A group of Ukrainian university students from Kyiv visited the Pentagon to gain insight into how the United States supports Ukraine’s defense against Russia. The students, studying business or information technology, are part of an internship program with American companies this summer. The visit included a tour of the Pentagon, a visit to the 9/11 Memorial, and a meeting with Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia. The students were particularly interested in understanding how the U.S. government works to support Ukraine.
During their visit, the students also had a briefing with the House Foreign Relations Committee to learn more about how the U.S. is supporting the war effort in Ukraine. Daniel Rice, president of American University Kyiv, described the students as “informal ambassadors” from Ukraine. Cooper discussed the importance of equipping Ukraine to defend itself, the bilateral relationship with Ukraine, and how military assistance is provided through presidential drawdown authority and the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. She emphasized the role of young Ukrainians in spreading awareness about the situation in Ukraine to generate international support.
Khrystyna Ivanchuk, a student at American University Kyiv, who also manages international internships at the school, found inspiration in hearing about how the U.S. develops support plans for Ukraine. She highlighted the challenges faced by Ukrainians living in wartime and the need for inspiration. Ivanchuk was particularly inspired by seeing many women in leadership positions during their briefing, which is not common in the defense sector in Ukraine. She expressed a desire to see more women play a greater role in the Ukrainian military.
Ivanchuk expressed gratitude for the support provided by partner nations to Ukraine in its fight against Russia but emphasized the need for more people, such as foreign troops to guard borders, doctors, and teachers. Despite the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ivanchuk remains optimistic and patriotic, hoping for a happy future in her country. The students’ visit to the Pentagon and meetings with defense officials provided them with valuable insights into the U.S. support for Ukraine and inspired them to play a role in shaping the future of their country.
