Election of Donald Trump stokes both hope and concern among Brooklyn's Ukrainian community

Brooklyn residents with ties to both countries say are trying to figure out exactly what that might look like.

Greg Thompson

Nov 8, 2024, 3:55 AM

Updated 25 days ago

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President-elect Donald Trump had said throughout his campaign that he could quickly end the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Brooklyn residents with ties to both countries say are trying to figure out exactly what that might look like.
Iryna, who is originally from Russia, says she assumes it will mean that "money does not go to Ukraine, and that's it. It's the only way, and it's the best way."
People who live in Brighton Beach - nicknamed "Little Odessa" because of how many Ukrainian immigrants live there - say they were hoping for a different strategy besides cutting off aid.
A person named Lyubov, who was born in Ukraine, said "it looks like Trump does not want to help Ukraine too much. It looks like it will get worse for Ukraine."
Others said they support the next president, and believe he has a plan.
"I know Democrats were trying to help Ukraine, but that help is definitely not enough," said Ivanna Shamuratova, who was also born there. "I'm hoping that somehow (Trump) will be able to negotiate and freeze the war for now."
Lina Kislik, another Ukrainian immigrant, also said she had been hoping for a Trump win.
"Trump has done well with Putin in the past," she says. "I do believe he's a strong president, and I think people will listen to him."