latvian-American community who organized the concert and invited us. This is a wonderful example of how our Eastern European communities support each other.
October 22, 2024
Professor Timothy Snyder, the Pre-eminent historian on Eastern Europe and particularly on Ukraine, visited the Parma-Snow Library to discuss his latest book “On Freedom.” UZO arranged for 30 friend and allies to attend. Prior to the public event and book signing, Prof. Snyder met privately with members, guests and allies of UUOhio, and discussed the current geopolitical situation in Ukraine.
NATO turns 75; Baltic states mark 20 years in Alliance. Speakers of Parliament from NATO countries, including Ukraine’s Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, address the security of the Eastern Flank in light of Russia’s war in Ukraine and condemn the bombing of the Okhmatdyt pediatric hospital in Kyiv on the eve of the Summit.
Latvian Speaker Daiga Miernina and Lithuanian Speaker Viktorja Cmilyte-Nielsen.
Estonian Ambassador to the U.S. Kristjan Prikk, Andriy Futey Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Mychajlo Sawkiw Ukrainian National Information Service, Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher, United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio.
THANK YOU
Representatives Beatty, Brown, Carey, Joyce, Kaptur, Landsman, Latta, Miller, Sykes, Turner and Wenstrup.
79% – 11 of 14 OHIO’s U.S. House members in a bi-partisan show of support voted to pass the needed security aid to Ukraine.
October 15-17, 2024
Three members of UMANA and UZO (Jaskiw, Malay, Samotowka) attended the International Healthcare Summit in Kyiv. The Summit, sponsored by August Mission and MedGlobal and organized by in a large part by Dr. Douglas Davis (medGlobal) and Jarvis Mak (August Mission) focused on war-time medical needs in Ukraine. Dr Mykhailo Samotowka was a key participant in the section on managing physical trauma and on appropriate use of tourniquets. Dr. Taras Malay and Dr. Yurii Jaskiw were moderators in the section on Mental Health. The group also met with staff at several psychiatric hospitals as well as Okhmatdyt, with the goal of assessing their needs.
September 18, 2024.
Strong Cities Transatlantic Dialogue in Columbus, Ohio commenced with a Ukrainian-American community reception welcoming Ukraine’s Mayors hosted by Columbus Mayor Ginther, Parma Mayor DeGeeter, State of Ohio Department of Development, Columbus College of Art and Design, Ukrainian Cultural Association of Ohio, and United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio.
Welcome Lviv Mayor Sadovyi, Kupyansk Mayor Besedin and Mykolaiv Mayor Sendevich to Ohio.
“A heartfelt tribute to Ukraine and the soldiers by Rod Stewart in Cleveland on September 13, 2024. Thank you for your support Rod! Slava Ukraini!
Ukrainian Village Parade August 23, 2024
Grand Marshall – State Representative Sean Brennan
UUOhio President and Members
Parade Chairman Roman Fedkiv
Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter
United States Senator from Ohio Sherrod Brown
United States Representative from Ohio Max Miller
Flag raising and Ukrainian National Anthem
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Elena Zelenskyy along with Ambassador Oksana Markarova and Cabinet members honor the victims of the Genocide prior to the start of the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington DC. President Zelenskyy addressed our community with words of gratitude for the ongoing support of the United States and the diaspora. May God Bless Ukraine, its people and leaders with continued vision and strength.
Members of the UZO Board and Congressman Max Miller at the Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church Festival August 3, 2024
Thursday July 11, 2024 Oksana Lyniv was guest conductor of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra at Severance Hall.
The classical program will include a work by the 20th century Ukrainian composer Boris Liatoshnysky.
Saturday July 13th 2024. Pan-American Masters Games
Come and greet famous Sergey Bubka and support Ukraine!
Cleveland Prayer Vigil February 24, 2024
Commemorating the 2nd anniversary of the atrocities committed on Ukraine, Bishop Malesic hosted the community at St. JohnCathedral. Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter, Congressman Max Miller, Tobias Engle on behalf of Ohio Governor DeWine, Lee C. Shapiro of the American Jewish Committee, Parma City Councilmen Mark Casselberry and Kevin Kussmaul attended.
2023
United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio (UUOhio) was honored to host Ambassador Oksana Markarova on November 17th in Cleveland for the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor-Genocide. The series of events was made possible by the generous support of our partners former Senator Rob Portman, The City Club of Cleveland, Cleveland State University (CSU), Holocaust & Genocide Education Network, and St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. Throughout the day we enjoyed the participation and remarks of former Senator Rob Portman, Senator Sherrod Brown, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Congressman Max Miller, State Senator Matt Dolan and UCCA President Andrew Futey. We particularly thank CSU President Laura Bloomberg, Ph.D., Mark Cole, Ph.D., Todd Nelson, Ph.D., both from CSU and Olga Bertelsen, Ph.D. Tiffin University for a stimulating academic forum discussing the Holodomor-Genocide in light of the current genocidal war against Ukraine.
We are grateful for Governor DeWine’s declaration that November is Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Remembrance month in Ohio and for the similar bipartisan resolution from the General Assembly of the Ohio Senate, signed by the President of the Ohio Senate Matt Huffman and State Senator Matt Dolan of the 24th District. We thank Fr. John Nakonachny and Fr. Michael Hontaruk for hosting the solemn vigil commemoration at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. The commemoration would not have been possible without the outstanding organizational support provided by the staff of the Embassy of Ukraine and by Caryn Candisky from CSU.
Photos courtesy of HumanArtist, LLC and Cleveland State University.
Photos at the City Club of Cleveland:
Photos at Cleveland State University
Photos at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral:
Click below for local media coverage of the events.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the US visits Northeast Ohio on WKYC
Ukrainian Ambassador visits Cleveland on Cleveland.com
Click to access Proclamation.pdf
https://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/ukrainian/2023/ukrainian-festival.htm
August2023
Congratulations Myroslava Gongadze! Welcome to Cleveland and we look forward to celebrating your achievement. Case Western Reserve University will award Myroslava Gongadze, journalist and free-press and human-rights advocate with the 2023 Inamori Ethics Prize.
Congresswoman Kaptur hosts Ukrainian Ambassador Markarova at the Toledo Club. Among the guests were Ukrainians displaced by the genocidal war.
Thank you Tom Wiater, President of Central Marine Logistics, for your unwavering commitment to assist our community in shipping medical and humanitarian aid from the Port of Cleveland.
September 2023
Congratulations Myroslava Gongadze! Welcome to Cleveland and we look forward to celebrating your achievement. Case Western Reserve University will award Myroslava Gongadze, journalist and free-press and human-rights advocate with the 2023 Inamori Ethics Prize.
June 2023
Ukraine is in the spotlight of Lorain International Festival.
Click on the links below for videos and photos posted on ClevelandPeople.com
https://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/ukrainian/2023/ukrainian-festival.htm