Hello Friend,

In this month's digest, we present the latest updates from Ukraine, curated to provide you with valuable insights to support your philanthropic endeavors. From on-the-ground developments to strategic insights, we aim to equip you with comprehensive information to inform your actions.

Your engagement is vital in this collective effort. Whether you have questions, feedback, or valuable contributions to share, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Global Philanthropy team. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.

Events and Resources

• In case you missed it, the video of the recent discussion about Global Philanthropy’s Role in Ukraine on the Second Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion, featuring the following highlights:
  • Timothy Snyder, Yale on the Geopolitical Impact of Ukraine’s Struggle
  • Ondřej Liška, Porticus on Philanthropy's Evolving Role in Ukraine
  • Yuliya Tychkivska, Aspen Institute Kyiv on Ukraine’s Fight for Democracy
• Other Council on Foundations resources on Philanthropy for Ukraine are available on our website. 

Support and Strategies

• Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor to President Biden, reassured Ukraine of Washington's unwavering support during his recent visit to Kyiv, emphasizing continued assistance and expressing confidence in passing the stalled $60 billion Ukraine aid package in Congress.

• Following Sullivan's visit, Russia launched extensive missile and drone attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, causing significant damage to a hydroelectric power complex and leaving hundreds of thousands of people in Kharkiv without power, raising concerns about escalating conflict and civilian casualties.

• Since the start of Russia's war of aggression, the EU and its member states and Europe’s financial institutions, in a united approach, are providing almost €98 billion in financial, humanitarian, emergency, budget and military support to Ukraine.

• The international community, including the president of the Czech Republic, is mobilizing efforts to support Ukraine, with initiatives such as addressing ammunition shortfalls and advocating for European security capacity-building.

• What’s at stake for the West in Ukraine? Mykola Bielieskov says a Putin success in Ukraine would have far-reaching consequences: “The Russian military will be revitalized by the capture of Ukraine’s vast human and material resources, and will loom large on the eastern border of NATO… At that point, many in the West may begin to ask why they didn’t arm Ukraine when they had the chance.”

• During a Carnegie Endowment webinar, Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, said there is recognition of the need for a gradual transition period if the US seeks to shift its historic role as a guarantor of European peace to encourage stronger European self-reliance.

Human Rights

• The US House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the illegal abduction and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. This kind of forcible transfer of children is a violation of international law and thus far has impacted over 19,000 Ukrainian children.

• Numerous Ukrainian civil society organizations have stepped up to provide assistance to Ukrainian women during the war. Marsh Zhinok [March of Women], an NGO that provides shelter and psychological and legal support, was profiled by Ukraine World.

• Ten years have now passed since Moscow’s forcible takeover of Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula, a period marked by the imposition of Moscow’s laws and institutions, the oppression and repression of any opposition, as well as serious human rights violations, CNN reports.

Powerful Storytelling

• “20 Days in Mariupol,” the harrowing story of Russia’s horrific attack on the Ukrainian city of Mariupol produced by The Associated Press and PBS’s Frontline, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film at this year’s Academy Awards. It can be viewed on the PBS website.

• The Kyiv Independent’s documentary “Destroy, in Whole or in Part” tries to answer the question – do Russian actions in Ukraine constitute genocide?

• The Kyiv Post introduces viewers to Taras Stolyar, a bandura player and soldier, who has gone from operating drones, to serving at the front line, to performing the bandura in front of an Italian audience to raise funds for Ukraine's military. He sees the current war as one both of military resistance against Russia's invading forces, but also the latest chapter in centuries of cultural resistance.

Divestments, Sanctions, and Markets

• While many Western companies have left Russia in response to Putin’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, others have been reluctant to divest, despite the ethical ramifications and reputational damage of continuing to do business in Russia.

• The European Union is inching closer to a historic decision to use windfall profits accumulated by frozen assets in the bloc belonging to the Russian Central Bank and sending them to Ukraine. Some make the case for seizing the assets.

• Meanwhile Russia’s influence in international grain markets continues to grow and is driving down prices in Europe.

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