Ukrainian question in us policy in the context of commemorating the «Captive Nations Week»

Abstract

One of the significant achievements of the Ukrainian ethnic lobby in the US during the Cold War was the adoption of Public Law 86-90 Captive Nations Week Resolution. Under this law, the US president was authorized to declare «Captive Nations Week» annually – until all of them become free and independent, and has invited the American people to observe the occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities, in support of the oppressed peoples who lost their independence as the result of «direct and indirect aggression of communist Russia». It remains valid for six decades and is becoming increasingly relevant under conditions of growing Russian aggression.

The purpose of our research is to find out the importance of the «Ukrainian question» in US foreign policy in the context of the commemoration of «Captive Nations Week».

The «Ukrainian question» during the Cold War was largely considered in the overall political-ideological context of the confrontation with the USSR. Using a favorable socio-political situation, the Ukrainian Diaspora, led by the Ukrainian Congressional Committee of America (UCCA), organized large-scale information campaigns aimed at drawing the attention of the American and world community to the internal situation in the Union, as well as consideration, at least at the theoretical level, the question of the state status of Ukraine. It was during this period that the political representation of American Ukrainians, a peculiar Ukrainian ethnic lobby was formed, playing a significant role in the adoption of the Public Law 86-90 Captive Nations Week Resolution. The strategic significance of this law was to determine at the official level the status of Ukraine as a colonial dependent country. Despite independence, Ukraine, under conditions of direct aggression on the part of Russia, remains in the list of «captive nations», which the Captive Nations Committee calls for the defense of, and some Western analysts believe that this Week is a good opportunity to think and start acting.

US support in confronting Russian expansion is essential for Ukraine, but the Ukrainian government needs to make a lot of effort to maintain US commitment and deepen partnerships based on common values and interests. In our opinion, close cooperation with the Ukrainian diaspora, which already has considerable experience in lobbying Ukraine’s national interests and the ability to coordinate ethnic needs with American social values, is prominent in this direction.

Keywords: Ukrainian question, Captive Nations Week, US, foreign policy, ethnic lobby, Lev Dobriansky