"Independent Ukraine: From Idea to Action". Mikhnovsky Marches Through America

In June 2026, the English edition of Mykola Mikhnovsky's 1900 work "Independent Ukraine" was presented in Chicago, Washington, South Bound Brook, and New York as part of the international advocacy campaign "Independent Ukraine: From Idea to Action."

A Ukrainian delegation, including historian and writer Roman Koval, co-founder of Glory UA Maksym Koliadenko, and project coordinator and co-founder of UA Voice Olha Sydii, visited the USA. Along with the presentation of the English edition of "Independent Ukraine," the team also showcased the activities of the Glory UA defense cluster as an example of the modern implementation of state-building ideas in practical defense solutions.

At the invitation of the Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine (ODFFU), the English edition of "Independent Ukraine" was presented on June 13 during the ceremonial events marking the 80th anniversary of the organization. A separate presentation took place on June 15 at the Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago, supported by ODFFU, the "Orange Wave" organization, and the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union "Selfreliance." On June 17, the presentation was also hosted by the Ukrainian History and Education Center and the regional council of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) in South Bound Brook, New Jersey. Additionally, on June 18, the book was presented at the UAC "Selfreliance" center in New York.

Participants of the events had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the work, which became one of the first programmatic texts of the Ukrainian independence movement and laid the ideological foundations for the struggle for an independent Ukrainian state.

Historian, writer, and editor of the edition Roman Koval emphasizes:

"Mykola Mikhnovsky belonged to those figures who were ahead of their time. What seemed like an unattainable dream at the end of the 19th century — an independent Ukrainian state, its own army, and the struggle against Russian domination — has become a reality today. His work helps us understand that the current war is a continuation of the centuries-long struggle of Ukrainians for the right to be masters in their own land."

The English edition of "Independent Ukraine" is intended to introduce American readers to the sources of Ukrainian state-building thought. The book is aimed at Ukrainian youth in the diaspora, university libraries, research centers, and political circles in the USA. Its goal is to help the international audience better understand the historical prerequisites of the current Russian-Ukrainian war and the origins of Ukraine's aspiration for freedom.

Co-founder of Glory UA and patron of the edition Maksym Koliadenko notes:

"While traveling across the United States, I noticed that cultural centers feature a large number of publications explaining American history, values, and the path of state-building. Ukraine should also have its own series of books that tell the world about our history and struggle for freedom in a simple and accessible language. We could not overlook the figure of Mykola Mikhnovsky — one of those who laid the foundation of Ukrainian state-building thought. Therefore, we aimed to create an edition of the highest quality, worthy of representing Ukraine in the English-speaking world. Today, Ukraine remains insufficiently understood by many abroad, and therefore we need compact, meaningful, and quality books that will help explain the historical foundation on which our struggle for independence is based.

We want this book to be accessible to students, researchers, politicians, and everyone who wants to better understand Ukraine. At the same time, the funds from its distribution will allow for the translation of Ukrainian state-building texts into other languages of the world. It is important for us that the international audience knows: Ukraine's struggle for freedom, dignity, and the right to its own state has been ongoing for centuries. America understands the value of freedom well, and I hope this book will find its reader and continue its journey around the world."

Maria Klymchak, Director of Programs at the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America, noted the importance of disseminating Ukrainian historical sources in English:

"Such publications help American society better understand the Ukrainian historical experience and the origins of the modern struggle for freedom. The combination of Roman Koval's research work and Maksym Koliadenko's patronage support is an example of how to preserve and spread Ukrainian national memory far beyond Ukraine."

An important part of the advocacy tour was the visit to Washington on June 17, where the campaign "Independent Ukraine: From Idea to Action" was presented during the international conference Summit XIV: Ukraine’s Wartime Report Card, organized by the American Foreign Policy Council. The conference brought together American experts, researchers, think tank representatives, and friends of Ukraine to assess the country's progress in the areas of security, democracy, economy, national identity, and Euro-Atlantic integration.

During the panel dedicated to Ukrainian national identity, UA Voice co-founder Olha Sydii emphasized:

"Ukrainian identity is based on freedom, dignity, responsibility for one's own state, and the right to independently determine one's future. That is why today's struggle of Ukraine is a continuation of the centuries-long struggle for statehood. The campaign 'From Idea to Action' shows the connection between historical heritage and modernity: Mykola Mikhnovsky called for a state and an army of our own, and today these ideas are being implemented by Ukrainian military, engineers, and innovators. A vivid example is the SIGNUM battalion — one of the first units that began systematically using FPV drones on the battlefield back in 2022. Historical memory, civic responsibility, and innovation have become the foundation of Ukrainian resilience and important components of modern Ukrainian identity."

During the conference, the first overseas copies of the English edition of "Independent Ukraine" were received by Ukraine's faithful friends — US-Ukraine Foundation co-founder Robert McConnell, American Foreign Policy Council President Herman Pirchner, and Canadian Member of Parliament, Shadow Minister of Defense James Bezan.

During meetings in the USA, the activities of Glory UA — an association of Ukrainian defense technology manufacturers and public initiatives working to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities — were presented. Special attention was given to cooperation with the SIGNUM battalion — one of the pioneers in the use of FPV drones in the Russian-Ukrainian war. American partners of ODFFU in Chicago — Pavlo Bandrivskyi, ODFFU — Mykola Hrytskovian, Federal Credit Union and Association "Selfreliance" — Roman Yatskivskyi, Ukrainian National Museum — Halyna Parasiuk, Ukrainian National Women's League of America — Nataliia Pavlenko, and "Selfreliance" in New York — Lesia Slobodian received commemorative posters signed by Schweiger — a SIGNUM pilot who first used an FPV kamikaze drone.

"Glory UA helps unite manufacturers, engineers, and combat units around the development of defense technologies. Together with SIGNUM, we supported the first initiatives to use FPV drones at the front and created conditions for direct interaction between developers and the military to quickly improve solutions based on combat experience. Today, SIGNUM, along with leading Ukrainian units, is working on a new stage of drone technology development — the creation of drone air defense. This is an example of how Ukrainian innovations are transforming into a real advantage on the battlefield," comments Glory UA co-founder Maksym Koliadenko.

Over a century ago, Mykola Mikhnovsky gave Ukrainians a vision of an independent Ukrainian state. For the first time in 126 years since the release of "Independent Ukraine," with the support of the Ukrainian community in the USA, Mykola Mikhnovsky's ideas will be heard in American universities, think tanks, and political circles. And this is yet another step towards ensuring that the Ukrainian voice, Ukrainian history, and Ukrainian state-building thought are heard worldwide.