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. — 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

Razom Celebrates Women in Translation Month

Published: August 5, 2025

Women in Translation (WiT) Month, celebrated annually in August, is an initiative focused on celebrating women writers from around the world – especially those writing in languages other than English. A fully volunteer-led movement, WiT was started by a book blogger and lifelong bibliophile Meytal Radzinski in 2014 and has become a staple of the literary community since. WiT aims to celebrate and promote translated literature by women and highlight the underrepresentation of women authors in translated works – a gender imbalance where a disproportionate number of translated books are written by men and come from Western European countries. We invite you to celebrate WiT Razom (together) with us by seeking out, reading, discussing, and sharing books written and translated by Ukrainian women. We share a few options to get your exploration started below.

Algometry by Iryna Vikyrchak (translated by Nina Murray)

Algometry is a lyrical portrait of the generation of Ukrainians who grew up and were shaped by the common and individual painful inner and outer experiences, to become the most resilient and brave nation. Algometry is a term of physiology and neurology, but it is not the physical pain that is the recurring motif of the book: the speaker, a millennial woman who grew up in Western Ukraine in the 90s, takes us through the three thematic corridors emphasizing emotional sensitivity, hyper-empathy, and inner strength.

Ivan and Phoebe by Oksana Lutsyshyna (translated by Nina Murray)

Married couple Ivan and Phoebe grapple with questions about family, tragedy, and independence. Although protagonist Ivan tells the story, Phoebe’s voice rings through the text. The two reflect on the harrowing aftermath of revolution: torture at the hands of the KGB and each other. Ivan refuses to talk about his pain, while Phoebe recounts her past wounds through poetic monologues. The story bounces between politically charged cities like Kyiv and Lviv and Ivan’s small, traditional hometown of Uzhhorod. As characters come to exercise their rights to free speech and protest, they must also reevaluate the norms of marriage and home life. These initially appear to be spaces of peace and harmony but are soon revealed to be hotbeds of conflict and multigenerational trauma.

Love Life by Oksana Lutsyshyna (translated by Nina Murray)

Love Life, the second novel by the award-winning Ukrainian writer and poet Oksana Lutsyshyna, follows Yora, an immigrant to the United States from Ukraine. A delicate soul who is finely attuned to the nuances of human relations, Yora becomes enmeshed with Sebastian, a seductive acquaintance who suggests that they share a deep bond. But the relationship ends, sending her into a period of despair and grief. Full of mystic allusions, Love Life is a fascinating story of self-discovery amidst the complexities of adapting to a new life.

The God of Freedom by Yulia Musakovska (translated by Olena Jennings)

In Yuliya Musakovska’s newest poetry collection, The God of Freedom, she reveals, facet by facet, the landscape of a turbulent, contemporary Ukraine. Equal parts intimate and expansive, the poems follow the societal struggles of women and their families, the trauma of returning soldiers, and the peoples’ future under the shadow of war and its tumultuous past.

Cecil the Lion Had to Die by Olena Stiazhkina (translated by Dominique Hoffman)

In Cecil the Lion Had to Die, Olena Stiazhkina follows four families through radical transformations when the Soviet Union unexpectedly implodes, independent Ukraine emerges, and neoimperial Russia occupies Ukraine’s Crimea and parts of the Donbas. Just as Stiazhkina’s decision to transition to writing in Ukrainian as part of her civic stance–performed in this book that begins in Russian and ends in Ukrainian–the stark choices of family members take them in different directions, presenting a multifaceted and nuanced Donbas.

https://bookshop.org/p/books/cecil-the-lion-had-to-die-olena-stiazhkina/18801733

My Women by Yuliya Iliukha (translated by Hanna Leliv)

Yuliia Iliukha’s My Women, translated from Ukrainian by Hanna Leliv, is an urgent and poignant story collection of women confronted by the countless brutalities of war. It locates the voices and devastating experiences of those who have been silenced, those who have lost loved ones, those who have fought and persevered, and those who have broken down.

Forgottenness by Tanja Maljartschuk (translated by Zenia Tompkins)

An award-winning novel from one of Ukraine’s most prolific contemporary authors, Forgottenness tells a spellbinding story of belonging and uprootedness, as understood by two exiles across time.

A Crash Course in Molotov Cocktails by Halyna Kruk (translated by Amelia M Glaser and Yuliya Ilchuk)

These stunning poems of witness by one of Ukraine’s most revered poets are by turns breathless, philosophical, and visionary. Leading readers into the world’s darkest spaces, Kruk implies that the light of language can nevertheless afford some measure of protection. Naming serves as a shield, albeit a wooden one.

Lost in Living by Halyna Kruk (translated by Dzvinia Orlowsky and Ali Kinsella)

Lost in Living presents Halyna Kruk’s unpublished work from the immediate “pre-invasion” years when life in Ukraine was marked by turmoil but full-scale war was not yet normalized. In these “dear poems that don’t pain [her] like those about the war do,” Kruk uses imagery and tone to underscore poetic agency, at times juxtaposing figurative language with a calm, direct voice to bring her poems to life. Nature cannot be relied on to sustain nor renew, and life is shown to be fundamentally vulnerable.

The Museum of Abandoned Secrets by Oksana Zabuzhko (translated by Nina Murray)

Spanning sixty tumultuous years of Ukrainian history, this multigenerational saga weaves a dramatic and intricate web of love, sex, friendship, and death. At its center: three women linked by the abandoned secrets of the past–secrets that refuse to remain hidden.

Fieldwork in Ukrainian Sex by Oksana Zabuzhko (translated by Halyna Hryn)

Called “the most influential Ukrainian book for the 15 years of independence, Field Work in Ukrainian Sex by Oksana Zabuzhko is the tale of one woman’s personal revolt provoked by a top literary scandal of the decade.

Read. Share. Advocate.

Literature is a tool for amplifying Ukrainian voices – especially women’s voices during WiT Month. Read these books, share them, and use them in your advocacy.

Learn more about Ukrainian books at razomforukraine.org/razom-literature

Razom Thanks President Trump for Providing Further Assistance to Ukraine

Published: July 14, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2025

Razom Thanks President Trump for Providing Further Assistance to Ukraine

Washington, DC – Razom applauds President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. and NATO will work together to send life-saving weapons to Ukraine and put additional economic pressure on Russia.

“Today’s announcement is President Trump’s strongest move towards peace in Ukraine yet. This is an important step toward President Trump’s goal of ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, and it will save countless Ukrainian lives,” said Mykola Murskyj, Director of Advocacy at Razom. “Like President Trump said, Ukraine’s defenders have the courage and the know-how to defend themselves; they just need the tools.”

“President Trump has provided Russia’s leadership with every opportunity to demonstrate interest in negotiating a resolution to its war. The Kremlin has rejected these windows of opportunity, even as Ukraine’s government has signed an economic partnership with the U.S. and repeatedly committed to a meaningful dialogue to end the killing.”

“More than three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, there are no longer any mysteries about Vladimir Putin’s intentions. He believes that he can crush the dream of an independent Ukraine one mile, one missile, and one murder at a time. He believes that he can peddle platitudes to America’s President while raining destruction on Ukraine’s cities.”

“The executive branch should immediately implement this policy and Congress should quickly pass the Sanctioning Russia Act.”

“We thank President Trump for this life-saving decision.”

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Razom, which means “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 for U.S. to Restore Critical Air Defense Aid to Ukraine

Published: July 2, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2025

Washington, D.C. — Reports suggesting that the Pentagon may cut life-saving support for Ukraine
are extremely alarming. In taking such measures, Pentagon officials would directly undermine
President Trump’s efforts to achieve peace and subvert the President’s readiness to provide more air
defense to Ukraine.

Let’s be clear about the cost of this choice by Pentagon officials—more Russian missiles will get
through and more civilians will be murdered in their homes. This decision would further embolden
Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling that the United States isn’t strong enough to force
Russia to make peace and that Washington doesn’t keep its word. Beijing is watching. We call on
President Trump to reverse this mistake, send more air defense systems to Ukraine as he promised,
and help Kyiv stop the killing.

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For media inquiries or other questions, please contact Ostap Yarysh at ostap.yarysh@razomforukraine.org. Razom (“together” in Ukrainian) is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to helping build a more secure, democratic and prosperous Ukraine. Razom has provided over $188 million worth of medical and humanitarian aid since February 24, 2022. More information is available at RazomForUkraine.org.

Living and Dreaming Amid Constant Danger: How Razom Supports Kherson Oblast Communities

Published: June 6, 2025

Following the liberation of Kherson Oblast west of the Dnipro River in November 2022, the world has learned that the Russian grip is breakable. Local communities were saved from the cruel hands of the occupiers—but not from the relentless shelling launched by the Russian forces based on the temporarily occupied east bank. Due to the proximity of Russian positions just across the river, locals have as little as 40 seconds to hide, but often the missile arrives in the blink of an eye. Civilians are also not safe from drone attacks, the so-called “human safari,” recognized by the UN Commission as a crime against humanity. In addition to aerial attacks, people still have to deal with the aftermath of the Kakhovka Dam destruction caused by Russian forces in June 2023. While towns downstream were flooded—resulting in death toll and landscape devastation—those upstream faced serious water supply issues.

Mylove is located upstream of the drained Kakhovka reservoir. Submitted by Mylove Hromada.

Living with limited critical infrastructure is tough and demotivating, but despite all odds, Ukrainians do not give up. With support from Razom, Kherson region’s Hromadas keep the spirit of unity and continue to resist. While Russia aims to destroy Ukrainian cities, grassroots organizations in Dariivka and Bilozerka Hromadas create new opportunities for all community members, rebuild, and find ways to stay connected.

Volunteers who rebuild and strengthen unity

NGO Moya Khersonshchyna, in collaboration with local authorities, created Dobrobat, two volunteer groups formed in the Dariivka Hromada with a mission to mitigate the consequences of the invasion without external help. While retreating, the Russians took all the equipment with them — even the buckets, leaving the community without any means to take care of the Hromada. Over the course of six months, this initiative has helped 613 households across nine frontline towns and improved the quality of life for 2,021 residents and internally displaced people (IDPs). Razom provided a grant to equip the brigades with tractors, trailers, lawnmowers, and tools for providing rapid assistance to the community. They stabilize and repair homes after shelling, help households prepare for winter, fix roads, clean public spaces, and create places for community leisure.

Dobrobat volunteers building a public gazebo, restoring a damaged roof, and fixing water pumps. Submitted by NGO Moya Khersonshchyna.

“Thank you for your support, for not leaving me alone during a difficult time in Dariivka,” said Tetiana Chernetska, IDP, whose home was damaged as a result of an airstrike. “Thanks to the Dobrobat team for fixing our roof, boarding up the windows, and clearing the debris. It was a very hard time for us—my husband was in the hospital, and I couldn’t do anything on my own. I am truly grateful!”

Dobrobat brigades bring more than just tools—their arrival helps residents hold on to hope for the future and reminds them they are not left alone with their challenges. Moya Khersonshchyna plans to continue helping the residents as demand keeps rising. The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam posed a threat of severe water shortage in the Dariivka Hromada. Two-thirds of the impacted households requested reparation of the water supply network. Moya Hersonshchyna is looking to scale the project to reconstruct 10 wells and install water towers to benefit the community in the long run.

Light in the darkest hour

Power outages are a common occurrence across the country, as Russia is trying to disconnect Ukrainians from each other and provoke fear. Communities close to the front line spend days, sometimes weeks, without electricity. The NGO Kosmos Tabir found an innovative way to overcome challenging circumstances and provide locals with a means to not only keep their phones charged at all times, but also access public services whenever needed.

With the support of Razom, Kosmos Tabir initiated the installation of solar hybrid power systems at 18 administrative and public buildings across Tiahynka, Bilozerka, and Dariivka Hromadas, benefiting more than 10,000 civilians. This solution allows local city councils, resilience centers, schools, post offices, and hospitals to operate up to 8 hours during outages. The results of the project were immediately visible in Dariivka. Thanks to alternative energy, the city council was able to resume its work, and residents and IDPs finally received their pensions, financial support, and salaries.

NGO Kosmos Tabir representatives delivering solar panels and inverters to Dariivka, Bilozeka, and Tyahynka Hromadas. Photo by Kosmos Tabir.

Kosmos Tabir is training electricians to install and upkeep the systems, enabling villages to manage them independently. Since volunteers’ cargo vans are often targets of Russian drones, in many instances, having locals take care of panels is a safer and smarter strategy. Kosmos Tabir is in regular contact with electricians to assist with any questions and is planning to hold a workshop for technicians, emergency service workers, and volunteers to teach solar system maintenance skills.

A get-together place for all

NGO Lymanetska Diia has created a Center for Civil Activities in Lymanets, Dariivka Hromada, which offers a variety of services for residents, IDPs, and youth. Some come here to use the computers and printers, others to get assistance with documents, and the rest—to participate in the workshops and spend time with friends. The center was created thanks to a grant provided by Razom.

Zinaida Ivanenko, 72, was forced to leave her home because of Russian aggression and moved to Lymanets. She arrived with nothing but bare essentials. Her daughter is far away and her son serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“It was hard to get in touch and communicate with them [my children]. I was left completely alone,” Ivanenko said. “I want to sincerely thank those who opened the community center. There, they taught me how to call my children via messengers—now I can at least see them on the screen. They also explained what kind of support IDPs can receive and helped me apply for it. They photocopied and scanned all the documents I needed. It’s also very nice that I now have a place to spend my free time and talk to others my age. I especially appreciated when medical professionals came and explained what services are available at our clinic. The staff at the center always treated me warmly and kindly.”

Center for Civil Activities hosts workshops and assists senior residents. Photo by NGO Lymanetska Diia.

Nataliia Olefir, a 69-year-old retired primary school teacher, Lymanets local, could not afford to install internet at home or purchase a computer. When the digital literacy center opened in the Lymanets Starostat, she became a regular visitor.

“The sessions are interesting and meaningful: training, expert talks, computer skills lessons, and free internet access. But, most importantly, it’s a place for connection—with people and like-minded individuals,” Olefir said.

The biggest hurdle for the project is air raids. Luckily, the center has the necessary equipment to continue sessions in the underground shelter.

Bringing warmth to those who need it most

Bilozerka Center for Regional Development ensures that the community’s vulnerable population stays warm and comfortable during the cold months, as many are unable to leave their homes for various reasons. Due to constant shelling, residents live without electricity, gas, or water for weeks. With the support of Razom, the Bilozerka Center for Regional Development provided winter kits to 150 people, who were unable to afford basic items themselves—individuals with disabilities and limited mobility, and elderly citizens living alone.

Residents received winter kits consisting of a set of linens, an electric blanket, a pillow, incontinence products, a lamp, and wet wipes. Photo by Bilozerka Center for Regional Development.

Stefaniia Bonchkovska is a person with limited mobility, originally from the village of Pravdyne, where she had lived for over seventy years. Her home was partially burned as a result of the invasion, so her family was forced to move into another house. Due to intensified shelling and destruction, they eventually relocated to Bilozerka, where friends offered them a place to stay, and she now lives there with her daughter and grandson.

“I want to thank the Bilozerka Center for Regional Development for calling us, asking about our needs, and providing both food and non-food assistance,” Bonchkovska said. “I am also deeply grateful to the charitable organization Razom for the winter kit, which has been a great support for me. The most valuable item for me is the electric blanket—it keeps me warm during this cold season. Thank you so much! May God protect you.”

Thanks to you, Razom Relief continues to support grassroots organizations in Kherson Oblast, helping war-affected towns regain the ability to function independently and nurture unity within their communities. Your support enables us to keep working toward restoring dignity and comfort to Ukrainians who have been deprived of it.

Razom Endorses Senate Resolution Demanding Return of Abducted Ukrainian Children

Published: May 20, 2025

Razom for Ukraine fully endorses the Senate resolution introduced today by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) calling for the unconditional return of abducted Ukrainian children to their families before any peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is finalized. Razom urges all Senators to cosponsor this critical resolution and calls for its swift adoption.

This bipartisan resolution is an important step in fulfilling President Donald Trump’s March 19 promise to ensure Ukrainian children abducted by Russia are returned to their families. By kidnapping over 19,546 children from Ukraine, Russia is simultaneously erasing these children’s identities as Ukrainians while holding them hostage. The United States must say clearly that children are not bargaining chips.

Americans overwhelmingly agree that President Trump should prioritize freeing Ukrainian children from Russian captivity. This resolution builds on the momentum generated by an April 3 joint letter from faith leaders such as the Family Research Council and National Association of Evangelicals calling on President Trump to ensure these children are reunited with their families in Ukraine before a peace deal is finalized. Many of the signatories to that letter have endorsed this resolution.

Russia’s program of mass child abduction is one of the gravest horrors of this war, and the United States can save these children. Earlier this month, Razom brought Mykola Kuleba, the founder of Save Ukraine—a Ukrainian NGO responsible for freeing over 800 children from Russia—as well as a young Ukrainian boy who they helped escape from Russia, to Washington so members of Congress could hear firsthand about the horrors of Russian abduction. After meeting with them, Senator Rick Scott and Senator John Fetterman immediately agreed to co-sponsor this resolution.

We are confident that more Senators will soon join their colleagues as cosponsors of this resolution, and that a companion resolution will be introduced in the House of Representatives. This is a significant effort to urge the White House to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes against Ukrainian children and ensure they are not abandoned.

Razom for Ukraine urges Congress to swiftly pass this resolution and send a clear signal not only that Vladimir Putin will be held accountable for his abduction of Ukrainian children, but that the families broken up by Russia’s invaders will one day be reunited.

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Statement from Razom for Ukraine on Minerals Deal

Published: April 30, 2025

Statement from Razom for Ukraine on Minerals Deal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Razom for Ukraine, a U.S. nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a leading advocate for continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine, released the following statement. This statement can be attributed to Mykola Murskyj, director of advocacy for Razom.

We welcome news that the United States and Ukraine have reached an agreement outlining the future of their economic partnership. The innovation and determination of the Ukrainian people are a key reason Ukraine so far prevailed in defending against Russia’s invasion and why investing in Ukraine’s future is a good deal for Americans. At the same time, we can’t lose sight of the fact that Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine will not be ended by an economic deal—true lasting peace can only come when Ukraine’s security is guaranteed and Putin is forced to understand that Ukraine will defend itself with the support of its allies in the rest of Europe and America.

Now, the real work of pressuring Putin must begin. We encourage the Trump administration to build on the momentum of this economic agreement by forcing Putin to the table through sanctions, seizing Russia’s state assets to aid Ukraine, and giving Ukraine the tools it needs to defend itself.

Now more than ever, it’s essential not only to equip Ukraine for self-defense, but to bolster its role as a frontline shield for Europe. Every missile intercepted over a Ukrainian city is one that never reaches deeper into the continent.

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Razom, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations and gifts are deductible to the full extent allowable under IRS regulations.

Earth Day in a War Zone: Together We Support Ukraine’s Fight for a Livable Future

Published: April 22, 2025

On April 22, 1970, the United States marked the first Earth Day — a bold, collective call to protect the environment and demand a better future. In the 55 years since, Earth Day has grown into a global movement. Today, that call feels more urgent than ever — especially in Ukraine, where Russia’s full-scale invasion has brought not only war, but also widespread ecological devastation.

Last year, we published “Earth Day in a War Zone: Ukraine’s Silent Environmental Crisis”, drawing attention to the environmental consequences of the war: scorched forests, poisoned rivers, and farmland littered with landmines — the slow, invisible toll of destruction.

One year later, the devastation continues.

According to academic researchers, environmental damage from the war has now surpassed $56 billion. Explosions, oil spills, and targeted attacks on water and energy infrastructure have contaminated hundreds of square kilometers of land and water.

The Conflict and Environment Observatory continues to document these impacts — from toxic fires and military waste to the long-term effects of unexploded ordnance on agriculture and biodiversity. And as the study Environmental Health Impacts of Russia’s War on Ukraine outlines, these threats to nature are also direct threats to human health.

Ukraine is now the most mined country on Earth. Over 139,000 square kilometers — an area the size of Greece — are potentially contaminated with explosive remnants of war. Nearly two-thirds of that land is agricultural, once part of Ukraine’s role in feeding over 400 million people worldwide. But amid all this destruction, Ukrainian communities are planting seeds of resilience. And Razom is helping them grow.

Rebuilding, Sustainably

Through our Relief program, Razom supports local organizations working at the intersection of humanitarian aid and ecological recovery — bringing power, water, and food security to those affected by the war:

In Opishnya, Poltava region, the Center of Initiatives installed a 6kW hybrid solar power plant on the “Svitanok” kindergarten, home to dozens of internally displaced families. Even during blackouts or shelling, children now have access to reliable electricity — a lifeline during wartime.

With Power In Ua, Razom helps fund portable water purification systems in frontline and remote communities. These systems not only provide safe drinking water where infrastructure has been destroyed — they also prevent contaminated runoff from polluting the land and groundwater.

Rescue NOW, another Razom partner, through the Reroot Now project, distributed seeds and agricultural support to regions where war has displaced farmers and devastated food systems. The damage is complex: in some areas, displaced mouse populations — with no natural predators left — have invaded seed storage facilities, destroying crops. It’s a powerful reminder that war disrupts every level of the ecosystem.

In the Kherson region, Kosmos Tabir (Camp), with support from Razom, installed solar mini-electric systems in frontline communities, powering village councils, schools, and first aid stations (FAPs). These systems help keep essential services running, even during blackouts or Russian attacks.

This Earth Day, Stand With Ukraine

Ukraine’s future must be both free and livable — and that means making wartime ecological damage part of the global conversation. As long-term recovery plans take shape, all of us — individuals, institutions, and governments — have a role to play in ensuring that sustainability, environmental justice, and safe land access are at the heart of what comes next.

In Ukraine, the fight for freedom is also a fight for clean water, for fertile soil, for air that’s safe to breathe, and land where children can play again. But none of this is possible unless Russia’s war — and the destruction it brings — is stopped.

Environmental recovery isn’t a distant goal — it’s a daily necessity. From solar panels keeping kindergartens running during blackouts, to water systems protecting families from contamination, to demining efforts making farmland usable again — Razom’s partners are building resilience every day.

This work reflects Razom’s mission: to build a more prosperous, democratic Ukraine — one where dignity, freedom, and self-determination extend not only to people, but to the land they call home. But we can’t do it alone.

What You Can Do

Donate to Razom Relief — your contribution helps fund real, local solutions.
Read and share this article with you friends.
Raise your voice — talk about Ukraine’s environmental crisis and contact your representatives. Urge them to support S.1241 and H.R.2548—to impose serious sanctions on Russia when it violates peace or escalates aggression.

This Earth Day, stand with Ukraine — for peace, for people, and for the planet.