Ukrainian Central New Yorkers remain steadfastly optimistic about the future even as the war with Russia presents plenty of uncertainty and danger entering its fifth year.
Lida Buniak is Syracuse Chapter President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and has coordinated relief and supply shipments since Russia’s invasion. She said Russian President Vladimir Putin clearly underestimated Ukraine and its president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“He wasn't expecting Zelensky to stick around and he is just as determined as ever to see this through and secure a victory for Ukraine," Buniak said.
That's despite multiple and regular assassination attempts, she said. She and others hear from family and friends about the ongoing struggles, especially as Russia targets energy infrastructure.
“We hear stories of how they just have very limited heat and little cycles where they can charge their phones to somehow function on an everyday basis," Buniak said.
In many cases she said, portable generators are the only source of power.
The ongoing danger has displaced more than a quarter of Ukraine’s population, mostly within Europe. Buniak said most refugees she’s spoken to hope to return to their lives and families, even if their homes have been destroyed.
But military and humanitarian support for Ukraine has changed dramatically under the Trump administration and even globally. Buniak said it’s still important to advocate for aid and more sanctions on Russia.
“There are definitely narratives that seem to change and fluctuate very frequently, but our commitment is to work with the administration and with congressional representatives," she said.
Their message is simple, Buniak said. Be on the right side of history.
“This is a unjustified war. It's an act of genocide," she said. "The reason why it still matters is because Ukraine is working hard to become democratic. That's the threat."
That's a threat seen by Putin. Meanwhile, she says the global threat is Russia’s march toward autocracy.
