Washington, D.C. — In a powerful demonstration of global support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the universal pursuit of freedom, the “Freedom Has a Name, and It’s Called Ukraine” conference was held on February 5, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol Complex’s Rayburn House Office Building.

The bipartisan gathering, organized by Pastor Mark Burns, Spiritual Advisor to former U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Chairman of the Spiritual Diplomats Initiative on the ALLATRA International Public Movement platform  brought together policymakers, faith leaders, humanitarian advocates, and international representatives.

The event showed that support for Ukraine’s freedom goes beyond geopolitical strategy; it is also a moral and humanitarian imperative. Speakers urged sustained international aid, true security guarantees, accountability for war crimes, and reunification for thousands of children abducted during the conflict.

Calls for Justice, Security, and Lasting Peace

Pastor Burns opened the conference with what many attendees described as a heartfelt and urgent call to action, emphasizing the importance of united support:

“We won’t celebrate until there’s a real, long‑lasting peace agreement with real security measurements to protect the sovereign nation called Ukraine.”

He also framed the struggle as one with global implications, stating that supporting Ukraine aligns with core values like freedom, dignity, and moral responsibility. “Supporting Ukraine is ‘America First’ – because if we don’t stop Russia now, we will face a larger war later,” Burns declared.

Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman, Chief Rabbi of Kyiv and Ukraine, spoke deeply about staying in his homeland through constant bombardment, invoking both historical memory and moral courage:

“Ukrainian people don’t want to go back to slavery. They want freedom, and freedom has a name — it’s called Ukraine.”

Ukrainian parliamentarian Iuliia Iatsyk described the horrors of Russian occupation, including torture chambers and the forced displacement of families:

“Freedom for me is coming back home. Ukraine is fighting for the democratic values cultivated here in America and in Europe — for freedom, for truth, for life.”

Christopher Anderson, Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Department of State, reiterated the U.S. commitment to bringing abducted Ukrainian children home safely.

The conference was not limited to political statements. Speakers also highlighted the profound human cost of the war:

• Mykola Kuleba, CEO and co-founder of Save Ukraine, shared that over 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly taken by Russian forces — stripped of identity, language, and family — and reported that more than 1,100 have been rescued.
• Pavlo Frolov, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament, said rebuilding Ukraine must include long‑term security, not just recovery from destruction:
• “Peace means more than a cease‑fire. It means restoring lives, communities, and human dignity.”

Captain Gary (Yuri) Tabach, a retired U.S. Navy veteran who fled the Soviet Union as a youth, highlighted the moral duty of citizens to stand up in crises:

“All that evil needs to win is for good people to do nothing.”

Spiritual Diplomacy as a Framework for Action

This event was part of a broader series of gatherings on the ALLATRA platform, including the earlier International Interfaith Conference “United in Liberty: The Rise of Spiritual Diplomats” held at the U.S. Capitol in January, which brought together spiritual figures, scholars, and international leaders for dialogue on religious freedom, unity, and shared human values.

Speakers at that event, such as Pastor Burns, emphasized that spiritual diplomacy — engaging beyond traditional political channels — aims to unify moral leaders in shared purpose:

“That’s putting our differences aside and standing as one people, as one voice.”

Broad International Participation

The conference’s reach extended well beyond Washington. Presenters included global figures from faith communities, humanitarian movements, and civil society, reflecting a wide network of engagement:

• Ukrainian advocates on the ground
• Faith leaders spanning Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and interfaith traditions
• U.S. State Department representatives and diplomats
• International civil society organizations focused on child protection, human rights, and interfaith cooperation