Dmytro Kushneruk (Ukrainian: Дмитро́ Володи́мирович Кушнеру́к; born January 16, 1983) is a Ukrainian diplomat, currently serving as Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco.[2] Kushneruk holds the diplomatic rank of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Envoy First class.[1] During Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kushneruk successfully negotiated and coordinated material support to Ukraine from several U.S. States: with the Governors of California,[3] Washington State[4] and Utah,[5][6] with the Arizona House of Representatives[7] and with the Californian city of Sacramento.[8] He also negotiated political support for U.S. military aid with U.S. representative Ro Khanna from California.[9]

Dmytro Kushneruk
Дмитро́ Володи́мирович Кушнеру́к
Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco
Assumed office
July 2020[1]
Preceded byOleksandr Krotenko
Personal details
Born (1983-01-16) 16 January 1983 (age 41)
Odesa, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Citizenship Ukraine
Spousemarried
Children2
Alma materTaras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv,
National University Odesa Law Academy

Education edit

Kushneruk is a graduate of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, holding a Master's degree in International Law.[1]

Diplomatic career edit

Kushneruk joined diplomatic service in 2006 and worked at Office of the President of Ukraine. In 2012-2014 Kushneruk was posted as Counsellor at the Permanent mission of Ukraine to the United Nations in New York City. In 2014-2020 Kushneruk served as Deputy Chief of Protocol to the President of Ukraine. Kushneruk was appointed Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco in July 2020.[1]

Activities during Russia's invasion of Ukraine edit

During Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kushneruk coordinated with Governor Gavin Newsom the scope and extent of California's efforts to support the people and government of Ukraine.[10][3][11] Kushneruk also coordinated aid to Ukraine with Governor Jay Inslee of Washington State and the City of Seattle,[4] with Arizona lawmakers[12] as well as with Governor Spencer Cox and church leaders of Utah.[6] In a March 2022 meeting with the US Congressman Ro Khanna, Kushneruk successfully advocated for greater US military aid for Ukraine, particularly anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft missiles and aircraft, but found disagreement on establishing a no-fly zone over Ukraine.[9][13] Kushneruk personally received shipments of aid to Ukraine from California government agencies.[8]

Kushneruk participated in street rallies and other events in the San Francisco Bay Area that bolstered support for Ukraine.[14] He also contributed to sister-city relations between Ukrainian and Californian cities.[15][16]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco - Dmytro Kushneruk". san-francisco.mfa.gov.ua. Archived from the original on 2020-10-21. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  2. ^ Aryk Copley; Nick Vides; Sean Young (March 17, 2022). "Hundreds gather in Sonoma to hear Ukraine Consul General speak". The Oak Leaf.
  3. ^ a b "Gov. Newsom packs emergency supplies for Ukraine relief efforts". ABC7 San Francisco. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  4. ^ a b "$3.5 Million in Donated Emergency Supplies Headed to Ukraine". www.portseattle.org. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  5. ^ Spencer J. Cox (Utah Governor) [@SpencerJCox] (March 24, 2022). "Really special meeting with the Ukrainian Consul General" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ a b "Ukraine official thanks governor for Utah's support". FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU). 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  7. ^ Monica D. Spencer (July 12, 2023). "Ukraine consul general visits Arizona House of Representatives". "Arizona Republic".
  8. ^ a b Williams, Dominique (June 7, 2022). "Sacramento County Sheriff's Office donates 136 ballistic vests to aid Ukrainian war effort". The Sacramento Bee.
  9. ^ a b Bradshaw, Kate (2022-03-15). "Silicon Valley stands with Ukraine during conflict, congressman says". San José Spotlight. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  10. ^ "Governor Newsom Orders State Agencies to Ensure Contracts Comply with Sanctions on Russia, Calls on California Businesses and Organizations to Support Ukraine". California Governor. 2022-03-04. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  11. ^ "California Continues to Send Life-Saving Support to Ukraine". California Governor. 2022-05-06. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  12. ^ "Ukrainian diplomat seeks aid in speech to Arizona lawmakers". Associated Press. 2022-04-08. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  13. ^ "Can US implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine? Here's what SJSU professor says". ABC7 San Francisco. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  14. ^ "'This is not only a Ukrainian fight': Hundreds gather at Stanford to push for increased aid to Ukraine". The Mercury News. 2022-05-09. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  15. ^ "Sonoma to honor Ukraine consul general during City Hall ceremony". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  16. ^ "Ukraine Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk to be Honored at City Hall Press Conference March 17, 2022". City of Sonoma. 2022-03-12. Retrieved 2023-06-28.

External links edit