Razom for Ukraine hosted an insightful panel discussion at the UCMC Press Center, focusing on the evolving landscape of U.S. policy decision-making toward Ukraine following the arrival of a new administration. The event, titled “Deep Dive in the Trump’s Era Advocacy with Razom for Ukraine,” featured experts sharing their perspectives on navigating increased opposition to Ukraine aid, effective communication strategies with Republican representatives, and maintaining bipartisan support for Ukraine’s cause.
Daniel Balson, Director of Public Engagement at Razom for Ukraine, highlighted key Republican voter demographics – veterans, religious communities, business leaders, and donors – that can be engaged constructively on the Russia-Ukraine issue. He provided an analysis of how the House of Representatives perceived Ukraine in 2022 versus now, offering insights on shifting perceptions and what Ukraine advocates can do to respond.
Daniel Vaynshteyn, Advocacy Associate at Razom for Ukraine, emphasized that bipartisan support for Ukraine’s aid persists despite growing party polarization. He shared strategies currently employed by Razom to achieve its advocacy goals, stressing the importance of demonstrating a tangible “Return on Investment” (ROI) for U.S. support. By framing aid to Ukraine as a strategic investment – leveraging technological advancements, economic benefits, and lessons learned – Razom aims to strengthen pro-Ukrainian sentiment among American voters.
Anastasiia Sliusarenko, Community Engagement Coordinator at Razom for Ukraine, discussed the states where Razom is focusing its efforts most intensively and noted how the emotional tone of messaging about the war has evolved since the Trump administration took office. She shared insights on testing different arguments for various demographics, highlighting that topics like kidnapped children and religious freedom currently resonate most with American audiences.
Speakers also addressed critical topics such as lessons learned from the first Trump term; strategies to engage MAGA voters; how Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian strategic aviation have influenced perceptions in the Senate and among the public; whether Republicans grasp Russia’s imperial ambitions regarding Ukraine’s territorial integrity and how media coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war has shifted since January.
