U.S. Congress - Russian Duma and Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Parliamentary Exchanges

About this grant

In 1999, a formal cooperation agreement was signed by the Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada creating the U.S. Congress-Rada Parliamentary Exchange. With support from the American Foreign Policy Council, the project works to improve U.S. relations with Russia and Ukraine through meetings between Russian and Ukrainian legislators and their American counterparts.Funding will enable the council to organize trips and develop other communication channels for Russian Duma, Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada and members of the U.S. Congress; and respond to emergency issues and requests from the U.S. House of Representatives to facilitate contacts and dialogue with Russian and Ukrainian legislators and policymakers. Since late 2003, the council has organized eight exchange visits of parliamentarians and staff in both Kyiv and Washington, D.C.