Pictures from Washington

Washington, DC - Patriarch Shevchuk met with representatives of the US State Department including Assistant Secretary of State Eric Rubin, Assistant Secretary of State Tom Melina, and Special Envoy Ira Froman on Friday, February 7, 2014.  He asked the officials to help foster peaceful dialogue with the government and the people.

Washington, DC - On February 6, 2014,  Patriarch Sviatoslav met with Senator Christopher Murphy (D-Connecticut) who serves on the Foreign Relations Committee. He suggested to Senator Murphy that the USA could help Ukraine by acting as a mediator between the government and the people so that there can be constructive dialogue without violence.

Washington, DC - Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk was greeted by Representative Chris Smith (R-New Jersey) who serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs - Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations  Chairman, on February 6, 2014.  He informed Representative Smith of the great concern about human rights violations happening in Ukraine with at least 60 people having disappeared without a trace and some 1000 people being imprisoned and denied visits by chaplains.

Washington, DC - Patriarch Sviatoslav met with Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) who serves on the House Appropriations Committee and Defense Subcommittee  on Thursday February 6, 2014.  The Patriarch shared with her about the growing economic issues in Ukraine, especially as they impact the elderly who for months do not receive pension checks; teachers, doctors, nurses, and others employed by the government not receiving a pay check regularly.  He related how this problem then results in middleclass businesses not being able to sell any goods or services thus compounding the economic hardships being experienced by ordinary people in Ukraine.

Washington, DC - Patriarch Sviatoslav had a private audience with Vice President Joseph Biden after the National Prayer Breakfast on February 6, 2014.  His Beatitude told Vice President Biden that the people involved with the protests are peacefully manifesting that there is no trust at this time between the ordinary people of Ukraine and its government.