MIAMI VALLEY — There are many people in the United States with a direct link to Ukraine keeping a very close eye on the new developments and praying the current situation doesn’t get worse.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30 p.m., the high-profile clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump is not something often seen in the Oval Office.
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Maria Steffe, who is on the board of the Ukrainian Society of Greater Dayton and an American Citizen, says watching the recent waning of federal support for Ukraine and it’s efforts to hold off a Russian invasion now three years in the making has been difficult.
“When you have two people that you respect so much, it’s hard to see them in that sort of conflict,” Steffe said.
She added that it’s much harder for those here legally seeking refuge.
“I have my family here, my obligations, and a lot of refugees that came here looking for a safe place. They do not feel safe at this moment, and I cannot but feel for them as well because they feel that their situation in the country is coming into question, and they don’t know if they will have to leave and seek asylum or safety elsewhere,” Steffe said.
For many Ukrainian Americans following from afar, like Steffe, whose mother is still in Ukraine, the fear is now that financial aid to Ukraine has been paused by the White House Russia will officially take over land that is already occupied.
“I don’t know if that can be avoided, but it’s just heartbreaking on every level, and people’s lives under occupation will be rather horrific because they will have to either throw away their Ukrainian identity or be under threat of repression,” Steffe said.
Steffe says local support for Ukrainian Americans and those seeking Asylum here has grown significantly in the last few years.
Anyone who wants to learn more about the culture can attend the World A’Fair at the Greene County Expo Center in May.
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