Quigley Accepts Ukrainian Order of Merit from President Zelenskyy

Today, Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, received the Ukrainian Order of Merit, Second Class, from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations in Manhattan. Zelenskyy selected Quigley for the award in August of 2025 for “a significant personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, supporting the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, charitable activities, and popularizing the Ukrainian state in the world.” After the presentation of the medal, Quigley released the following statement:

“I was honored to receive the Order of Merit from President Zelenskyy today. I have had the pleasure of meeting with Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans for many years who have displayed incredible resilience and devotion to a democratic Ukraine. That dedication, Ukraine's critical role in Europe, and the importance of defending free nations everywhere have inspired my work to protect Ukraine's sovereignty and self-determination.

“As I have long said, Ukraine is on the front line of the fight to save democracy worldwide. The freedoms and values they are fighting for today are the same ones we defended in World War II. Despite nearly five years of relentless attacks by the Russian military and the horrific acts committed in previously occupied areas, Ukrainians have persevered. If Ukraine falls, other nations will follow. They deserve the unwavering support of the United States and all NATO member nations.

“Receiving this award and meeting with President Zelenskyy has strengthened my resolve to continue standing with the people of Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.”

Quigley has served as Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus since 2015, and has been a diligent supporter of Ukraine and defender of Ukrainian sovereignty. He has visited Ukraine seven times, both twice before and five times since the current Russian invasion started and has met with President Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials countless times. During the 118th Congress, Quigley introduced the RIDE for Ukraine Act to grant Ukrainian refugees REAL ID eligibility and the Ukrainian Adjustment Act to provide permanent residency status to Ukrainians who reside in the U.S. on humanitarian parole. Additionally, Quigley’s fifth district previously included Ukrainian Village, home to one of the largest Ukrainian populations outside Ukraine, for over a decade.