Dmytro Kushneruk | |
---|---|
Дмитро́ Володи́мирович Кушнеру́к | |
Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco | |
Assumed office July 2020[1] | |
Preceded by | Oleksandr Krotenko |
Personal details | |
Born | Odesa, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union | 16 January 1983
Citizenship | Ukraine |
Spouse | married |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, National University Odesa Law Academy |
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]
Kushneruk is a graduate of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, holding a Master's degree in International Law.[1]
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]
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]