Silent shock and audible groans ran by way of many Ukrainian New Yorkers final month when President Donald Trump known as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator.”
Those self same reactions occurred a number of days later on the Oval Workplace when Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance verbally berated Zelenskyy, whom the Vice President accused of not saying “thank you” sufficient for america’ help of Ukraine — although Zelenskyy had publicly thanked People for his or her help at the least 33 instances.
The televised spat got here simply three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, which appeared so as to add to the dismay of many New Yorkers, together with 1000’s who originate from the previous Soviet Union.
From Brooklyn’s Brighton Seashore to Manhattan’s Little Ukraine to Queens’ Forest Hills, and even Staten Island’s Mid-Island neighborhoods and elements of the Bronx, New York Metropolis is residence to tens of individuals hailing from the 15 former Soviet republics. Many are conserving a detailed eye on the battle negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, and what’s going to occur subsequent for his or her former international locations.
‘A very bad look for Vance and Trump’
Considered one of them is Brooklyn Assemblyman Michael Novakhov of District 45. Representing Brighton Seashore, Sheepshead Bay, Gravesend, and Midwood, Novakhov emigrated from Russia along with his household in his early 20s and was elected to the Meeting in 2022 as a Republican.
Though Novakhov respects President Trump and likes the work he’s doing, he nonetheless believes Trump was unfair in direction of Zelenskyy.
“I disagree with calling Zelenskyy dictator,” Novakhov says. “I think the dictator is Putin, not Zelenskyy. And the second thing I disagree with is that Ukraine started the war. Obviously, it is Russia which started the war.”
Andrew Stasiw is the principal of St. George Academy in Little Ukraine, a non-public college based by the Ukrainian Catholic Church in 1968. The college has an enrollment of 122 college students, 82 of them refugees from Ukraine.
Stasiw himself is the son of Ukrainian immigrants and believes Trump each insulted Zelenskyy and emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin final week within the Oval Workplace.
“That was a very bad look for J.D. Vance and for Trump, sure.” Stasiw says. “I think that Zelensky would have done better if he had said, Mr. President, you are the greatest United States president in the history of the country, and we are going to build you the most beautiful Trump Tower in Ukraine. I think things would have gone better, because narcissism requires that kind of a**-kissing.”
The nonprofit Sort Deeds has been offering injured Ukrainian troopers with prosthetic limbs and even President Zelenskyy paid a go to to one in every of its services at a Staten Island hospital in September 2023.
Sort Deeds President Oleksandr Rubtsov instructed New York News Metro of his dismay with Ukraine not being included in battle negotiations between Russia and america in Saudi Arabia.
“Many Ukrainian Americans are frustrated that Ukraine is being excluded from negotiations,” Rubtsov stated in a press release. “This moment feels pivotal—not just for Ukraine’s survival, but for European security as a whole. Ukraine must have a voice in its own future. Ignoring it violates the principle of democracy and risks an unjust peace.”
It was introduced Thursday that Ukraine would now be included within the negotiations.
The group expressed their frustrations with the U.S authorities’s latest selections. They stated now just isn’t the time to take away Ukraine’s help.Picture by Dean Moses.
Fears of an emboldened Putin
Even with this new growth, former Soviet New Yorkers should not optimistic that the negotiations and peace offers will convey an finish to the battle between Russia and Ukraine.
As a substitute, they worry it might solely serve to bolster President Putin and his ambitions.
Oleg “Ollie” Sakhno owns, alongside along with his spouse, Keuka Kafe in Forest Hills and Keuka Wine Bar & Kitchen in Higher East Aspect. Initially from Kiev, Sakhno emigrated in 1990 and believes there is no such thing as a widespread floor within the negotiations and doesn’t see what Russia has to supply. However much more so, Sakhno thinks no former Soviet nation, and even Japanese Europe, is protected from Russian interference.
“I think if Ukraine falls, and [Putin] absolutely feels victorious,” Sakhno says. “I think every part of Europe that the Soviet Union claimed for themselves after World War II, that being Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, nobody could feel safe because the Russian Empire almost had their sights on conquering the entire continent. They constantly talk about getting close to taking over the rest of Europe. The least they want is to get back to 1991 borders so nobody is safe.”
Whereas Ukraine has been one in every of Putin’s targets in organising that empire, Georgia has been one other. The Caucasus nation has skilled battle with Russia for hundreds of years, together with being invaded by the Crimson Military in 1921 after which rebellion towards the Soviet regime in 1924.
Since 2000, Georgia has been invaded by Russia and noticed its neighbor help breakaway territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Late final 12 months, tens of 1000’s of Georgians protested towards the brand new Kremlin-backed authorities setting apart talks to affix the European Union.
For Tbilisi-born Nina Mdivani, this can be a repetition of a cycle. The Bronx-based artwork curator and author sees historical past repeating itself and wonders what’s going to grow to be of Georgia now that Russia has turned Ukraine into ruins.
“There was Russian influence during the last election, so they can have a puppet government in Tbilisi,” Mdivani says. “But young people of Georgia have been protesting for 100 days now, just as they did 100 years ago. Back then it was a war fought with weapons, now we are using the power of ideas and the shared Western values including the right of self-determination.”
She additionally compares the loud arguments within the Oval Workplace final week to the assembly of David and Goliath.
“Zelenskyy as a leader with a vision and a real war to fight while his country is in ruins,” Midvani says. “While Trump is a self-satisfied, ego-driven talking head.”
Nina MdivaniPhoto: Morrison Gong
The significance of American help
Even Stasiw in contrast Zelenskyy and Trump to David and Goliath. Though he likes what President Trump has carried out domestically, he’s appalled by the President’s strategy to coping with Ukraine.
“We’re finding out Trump, like a lot of Ukrainians, believed Trump when he would say this or that,” Stasiw says, explaining what number of Ukrainians voted for Trump in 2024. “But no, you can’t believe anything because he lied about Ukraine. I don’t want this to be a Democrat, Republican thing. So many people voted for Trump who are Ukrainian. That’s not true. So many people say to me that are Ukrainian, hate what’s happening.”
Sort Deeds’ President claims that People nonetheless stand with Ukraine regardless of the altering allyship.
“We’ve also seen unwavering support from Americans—through donations, volunteering, and advocacy,” Rubtsov says. “Their actions prove that the American people still stand with Ukraine, regardless of politics.”
Each Novakhov and Sakhno imagine President Trump is making an attempt to do what’s finest for america after three years of not seeing an finish to the battle.
“While we stand with Ukraine,” the Assemblyman says, “we must also ensure that American interests, security, and economic well-being remain our allies while maintaining a strong and focused commitment to our own nation’s future.”
A Ukrainian solidarity rally broke out in Manhattan on March 4.Picture by Dean Moses.
A brand new iron curtain?
However even Novakhov and Stasiw say lots of the former Soviet states should not protected from Putin, and neither is Japanese Europe.
Stasiw believes Putin will quickly goal Poland; the 2 international locations have had conflicts and pressure for hundreds of years. Novakhov doesn’t imagine the Central Asian states can be Putin’s goal as a result of they don’t have the same tradition and the Baltic states are actually NATO international locations. However he thinks Georgia and even the tiny nation of Moldova are in danger. In response to the Guardian, Putin might use Moldova wedged between Ukraine and Romania, towards Ukraine and in addition the European Union.
“I would say to Moldova, and I would say to Georgia, be nice to Europe,” Stasiw says. “Send your representatives to the United States. Start lobbying now, because we know what’s ahead, and I know we’re talking well past the present.”
All of this will sound distressing to some, however there are some New Yorkers and People who help Putin, together with media figures like Carlson and podcaster Joe Rogan.
A latest ballot discovered 41% of Republicans see Russia as an ally. However Stasiw needs these supporters to know that Russia is simply a greater model of North Korea — with poor infrastructure, excessive poverty, and villages with no roads.
Novakhov says regardless that Ukraine has skilled corruption, Russia has as a lot, if no more, degradation.
When requested the same query, Sakhno says: “Every time you hear something positive about Russia. Don’t believe it. Russia is very dangerous. They know what they’re doing. They want more land, and they want power over the world. It’s the last surviving empire in the world, and like any empire, it wants to expand. And they will not stop until they are stopped by somebody.”
A gallery showcasing art work by Ukrainian youngsters is displayed on the 2025 New York Freedom Gala.Picture by Robert Pearl
