Reflection on the Ukraine Action Summit, April 2025
My name is Sofia Poliakova. I am a sophomore majoring in Theater and Media Communications, and it’s already been a year since I’ve begun living in the USA. Originally, I’m from Ukraine, and in this difficult time for my country, I cannot stay indifferent.
Many events have occurred throughout my life, completely unplanned, yet very timely- such as when I met Alexandr Krapivkin, a Ukrainian who grew up in New York. Just a month after I arrived in the USA, he came to Centenary College of Louisiana with an exhibition about the war. From the first moment of our communication, we found a common language. After he returned to New York, we stayed in touch.
Three weeks later, in mid-April of 2024, he invited me to Washington, D.C., for the Summit created by the American Coalition for Ukraine (ACU). The ACU is a coalition of nearly 100 U.S. organizations that advocate for support of Ukraine's defense and sovereignty, as well as for strengthening U.S.-Ukraine relations. It was formed in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
I’ve now participated in the Summit three times: April 2024, September 2024, and April 2025. To say that my life changed from that moment is an understatement. It is a great honor for me to have the opportunity to advocate for my country in the U.S. and to meet with the offices of representatives from Louisiana.
I’m a fairly creative person, far from politics, but I don’t believe you need to hold a special position to share the truth. I find it deeply important to participate in the Summit. And now, I’d like to share my reflections on my latest trip to Washington, D.C., which took place from April 6 to April 10, 2025.
First of all, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the caring Americans who supported us at the Summit. There were more than 600 participants - every U.S. state had its own delegation, and half of those 600 people were Americans. Over the three days of the Summit, our coalition held 444 meetings with state representative offices.
These meetings can be stressful, but the sheer number of impactful events inspired me even more to work for my country. Our delegation from Louisiana included 10 people. We had the chance to meet with the offices of Steve Scalise, Troy Carter, Clay Higgins, Mike Johnson, Bill Cassidy, Cleo Fields, and John Kennedy.
We discussed several crucial issues, including the return of Ukrainian children. Russia has trafficked more than 20,000 children from the occupied territories and is now trying to erase their identities, using propaganda to assimilate them. We also discussed support for H.R.2548 / S.1241 - the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025. And, of course, we spoke about the urgent need for an enduring and just peace for Ukraine.
These meetings, although they might seem symbolic, are very powerful. Senators and their representatives meet real people. They see Ukrainian military members who joined us, they hear personal stories, and they begin to truly understand what’s happening. Thanks to their signatures and support of bills introduced in the U.S. Senate, the war can be ended more quickly and in a way that ensures justice. Personally, I feel so grateful to be in Louisiana, surrounded by people who support and understand how horrible this war is, and how important it is to speak out and push for solutions that lead to peace and will not allow this war to expand to other territories and countries.
In these three years of full-scale war, I lost a school friend. Another friend, with whom I once performed in a Ukrainian theater, went missing - most likely also killed. My grandmother was killed by Russians back in 2014, at the beginning of the invasion. And some of my relatives are still living under Russian occupation in the Luhansk region. It tears my heart apart that I cannot even see my family.
This is why, despite the opportunity to study at Centenary College of Louisiana, a place I’m so honored and grateful to be a part of, I continue to be active in supporting my country. I believe we should never forget our roots, and if there is even the slightest chance to be heard, I will use it.
Thank you for your attention. Peace.
