The international forum “35 Years of Faith and Freedom” brought together conservative U.S. political leaders and heads of global Christian alliances and missions in Kyiv this week, in one of the largest gatherings of Western conservative and faith-based figures to convene in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began. Among those in attendance were the 48th Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence; retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg; Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council; and a delegation of sitting U.S. congressmen.

According to Interfax-Ukraine, Pavlo Unguryan, coordinator of the “Prayer Breakfasts” initiative, told reporters on the sidelines of the forum that organizers are now preparing a companion gathering, the “Forum of Conservative Forces of Ukraine,” to be held in connection with the nation’s 35th anniversary of independence.

“Today, we have an impressive gathering of influential supporters of Ukraine, including General Keith Kellogg, Senators James Lankford and Richard Blumenthal, as well as Congressmen McEwen and Slatter.”

— Pavlo Unguryan, Coordinator, Prayer Breakfasts Initiative

“The 48th Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, is also here, along with Tony Perkins, who serves as the spiritual mentor to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and was a close associate of Lindsey Graham. These individuals have been working behind the scenes for years, helping to shape the position,” Unguryan said.

Organizers said discussions at the forum are anchored around three pillars — national security, the economy, and principles of faith — which Unguryan described as the foundational platforms of modern Republicanism.

“National security and defense are fundamental to a society built on patriotism and a strong military. The free-market economy and community development are essential for domestic strength and global competitiveness. But both can succeed only when founded on enduring principles and values that have stood the test of time.”

— Pavlo Unguryan

Those enduring values, Unguryan said, include faith, family, birth rates, patriotism, child-rearing, education, and science — “the values that shape the individual and build the community.”

Unguryan noted that representatives from roughly five key Washington-based think tanks joined the forum, alongside delegations from the United Kingdom, continental Europe, and Israel. He said the breadth of participation — organizers counted delegations from more than 50 countries and over 1,000 attendees overall, including representatives of global churches and international organizations — reflects a widening coalition prepared to advocate for Ukraine’s most urgent needs.

He added that the collaboration forged in Kyiv is intended to lay the groundwork for future strategy between Ukraine and its faith-aligned conservative allies abroad, rather than serve as a one-time gathering.

In one of the forum’s most consequential announcements, Unguryan revealed the launch of Ukraine’s first conservative policy institute, the Faith and Freedom Center, which organizers say will function as a standing think tank to coordinate faith-based and conservative advocacy on Ukraine’s behalf going forward.

• Mike Pence — 48th Vice President of the United States
• Gen. Keith Kellogg (Ret.) — U.S. national security figure
• Tony Perkins — President, Family Research Council
• Sen. James Lankford — U.S. Senator (R-Okla.)
• Sen. Richard Blumenthal — U.S. Senator (D-Conn.)
• Reps. McEwen & Slatter — U.S. Congressmen
• Pavlo Unguryan — Coordinator, Prayer Breakfasts Initiative

The forum’s organizers framed the event as both a commemoration of 35 years since Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union and a working summit — one meant to translate shared faith and conservative principle into concrete diplomatic and material support as the country continues to defend its sovereignty.