Capital Region Ukrainian Community Reacts: Insights from Advocates on the Trump-Zelenskyy Confrontation

On Monday night, the Quaker Road overpass in Queensbury lit up with the word “Ukraine.” This display was a response from the local Ukrainian community and supporters who are unhappy with the Trump Administration’s stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Catherine Atherdem, an organizer with the North Country Light Brigade, shared her feelings about the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting at the White House. “It was horrific. It hurt my country,” she said.

That same day, Donald Trump announced the U.S. would be halting military aid to Ukraine, prompting concerns among supporters of the Ukrainian cause.

Gus Myhrberg, who created the overpass display, voiced frustration that few Republican leaders support Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. “It’s a shame. I haven’t heard any Republicans show support at all,” he lamented.

Many Republicans have publicly backed Trump’s criticism of Zelenskyy. Senator Lindsey Graham praised the president, stating, “I was proud of JD Vance for standing up for our country. What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful.”

In Albany, where the city has a sister relationship with Bucha, Ukraine, Mayor Kathy Sheehan reached out to Bucha officials. Last year, Albany provided vehicles and firefighting gear to help the city cope with the ongoing conflict.

In her statement, Mayor Sheehan highlighted Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, starting in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and extending into a full-scale invasion in 2022. She described the violence in Bucha, where many citizens suffered under Russian forces, forcing the mayor to go into hiding to manage the city’s response.

Sheehan asserted, “We cannot be on the wrong side of history. We must support Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and democracy. The strength of democracies everywhere depends on our ability to confront tyranny.”

Dr. Andrej Baran, the president of the Capital District branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee, is calling on residents to contact their representatives to protest the administration’s actions. He indicated that the recent decisions instill fear in the Ukrainian community about their homeland and loved ones.

Dr. Baran noted, “Many Ukrainians voted for him thinking it would benefit America. However, no one expected him to distance us from our European allies and withdraw military aid when we need it the most. Ukrainian soldiers are fighting to protect their nation, often risking their lives.”