In the capital of the United States — Washington, D.C. — the fifth annual Ukrainian Week took place, an event that has become a space for dialogue, faith, and unity. This year, the event was dedicated to several significant dates: the 250th anniversary of the founding of the USA and the 20th Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast.

The Radio UA Chicago team — Dmytro Halan and Nataliya Maglakelidze — attended Ukrainian Week to witness how the Ukrainian voice resonates in the heart of America and to convey this atmosphere to the Ukrainian community in the USA.

The fifth Ukrainian Week lasted from February 2 to 7, 2026, and gathered thousands of participants from the United States, Ukraine, Europe, and other countries. The key event was the 20th Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast, which for the second time in history took place at the Washington Hilton hotel — in the same hall where the National Prayer Breakfast of the USA with the participation of the president is held annually. For Ukraine, this became not only a symbolic but also a deeply meaningful sign of recognition.

Ukrainian Week — an initiative of a coalition of public organizations and evangelical churches from the USA and Ukraine — aims to form a long-term partnership between the two countries, based on common values, trust, and responsibility.

Throughout the week in Washington, forums and meetings were held with US congressmen, Ukrainian MPs, government officials, religious leaders, and representatives of civil society. Issues of investment and rebuilding Ukraine, overcoming the traumas of war, veteran rehabilitation, medicine, science, education, and humanitarian cooperation were discussed.

The Radio UA Chicago team managed to talk with the organizers and participants of Ukrainian Week, hearing their thoughts and visions for the future of Ukrainian-American relations. In particular, in a conversation with Dmytro Halan, Diana-Oleksandra Habiak, vice president of the American-Ukrainian Christian Alliance and co-organizer of the event, emphasized: this year's Ukrainian Week is intended to change the perception of Ukraine in the world.

"Ukrainians are a people who not only ask for help. They are a nation ready for cooperation, partnership, and shared responsibility," she stressed, urging Ukrainians abroad to be a voice and action, representing Ukraine through their own values, actions, and professionalism.

Especially touching was the presence of Romchyk Oleksiv at the event — an 11-year-old boy from Vinnytsia, a special guest of Ukrainian Week and a representative of the Unbroken Gen generation. Romchyk survived a missile strike on a hospital on July 14, 2022, over 100 days of rehabilitation, more than 36 operations, and almost three years of treatment and recovery in Germany. His words — "When we are together, we are strong. And we never give up" — became an emotional symbol of the entire Ukrainian Week.

An important component of the event were meetings dedicated to the spiritual, human, and moral dimensions of the war. In this context, the Radio UA Chicago team spoke with representatives of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — Colonel Oleksandr Vovkotecha, Captain Rostyslav Vysochan, and Major Leontiy Nykytenko. The conversation touched on the role of spiritual support in the military, the significance of chaplaincy for Ukrainian defenders, as well as advocacy of Ukrainian interests in the USA and on international platforms.

Also meaningful was the meeting with Yakov Gradynar, co-founder and chief physician of the Protez Foundation charity. The discussion focused on the development of prosthetics, cooperation between the Ukrainian and American medical sectors, as well as real human stories. Servicemen Denys and Oleksandr, who are undergoing rehabilitation thanks to the foundation, emphasized: such events not only strengthen international support but also open new opportunities for wounded Ukrainian defenders to receive assistance in the USA.

The culmination of Ukrainian Week was the 20th Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast, held on Friday, February 6, and gathered over a thousand participants. Politicians, religious leaders, diplomats, and representatives of civil society united in a joint prayer for peace, freedom, and the future of Ukraine.

Participants heard a video address from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, speeches by Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Olha Stefanishyna, and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, who thanked American partners for bipartisan support of Ukraine. In a brief conversation with Dmytro Halan, he emphasized that such meetings are part of a long journey toward a just peace, holding the aggressor accountable, and rebuilding Ukraine.

Among the distinguished guests of the event were representatives of the US Congress, former diplomats, pastors, and leaders of leading humanitarian organizations. Donald Trump's spiritual advisor, Pastor Mark Burns, emphasized the importance of peace and support for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast was accompanied by performances by the Glorious choir and orchestra, Ukrainian singer Marta Adamchuk, and virtuoso pianist Yevhen Khmara — music became another language of unity.

Ukrainian Week in Washington once again demonstrated: Ukraine is present in the global dialogue not only through the pain of war but also through the strength of spirit, faith, professionalism, and readiness for partnership. It is not just a series of meetings or forums — it is a space where the future of Ukrainian-American relations is shaped, where Ukraine's voice sounds dignified and confident.

It is from such steps — dialogue, prayer, cooperation, and personal stories — that the path to peace, justice, and recovery is born.