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.

Razom Applauds Senate Passage of NDAA with Key Provisions for Peace in Ukraine

Published: October 10, 2025

RAZOM APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF NDAA WITH KEY PROVISIONS FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE

Washington, D.C., October 10, 2025 — Razom for Ukraine applauds the Senate’s passage of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will significantly advance President Trump’s efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine and end Russia’s invasion. As the NDAA moves to formal conference, we urge Congress to preserve the many pro-Ukraine and pro-peace provisions included in the Senate version. Razom also applauds Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and Grassley (R-IA) for S. 2119, the Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act — incorporated into the Senate NDAA — to help return tens of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia and hold perpetrators accountable.

The Senate NDAA equips President Trump with additional tools to push the Kremlin into negotiations to end the war. Razom welcomes the inclusion of provisions that support Ukraine’s defense and the deterrence of future Russian aggression, as well as the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which creates American jobs to revitalize the U.S. defense industrial base while saving lives in Ukraine. We encourage President Trump to issue USAI contracts and get Americans back to work rebuilding the Arsenal of Democracy, especially for desperately needed Patriot air defenses. We particularly applaud Senate Armed Services Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Reed for their leadership in ensuring the inclusion of these important provisions.

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Connecting the Dots: Razom Advocacy Expands Outreach—Now in Spanish

Published: October 6, 2025

At Razom, every program shares a common purpose: building a secure, prosperous, and democratic Ukraine. From delivering aid and medical training to supporting veterans and artists, each effort contributes to that goal in a different way. Advocacy is one of the ways we make that impact felt beyond Ukraine’s borders – by helping people everywhere understand why Ukraine matters.

Today, that work is expanding into new spaces. Our team is reaching Spanish-language audiences across the United States – because support for Ukraine should transcend language and geography. The team works hand-in-hand with experts, lawmakers, and local leaders to keep Ukraine’s story alive in the places where decisions are made.

Sometimes that means taking the conversation straight to the top. In 2024, Razom helped explain to House Speaker Mike Johnson why additional U.S. aid to Ukraine was not just necessary, but moral. Ukrainian religious leaders – Evangelical Baptists who had suffered persecution under Russian occupation – traveled to Washington to meet him face-to-face. As a Southern Baptist himself, Johnson listened. Around the same time, Razom placed six billboards across Louisiana, including one directly in front of his Cypress Baptist Church. They carried a verse from the Book of Esther that Johnson often quotes: “You were chosen for such a time as this.”

From Policy to Progress

In 2025, those efforts paid off in tangible results. Razom helped write and promote Senate Resolution 236, which demands that Russia return abducted Ukrainian children before any peace negotiations. The bipartisan resolution – introduced by Senators Grassley and Klobuchar – was picked up by Reuters, The Hill, and Newsmax.

Razom also backed a House letter that secured $8 million for the U.S. State Department to document and preserve evidence of the Russian war crimes. The Russian Frozen Assets Initiative, led by Yuliya Ziskina, resulted in real action abroad: a proposed Canadian law to seize $22 billion in frozen Russian assets, and a European Parliament resolution echoing Razom’s own policy language.

On Capitol Hill, the team organized a briefing with the American Enterprise Institute, bringing together GOP staffers to discuss the cost of abandoning Ukraine. They hosted five Ukrainian delegations, earned coverage in NBC, The Washington Post, and The Guardian, and trained more than 80 advocates and community leaders to speak confidently to journalists through media workshops led by Kateryna Lisunova.

Every week, activists from across the United States join Razom’s Advocacy coordination calls – sometimes hearing directly from guests like General Philip Breedlove or historian Serhii Plokhy. Together, they’re building more than policy momentum – they’re building a movement.

Local Roots, National Reach

While the Washington team keeps busy on Capitol Hill, Razom’s Public Engagement team works across the country, focusing on states that shape America’s political and moral compass. Right now, the priority states are Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.

Florida matters because it is home to many key figures in the current administration. North Carolina serves as a defense and research hub, where military partnerships can help both countries build strength. Louisiana, Speaker Johnson’s home state serves as a hub for conferences and events with extensive media coverage, helping shape national opinion. In the state, the city of Shreveport stands out as a major commercial and industrial center, offering opportunities for economic cooperation. Michigan ties directly to U.S. defense manufacturing, while Pennsylvania – a longtime swing state – helps set the tone for national elections.

Florida is where the political agenda is being shaped today. Nearly a third of Floridians identify as Hispanic or Latino, and in Miami-Dade County, two-thirds of residents speak Spanish at home. To connect with that audience, Razom realized it had to speak their language – literally.

Spanish-language outreach isn’t just local-it has a global impact. Russian propaganda, particularly through RT en Español, has long spread distorted narratives across Latin America. Fortunately, most of the Public Engagement team are fluent in Spanish, including Daniel Balson, Director of Public Engagement and media advisors Kateryna Lisunova and Ostap Yarysh.

Kateryna, a former international journalist who studied Spanish at Kyiv’s Dragomanov University, leads this effort. She began her career as a Spanish-language editor for the multilingual channel Jewish News One (JN1) in its Kyiv headquarters. With over 13 years of experience in international and multimedia journalism, including work with VOA and the BBC, her fluency in Spanish and journalistic instincts make her a natural communicator for Spanish-speaking audiences.

In an August interview with Spanish-language outlet Univision North Carolina, ahead of President Trump’s meeting with Putin, she shared her analysis:

“These negotiations are only necessary for Putin to buy some time, try to win more battles on the ground, and cause more damage in Ukraine—because in reality, he will never win this war,” Kateryna said. Regarding the potential territorial swap, she added, “It’s not just about land—it’s about people who have been tortured, raped, and whose children have been kidnapped.”

Connecting Communities

From Palm Beach to Orlando and Miami, Kateryna spent weeks connecting with local activists, influencers, and journalists to bring Ukraine’s story closer to home.

In Orlando, she met with Revived Soldiers Ukraine, a nonprofit providing rehabilitation for wounded soldiers, and helped share their work with local media. She also connected with Marc McMurrin, CEO of the Ginsburg Family Foundation, who after the 2022 invasion had led the first U.S.tour of Ukraine’s National Ballet in over 30 years. That tour inspired the documentary “The Sky Was on Fire,” which earned McMurrin and director Jonathan Maricle a Suncoast Emmy Award. After meeting Kateryna this September, they began collaborating on new events and exhibits to highlight abducted Ukrainian children and expand outreach across Florida.

In Palm Beach, she worked with community leaders, including members of UA Florida, conducting media training for Ukrainian activists and building relationships at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church – the same church where Donald and Melania Trump were married and their son baptized.

In Miami, Kateryna appeared on major Spanish-language programs, including “En Conexión Radio” with César Miguel Rondón (3M followers), “Esto es América” with José Pernalete (1M followers), and interviews with Napoleón Bravo (1M followers). She spoke about the cultural and linguistic roots of Ukrainian identity and explained that the embroidered vyshyvanka she wore is more than fashion – it’s a symbol of a living national heritage in modern Ukraine.

She also met with Sergio Bustos, vice president of WLRN Public Radio & Television, a PBS and NPR affiliate known for its award-winning coverage. These conversations sparked new ideas for future Spanish-language collaborations and cultural initiatives, aimed at reaching local political leaders in Florida.

A Network of Hope

Many people Kateryna met didn’t realize how much work was already being done to support Ukraine in Florida. Her trip became something more than outreach – it was a way to connect the dots. Local voices that once worked in isolation found each other, new projects were born, and the message grew stronger.

Supporting Ukraine, after all, is an easy decision. You just need the facts – and sometimes, to hear them in your own language.

Razom’s Advocacy team is proof that real change doesn’t come from shouting the loudest, but from speaking clearly, persistently, and from the heart. Now that you know about our efforts, we invite you to help connect more dots and expand our network in these key target states.

Every voice matters. If you’re in Florida and want to stand with Ukraine, join our network on the Quorum app to stay connected to Razom’s advocacy work and local events. Together, we can make sure Ukraine’s story continues to be heard. Register below.

Razom commends President Trump’s support for Ukraine victory

Published: September 23, 2025

RAZOM COMMENDS PRESIDENT TRUMP’S SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE VICTORY

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 23, 2025 — Razom for Ukraine commends President Trump for his leadership at the United Nations and his remarks affirming support for Ukraine’s victory over Russia’s faltering invasion.

“I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form… Why not? Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years,” wrote President Trump in a post on Truth Social. “Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act.”

“President Trump showed today that he knows Ukrainians are winners,” said Director of Advocacy for Razom for Ukraine Mykola Murskyj. “Military planners at the Pentagon are studying Ukraine’s miraculous victory in the Battle of the Black Sea, forcing Russia’s fleet to retreat from Crimea for the first time in over a century.”

“I hope we see President Trump double down by signing a U.S.-Ukraine drone partnership deal—Ukraine is literally writing the handbook on how to win a war with drones, and the United States can’t afford to miss out.”

“This is the kind of leadership that wins Nobel Peace Prizes. President Trump sent a clear signal to Vladimir Putin that any more raids into NATO airspace will result in Russian aircraft getting shot out of the sky, and he gave voice to the majority of Americans who want to see Ukraine win and Russia lose. Putin only respects strength, and that’s exactly what we saw from President Trump today.”

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For media inquiries please reach out to Julian Hayda (julian.hayda@razom.org or 773-505-4806). 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.

Voices That Endure: New Ukrainian Books for a World That Must Listen

Published: September 12, 2025

As Ukrainians fight for their freedom, they never stop speaking to the wider world—telling stories that carry grief and hope, rage and resilience, loss and love. This year, several powerful new books have been released in English, ensuring that Ukrainian voices are heard far beyond the battlefield. These works are not only literature; they are testaments of endurance, identity, and truth.

Artem Chapeye

Ordinary People Don’t Carry Machine Guns

Translator: Zenia H. Tompkins

Artem Chapaye, a journalist and novelist turned soldier, once embraced pacifism. In this book, he reckons with what happens when war is thrust upon “ordinary people.” His raw account challenges readers to consider the choices forced upon Ukrainians when survival itself is at stake.

Danielle Leavitt

By the Second Spring

Seven Lives and One Year of the War in Ukraine

Through seven deeply human portraits, Danielle Leavitt chronicles a year of war that reshaped lives forever. Her prose brings readers into kitchens, streets, and hospital rooms, revealing intimate moments that show not just suffering, but also endurance and unexpected tenderness in wartime.

Victoria Amelina

Looking at Women, Looking at War

Prose translated by Daisy Gibbons
Poetry translated by Uilleam Blacker

The final work of the late Victoria Amelina, one of Ukraine’s brightest literary voices, is both a witness account and an elegy. On the evening of June 27th, 2023, Amelina and three international writers stopped for dinner in the embattled Donetsk region. When a Russian cruise missile hit the restaurant, Amelina suffered grievous head injuries, and lost consciousness. She died on July 1st. She was thirty-seven. She left behind an incredible account of the ravages of war and the cost of resistance. Honest, intimate, and wry, this book will be celebrated as a classic.

THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING winner

Olia Hercules

Strong Roots

This is an ode to the land, to ideas of home and belonging, and to family stories and recipes passed down the generations – the tang of sour cherries, the best way to make borsch. It is an account of resilience in the hardest of circumstances. Strong Roots brims with hope and grief. It lays bare the compromises and betrayals of generations struggling and surviving through war, peace, invasion and exile. It is an uplifting reminder of how much the human spirit can endure when born from a land rich with strong roots.

To meet Olian Hercules and two more Ukrainian writers as they explore what it means to live with, remember, and resist occupation, join us on October 24 at an event that is part of Razom’s Ukrainian Cultural Festival. Secure your tickets here.

Women and War

Letters from Ukraine to the Free World

Edited and translated by Aurélie Bros

How would you communicate the realities of living in a warzone to someone who has never had this experience? Thirty Ukrainian women, ages 10 to 72, answered this question in letters that emanate power, depth, pain, strength, and resilience. These fragments of life reveal the horrors of conflict but also the humanity of survivors.

These books remind us that war is not only fought on the frontlines, but also in stories, memories, and the will to speak truth to the world.

Look for some of these authors during Razom’s Ukrainian Cultural Festival in October – and most of all, seek out their books. By reading them, you honor their courage, carry their voices forward, and ensure that Ukraine’s story is never silenced.

Razom Welcomes Trump’s Readiness To Guarantee Ukrainian Security So Any Peace Deal Lasts

Published: August 18, 2025

RAZOM WELCOMES TRUMP’S READINESS TO GUARANTEE UKRAINIAN SECURITY SO ANY PEACE DEAL LASTS

Washington, D.C., August 18, 2025 — Today’s historic summit at the White House of European leaders and President Donald Trump reportedly resulted in a proposed $90 billion deal between the United States and Ukraine, steps towards security guarantees from the United States and Europe, and readiness for a trilateral meeting with the presidents of Ukraine, the United States, and Vladimir Putin.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a historic deal with the United States, pledging to buy $90 billion worth of American weapons. The proposal would also strike a deal for the U.S. and Ukraine to produce the cutting-edge drones that Ukraine has used to protect Europe for the last 3.5 years from Russian aggression. This deal would be a huge win for President Trump and his mission to rebuild the American military—nobody knows drones like the Ukrainians.

“Any deal to end the war that abandons the tens of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia would be a bad deal,” said Dora Chomiak, CEO of Razom for Ukraine. “Ukraine cannot sacrifice its future. Ukraine is integral to the future of security for the United States and the rest of Europe. Ukraine’s future will be decided by Ukrainians.”

“By working with U.S. allies to guarantee Russia can’t restart the war, President Trump shows Peace Through Strength,” Chomiak said. “Ukrainians have called Putin’s escalation bluffs countless times and shown that Russian threats ring hollow. Russia has violated every agreement it made with Ukraine to respect its sovereignty and stop fighting. Russia lies. It will take iron-clad security guarantees to truly end this war.”

“President Trump’s readiness to include the United States in security guarantees for Ukraine is the crucial component to a real sustainable peace,” Chomiak said. “As President Trump convened today’s summit, Russia launched another massive bombardment of Ukrainians with dozens of suicide drones screeching towards families in their homes.”

Under U.S. law since 2017, it is illegal for the United States to recognize Russia’s false claims on occupied Ukrainian territory. (See §§ 253 and 257 of Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).

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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.

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

Razom Calls On President Trump To Take Decisive Action After Putin Misleads At Alaska Meeting

Published: August 15, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | AUGUST 15, 2025

RAZOM CALLS ON PRESIDENT TRUMP TO TAKE DECISIVE ACTION AFTER PUTIN MISLEADS AT ALASKA MEETING

Anchorage, Alaska — Following the meeting between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Razom for Ukraine reaffirms that the only way to achieve a genuine peace is by pressuring Russia, not by believing Putin’s lies that he wants peace. The best path to peace lies in working closely with Ukraine and the rest of Europe to force Putin to end his invasion.

“Putin remains the sole obstacle to peace,” said Dora Chomiak, CEO of Razom. “Just before Putin landed in Alaska, Russia launched another massive air strike on Ukrainian civilians, reminding us all that he won’t end Russia’s invasion until he’s forced to. To ensure a peace between Russia and Ukraine is successful and lasting, Ukrainians must be the ones deciding their own future. President Trump must immediately get Ukraine the weapons it needs to save innocent families from Putin’s brutal attacks,” Chomiak said.

“The idea that Putin believes there is a positive deal for him in the near future is deeply alarming. Justice requires that any ‘agreement’ made without Ukraine be rejected. This isn’t ‘the Ukrainian problem,’ but the Russian problem — this is Russia’s war, and Russia decides when to end its invasion.”

“Every moment that real peace is delayed means more Russian missiles killing civilians, more Ukrainian children abducted by the Russians from occupied territory, and more horrific war crimes perpetrated by Russia. Putin still has hope that he can conquer Ukraine. President Trump must prove him wrong.”

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Razom (“Together” in Ukrainian) is a major U.S.-based nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and a leading advocate for continued U.S. assistance for Ukraine. For more information or to request an interview, please contact Ostap Yarysh, Media Advisor at Razom for Ukraine at ostap.yarysh@razom.org.

Razom Calls on President Trump to Show Strength in Alaska Meeting

Published: August 11, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 11, 2025

RAZOM CALLS ON PRESIDENT TRUMP TO SHOW STRENGTH IN ALASKA MEETING

Washington, D.C. — President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to meet with President Donald Trump in Alaska this week does not demonstrate Russia’s openness to peace, but is rather a sign of strategic desperation. “For three years, Ukraine’s brave men and women have done what many once thought impossible: grind one of the world’s largest militaries to a crawl,” said Mykola Murskyj, Advocacy Director at Razom. “President Trump has now forced Putin to come to the table by demonstrating true American strength.”

Razom calls on President Trump to reject Putin’s bad-faith appeals to peace. “For Putin, this isn’t about territory or some geopolitical aim, but a deep desire to eliminate the Ukrainian nation. Ukrainians share President Trump’s goal of peace, but history shows that Putin will take any opportunity to rearm, regroup, and prepare for his next offensive. Because of Russia’s war aims, the idea of a land swap simply cannot achieve the peace that Ukrainians and Trump seek,” said Murskyj. “No decisions about Ukraine can be made without Ukraine at the table.”

“Achieving peace requires us to confront evil, not accommodate it. True strength means forcing Russia to end its aggression entirely, return over 19,500 abducted Ukrainian children, and withdraw from the Ukrainian territory it occupies.”

Trump voters support the President sending additional military aid to Ukraine by a 3-to-1 ratio, according to a mid-July poll from Echelon Insights (65% support, 22% opposed). President Trump has the opportunity to demonstrate strength by enforcing expansive secondary sanctions and tariffs, speeding weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and continuing to pressure America’s European allies to do more in the interest of our common defense.

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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.

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