Association Delegation Attended the National Prayer Breakfast of Ukraine

On 23 August 2026, on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, the National Prayer Breakfast of Ukraine was held in Kyiv under the patronage of the President of Ukraine.

The Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia was represented by a delegation comprising Chairman of the Board Volodymyr Palamar and Communications Director Inna Hordiienko.

It was a great honour for the Association to represent Estonia’s Ukrainian community at this international event. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression, Estonia has consistently supported Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The participation of our Association’s representatives provided another opportunity to affirm the strong ties between Ukrainian and Estonian society.

United in Prayer for Ukraine
The National Prayer Breakfast brought together Ukraine’s national leadership, clergy from different denominations, members of the diplomatic corps, military personnel, chaplains, civil society representatives, Ukrainian communities from various countries and Ukraine’s international partners.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the participants. In his speech, he emphasised the importance of preserving the unity of Ukrainian society, supporting Ukraine’s defenders and not allowing the world to become accustomed to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

International guests included President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, former Vice President of the United States Mike Pence, General Keith Kellogg, representatives of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and other friends and partners of Ukraine.

The presence and address of Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal were particularly significant for the Association’s delegation. They offered further evidence of Estonia’s solidarity with Ukraine and the support that the Estonian state and society continue to provide to the Ukrainian people during the most difficult period in our recent history.

A central part of the gathering was a joint prayer by representatives of different denominations—for Ukraine, its defenders, prisoners of war, Ukrainian families, a just peace and the future of a free nation.

Cooperation Among Ukrainian Communities Worldwide
During the event, Volodymyr Palamar and Inna Hordiienko held a series of meetings with leaders of Ukrainian organisations and communities from different countries.

Today, Ukrainians worldwide form a powerful international network supporting Ukraine. Strengthening ties among Ukrainian communities abroad, exchanging experience and implementing joint initiatives are essential for public and cultural diplomacy, preserving Ukrainian identity and defending Ukraine’s interests around the world.

Following the National Prayer Breakfast, the Association’s delegation also attended the international forum “35 Years of Faith and Freedom.” The event brought together more than 1,000 participants from over 50 countries in Kyiv to discuss freedom, faith, security, Ukraine’s resilience and the values on which its future should be built.

Participants included political and civic leaders, as well as representatives of international Christian alliances, churches, missions and think tanks from various countries.

35 Years of Independence
Thirty-five years ago, Ukraine restored its national independence. Today, we understand more clearly than ever the true price of this right.

Independence is not only about national symbols and official celebrations. It is the right of Ukrainians to live in their own free country, speak their language, preserve their culture, history and collective memory, and determine their own path and future. Today, Ukraine is once again fighting for this right at an extraordinarily high cost.

On the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia congratulates Ukrainians in Ukraine, Estonia and throughout the world.

May distance and national borders never divide us in what matters most—our love for Ukraine and our responsibility for its future.

We thank Ukraine’s defenders for every day of our independence.

We thank Estonia and all our international friends for their support and solidarity.

United in prayer. United in solidarity. United for a free Ukraine.

The official names of the events and the list of international guests were verified against information published by the Office of the President of Ukraine, Suspilne and the organisers of the “35 Years of Faith and Freedom” forum.