Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) and the Congressional Ukraine Caucus kicked off Ukrainian Week 2026 by welcoming Ukrainian government officials, religious leaders, veterans, business professionals, and families impacted by Russia’s war of aggression to speak on Capitol Hill.
During the event, Vindman spoke alongside Romchyk Oleksiv — an 11-year-old boy who was severely burned in a Russian missile strike that killed his mother when he was just seven years old.
“The Ukrainian people are freezing and hungry. There has been a strategic campaign launched by Russia to bring them suffering,” said Vindman. “The United States didn’t make its way out of the American Revolution without help. We were helped by allies from overseas, and it was that assistance that allowed us to finally achieve victory. The United States and Europeans must play that very same role today for our Ukrainian allies.”
During the event, the lawmakers called for increased pressure on Russia, including new sanctions, and announced that they are one signature away from forcing a House vote on the Ukraine Support Act through a discharge petition. Vindman is a cosponsor of the legislation.
“Romchyk is 11 years old. This is the face of war in Ukraine. When this war started — and we’re approaching the fourth anniversary here in just a few weeks — Romchyk was seven years old. When will this war end? That’s what we need to ask ourselves. I want to thank you for being here and representing the millions of children in Ukraine that are suffering, that are bearing the brunt of it,” Vindman continued.
Vindman spoke alongside Congressional Ukraine Caucus colleagues U.S. Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio-09), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.-05), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.-02), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas-35), Bill Keating (D-Mass.-09), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-05), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.-02), and Tom Suozzi, (D-N.Y.-03).
“Our sovereignty depends on strong partnerships. The United States’ connection with European leaders and its support for Ukraine have been steadfast. As you can see from today’s speakers — from Congressman Wilson of South Carolina in the Southeast, to members from Virginia and Maryland on the East Coast, and across to the West Coast — support for Ukraine spans the entire country, said Kaptur, We have voices from Ohio, Illinois, and beyond. This is truly a nationwide, bipartisan commitment to standing with Ukraine.”
“We do come from every corner of this country, and you must know that the people of this country stand with the people of Ukraine. I represent the great state of New Hampshire. Our motto is live free or die. And one thing you’ll see in every corner of my state are Ukrainian flags, because your cause is the cause of freedom, and we are honored to stand alongside you,” said Goodlander. “The people of Ukraine are a light for the world and for this country. And we are honored to stand with you. We need your voices now in this people’s house more than ever before”
“Before me stand people watching — Ukrainians, Americans, and people of all nations who remain committed to democracy,” said Hoyer. “Ukrainians have shown extraordinary courage. Now, the members of this House must show courage as well.”
“We cannot reward a monster for what he is doing to the people of Ukraine. Some people have said, “oh, Russia is so big, and Ukraine is so small by comparison”… Well, of course we have to help them. And our European friends have to help them. And all people who love freedom have to help the Ukrainians. Because if we don’t help the Ukrainians, what’s going to happen to the Latvians? What’s going to happen to the Lithuanians? What’s going to happen to the Estonians? What’s going to happen to the Moldovans? What’s going to happen to Poland? Putin is a monster. He cannot be rewarded,” said Suozzi. “We must stand together in this nation, for the people of Ukraine. We must get our Democratic and Republican colleagues to work together on this common cause of justice.”
“Putin’s invasion, hostile invasion of the people of Ukraine. It was very clear four years ago that this was about. Good versus evil. The people standing with Ukraine, representing the values of democracy, values of free will, the values of human rights. Russia and Putin representing the evil empire that President Reagan spoke of. Ukrainian people are resilient,” said Costa. “We can achieve the end of this war through military support and sanction against Russia.”
With over 2,000 participants, Ukrainian Week 2026 aims to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Ukraine, promote meaningful dialogue, and highlight the nation’s shared values of faith, freedom, and democracy.
You can read a full transcript of Vindman’s remarks below.
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“Romchyk is 11 years old. This is the face of war in Ukraine. When this war started, we’re approaching the fourth anniversary here in just a few weeks, Romchyk was seven years old. When will this war end? That’s what we need to ask ourselves. I want to thank you for being here and representing the millions of children in Ukraine that are suffering, that are bearing the brunt of it, who are now hungry and cold.
“I’m reading a book now. It’s also about the American Revolution — the 250th anniversary. I’m at the point of the book where we’re talking about Valley Forge. And for those of you that follow American history, it’s probably the lowest point that the United States was in in the war. It was several years into the war, with several more years to go, and I think Ukraine is actually finding itself in that very same position right now.
“My understanding is that the Ukrainian people are freezing. They’re hungry, based on a campaign, strategic campaign, to freeze and starve the Ukrainian people. The United States didn’t make its way out of the revolution without help. We were helped by allies from overseas, and it was that assistance that allowed us to finally achieve victory.
“The United States and Europeans are playing that very same role today. Now I will tell you that we are facing our own dark days in the United States and what values this country represents. What values will we embrace going forward? Those are being tested on a daily basis, but we have a decision to make, and Congresswoman Kaptur made this very clear. We’re one vote away from a sanctions bill.
“So your job, and Romchyk, your job as well, is when you go see members of the Congress, convince one more member of Congress to sign on to this bill. It’s a small step. It’s not going to be the final step, but it’s a necessary step to turning the tide, because there’s only one thing that Vladimir Putin understands.
“It’s not appeasement. It’s strength. Ukraine is demonstrating strength. It needs our support, and we have a mission, and we need to execute it. Thank you all for showing up. Thank you for advocating. Slava Ukraini”
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