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Diyana Alexandra Gabyak was born in Ukraine, and she grew up in the United States of America. This is the country where she went to school, got married, built her life, and gave birth to all of her children. “America is not simply the country where I live. It is my home, the nation where my family has established its roots, and the country whose future I care about deeply,” she says.

As a wife, mother, businesswoman, and co-founder of the American Ukrainian Christian Alliance, she has tried to serve this nation in several fronts. Inside the Board of Directors of National School Ministries, she advocates for Bible education for public school students across the country and is also involved in humanitarian outreach as part of the Transform Lives Global’s Board.

A graduate of Regent University and currently a master’s student at the Robertson School of Government, she is passionate about deepening her understanding of public policy, leadership, and the responsibilities of public service.

“I have the extraordinary blessing of carrying two nations in my heart: the country of my birth and the country that shaped my upbringing, my opportunities, my family, and so much of who I am today,” she reflected. “But that every blessing carries responsibility.”

Other regimes, also enemies of the United States, are helping Russian forces with personnel.

I believe the United States and the international community must recognize that Russia’s war against Ukraine is no longer sustained by Russia alone. North Korea has directly contributed military personnel and weapons, while serious evidence has emerged concerning the recruitment of Cuban nationals into Russian forces.

In your opinion, what should be the response from the U.S. government to these alliances?

This raises a much larger question: What kind of international order are we holding to future generations?

When governments help sustain an unlawful invasion, the consequences extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders. Every country that supplies soldiers, weapons, or financial resources to prolong this war contributes to a growing international security challenge.

I believe the American response should be firm, strategic, and grounded in international law. That means coordinated sanctions against responsible officials and military networks, stronger enforcement against sanctions evasion, diplomatic accountability, and continued assistance that enables Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and protect its civilian population.

We must also investigate the exploitation of vulnerable people who are recruited through deception or coercion and distinguish those victims from individuals and officials who knowingly organize military recruitment. I do not believe that pursuing peace means ignoring aggression. A lasting peace must be built on accountability, meaningful security guarantees, and respect for Ukraine’s independence.

For you, is the fundamental question how we end this war?

For me, it is how we prevent aggression from becoming an accepted instrument of international politics.

Because if the international community fails to defend these principles today, future generations may inherit a world in which borders are changed by force and the lives of innocent people become trading chips in the ambitions of powerful governments. And that is a future we have a responsibility to prevent. They are questions about the security and future of our own children.

Again, I think America has an extraordinary position in the world, but that position carries extraordinary responsibilities.

I believe our nation should exercise its influence to promote peaceful resolution of conflicts, uphold international law, protect innocent lives, and discourage further aggression. We should seek peace through responsible diplomacy, international cooperation, and policies that reduce the incentives and capabilities for further violence.

America should not aspire to dominate the world through chaos. It should aspire to lead through wisdom, moral credibility, strength, and a commitment to a more stable and peaceful international order. And I believe that is a responsibility we owe not only to our allies, but to the American people and to the generations who will receive the consequences of today’s decisions.

In February, your organization and others will celebrate a big event in Washington, D.C. Could you talk a little more about it?

Yes. We are preparing for Ukrainian Week 2027, scheduled for February 5-10 in Washington, D.C. Ukrainian Week is a significant initiative that brings together Ukrainian and American leaders from government, faith communities, business, education, health care, humanitarian organizations, and civil society.

But I want to emphasize that our vision goes far beyond organizing another conference or gathering people for a series of discussions. Our goal is to create a meaningful platform where relationships become partnerships, discussions lead to concrete commitments, and those commitments produce lasting results. We believe Ukrainian Week should serve as a strategic bridge between the United States and Ukraine, creating opportunities for cooperation that extend well beyond the event itself. For Ukrainian Week 2027, our vision is to strengthen the connection between American and Ukrainian institutions through several important areas of cooperation. We want to encourage stronger relationships between churches and faith-based organizations, expand educational and leadership opportunities, support humanitarian and community recovery initiatives, and connect business and civic leaders who can contribute to long-term development. We are especially interested in partnerships between cities, churches, educational institutions, health care organizations, and community leaders. We believe that the rebuilding and long-term strengthening of Ukraine will require much more than financial assistance.

It will require knowledge, institutional experience, ethical leadership, economic opportunity, and relationships built on trust and shared responsibility.

At the same time, I believe these partnerships should be mutually beneficial.

In what sense?

Ukraine has much to learn from the United States, but America also has much to learn from the Ukrainian people’s resilience, innovation, entrepreneurship, strong community relationships, and determination to preserve their independence.

Partnership should never be understood as one nation simply giving and the other receiving. Meaningful partnership recognizes the strengths, experiences, and contributions of both sides.

Another important part of our vision is the role of Christian faith and moral leadership. We believe the future of any nation depends not only on its economic development or political institutions, but also on the strength of its families, the character of its leaders, and the values passed to the next generation.

A nation can rebuild roads, factories, and buildings, but if it fails to invest in its children, its families, its educational institutions, and the moral character of its leadership, its recovery will remain incomplete. That is why we want Ukrainian Week to encourage conversations about leadership development, religious freedom, education, family well-being, community responsibility, and the role of faith-based institutions in strengthening society.

What is the focus of your political passion in this moment?

I am particularly passionate about preparing the next generation. We must ask ourselves what kind of leaders we are developing today.

Are we raising young people who understand that freedom carries responsibility? Are we teaching them that leadership is service rather than personal ambition?

Are we preparing them to contribute to their communities with integrity, competence, and compassion? I believe these questions are just as important to America’s future as they are to Ukraine’s.

I also believe there is something particularly meaningful about holding these conversations in Washington, D.C. Washington is a place where national and international policies are discussed, where institutions shape public life, and where leaders have opportunities to develop relationships that influence the future.

I believe God has given both nations extraordinary opportunities and strengths.

America has a rich tradition of civic engagement, religious liberty, entrepreneurship, institutional development, and international leadership. Ukraine brings tremendous resilience, courage, innovation, cultural richness, and a deep determination to preserve its freedom. When we bring those strengths together through relationships grounded in trust, integrity, faith, and mutual respect, we can create opportunities that benefit both nations.