Ukrainian Londoners cautiously optimistic as Trump returns to power
Following Donald Trump's election as the next president of the United States, the leaders of the London Ukrainian Centre (LUC) are cautiously optimistic - even though Trump’s past statements still resonate.
“Quite a few people were worried about it, because of the messages President Trump had said on national television about how he would end this war,” stated Volodymyr Vorbets, president of LUC.
President-elect Trump has repeatedly said he would end the war with Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, and continues to speak favourably of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On September 27 during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump said, “I also have a very good relationship with President Putin, and if we win, I think we’re going to get it resolved very quickly.”
President-elect Donald Trump meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump Tower, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in New York. (Source: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Vorobets is skeptical that a quick resolution to the war with Russia is possible without tough choices.
“Hard decisions would have to be made, and the swift decisions would have to be made. And in my opinion, [Trump] could make those decisions. However, I hope this decision will be favorable to [the] Ukrainian side.”
Daria Hryckiw represents the Ukrainian National Congress in London, during the election she had reservations about Trump’s commitment to her homeland. As he comes to power, she is confident he will work to stop the war that will soon have lasted 1000 days.
“President Trump will understand Ukraine. There will be more conversation, more positive attitude with President Zelensky,” she told CTV News London.
If Trump can help to bring about a negotiated end to the war, it will be good news for many Ukrainian refugees in London.
Ukrainian refugees board a plane before flying to Canada, from Frederic Chopin Airport in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, July 4, 2022. (Source: AP Photo/Michal Dyjuk)
Vorobets said the cost of living in Canada has already forced almost 10 per cent of those who fled here in the early days of the battle to return to their war-torn nation.
“It's really expensive - rent, food, gas, insurance, you name it. They could not sustain their rent, they were running out of money, so they had to leave Canada.”
When asked how Londoners could help Ukrainians still living in Canada and abroad, he suggested prayers, kind words, and where able, donations of support.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canada's jobless rate jumps to near 8-year high of 6.8% in November
Canada's unemployment rate rose more than expected to 6.8 per cent in November, a near-eight-year high excluding the pandemic years, even as the economy added a net 50,500 jobs, data showed on Friday, likely boosting chances of a large interest rate cut next week.
3 climbers from the U.S. and Canada are believed to have died in a fall on New Zealand's highest peak
Three mountain climbers — two from the U.S. and one from Canada — missing for five days on Aoraki, New Zealand's tallest peak, are believed to have died in a fall, the authorities said Friday.
Salmonella cucumber recalls include products that may not be labelled: CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has published an expanded pair of recalls for cucumbers over risks of salmonella contamination.
NEW Canada set to appoint Arctic ambassador, open new consulates as part of new Arctic Foreign Policy
Canada will appoint a new Arctic Ambassador and open two new consulates in the region to help deal with what it calls changing geopolitical dynamics in the Arctic, as part of its newly launched Arctic Foreign Policy.
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike.
Jasper family reunites with cat missing 100 days in the wilderness
Nicole Klopfenstein's four-year-old black and white tabby survived in the wilderness for more than 100 days after a ferocious wildfire forced the evacuation of the Rocky Mountain town of Jasper, Alta., this summer.
DEVELOPING Police scour New York for suspect two days after UnitedHealth executive gunned down
Armed with a growing file of clues, New York police on Friday were scouring surveillance videos and asking the public for help in their search for the masked assailant who gunned down a UnitedHealth executive on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk.
opinion How will the weak Canadian dollar affect your holiday and travel plans?
As the Canadian dollar loses ground against major global currencies, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains how current exchange rates can impact your travel plans, and shares tips to help you plan smarter and protect your wallet.
The world has been warming faster than expected. Scientists now think they know why
Last year was the hottest on record, oceans boiled, glaciers melted at alarming rates, and it left scientists scrambling to understand exactly why.