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Ukrainian-American Volodymyr Valchuk, a respiratory therapist living in San Rafael, California, said he had low expectations for the high-stakes summit between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. After listening to the leaders meet in person for the first time in six years to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, Valchuk was even more disappointed.
“I’m speechless. I have nothing to say. I really didn’t expect much, but this is even worse than I thought,” Valchuk, 46, told USA TODAY. “I’m very disappointed.”
Valchuk said he was particularly upset when Trump announced there was no deal to end the three-year Ukraine war.
“Trump said he will talk to NATO and (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy, but I really don’t know what that means,” Valchuk added. “At least they could’ve given us a little idea of what Putin said during the agreement.”
For two Ukrainian-born teenagers currently in the US, Taisiia Grygorova and Sofiia Kopytko, who are performing in a play titled “Voices from Ukraine: Stories of War and Hope,” no matter what outcome comes from the summit, the war can’t end soon enough.
Grygorova, 19, regularly returns to her hometown of Kharkiv despite constant rocket attacks, drones, air raids, and explosions. She said she prepares herself for potential danger before each visit.
“Every time I go there, I prepare myself: ‘Taia, you’re going for two weeks, and it’s a 100% chance that you will get under a rocket attack at least four times during this time, but you’ll be fine. Your younger brothers and sisters live in this nightmare every day, you can handle two weeks,’” Grygorova said.
Grygorova worries about her youngest brother, who is supposed to start school this year but faces the threat of bombings.
“Your question is, ‘What risk?’ There is always a possibility that one of those bombs flying over the city will hit a school where kids are studying. My brother is going to study underground, with no sunlight, with no possibility to play outside or hear birds singing,” Grygorova said.
Grygorova’s mother keeps all family documents near the front door in case they need to leave their house forever.
“War looks like this for me and my family,” Grygorova said.
Kopytko, 18, from Chernihiv, Ukraine, emphasizes that the war is not just about territory or weapons but also the lives of doctors working under critical conditions and families living in occupied territories.
“Human lives are not statistics, but the most valuable thing we have, and we must protect it. After all, you never know what tomorrow holds,” Kopytko said.
Grygorova hopes for an end to the war so that people can live their lives in peace.
“I hope when the war is over, I’ll be able to visit my family without fear. I hope my city will be renovated. I hope I’ll be able to help rebuild my country where my future kids will grow up,” Grygorova said.
Kopytko’s simple wish for a free Ukraine is clear: “That there will be no more news of death and destruction, just simple happiness.”
