Ukrainian Alina Zubkovych, who lives in Sweden, is upset, but not surprised that US President Donald Trump has now chosen to start negotiations with Russia without inviting Ukraine.
– This shows that you can in principle invade, occupy and perform genocide if you only have the ability.
Alina Zubkovych is 36 years old and leads the Nordic Ukraine Forum. A voluntary organization that helps Ukrainians in Sweden organizes demonstrations against Russia, panel discussions and cultural activities. TV4 News meets her at the Army Museum in Stockholm during Tuesday evening in connection with a Ukrainian film show.
– The Russians are very happy now. In their propaganda news on television you can see that they are extremely pleased with how things develop. Their rhetoric is very clear: “Now we can invade other countries. No one will stop us.”, Says Alina Zubkovych.
“A great disappointment”
She has just returned to Sweden after visiting friends in western Ukraine. She describes a great disappointment in her home country of US negotiations with Russia.
– People are very tired, it is clearly noticeable. It is very tough. There is a great disappointment.
At the same time, she is not surprised that US President Donald Trump is now choosing to negotiate with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. She says that she and many Ukrainians had prepared for this particular development after Trump’s election victory last fall.
– For three years, Putin has been basically persona non grata. The US administration refused to communicate with him, but it has now changed with Trump who has given him legitimacy instead. Putin is the big winner now. It is he who benefits from the negotiations, she says.
“There will be no peace”
Alina Zubkovych believes that Ukraine must now rely to her own ability to a greater extent. It is no longer possible to count on support from the United States. She herself has decided to continue to fight. Next week on the three -year anniversary of the invasion there will be major demonstrations. Among other things at Sergel’s square in Stockholm.
She does not believe that the negotiations that are now underway can give any lasting peace for Ukraine but only more power and influence for Russian President Putin.
– There will be no peace. Instead, Russia is now given the opportunity to invade more countries and continue its aggression. If the United States disappears, who will defend us? Who is going to protect Europe?