Friends of Ukraine Network

An advocacy initiative of USUF

About FOUN

The Friends of Ukraine Network (FOUN) is a non-partisan coalition of former ambassadors, leading policy experts, and international security professionals. It also includes other experts who have dealt with key aspects of Ukraine’s relations with the United States and the international community.

Included in FOUN’s overall efforts is the Retired Members Ukraine Caucus, which is composed of former Members of Congress. As an informal coalition, FOUN is able to respond to current issue priorities by engaging experts with relevant expertise as needed.

General (Ret.) Ben Hodges

Senior Advisor, “Human Rights First”; Member of FOUN National Security Task Force

"Given Russia's total disregard for international law and human life, why should anybody think that Ukraine or the West can negotiate with the Kremlin? These missile attacks will not break Ukraine’s Will...but Putin is hoping that they will break the Will of the West. We can’t break...we have to support democracy vs autocracy...China is watching."

Ian Brzezinski

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO Policy; Member of FOUN National Security Task Force

"The latest round of Russian missile attacks against Ukraine’s civilian populations are not only atrocities, they reflect Putin’s increasing desperation and irrationality in the face of steadfast Ukrainian courage and tenacity."

Ambassador William Taylor

Former Ambassador to Ukraine; Member of FOUN National Security Task Force

"Putin’s attacks are an attempt to terrorize Ukrainians.  They are war crimes.  The Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian government are not intimidated.  The West, led by the United States, should support the Ukrainians with all the means they need to defeat Russia and drive Russian forces entirely out of their country."

David Kramer

Former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; Member of FOUN National Security Task Force

"Russian attacks are solidifying Ukrainian resolve to win this war, and the United States and its allies need to redouble our efforts to help Ukraine achieve victory and defeat Putin and his accomplices."

Programs

Promoting policy dialogue

FOUN is an outgrowth of the Foundation’s U.S.-Ukraine Policy Dialogue programs of 2005 and 2011 (sponsored by the U.S. Department of State), which brought together government officials and non-government policy experts from both countries to discuss and make recommendations on numerous issues of mutual concern.

Since 2014, the Foundation has regularly convened FOUN and organized designated Task Forces to address U.S.-Ukraine relations, including such issues as sanctions, national security, and assistance in all sectors in support of Ukraine.

FOUN advances policy recommendations through expert testimony, congressionally-sponsored forums, and briefings, meetings with key officials in the Administration and Congress, press conferences, media interviews, and op-ed pieces.

Help support the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom.