Pres. Obama Sends Ukrainian Pres. Poroshenko an Invitation to D.C.

In a post on Facebook that was both scathing and appreciative, United Nations Representative and Ukrainian World Congress member Andrij Dobriansky congratulated Obama’s decision before criticizing the long delay. Dobriansky explained that though the President Obama’s invitation to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was a significant step it was not enough.

“This is a commendable decision but too long in the making, and unfortunately not enough. The acknowledgement of Ukraine’s tremendous achievements in the past 9 months, as well as the existing strategic partnership between the two countries, should rightly be manifested by extending an invitation for President Poroshenko to address a Joint Session of Congress. (In April of 2005, President Yushchenko was afforded the same honor mere months after the Orange Revolution.)”

Dobriansky also called on Americans to contact their Congressional leaders and voice their concern that Ukraine be supported in “defeating the Russian terrorist in Eastern Ukraine.” Additionally, Dobriansky asked that a rally to show support be quickly organized for September 18, 2014. The purpose of the rally was again to show support to Ukraine. Noting that previous support had been given by Ukrainian Americans but that a show of support in Washington while President Poroshenko is in town would be a tremendous wake up call to President Obama.

“While thousands of Ukrainians have shown their support for Ukraine by demonstrating over the past year, this will be an opportunity to show our unified support for Ukraine on a scale the White House hasn’t seen in years.”

Dobriansky closed his post by suggesting that members who contact their Representatives should also mention H.R. 5241, the “Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Act”.

“The Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Act, which would prohibit the United States by law of recognizing the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, de juro OR de facto. This bill was quietly introduced by Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA) in July, but would put into law what we all believe: Crimea is Ukraine.”