Chicago Ukrainians cautiously optimistic as President Donald Trump appears to shift on Russia's war in Ukraine

CHICAGO (WLS) — There was cautious optimism among Chicago-area Ukrainians Wednesday as President Donald Trump appeared to shift his tone regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The president posted on social media that he now believes Ukraine could win back all of its territory lost to Russia. It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rallied for support from the United Nations, asking world leaders to punish Russia.

Local Ukrainian groups hope the tide is turning toward an end to the war.

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Just weeks after he urged Ukraine to take a deal from Russia and to end the war, President Trump has changed his tune, now saying Ukraine can win. Ukrainians in Chicago hope the president is serious.

Ukrainian flags have flown high since the war with Russia began three and half years ago, but many lost hope when President Trump dismissed President Zelensky during their first meeting months ago, and when Trump rolled out the red carpet on American soil for Russian leader Vladimir Putin in August. Now, Trump has reversed course.

“Let them get their land back,” Trump said. “We’ll see out it all works out.”

Supporting Ukraine to get their land back is a major shift from a few weeks ago when Trump openly called for Ukraine to concede territory to Russia.

“I really hope that this is going to be backed by real actions and real help for Ukraine,” said Dr. Mariya Dmytriv Kapeniak, Ukranian Congress Committee Illinois Division President.

While hopeful, Ukrainian organizations are cautious at the same time since President Trump’s reversal did not include any promises about an increase of help from the U.S.

“Is the president gonna say, ‘Well, I didn’t say that,'” said Olena Levko-Sendeha with the Selfreliance Association. “I’m just afraid. I believe this when we see that in action.”

As the Ukraine-Russian war took center stage at the United Nations Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met his Russian counterpart urging Moscow to take meaningful steps toward a resolution. Experts say the motivation behind Trump’s 180-degree shift could be pressure from Republicans in Congress or something more simple.

“Or it could be the old maxim abut Donald Trump, he makes decisions on the last person he saw because he just met with Zelenskyy,” said Ian Kelly-Ambassador, (Ret.) in Residence Northwestern University.

Chicago’s Selfreliance Association has helped over 35,000 Ukrainian refugees settle in the Chicago area. Program Director Olena Levko-Sendeha says the war will continue until Ukraine and its people win.

“They are standing their ground,” Levko-Sendeha said. “They’re protecting their culture, tradition, language, everything, and they are not giving up.”

While they are cautiously optimistic, Illinois Ukrainians say even if President Trumps flip flops again, they will stay resilient and continue to fight for democracy.

Chicago Ukrainians cautiously optimistic as President Donald Trump appears to shift on Russia’s war in Ukraine

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