Razom Recommends December 2025

Published: November 26, 2025

As we wrap up another extraordinary year, this season reminds us of the power of togetherness – razom. December brings a rich tapestry of Ukrainian cultural offerings that uplift, educate, and remind us why the world continues to stand with Ukraine. We hope these #RazomRecommends highlights will add light and inspiration to your holidays.

2 Dec| San Francisco, CA

‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’: Screening with Director Mstyslav Chernov

Join the Commonwealth World Affairs Club for a special screening of the new documentary 2000 Meters to Andriivka, followed by a conversation with acclaimed Ukrainian filmmaker and war correspondent Mstyslav Chernov. Following his historic account of the civilian toll in Mariupol, Chernov turns his lens toward Ukrainian soldiers—who they are, where they came from, and the impossible decisions they face in the trenches as they fight for every inch of their land.

🔗 Tickets HERE.

3 Dec| 6:30 – 9:30 PM| NYC

‘Facing War’: Film Screening

The Ukrainian Institute of America, in partnership with the Dox Division and Think-Film Impact Production, is pleased to present the award-winning documentary Facing War. The documentary offers a gripping, behind-the-scenes look at Jens Stoltenberg‘s final year as NATO Secretary General. With unprecedented access to the inner sanctums of global power, the film chronicles Stoltenberg’s relentless diplomatic efforts to maintain alliance unity in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.There is no charge for the screening, but advance registration is requested. The screening will be followed by a Q&A and a ticketed wine reception.

🔗Tickets HERE.

5 -6 Dec| 12 – 7 PM| NYC

International Holiday market

Step into the holiday spirit at the Ukrainian Institute of America’s International Holiday Market, a festive celebration of culture, community, and craftsmanship. Experience cherished holiday traditions from across Europe, savor seasonal treats, and shop for distinctive, handcrafted gifts and décor in the elegant setting of our historic Fifth Avenue mansion.

🔗Tickets HERE.

8 Dec| 7 PM| Chicago, IL

Porcelain War Screening + Q&A with filmmakers & reception (in partnership with Razom)

A screening of Porcelain War co-presented by: American Documentary | POV, Polsky Foundation, Razom for Ukraine, Ukrainian Institute for Modern Art, Chicago Grand Gallery, and Kartemquin Films. Post-Screening Q&A panel moderated by AmDoc Board member & former Chicago Times journalist Jane Hirt and will feature Porcelain War filmmakers Olivia Ahneman (producer), Brendan Bellomo (director), Camilla Mazzaferro (producer), and Olya Glantsman (Faculty/Staff Advisor, Ukrainian-American Cultural Association at DePaul University).

🔗Tickets HERE.

10 Dec| 7 PM| NYC

Viktor: Screening & Film Talk

Scandinavia House presents a special screening and film talk of Denmark’s official entry for Best Documentary Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards: the bold war documentary Viktor, followed by a Q&A with director Olivier Sarbil. Fusing rigorous reportage with innovative cinematic subjectivity, this bold documentary from veteran war photographer Olivier Sarbil is a uniquely intimate portrait of a Deaf person’s experience of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

🔗Tickets HERE.

13 Dec| 8 PM| NYC

Yalynka: Holiday Event

As the holidays draw near, the Ukrainian Institute of America warmly invites you to Yalynka, our cherished celebration of the season. We look forward to gathering with friends for an evening of community and warmth. Enjoy a buffet dinner, full premium open bar, the vibrant sounds of Orchestra Hrim, and our lively raffle, all in the uniquely welcoming atmosphere of the Institute’s landmark home. Festive Ukrainian attire is encouraged. Guests are welcome to join for the entire evening or arrive after dinner from 10 PM.

🔗Tickets HERE.

13-14 Dec| California

Ukrainian Christmas Carols

Esteemed choral director Marika Kuzma and her acclaimed Ensemble Cherubim invite you to enjoy the sounds of Ukrainian carols in California – with one concert in Los Angeles and one in Berkeley. Performed in Ukrainian interwoven with several other languages, the stirring program of songs, hymns, carols, and spoken word captures the intimacy of music traditionally sung in Ukrainian homes, churches, and town squares during the holiday season, including Mykola Leontovych’s renowned “Shchedryk” (“Carol of the Bells” and a host of musical treasures from ancient times to the present day.

🔗Tickets HERE.

19 Dec| 7 PM| NYC

A Christmas Concert

A special holiday concert featuring acclaimed Ukrainian artists Valeriia Vovk and Fima Chupakhin. Their collaboration brings together Valeriia’s expressive, crystal-clear vocals and Fima’s nuanced, imaginative musicianship, creating a program that ranges from quietly introspective to boldly virtuosic. Drawing on the depth of Ukrainian musical tradition while adding their own contemporary sensibilities, they offer a concert that feels both fresh and deeply rooted. The concert will be followed by a reception. Advance registration is requested.

🔗 Tickets HERE.

Ukrainian Resilience Takes the Global Stage at Harvard: How “RAZOM z Toboyu” Is Building a New Model of Mental Health Support

Published: November 24, 2025

At a time when the world is searching for answers about how societies survive — and grow — through war, Ukraine is offering not theory, but evidence. This November, the team behind “RAZOM z Toboyu” (“Razom With You”) presented Ukraine’s emerging model of psychological resilience at Harvard University’s Heal Ukraine 2025 Conference, joining more than a hundred experts from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Ukraine.

It was more than a presentation. It was Ukraine’s voice — steady, thoughtful, and grounded in lived experience — showing the world what it means to care for a nation living through trauma and still choosing to build a better future.

Thanks to Razom’s supporters, this program has grown into one of the largest, most practical mental-health networks operating inside Ukraine today. And at Harvard, it became clear: Ukraine is not only enduring. Ukraine is innovating.

A Ukrainian Model of Resilience — Born in War, Built for the Future

For three years, the “RAZOM z Toboyu” team has been developing an integrated model of psychological support rooted in the real experiences of communities, families, and the specialists who serve them.

At Harvard, speakers Iryna Gudyma, Tetiana Kril, Larysa Zahray, and Nataliia Chorna introduced a comprehensive system built on four interconnected layers of resilience:

Individual resilience — strengthening awareness, emotional regulation, inner resources, and spiritual grounding.

Family resilience — rebuilding trust, communication, and support networks within households carrying the weight of war.

Professional resilience — supporting teachers, psychologists, medics, social workers, and volunteers so they can continue helping others without burning out.
Social resilience (post-traumatic growth) — transforming collective trauma into collective strength, where communities become engines of healing.

“Ukraine is a symbol of resilience. Ukrainian specialists are creating a modern, accessible, and scalable mental-health system. This experience matters not only for us — but for the world,” said Iryna Gudyma, RAZOM z Toboyu program director.

Evidence-Based Care That Reaches Thousands

Behind this model are tangible results — made possible by donors who believe in Ukraine’s long-term recovery.

As of October 2025:

28,570+ individual counseling sessions
1,157 group sessions
442 resilience trainings
Over 2,000 specialists trained across 155 organizations
Six psychological support centers operating in Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Bucha, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipro, and Kharkiv
All services provided free of charge for people impacted by war

These are not statistics — they are thousands of lives stabilized, supported, and strengthened.

The team also unveiled a six-session individual support model that helps clients quickly experience measurable improvement. Using standardized assessment tools, psychologists track symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. After six sessions:

Depression levels (PHQ-9) drop by 17.5%
Anxiety (HADS) decreases by 18%
79% of clients develop personal self-regulation and recovery plans

A digital platform, Health Suite, enables automated monitoring of progress and program effectiveness — a rare achievement for mental-health interventions during wartime.

“We help people who continue living in war. Our task is not only to stabilize, but to cultivate skills that allow clients to restore balance on their own,” said Tetiana Kril, RAZOM z Toboyu MHPSS lead.

Strengthening Those Who Support Others

One of the program’s most profound impacts has been among Ukraine’s “human-to-human” professionals — psychologists, teachers, medics, social workers, and volunteers who form the country’s emotional and social backbone.

In 2025 alone:

2,100+ specialists completed training
Participants’ knowledge levels rose by 22.9% on average
Workshops on communication with service members and preventing professional burnout saw gains above 25%

“Training for the ‘human-to-human’ system must be continuous. We create a space where people can reflect, recover, and continue helping others without burning out,” emphasized Larysa Zahray, RAZOM z Toboyu senior psychologist.

Her Harvard presentation also highlighted how the war is transforming psychological education in Ukraine: universities are redesigning curricula around trauma-informed care, crisis response, and emotional regulation, preparing a new generation of specialists who understand the reality their country faces.

Healing Families, Breaking the Cycle of Trauma

War impacts every household touched by service, displacement, injury, or loss. That is why the “RAZOM z Toboyu” team dedicates a major part of its work to family rehabilitation, especially for families of veterans and active-duty service members.

Nataliia Chorna presented evidence that structured family therapy:

Rebuilds trust
Reduces secondary trauma
Strengthens communication
Creates durable patterns of mutual support

Her work also addresses transgenerational trauma — how wartime experiences can echo into the future through family beliefs, memories, and behaviors.

“Rehabilitation is not only about overcoming trauma. It is about creating new systems of mutual support. Family is the key resource capable of transforming pain into strength,” noted Nataliia Chorna, RAZOM z Toboyu supervisor.

Ukraine’s Experience as a Guide for the World

For many at Harvard, the Ukrainian team’s presentations were not simply reports of progress — they were a glimpse into the future of trauma-informed recovery in conflict-affected regions.

“Today, Ukraine demonstrates how a nation living through war can not only survive, but build a modern mental-health system rooted in evidence, ethics, and accessibility — and show post-traumatic growth even in the hardest times,” said Iryna Gudyma.

The Heal Ukraine 2025 Conference included leading organizations such as Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, Scholars at Risk, Heal Ukraine Group, Razom for Ukraine, MedGlobal, Doctors United for Ukraine, Nova Ukraine, and others. But it was the Ukrainian specialists who brought something irreplaceable: lived expertise.

Their message resonated deeply: Resilience is not an abstraction. It is daily work — work made possible when families, communities, and supporters stand together.

Why This Matters — And What Comes Next

In the face of daily air-raid sirens, displacement, and unimaginable loss, Ukraine continues to invest in dignity, recovery, and hope. Donor support has allowed Razom to nurture a program that is now shaping global discussions on mental health during war.

Ukraine is teaching the world how to heal while fighting for survival — and how to turn shared trauma into shared strength.

Together, we’re building a future where every Ukrainian can heal, rebuild, and rise stronger.

RAZOM FOR UKRAINE: PEACE REQUIRES A STRONG UKRAINE

Published: November 21, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2025

RAZOM FOR UKRAINE: PEACE REQUIRES A STRONG UKRAINE

Washington, D.C. — “The Trump administration’s proposed deal would weaken Ukraine and set a dangerous precedent that threatens democracies around the world. No one wants peace more than Ukrainians, who have suffered under the boot of Putin’s cruel invasion,” said Dora
Chomiak, CEO of Razom for Ukraine.

“We are troubled that the Trump administration is pressuring Ukraine to accept a punishing deal under duress. If the Trump administration follows through on its threat to withhold weapons purchased by Europe and end intelligence support, the White House will embolden
Putin, endanger the rest of the free world, and prolong the war, not end it. The White House’s current strategy undermines President Trump’s goal of peace.”

“We call on friends of peace in Congress to urge publicly and privately that any deal to end the war must include ironclad guarantees for Ukraine, guarantees that ensure that Russia cannot use a pause in the fighting to simply rearm and reinvade. A guarantee that lasts only as long as one administration is no guarantee at all.”

“We urge Members of Congress and leaders across the United States to insist that the White House take into account the will of Ukraine’s democratic society. America will be stronger by working together with Ukraine today and in the future, not by pressuring it to accept many of
the terms that Putin has been calling for since day one. Ukraine has proven itself a valuable ally of the United States. The Trump administration must ensure Ukrainians have the tools they need to defend themselves and work together with Ukraine to craft a deal for a just and durable
peace. After nearly four years of fighting for survival, and over a decade since Russia’s first invasion, Ukraine cannot afford a rushed deal.”

“The United States successfully enabled Ukrainians to defend their freedom, weaken Russia’s malicious fighting force, and send a warning to other would-be invaders like Xi Jinping that there is a cost for trying to conquer free people. Now is not the time to give in. We will continue to work with this administration and Congress to secure a just peace that leaves both Ukraine and America safer and stronger.”

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Razom (“Together” in Ukrainian) is a U.S. nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a leading advocate for continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine.

Razom: Durable peace requires a strong Ukraine and guarantees that Russia won’t reignite its war

Published: November 19, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 19, 2025

Washington, D.C. — “Any durable peace requires a militarily strong Ukraine and firm guarantees that Russia will be unable to reignite its war in the future,” said Mykola Murskyj, director of the Razom advocacy team.

“We know that Vladimir Putin’s goal of subjugating Ukraine hasn’t changed, and that he’s trying to accomplish through political pressure what Russia’s soldiers cannot win on the battlefield. Achieving real peace in Ukraine means guaranteeing Ukrainians can defend themselves — just as they’ve successfully done for almost twelve years — not leaving them vulnerable to Russia’s next attack.

President Trump said Sunday that it’s time for Congress to pass sanctions on Russia, and Razom urges congressional leadership to swiftly pass the bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act. Americans around the country want to see Russia forced to end its war and return the Ukrainians it holds hostage, including tens of thousands of Ukrainian children. Nothing about Ukraine can be decided without Ukraine and its people.”

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Razom (“Together” in Ukrainian) is a U.S. nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a leading advocate for continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine.

From Famine to Fertility: How Ukrainians Are Reclaiming Food Security with Razom’s Support

Published: November 18, 2025

Every year in late November, Ukrainians around the world light candles in their windows to honor the millions of lives lost during the Holodomor – the man-made famine engineered by the Soviet regime in 1932–1933. It was not a natural disaster but a weapon of extermination, designed to break a nation by starving its people and erasing its farmers.

For Ukrainians, food has never been merely sustenance – it is memory, dignity, and defiance. And today, nearly a century later, the aggressor’s tactics have evolved but not changed.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, grain silos have been bombed, fields mined and burned, ports blockaded, and farmers targeted. Once again, food is used as a weapon – this time to undermine Ukraine’s economy, global food supply, and the will of ordinary people to stay and rebuild.

But Ukraine fights back not only on the battlefield. Every garden planted, every greenhouse restored, every seed sown is an act of resistance. Through its grantmaking and partnership network, Razom for Ukraine supports those who refuse to let destruction define their future. One such partner is the CF Free Borsht Initiative, whose project “Earn on the Farm” helps displaced Ukrainians and local residents regain both food security and livelihoods.

Growing Hope Amid War

With Razom’s $30,000 grant under the Razom Jobs program, Free Borsch launched an intensive training initiative across Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Vinnytsia oblasts, aimed at helping internally displaced persons (IDPs) and locals start small-scale farming.

Participants – many of whom fled occupied or frontline regions – joined online and in-person sessions to learn everything from vegetable and berry cultivation to hydroponics, marketing, and risk management. Despite constant air raids and disruptions, the results far exceeded expectations.

By the end of the program, over 400 people became direct beneficiaries, including 147 individuals who completed the full course and more than 260 family members they brought into the work. Many of those graduates, in turn, shared what they learned with neighbors and peers, bringing the total reach of the project to more than 600 people across three regions of Ukraine. Even more inspiring, 59 participants have already launched micro-farms or new agribusiness ventures – real families creating real income and food stability in communities under threat.

“We made our course simple, practical, and human,” says Oleksandr Pavlovskyi, director of Free Borsch. “For many displaced families, farming became a way to feed their children, to heal from trauma, and to feel in control of their future again.”

Stories from the Field

Viktoria Kryvonos, 45, fled the destroyed city of Lyman in Donetsk region with her husband. In Poltava oblast, they started from scratch – just two pairs of hands and 1.5 hectares of rented land.

“Thanks to the ‘Earn on the Farm’ program,” Viktoria says, “we learned about greenhouse cultivation. We built a small greenhouse, planted cucumbers, and sold our first harvest for a good price.”

That “small” greenhouse of 60 square meters produced 460 kilograms of cucumbers, earning the couple over 23,000 hryvnias and giving them confidence to expand next year.

Anzhelina Andrusenko, 43, was displaced from the flooded, occupied city of Oleshky in Kherson region. Settling with her family in Lviv oblast, she too started over – this time under a plastic greenhouse roof.

“We built a tiny greenhouse, set up drip irrigation, and grew our first cucumbers,” she says. That first crop yielded 800 kilograms, generating more than 36,000 hryvnias – their first income in exile. “Now I know this is our future,” Anzhelina adds. “We can stand on our own feet again.”

In the Mykolaiv region, where air raid sirens punctuate every workday, Tetiana Buhlakova, 46, found solace and purpose in cultivating beauty.

“I learned how to propagate chrysanthemums,” she explains. “Every single cutting took root!”
She grew 200 chrysanthemum bushes for sale, plus 500 strawberry seedlings, turning knowledge into income and pride:
“This course didn’t just teach me farming – it reminded me that I can create life even when everything around feels uncertain.”

One of the program’s most inspiring community leaders is Oksana Marton, who turned her small family plot in Kharkiv Oblast into a flourishing chrysanthemum garden. What began as a simple effort to restore beauty after months of occupation has grown into a shared space where neighbors gather, talk, breathe, and remember what peace feels like.

For Oksana, these flowers are more than decoration — they are protection.
“We’re not just tending to plants,” she says. “We’re taking care of the mental health of the people in our village. The garden gives them something living to hold on to.”

Her chrysanthemums have become a symbol of quiet resilience: a reminder that even in places scarred by war, communities can nurture hope one blossom at a time.

And in the frontline-adjacent Chernihiv region, 32-year-old Mykola Sylenko built a 160 m² greenhouse and harvested 1.2 tons of early cucumbers despite constant shelling.

“The biggest lesson I learned,” he says, “is that you must think ahead. Problems come fast in farming – and in war – but when you plan, you overcome. I’ve already made my first sales. It’s a successful start.”

Cultivating Livability

Food security in wartime is about far more than calories. It is about stability, dignity, and belonging. Every greenhouse erected and every seed sown says: We are still here. We will live.

Through projects like Free Borsch, Razom is rebuilding Ukraine’s capacity to feed itself – empowering individuals to turn soil into sustenance and knowledge into livelihood. This is part of Razom’s broader commitment to ensuring livability in Ukraine: a future where people can stay, rebuild, and thrive despite the war’s cruelty.

At a time when Russia seeks to make Ukraine unlivable, Razom and its partners are working to ensure that communities across the country not only survive but flourish – through education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and opportunity. Supporting projects like Free Borsch is one of the many ways we help sow the seeds of that livable future.

Together, We Grow

From the Holodomor’s silent fields to today’s shelled farmland, Ukrainians have learned that food can be both a weapon and salvation. By helping families grow their own harvests, Razom transforms survival into strength – and despair into resilience.

As we remember the victims of the Holodomor, we honor them best by ensuring that no Ukrainian ever faces hunger or hopelessness again. Join us in making Ukraine more secure, more resilient, and more livable. Together, we plant the future.

Razom Stronger 3.0: Knowledge, Partnerships, and a Generation Shaping the Future

На днях у Києві відбулася третя щорічна конференція грантерів Razom for Ukraine — «Razom Сильніші 3.0». Подія зібрала понад 200 представників громадських та благодійних організацій, які працюють із громадами, ветеранами, молоддю, освітою та відбудовою.

Published: November 14, 2025

Recently, the third annual Razom for Ukraine Grantee Conference – “Razom Stronger 3.0” – took place in Kyiv. The event brought together more than 200 representatives of civil society and charitable organizations working with communities, veterans, youth, education, and reconstruction.

This year’s central theme was learning—not academic learning, but living, experience-based learning born from mistakes, new ideas, and networking. Among the speakers and participants were well-known public figures, educators, and veterans whose organizations Razom also supports through its grant programs. This once again highlights Razom’s systemic approach: we not only organize events that strengthen communities but also empower those who drive change on the ground every day.

The two-day program featured over twenty sessions, ranging from panel discussions with donors and businesses to workshops on team emotional resilience. One of the most anticipated lectures was delivered by Valerii Pekar—entrepreneur, educator, and public intellectual—who spoke about “Scenarios for the Future” and the civic agenda for Ukraine after the war. His statement that “Ukrainians must not only rebuild, but also rethink” became a recurring theme throughout the conference.

Another powerful highlight was the panel “Warrior. Leader. Community,” featuring Andrii Zelinskyi, military chaplain, chair of the supervisory board of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, and educator, alongside Maksym Butkevych, human rights advocate and veteran. They spoke about the cost of experience, post-frontline transformation, and the responsibility of civil society in helping people return to life.

Participants noted that this year’s focus shifted from exchanging grant practices to building a shared vision. “The conference created an incredible atmosphere of networking, new connections, and learning. We’re already planning projects with new partners,” one participant shared. This synergy is precisely what defines Razom Stronger 3.0.

Over two days, the event became an intensive laboratory for leaders, featuring practical sessions on fundraising, communications, cooperation with businesses, and team development. Participants suggested creating regional chat groups, an open contact database, and more time for informal discussions. “After meeting here, we can now launch joint projects,” one attendee summarized.

Ultimately, Razom Stronger 3.0 demonstrated that Ukraine’s civil society sector is entering a new stage of growth—a space where not only organizations but also people evolve, proving each day that rebuilding is not merely a process but a state of a society that refuses to break.

ImpactUA Internships: From Three Weeks to a Lifetime of Commitment

Published: November 12, 2025

Every year on November 17, the world marks International Students’ Day, honoring the power of student voices to shape societies and spark change. It is a day that reminds us that young people are often at the forefront of movements for freedom, democracy, and justice.

At Razom, we believe that students are not just learners – they are leaders, connectors, and future changemakers. That is why, on this International Students’ Day, we highlight the stories of three remarkable young people – Olha, Conor, and Aidan – who took part in the first-ever ImpactUA program that Razom partnered on with Brave Generation. Their experiences in Ukraine demonstrate how students can become lifelong advocates, allies, and builders of the future.

Olha: Building Pathways for Veterans

For Olha Burdeina, a Ukrainian student at Brown University, ImpactUA was more than an internship – it was a step toward realizing her vision of creating reintegration opportunities for veterans. Paired with the Unbroken Rehabilitation Center in Lviv, Olha found herself not only supporting administrative tasks but also engaging directly with veterans.

Her most powerful memories come from facilitating stop-motion animation workshops designed for veterans. She recalls how difficult it was at first to connect with participants:

“Working with veterans is not easy, especially if you are with them only for three days. Sometimes they don’t feel like opening up. Sometimes you just need to sit in silence. But then they start to share, and those conversations change you.”

One veteran in particular left a mark on her: Michael, an American who lost his arm while fighting for Ukraine. Olha served as his interpreter during the workshops and later helped organize a special evening – opera tickets and dinner – so that Michael and his fellow servicemen could simply feel like ordinary people again.

“I just wanted them to feel like they are people. They are not defined by their trauma. They can connect, laugh, and be part of something bigger.”

But Olha’s story doesn’t end with ImpactUA. Over the summer, she launched Reborn, a veteran reintegration initiative in her home region of Chernivtsi, with support from the Projects for Peace Foundation. The program offers English language training and community engagement for returning soldiers.

Looking ahead, Olha dreams of a Ukraine where veterans are fully reintegrated into society, recognized not only for their sacrifice but also for their potential.

“I want to see a Ukraine where veterans have the skills, the opportunities, and the community support to live full lives after the war. That is the country I want to help build.”

Conor: Teaching Ethics for a Technological Future

For Conor, a student pursuing a dual degree in artificial intelligence and data science between CentraleSupélec (Université Paris-Saclay) and ESSEC Business School, the experience in Ukraine reshaped not only how he views the country, but also how he intends to apply his academic expertise.

During his internship, Conor worked with Unbroken, engaging with staff and veterans and seeing firsthand how technology intersects with healing. But what truly struck him was the resilience and openness of the Ukrainian people.

“I don’t want to give clichés like ‘resilient,’ but it’s true. What impressed me most was the ambition and forward-thinking attitude of Ukraine’s young people. Ukraine is a country run by people who are determined to create a future against all odds.”

Inspired by this spirit, Conor has already made plans to return. Later this year, he will travel back to Ukraine to lead workshops for students on AI ethics, ensuring that Ukrainian youth are not only rebuilding their country but also preparing to lead in the rapidly evolving technological world.

When asked about the Ukraine he envisions, Conor reflected on the balance between rebuilding and innovating:

“The Ukraine I want to see is one that doesn’t just recover from war, but that sets an example for the world – showing how ethics and innovation can go hand in hand. It’s a future where young Ukrainians are shaping technology responsibly, and where their creativity drives global conversations.”

Aidan: Journalism with Purpose

For Aidan Stretch, a recent Yale graduate, ImpactUA was the doorway to a new chapter of life. With a background in history and journalism, Aidan had long been interested in Eastern Europe. But it was the program that gave him his first immersion in Ukraine, introducing him to organizations like Cities4Cities and connecting him with networks that continue to support his work.

Aidan now lives in Kyiv, working as a freelance journalist and contributing to outlets like The Free Press and The Kyiv Independent. He’s committed to staying for at least three years. He credits ImpactUA with giving him the soft skills, networks, and cultural insights to begin this journey:

“The network itself was incredibly important. And just beginning to understand how to have conversations with Ukrainians – how to skip the small talk and get to the real stories – was essential. Those are lessons I use every single day now.”

For Aidan, Ukraine is not just a subject of reporting; it’s a cause. He sees journalism as a way to bring real Ukrainian voices into international conversations that too often exclude them.

“The worst things in history happen when decisions are made in rooms without the people who are actually affected. Programs like this ensure that their voices are heard – through us, through our work, through the stories we tell.”

When asked about the Ukraine he envisions, Aidan was clear-eyed but hopeful:

“Ukraine will be a Western democracy and a part of the EU – that’s inevitable. But my hope is that alongside reconstruction, people pay attention to what comes next: building inclusive institutions, dealing with migration, strengthening civil society. Ukraine’s fight is not only to survive, but to thrive.”

A Common Thread: From Observers to Advocates

Though their paths differ, Olha, Conor, and Aidan share a common transformation. They arrived as students eager to learn. They left as advocates determined to act. For Olha, it’s through building her own NGO for veterans. For Conor, it’s through returning to teach ethical AI in Ukraine. For Aidan, it’s through embedding himself in Kyiv to tell Ukraine’s story to the world.

Their journeys prove that Impact UA is not just a summer internship. It is a seedbed for lifelong advocacy. What makes these stories even more powerful is that none of the students spoke only about their own careers. Each reflected on the Ukraine they hope to see – and their answers reveal a deep sense of responsibility.

For Olha, it is a Ukraine where veterans are not left behind but are empowered to contribute to society. For Conor, it is a Ukraine that doesn’t just rebuild but innovates—one that leads global conversations about ethics and technology. For Aidan, it is a Ukraine firmly integrated into the democratic West, resilient enough to face future challenges while building inclusive institutions.

Impact that Endures

The war in Ukraine is not only fought on battlefields – it is fought in classrooms, boardrooms, media outlets, and global conversations. The students who participate in ImpactUA return to those arenas equipped not only with knowledge, but with lived experience. They know what it feels like to descend into a bomb shelter during an air raid. They know the sound of laughter in a café where life continues in spite of war. They know the faces of veterans who refuse to be defined by trauma. And they carry these truths with them wherever they go.

As Olha put it:

“Ukraine gained real advocates in the United States and beyond. These are people who will always be connected to Ukraine. They’ll be our ambassadors.”

From Ukraine to Campuses Worldwide

ImpactUA shows how powerful student engagement can be in shaping the future of Ukraine. But the journey does not end with three weeks on the ground. For many students, it sparks a lifelong commitment.

That is why Razom also leads Ukraine on Campus – a movement connecting students and educators across the U.S. who are raising awareness, investing in the interdisciplinary study of Ukraine, organizing cultural events, and advocating for Ukraine in their universities and communities. (Learn more at ukraineoncampus.org). If you are inspired by Olha, Conor, and Aidan’s stories, there are many ways to get involved. Whether you are a student starting a Ukrainian club, a professor seeking to host Ukrainian scholars, or simply someone who believes in amplifying Ukrainian voices, Ukraine on Campus provides a pathway to act. While not every student has the chance to experience Ukraine firsthand like Olha, Conor, and Aidan, Ukraine on Campus has set up toolkits to help bring Ukrainian stories to campuses here in the States: right now, you can apply for a university film screening toolkit of 2000 Meters to Andriivka, where, in his follow-up to Oscar®-winner 20 Days in Mariupol, Pulitzer-winning AP journalist Mstyslav Chernov again immerses us, cinematically and emotionally, in the war in Ukraine.

International Students’ Day is a reminder that student voices matter. ImpactUA has proven that short-term immersion can create long-term allies. For donors, it is an investment in leadership that multiplies over decades. For students around the world, it is an invitation: come, learn, and stand with Ukraine – not as an observer, but as a creator of its future.

Razom for Ukraine applauds new U.S. sanctions on Russian oil

Published: October 23, 2025

October 23, 2025

RAZOM FOR UKRAINE APPLAUDS NEW U.S. SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN OIL

Washington, D.C. — We applaud the Trump administration’s decisive action to impose new sanctions on Russian oil. This is a strong move that hits Russia exactly where it hurts and makes every day of Putin’s war even more expensive and less sustainable.

As Secretary Scott Bessent said, now is the time for Russia to stop the killing and agree to a ceasefire. By targeting two of Russia’s largest oil companies, the United States is putting a major dent in the Kremlin’s war chest. Sanctioning Russian oil just as Ukraine is battering Russian oil production with drones is a winning formula for forcing Russia to end its war.

It’s essential to keep up the pressure — sanctions must be enforced and updated, and Ukraine must get every weapon it needs to fight back and win. Putin still believes he can outlast the West. We thank the Trump administration for this important step towards proving him wrong.

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Razom (“Together” in Ukrainian) is a U.S. nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a leading advocate for continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine.

Razom for Ukraine Endorses REPO Implementation Act 2025

Published: October 20, 2025

Razom for Ukraine Endorses REPO Implementation Act 2025

Washington, D.C., October 20, 2025 — Razom for Ukraine is proud to endorse the bipartisan REPO Implementation Act (S.2918), which was introduced by Senator Risch (R-ID) and Senator Whitehouse (D-RI). This critical legislation provides a moral, legal, and practical pathway to transfer frozen Russian state assets to Ukraine to assist a nation that continues to stand against Russia’s brutal aggression. As this legislation goes to markup by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, there’s no better time to make Russia pay.

This new legislation builds on the successful REPO for Ukrainians Act, which became law in April 2024. By strengthening President Trump’s authority to repurpose Russia’s frozen assets and encouraging our allies to do the same, the REPO Implementation Act ensures Ukraine has predictable and sustained support without additional costs on American taxpayers.

Russia must pay. Ukraine must rebuild. By repurposing Russia’s assets, President Trump will have the tools he needs to lead through strength. Razom calls on Congress to advance this crucial bill — and on global allies to follow America’s lead.

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Razom (“Together” in Ukrainian) is a U.S. nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a leading advocate for continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine.

Keeping the pressure on Putin is the only path to peace

Published: October 17, 2025

October 17, 2025

RAZOM FOR UKRAINE: KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON PUTIN IS THE ONLY PATH TO PEACE

Washington, D.C. — As President Trump concludes his meeting with President Zelenskyy and prepares to meet again with Putin, Razom for Ukraine urges the Trump administration to make Russia feel the full weight of American resolve.

“President Trump’s support for Ukraine in recent weeks has led to the best chance yet at peace. But Putin talks peace while his army bombs Ukrainian cities and steals Ukrainian children. This cannot continue,” said Mykola Murskyj, Advocacy Director at Razom for Ukraine.

Secretary of War Hegseth was absolutely right when he said, “You get [peace] when you have real capabilities that adversaries respect.” Congressional leaders and the American people agree. Speaker Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Thune have said that sanctions on Russia are long overdue. New polling found that 73% of Republicans and 72% of Democrats want the U.S. to arm Ukraine and sanction Russia.

Over the past year, Ukraine racked up impressive achievements on the battlefield, regaining previously occupied territory and crippling Russia’s oil production. Meanwhile, Putin continues to make vague promises of negotiation that amount to nothing and only serve to stall for time. Now is the time to capitalize on Ukraine’s successes, not give in to Russian delay tactics.

“Putin doesn’t want peace — he wants permission,” said Murskyj. “Putin doesn’t need another photo op; he needs to end his invasion.” Because Russia wants war, peace can only be achieved by arming Ukraine to the teeth, imposing crippling sanctions on Russia’s economy, and showing American might. Only through strength can President Trump parlay his success in the Middle East into sustained peace in Europe.

For more information or to request an interview, please contact Ostap Yarysh, Media Advisor at Razom, ostap.yarysh@razom.org

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Razom (“Together” in Ukrainian) is a U.S. nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a leading advocate for continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine.