Oklahomans from Ukraine weigh in on home country's spat with Trump administration
OKLAHOMA (KFOR) — A couple living in Oklahoma from Ukraine says they're concerned about a recent souring relationship between their home country and President Donald Trump's administration.
The rift comes alongside Trump's frustrations with Ukraine in recent weeks, amid his own administration's efforts to broker a peaceful end to the war that started with Russia's invasion in 2022.
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House as part of a planned measure to sign off on a minerals deal to pay back the United States for aid.
A sudden blow up in the Oval Office between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance derailed hopes of that deal being reached the same day.
'You're not in a good position,' said Trump. 'You don't have the cards right now. With us you start having cards.'
'I'm not playing cards right now,' said Zelenskyy in response.
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That blow up got the attention of Norman couple and Kyiv natives Vadym and Iryna Soloshonok.
'I did not expect what's happened,' said Iryna. 'Maybe it's misunderstanding of Ukrainians because nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians.'
After talks went south, Trump made the call this week to pause military and intelligence help for Ukraine in a measure to pressure negotiations to end the war with Russia. A White House official told the Associated Press that Trump is still focused on reaching a peace deal and wants Zelenskyy 'committed' to that goal.
The Soloshonok's said they're hopeful that the pause comes to an end soon, and that the United States' support of Ukraine will continue. They noted it has been difficult, however, to watch how quickly their home country's relationship with the current presidential administration has changed compared to previous years.
'I understand that people can, people can change their views on something, but it's 180 degrees change,' said Vadym. 'That is, it's very difficult to rationalize.'
Iryna told News 4 that she and Vadym have been back to Ukraine multiple times since the war began and still have family living there. Iryna said she calls her brother every day.
'Aerial attacks is every single day,' said Iryna. 'It's very difficult. All I hope is that the war will stop.'
Trump weighs new sanctions on Russia, days after pausing military aid and intel sharing with Ukraine
A post from Trump on Truth Social Friday said he's strongly considering sanctions on Russia but is still encouraging both Russia and Ukraine to 'get to the table right now, before it is too late.'
The Soloshonok's said they have concerns that Ukraine is not being viewed as the victims by Trump's administration, and emphasized that Russia started the war. They said they're having a hard time understanding why Ukraine is being punished into submission.
'Unless criminal or perpetrator is punished there will be no peace,' said Vadym. 'There will be no long-term peace.'
News 4 reached out to several Oklahoma Ukrainian refugees on Friday. One family told News 4 they were scared about how speaking out could impact their temporary status. That fear stems from Trump saying on Thursday that he'd soon be considering whether or not to potentially revoke the status of thousands of Ukrainian refugees who have relocated to the United States due to the war.
'I do not believe that it would happen because Ukrainian refugees should not be punished for anything because they try to come to have a better life here,' said Iryna.
The Soloshonok's said they believe Oklahoma still has strong support for Ukraine and say they're also thankful for the support they've seen from Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) during the ongoing tensions.
'After that meeting in President Trump's office, Oval Office, he had an interview and he supported Ukraine,' said Iryna. 'He said that he understood why President Zelenskyy was trying to bring concerns about Putin being not trusted. So it was very nice of him to say that, because a lot of people just blame Zelenskyy.'
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