On Sunday, January 23, 2022, Ambassador of Ukraine in the United States Oksana Markarova visited Chicago and met with local community leaders to address the current situation in Ukraine and rally support from the Ukrainian community in Chicago and many local politicians. Representatives from Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) Foundation in Chicago, Yulia Komar, Manager of Legacy Society and Planned Giving (pictured on the left), with her husband Serge Michaluk (pictured on the right), attended the luncheon and extended a warm welcome to the ambassador.

They personally thanked her on behalf of UCU and the UCU Foundation, expressing appreciation and gratitude for hospitality during Myroslav Marynovych’s book tour last fall. They also mentioned further close cooperation and possible reciprocal events in 2022 between the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, DC and UCU Foundation in Chicago, Archbishop Borys Gudziak and the Philadelphia Archeparchy.

The luncheon was organized by Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Branch, and was attended by top politicians from the US Senate like Richard Durbin (D-IL), co-chair of bipartisan Ukrainian caucus, Congressman Mike Quigley (5th District IL), and many community leaders.

In her speech, the ambassador addressed in detail the current situation in Ukraine, many challenges of diplomacy with Russia and Western European countries, and emphasized unwavering support and partnership of the United States.

She also presented awards to local community leaders, organizations, and visited local churches and landmarks.