As part of his visit to Ukraine, Open Society Foundations Chairman and CEO Alexander Soros met with the Government, the Presidential Office, and members of the Verkhovna Rada on November 6.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal discussed with Soros the priority needs of Ukraine. “We had a meaningful meeting with the chairman of the Open Society Foundations, Alexander Soros, and his team. The Foundation has been operating in Ukraine since 1990 and continues to support Ukrainians during the full-scale war,” said Denys Shmyhal.
Shmyhal expressed his gratitude to the Open Society Foundations for understanding the importance of supporting Ukraine and for their willingness to assist in the realization of common goals and objectives.
“We focused on establishing justice. We have to bring Russia to justice and make it pay. In particular, through the confiscation of frozen assets in the West,” emphasized Shmyhal.
Currently, Open Society Foundations plans to launch new projects, so the parties discussed priority needs: economic recovery, reconstruction, and the social sphere.
Alexander also met with the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Roman Mashovets, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Daria Zarivna, Vice President for Advocacy and Communications at the Open Society Foundations Laura Silber, and Director of the International Renaissance Foundation Oleksandr Sushko.
The parties discussed joint work on the seizure of Russian assets and their subsequent transfer for the reconstruction of Ukraine and strengthening of sanctions pressure on Russia. Andriy Yermak emphasized the importance of continuing to work on blocking Russia’s ways of circumventing the existing restrictions. In addition, it is necessary to impose sanctions against Russian military-industrial companies engaged in the production of missiles and drones, which then attack Ukrainian civilian and infrastructure facilities.
In the context of support for Ukrainian defenders, the interlocutors exchanged views on the development of the veterans’ movement in Ukraine and support for veterans’ organizations.
“We are pleased with the desire of American entrepreneurs – friends of Ukraine – to help our country win the aggressive war unleashed by Russia. We appreciate their contribution to this victory,” emphasized Andriy Yermak.
Alexander also met with members of the Verkhovna Rada. The meeting was attended by First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Kornienko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratyuk, as well as heads of factions and committees.
The participants discussed possible areas of cooperation. They discussed ways to support and build democracy in Ukraine, the adaptation of veterans in society after returning from the front, humanitarian aid, and women’s leadership in Ukraine.
“One of the central topics of our dialogue was strengthening Ukraine’s democratic stability and enhancing our country’s readiness to join the European Union,” said Oleksandr Kornienko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
For his part, Alexander Soros emphasized that support for Ukraine remains a priority for the Foundation.
“We are proud to support Ukraine, its commitment to democracy and Ukrainian civil society, which helps to unite Ukraine and the democratic world in times of war and peace,” said Mr. Soros.
On the first day of the visit, Alexander met with the International Renaissance Foundation team and representatives of civil society.
