Million-dollar lobbying: how a Ukrainian organisation promotes interests in the US

A little-known Ukrainian public organisation led by 20-year-old student Anastasiia Bazir spent nearly $1.8 million on lobbying activities in the US in 2024. 

According to the official version, these funds were directed towards strengthening public support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, but the circumstances of their use raise numerous questions.

Lobbying budget scandal

The organisation Kyiv Global Outreach, registered in January 2024, became the largest Ukrainian client of lobbying services in the US. According to official data, it transferred $1.78 million to the accounts of the American company DCI Group over the year, which had previously collaborated with the US Republican Party. Among the lobbyists' tasks was drawing the attention of American politicians to the situation in Ukraine, particularly through the Christian community and key Republican leaders.

Interestingly, the initial contract with DCI Group envisaged expenses of approximately $3.6 million, yet the organisation managed to use only half of this amount. It is also noteworthy that this project is led by Anastasiia Bazir, a student at the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) and an assistant to the school's president, Tymofiy Mylovanov.

Who stands behind the organisation?

According to data from the analytical system YouControl, Kyiv Global Outreach was founded by a group of KSE lecturers, students, and graduates. Initially, it was named KSE Global Outreach, but later changed its name. Officially, the organisation's mission is declared to be promoting Ukrainian interests abroad, seeking investments, and developing innovations for Ukraine.

Management of the organisation is entirely in Bazir's hands, who also oversees nine female students working in Mylovanov's office. Despite her young age, Bazir has already attracted public attention due to her active participation in major international initiatives.

Links with lobbyists and the US religious community

According to reports, Kyiv Global Outreach actively collaborated with several American lobbying firms, including Hyperfocal Communications, Impact Management Group, and Madison Strategies. In addition to promoting Ukraine's interests in the US, the organisation sought support from the American evangelical community.

In particular, since March 2024, representatives of Ukrainian evangelical Christians have visited the US, where they shared stories about Russia's war crimes against their community. Thanks to the efforts of lobbyists, these accounts appeared in major American religious publications, contributing to the formation of favourable public opinion.

One of the key figures who helped in this work was Republican strategist Gary Marx, who participated in persuading House Speaker Mike Johnson to support a new package of military aid for Ukraine.

Reaction against the backdrop of political instability

In April 2024, after prolonged negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and representatives of the Christian community, Mike Johnson changed his position and agreed to consider the issue of military aid. However, this delay, analysts note, came at a high cost to Ukraine, as it gave Russia the opportunity to advance on the Donetsk front and capture Avdiivka.

Meanwhile, pro-Russian sources spread a version that the funds spent on lobbying were used to restrict the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

The role of Mylovanov and KSE

Particular interest is aroused by the link between Kyiv Global Outreach and Tymofiy Mylovanov, former Ukrainian Minister of Economy and president of KSE. Mylovanov has repeatedly stated the organisation's role in promoting Ukrainian interests in the US and Europe. In addition, he was appointed a state representative to the supervisory board of Ukrenergoatom, the company responsible for the operation of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

It is worth noting that Ukrenergoatom itself also spends significant funds on lobbying services in the US. In 2024, the company allocated $240,000 for these purposes, and the previous year — $720,000. However, there were no lobbying expenses in 2022.