SALT LAKE CITY — For the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will make a stop in the Beehive State.
President Zelenskyy is scheduled to speak at the National Governors Association summer meeting on Friday at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake.
WATCH: President Zelenskyy addresses governors from around the country during conference held in Salt Lake City
Also on Friday, Gov. Spencer Cox participated in a discussion with celebrity Matthew McConaughey on the "disagree better" initiative.
Zelenskyy will deliver his message Friday at the Grand America Hotel, a move confirmed by Gov. Spencer Cox on social media.
"We're honored to welcome President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Zelenska to Utah and the National Governors Association," Cox wrote. "Utah stands behind Ukraine and we look forward to hearing his message to the nation's governors."
— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) July 11, 2024
Cox's term as chair of the National Governors Association is set to end shortly.
On Thursday, Jonathan Freedman, Honorary Consul of Ukraine spoke about what it took to get Ukraine's president to Utah.
"Three weeks ago, we learned that President Zelenskyy and the first lady and his delegation would be attending the NATO summit in Washington DC. I connected with Governor Cox and he made an official invitation to the ambassador to pass on to President Zelenkskyy to come to Utah and participate in the National Governors Association meeting," said Freedman. "On July 4th, we received confirmation that President Zelenskyy and his delegation would in fact be here for the National Governors Association Summer meeting."
He says President Zelenskyy will meet with governors from across the country, as well as their federal delegation.
First Lady Zelenska will be meeting with donors that have been supportive of Ukraine, Freedman says.
FOX 13 News asked Freedman what he thinks President Zelenskyy is hoping to achieve with his visit.
"The president's goal, I can only assume in coming here, is to tell the story of Ukraine, Ukrainians are just like us," said Freedman. "They want peace, they want to have safe, you know, place to raise their families, and right now they're fighting for their lives."
Zelenskyy is in the U.S. looking to gather up more support for Ukraine as the country's ongoing war with Russia continues. On Thursday, he thanked NATO leaders as the organization seeks to have Ukraine join its membership, but added that aid needs to come faster.
"The president is going to ask for continued support for their fight for the people that are on the front lines that are fighting for their freedom, for their families to protect their land," said Freedman.
FOX 13 News spoke with Anya Beus on Thursday.
Beus lived in Ukraine, before moving to the United States in 2009. She has called Lehi home for the past six years.
" I kind of wish I was in Utah right now," said Beus.
That was her reaction while on vacation in Washington, when finding out President Zelenskyy would be speaking in Utah on Friday.
"From my perspective, I think he's doing everything he can," said Beus.
Beus spoke about the impact Ukraine's war with Russia has had over the course of the last two years.
"I really hope this war comes to an end soon, my cousin's been fighting for two and a half years, it's a long time to be an active duty, to be afraid for your life," said Beus.
The hope for Beus moving forward.
"I hope that President Zelensky just makes it possible for Ukrainians to survive, not just survive, but also take our democracy back." said Beus.
One thing Freedman says President Zelenskyy's team will accomplish here on Friday is to establish a sister state relationship with Utah.
He says Governor Cox will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States.
Freedman says that significant events will bind Utah and the Kyiv region for years, adding this is a unique opportunity.
