Ukrainians in Arizona react to derailed diplomacy during Oval Office meeting

PHOENIX (AZFamily/AP) — Ukrainians living in the Valley are processing the heated exchange at the White House between President Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Irene Amrine was born and raised in Ukraine but now lives in the Valley. Since Russia’s invasion back in 2022, she’s been doing what she can here to help her friends and family still in Ukraine.

“Events, fundraising and political advocacy,” Amrine said. “Ukraine has been holding the front for the last three years, and we do have support from our allies. (The) U.S. is one of Ukraine’s major allies.”

Hoping for the day the war comes to an end, she along with other Valley Ukrainians tuned into the meeting where it took an unexpected turn.

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The astonishing turn of events could scramble affairs in Europe and around the globe. During his visit with Trump, Zelenskyy was expected to sign the deal allowing the U.S. greater access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and hold a joint news conference, but that plan was scrapped after the heated engagement between the leaders in front of the news media.

“You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have,” Trump told Zelenskyy.

Despite the way things turned out, Amrine is confident that U.S. and Ukraine relations are still strong.

“Everybody just needs to take a big breath and exhale and just process what just happened and put it behind them and you know move forward,” she said.

Reaction from Arizona lawmakers

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