Honorary Consulate of Ukraine visits Baton Rouge

A group of current and former members of Ukrainian Parliament visited the Baton Rouge Area Chamber to talk about their country's war with Russia. Pictured from left to right: Ukrainian Parliament member Davyd Arakhamia, Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, Ukrainian Parliament member and Chair of the Budget Committee Roksolana Pidlasa and former Ukrainian Parliament member Pavlo Unguryan.

A group of high-level members of the Ukrainian government made a stop in Baton Rouge on Thursday during a tour of Louisiana to talk about the country's war with Russia.

Both current and former members of the Ukrainian Parliament spoke at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, updating Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and other community leaders about the ongoing situation in their home country.

Roksolana Pidlasa, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament and chair of the Budget Committee, said the visit was a way to extend their government's message beyond congressional leaders in Washington, D.C.

"We came here because people number one and number two in Congress are from Louisiana and we want to talk to their constituents," she said. "And also because Ukrainians have never reached this part of the U.S. and it is a shame because we have to appeal to people from America. The basis of support to Ukraine is in people’s hearts."

Pidlasa said the best way to reach those hearts is to speak to people personally and get them to support the cause by putting pressure on their elected leaders to take action.

With U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer planning to hold a vote on President Joe Biden's request for billions in financial assistance to Ukraine as soon as the week of Dec. 4, Pidlasa urged Louisianans to encourage their elected officials to support further funding for the war.

"What we are trying to say to the people of Louisiana is that if you support Ukraine and you believe in our cause, please write your congresspeople," she said. "Write them on Facebook, call their office, ask them 'what are you doing for Ukraine?' and ask how they’re voting for the support package of Ukraine.”

Davyd Arakhamia, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament and leader of the biggest Parliament political group, Servant of the People, said American support is needed to combat Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to take over his country.

To Arakhamia, Ukraine's fight against Russia sets a precedent for how the rest of the world sees the impact of Putin's decision to invade a neighboring country.

"The democratic world fights with the dictatorship world, and every dictator watches what Putin does and how the people ended up with Putin," he said.

The group of Ukrainian delegates traveled to New Orleans on Thursday morning before their trip to Baton Rouge and will continue their tour of Louisiana in Shreveport on Friday.

“Going through what only can be described as a horrible, horrible period in their country’s history, it’s important that we all be aware of that," said Adam Knapp, CEO of the Committee of 100 for Economic Development. "So we’re pleased to be able to host and express our support and concern for their country by bringing together leaders of our community to become more visibly aware of the challenges facing Ukraine."

Email James Wilkins at twilkins@theadvocate.com or follow him on Twitter, @terelljwilkins.