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Advocating with the American Coalition for Ukraine

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Rich Comeau, Secretary and Director of UAid Direct USA, shares a side of supporting Ukraine that many never see: advocacy. While volunteers deliver aid on the ground, others work in Washington, DC to keep Ukraine a priority for American lawmakers. In this reflection, Rich discusses his involvement with the American Coalition for Ukraine (ACU), a grassroots effort advocating for continued support for Ukraine, stronger sanctions on Russia, and the return of abducted Ukrainian children. It’s a reminder that every American voice can make a difference.

It appears to be a near universal truth that volunteers for Ukraine wear more than one hat, that is, participates in more than one organization or effort. That is true for me. One of my several roles is as a participant in the political advocacy advanced by the American Coalition for Ukraine or ACU.

Established four years ago as a grass roots effort, the coalition unites supporters of Ukraine to raise “awareness about Ukrainian culture, history, and current events; and strengthen American support for just peace and territorial integrity across Ukraine”

As a participant I have attended three of the biannual Ukraine Action Summits in Washington, DC, whereby a large group of Americans advocate directly with Congress. There is a training day to ensure a unified message, followed by two days of meetings on Capitol Hill. In recent April 2026 Summit, 700 Americans from all 50 states and Puerto Rico met with 450 members of Congress. I did not attend, as I was headed to Ukraine, but I did attend in October, which saw similar numbers of members and meetings, even during the government shutdown.

Each summit is also an opportunity to meet other supporters and attend shared cultural events. Advocacy work continues throughout the year. Recent issues have focused on continued and expanded sanctions on Russia and that any peace agreement must be preceded by the return of all Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. There are 20,000+ for which the identities are known, but the actual number is suspected to be much higher. Another important issue is the call for a resolution against Russian religious persecution in the occupied areas.

The meetings with congress are either the representative or senator, or with a member of staff. Both are valuable. Staffers get things done.

These efforts do work. Just this week, on May 13, a bipartisan discharge petition to force a house vote on the Ukraine Support Act achieved the necessary 218 votes. The vote was being held back by leadership. If passed, the Ukraine Support Act provides aid to Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia.

We encourage everyone to sign up for the ACU newsletter and to contact congress to indicate support for issues highlighted in those newsletters. It is a simple and free way that any American voter can make their opinion known. Call your representative and senators. The website and newsletter will highlight specific legislative priorities with bill numbers or petition information.