A summit on American soil without the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has angered Ukrainian-Americans in the Chicago area. There was skepticism about any substantial agreement being reached between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
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Ukrainian Village has consistently maintained its pride since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over three years ago. The image of President Trump laying out the red carpet for Putin to greet him on American soil has not instilled pride in being American among Ukrainian-Americans.
“I was considering how Americans would feel if Hitler were invited to a similar negotiation,” said Dr. Mariya Dmytriv Kapeniak, President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee Illinois Division.
Dr. Dmytriv Kapeniak calls the summit on American soil a betrayal to Ukraine.
The fact that the American and Russian presidents are convening without the nation currently under invasion only bolsters the notion that we are reverting to the Cold War era.
Zoryana Smozhanyk, Ukrainian Daughter’s Foundation President
“Inviting Putin to American soil is wrong; he belongs in jail for his war crimes and the ongoing atrocities,” Dr. Dmytriv Kapeniak continued.
Russia continues to bomb Ukraine even as he attends the summit with Trump. July was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since May 2022.
“America is not supporting Ukraine,” expressed Zoryana Smozhanyk, President of the Ukrainian Daughter’s Foundation. “Currently, America is supporting a terrorist state. We are permitting an international criminal, a terrorist, to set foot on our soil.”
Ukrainian-Americans say if President Trump and Putin were serious about peace, Ukrainian President Zelensky would have been included. He was not invited.
“The fact that the American and the Russian presidents are meeting without the country that is being invaded right now, and potentially sounding like they’re making deals behind Ukraine’s back about it, it only reinforces the idea that, hey, we’re back in the Cold War era,” Smozhanyk said.
Smozhank and Dr. Dmytriv Kapeniak believe Putin has no interest in peace. They say the Russian leader is only meeting with Trump to show his own citizens strength.
“As a KGB agent, we know he’s a master manipulator,” Dr. Dmytriv Kapeniak said. “He’s been master manipulated, not just into American politics, but throughout the world.”
Ukrainian-Americans say the only positive that will cone from the summit is it may get Americans and others to focus on Ukraine again.
Friday’s summit took place few days before Ukraine’s Independence Day. Events are planned for next weekend, including a global forum of experts in Ukrainian Village. There will also be a flag raising ceremony in Daley Plaza, and on the actual day of independence, August 24, a big march and rally will be held downtown.
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