Latest news with #UkrainianAmericans
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. DeLauro joins Ukrainian Americans speaking out against Trump's treatment of Zelenskyy
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Ukrainian Americans and their supporters spoke out Friday morning at a press conference in New Haven City Hall. They were joined by U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D- 3rd District), who called President Donald Trump's treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 'shameful.' What they said: Trump, Zelenskyy and Vance's heated argument in the Oval Office 'We live in an upside-down world where lies and disinformation is being presented as fact and truth,' said Myron Melnyk, a member of Saint Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church. Ukrainian-Americans like him are still reacting to the scene in the oval office a week ago, where President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance berated the president of Ukraine. 'They delivered a propaganda gift to Vladimir Putin by staging an ambush, yes an ambush, of President Zelenskyy,' DeLauro said. She pointed out the Trump administration has also pulled funding for Ukraine, stopped sharing intelligence with the Ukrainian military, and is questioning the legal status of Ukrainian refugees now living in the United States. Trump and Zelenskyy through the years: From a 'perfect' call to pausing US assistance to Ukraine 'Democrats would better serve the US and Ukrainian people's interests if they encouraged President Zelenskyy to come back to the U.S., sign the mineral rights agreement and help President Trump bring about a ceasefire and work towards a peace agreement as quickly as possible,' Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto said in a statement. 'The best aid we can provide Ukraine is to help end the conflict.' Congresswoman DeLauro said she has met with Zelenskyy and knows his plans were upended by the heated White House interaction. 'He was ready to sign a treaty, and I'm hopeful in that treaty,' DeLauro said. 'I don't know what the details are, that he hasn't given up more than he should in terms of the defense of his own country.' In the meantime, local groups continue to send supplies and money to Ukraine. 'To date we have sent over 14 containers worth of supplies of all kinds: Coats, toothbrushes, such things as generators and air conditioners,' Carl Harvey of the Ukrainian American Veterans said. Local groups like his say they are going to continue to send supplies and money to Ukraine because, they say, that country may need them now more than ever. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This city helped the US back Ukraine. Now its role is uncertain
US President Donald Trump's pause on military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine has left the war-torn country's residents uncertain about their futures and rattled America's European allies. But it also hit far closer to home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a city about 4,700 miles (7,560km) away from Kyiv that has played its own small role in the conflict. Scranton is known as the setting for the American version of The Office television show, and as the birthplace of former President Joe Biden - one of Ukraine's biggest backers. It is also home to the Scranton Army Artillery Plant, which manufactures some of the rounds the US has sent to Ukraine. It is owned by the US government and operated by contractor General Dynamics, Ordnance and Tactical Systems. Large-calibre metal projectiles are made on site, and it has "steadily increased production levels" of 155mm artillery rounds in recent years, according to the US Army. The US military ramped up production of this artillery during the war in Ukraine at several facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky toured the plant during a whirlwind trip to Scranton in September 2024, shaking hands with staff and observing its machinery. Follow live: Zelensky heads to Brussels to meet European leaders One day, three crises and Trump's free-wheeling foreign policy on display The community sees its work as representing the US commitment to Ukraine, said Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti."We have multiple Ukrainian churches here. We have quite the diaspora of Ukrainian Americans," Cognetti said. St Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Scranton has raised funds for the war effort and hosted Ukrainian soldiers at community events. "Scranton has a very proud history of supporting Ukraine," Cognetti told the BBC, "and it's been a really tough couple of weeks here, as we see that support erode from the US administration." Cognetti was unsettled by the Oval Office argument between Trump, Zelensky, and US Vice-President JD Vance last Friday. "To see US policy shift and potentially to have the US really turn its back on Ukraine is really appalling," she said. The Scranton artillery plant "ensures warfighters have the ammo when and where needed, and continues to bolster US stockpiles around the globe," said Lt Gen Chris Mohan, deputy commanding general and acting commander, in a statement about Zelensky's visit. Cognetti said that the plant had added "many dozens" of jobs and increased capacity during the Ukraine war, estimating that about 400 people worked there when Zelensky visited. But with the Trump administration now pressurising Zelensky to end the war, Scranton's role in geopolitics could be winding down. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed on Wednesday that the White House had paused intelligence sharing with Kyiv, telling reporters: "We have taken a step back." The Trump administration is reviewing "all aspects of this relationship", he added. Republican lawmakers have backed Trump's recent actions, which they see as key to negotiating an end to the war. "I think the president just wants to get everybody to the table, and I think he's making progress," South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds told reporters. There are different estimates for how much military aid the US has given Ukraine, a BBC Verify analysis found. The German-based Kiel Institute estimated the total at $119.7bn (£94.3bn). The US Department of Defense provided a total of $182.8bn, which includes spending on Operation Atlantic Resolve - a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Fedir Venislavsky, a member of the Ukrainian parliament's defence committee, told the BBC that without US military aid, front-line soldiers would be able to last "maybe six months." How pausing US intelligence impacts Ukraine's military operation What pause in US military aid could mean for Ukraine Ros Atkins on... President Trump's history with Ukraine The region is home to multiple military manufacturing plants, including a Lockheed Martin facility and the larger Tobyhanna Army Depot, which also produces some supplies for Ukraine. Representatives for the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant declined to comment on how the pause could impact the plant and jobs. On Tuesday, cars pulled into the secure facility as usual, and its car park appeared full. Any effect would be minor for Scranton's economy, local officials said. The plant "is not the largest employer by any stretch," said Bob Durkin, president of the non-partisan Scranton Chamber of Commerce. "But it's a very important employer. The jobs are really high quality jobs. They are well paying, family sustaining jobs." Outside the plant's gates, Scranton's perspective on the war remains divided. Though Scranton, in north-east Pennsylvania, is a historically Democratic area, Republicans have made political gains in the region. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump won the state, but narrowly lost Lackawanna County, where Scranton is located, to then-Vice-President Kamala Harris. However, in the House race, Republican Rob Bresnahan ousted Democratic congressman, Matt Cartwright, by just 6,200 votes. Trump campaigned against US spending on Ukraine, a pledge that resonated with his base. On Tuesday, just before his speech before Congress, denizens at the local Poor Richards dive bar were split on Ukraine - and what role Scranton ought to play on the world stage. "I feel really angry about the way Trump handled the meeting with Zelensky," said Brandon Lux, 35, who worked in mental healthcare in Scranton. "Halting all government funding to Ukraine right now, I think that that will definitely have implications for what happens here in our city." But other residents felt Trump was correct to pressure Zelensky and to reassess Biden's support of the embattled country. "We don't have money to give them, we have to take care of our people first," said Fran Fitzgerald, who described herself as a "big fan" of Trump. Ms Fitzgerald said she hoped the Trump administration could direct the funds being used in Ukraine to projects like fixing Scranton's "terrible roads" and potholes. Mike Pierson, an electrician, voted for Trump but does not necessarily agree with all his actions so far. The self-identified independent worried that Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency taskforce would endanger his Social Security benefits. He hopes to retire within the next five years. But Mr Pierson echoed the president's argument that the US should not be spending money abroad on conflicts like Ukraine, but back at home. "We're the world's bank, we're the world's insurance policy," he said. "We need to stop." Fears Ukraine defences will last only months without US 'It never should have happened': Americans frustrated by Trump-Zelensky spat
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Scranton helped the US aid Ukraine. Now its role is uncertain
US President Donald Trump's pause on military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine has left the war-torn country's residents uncertain about their futures and rattled America's European it also hit far closer to home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a city about 4,700 miles (7,560km) away from Kyiv that has played its own small role in the is known as the setting for the American version of The Office television show, and as the birthplace of former President Joe Biden - one of Ukraine's biggest is also home to the Scranton Army Artillery Plant, which manufactures some of the rounds the US has sent to Ukraine. It is owned by the US government and operated by contractor General Dynamics, Ordnance and Tactical metal projectiles are made on site, and it has "steadily increased production levels" of 155mm artillery rounds in recent years, according to the US Army. The US military ramped up production of this artillery during the war in Ukraine at several President Volodymyr Zelensky toured the plant during a whirlwind trip to Scranton in September 2024, shaking hands with staff and observing its live: Zelensky heads to Brussels to meet European leadersOne day, three crises and Trump's free-wheeling foreign policy on displayThe community sees its work as representing the US commitment to Ukraine, said Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti."We have multiple Ukrainian churches here. We have quite the diaspora of Ukrainian Americans," Cognetti said. St Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Scranton has raised funds for the war effort and hosted Ukrainian soldiers at community events."Scranton has a very proud history of supporting Ukraine," Cognetti told the BBC, "and it's been a really tough couple of weeks here, as we see that support erode from the US administration." Cognetti was unsettled by the Oval Office argument between Trump, Zelensky, and US Vice-President JD Vance last Friday."To see US policy shift and potentially to have the US really turn its back on Ukraine is really appalling," she Scranton artillery plant "ensures warfighters have the ammo when and where needed, and continues to bolster US stockpiles around the globe," said Lt Gen Chris Mohan, deputy commanding general and acting commander, in a statement about Zelensky's visit. Cognetti said that the plant had added "many dozens" of jobs and increased capacity during the Ukraine war, estimating that about 400 people worked there when Zelensky with the Trump administration now pressurising Zelensky to end the war, Scranton's role in geopolitics could be winding down. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed on Wednesday that the White House had paused intelligence sharing with Kyiv, telling reporters: "We have taken a step back."The Trump administration is reviewing "all aspects of this relationship", he lawmakers have backed Trump's recent actions, which they see as key to negotiating an end to the war."I think the president just wants to get everybody to the table, and I think he's making progress," South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds told are different estimates for how much military aid the US has given Ukraine, a BBC Verify analysis found. The German-based Kiel Institute estimated the total at $119.7bn (£94.3bn). The US Department of Defense provided a total of $182.8bn, which includes spending on Operation Atlantic Resolve - a response to Russia's invasion of Venislavsky, a member of the Ukrainian parliament's defence committee, told the BBC that without US military aid, front-line soldiers would be able to last "maybe six months."How pausing US intelligence impacts Ukraine's military operationWhat pause in US military aid could mean for UkraineRos Atkins on... President Trump's history with UkraineThe region is home to multiple military manufacturing plants, including a Lockheed Martin facility and the larger Tobyhanna Army Depot, which also produces some supplies for for the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant declined to comment on how the pause could impact the plant and jobs. On Tuesday, cars pulled into the secure facility as usual, and its car park appeared effect would be minor for Scranton's economy, local officials said. The plant "is not the largest employer by any stretch," said Bob Durkin, president of the non-partisan Scranton Chamber of Commerce. "But it's a very important employer. The jobs are really high quality jobs. They are well paying, family sustaining jobs."Outside the plant's gates, Scranton's perspective on the war remains divided. Though Scranton, in north-east Pennsylvania, is a historically Democratic area, Republicans have made political gains in the region. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump won the state, but narrowly lost Lackawanna County, where Scranton is located, to then-Vice-President Kamala Harris. However, in the House race, Republican Rob Bresnahan ousted Democratic congressman, Matt Cartwright, by just 6,200 campaigned against US spending on Ukraine, a pledge that resonated with his base. On Tuesday, just before his speech before Congress, denizens at the local Poor Richards dive bar were split on Ukraine - and what role Scranton ought to play on the world stage."I feel really angry about the way Trump handled the meeting with Zelensky," said Brandon Lux, 35, who worked in mental healthcare in Scranton. "Halting all government funding to Ukraine right now, I think that that will definitely have implications for what happens here in our city." But other residents felt Trump was correct to pressure Zelensky and to reassess Biden's support of the embattled country."We don't have money to give them, we have to take care of our people first," said Fran Fitzgerald, who described herself as a "big fan" of Fitzgerald said she hoped the Trump administration could direct the funds being used in Ukraine to projects like fixing Scranton's "terrible roads" and Pierson, an electrician, voted for Trump but does not necessarily agree with all his actions so far. The self-identified independent worried that Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency taskforce would endanger his Social Security benefits. He hopes to retire within the next five years. But Mr Pierson echoed the president's argument that the US should not be spending money abroad on conflicts like Ukraine, but back at home."We're the world's bank, we're the world's insurance policy," he said. "We need to stop."
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oval Office showdown erupts as Trump and Vance blast Zelenskyy in
The Brief Bay Area Ukrainian Americans shocked and worried by Oval Office clash Zelenskyy told to leave White House without signing minerals deal that Trump touted as a step toward peace deal with Russia Zelenskyy expressed strong concern over Russian President Putin's trustworthiness OAKLAND, Calif. - A tense exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flared into a very public argument in the Oval Office Friday, exposing big differences between the two leaders over the degree of trust in Russia's President Vladimir Putin. The countries continue to try to craft a peace deal to end the war that began three years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine's territory. "You're not in a good position, you don't have the cards right now. With us, you have cards," Trump said during a news conference that became increasingly combative. "We're not playing cards," Zelenskyy replied. "You're gambling the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III," Trump continued. Vice President JD Vance jumped in at one point, accusing Zelenskyy of rejecting a diplomatic solution to ending the war with Russia. Zelenskyy made clear that he did not view Putin as trustworthy, and listed reasons why he felt the Russian leader had violated previous agreements and could not be trusted. "He broke the ceasefire. He killed our people. And he didn't exchange prisoners. We signed the exchange of prisoners. But he didn't do it. What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about? What do you mean?" Zelenskyy said. "I'm talking about the kind of diplomacy that's going to end the destruction of your country," Vance replied. Vance and Trump called Zelenskyy ungrateful. "Have you said thank you once?" Vance asked. "We are thankful. I said thanks to this cabinet," Zelenskyy replied, noting he had already expressed his gratitude multiple times. "You haven't been alone. We gave you, stupid president, $350 billion," Trump said, interrupting Zelenskyy and referring to Trump's predecessor, President Joe Biden. "If you didn't have our military equipment, this would have been over in two weeks," Trump shouted. "In three days," Zelenskyy said, wryly pointing out that the talking point was a familiar one, "I heard it from Putin." "It's going to be a very hard thing to do business like this," Trump said. "Vance and particularly Trump shouting and raising their voices and interrupting. The protocol, in terms of protocol alone, it was unprecedented," University of San Francisco political science professor Stephen Zunes said. Zunes said Trump made several false statements. He says Zelenskyy has support from a majority of Ukrainians, not a minority. Also, Zunes noted that the U.S. has given a little more than $100 billion in assistance to Ukraine, not $350 billion. "The Europeans have actually been paying more than the United States has, in terms of supporting the Ukrainian war effort. The other main issues are the history of the war. That it was the Russians that started it by invading," Zunes said. Bay Area Ukrainian Americans said they were shocked to see the public clash. "I feel a sense of sadness," Igor Tregub, a Berkeley city council member, said. "Decades of American foreign policy that is supposed to work with the international community in support of democracies has been completely upended." "These are pretty much Putin's demands. This is what he's looking for," Eugene Tarasov, the co-founder and CEO of the non-profit Hearts for Ukraine said. "I think there should be proper negotiations, and Ukraine needs to be heard and what their vision and goals are for the peace and how they see it," Tarasov said. Zelenskyy had been invited to the White House to sign a minerals deal that Trump had framed as a move towards ending the war with Russia. After the heated news conference, the White House said Zelenskyy was told to leave. Some Republicans in Congress, such as Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, publicly applauded the President. "I have never been more proud of President @realDonaldTrump and Vice President @JDVance for standing up for America First," Sen. Graham posted on his social media account. Former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a Republican, blasted Trump and Vance, saying in a social media post, "Generations of American patriots, from our revolution onward, have fought for the principles Zelenskyy is risking his life to defend. History will remember this day — when an American President and Vice President abandoned all we stand for." Heads of state and top officials posted support for Ukraine on social media after the meeting, and were thanked by Zelenskyy on his social media site. These included the countries of: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local Ukrainians shocked by heated meeting between Presidents
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A heated exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has left many Ukrainian Americans worried about the potential of peace in their homeland. The confrontation between Trump and Zelenskyy unfolded during what was supposed to be a signing ceremony for an earth minerals deal that Trump described as an important step toward peace. Instead, the meeting turned into a shouting match, ending with Zelenskyy leaving the White House without signing the deal. President Zelenskyy leaves White House after combative meeting 'You don't have the cards right now,' Trump told Zelenskyy during the exchange. 'If you got a cease-fire right now, you'd take it.' Zelenskyy, however, pushed back, making it clear he did not support an immediate cease-fire under current conditions. For Ukrainian Americans like Vera Skop, vice president of the House of Ukraine in Balboa Park, watching the verbal clash was unsettling. 'Shock, stress,' Skop said, describing her reaction. 'Maybe they're not the ones who should talk to each other. Maybe it's their staffs that need to talk to each other.' Watch the full Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office meeting Many had hoped the meeting would bring progress toward ending the war, but instead, some now fear that peace is slipping further away. Andrew Steck, an Ocean Beach resident and former Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine, said his Ukrainian friends and host family were left feeling frustrated and demoralized. 'There was a feeling that Trump was going to solve the war and we were going to get over a hump and get to some sort of solution,' Steck said. 'A lot of Ukrainians saw through that, and now Ukraine feels like it's on its own. Peace is slipping away.' Despite the tension, Skop is hopeful that the two Presidents will meet in the middle. 'They just have to keep talking,' she said. 'I hope cooler heads will prevail.' For many, that hope is vital as they watch the relationship between the two leaders and its impact on the war in Ukraine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
