In a private room in the U.S. Capitol, the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC) hosted a February 15 reception and dinner in honor of visiting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. Senior-level American statesmen attending included Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Deputy National Security Advisor K.T. McFarland, Gov. Tom Ridge as well as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Valeriy Chaly.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Deputy National Security Advisor K.T. McFarland and Former Under Secretary of State William Schneider, Jr. among others.
Following opening remarks delivered by Sen. Wicker and AFPC President Herman Pirchner, Minister Klimkin outlined Ukraine’s view of its ongoing war in East Ukraine as well as of Russia’s occupation and annexation of Crimea.
Minister Klimkin's thoughtful comments at this off-the-record-event led to intense and serious discussions about U.S.-Ukrainian relations in addition to Russia’s relationship with both countries. Among the highlighted items were Russian violations of multiple treaties and agreements affecting Ukraine's sovereignty; a discussion of how and why the Ukraine economy is rebounding; and why increasing numbers of ethnic Russians are supporting Ukraine in its fight with Putin's Russia.
AFPC hosted a second Ukraine-focused dinner on January 31 which featured former Ukrainian Prime Minister and rumored Presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko.Tymoshenko, who was jailed for political reasons under the now-deposed Ukrainian President Yanukovich, discussed at length the current problems facing Ukraine and left those present with a sense of how she would address said challenges, should she be elected Ukraine’s next President. Former Under Secretary of Defense Dov Zakheim and former Under Secretary of State Richard McCormack led the spirited questioning.
AFPC plans to send a delegation to Ukraine in June 2017.
