Kathrine Frich
They hope American influence over Russia could help bring about a ceasefire.
They hope American influence over Russia could help bring about a ceasefire.
Anchorage Ukrainians Gather to Pray for Peace
At New Chance Church in Anchorage, Ukrainian refugees came together in prayer ahead of Friday’s high-stakes summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Many hope the talks will lead to an end to the war that has devastated their homeland.
Hope for U.S. Influence to End the War
Refugee Andriy Yakemets said he hopes American influence over Russia could help bring about a ceasefire.
“Borders have always shifted and countries moved, but our primary focus is for the war to stop and for the bombs to stop flying,” he explained.
Hundreds of Refugees in Alaska
Catholic Social Services estimates that more than 1,000 Ukrainian refugees have been served in Alaska since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Around 735 refugees are currently receiving services, many carrying memories of the violence and destruction they fled.
Stories of Terror and Loss
Yakemets described the emotional toll of the war in stark terms: “It’s just tears and terror.”
Others in the Anchorage community shared similar experiences of fear and devastation that drove them from Ukraine to seek safety abroad.
Building New Lives in the U.S.
According to Zori Opanasevych, executive director of the Ukraine Relief Program, some refugees no longer wish to return to Ukraine.
They are building new lives in Alaska, gaining opportunities they never could have afforded back home, and expressing gratitude for the support they’ve received.
Legal Uncertainty for Refugees
The Trump administration paused the Uniting for Ukraine program in January, a policy that allowed Ukrainians to stay in the U.S. temporarily.
Opanasevych says some refugees now face expiring legal status, creating uncertainty about their future in the country.
Zelenskyy Not Invited to Alaska Summit
The White House confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not attend the Trump–Putin meeting in Alaska.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy rejected any peace deal involving ceding land to Russia, declaring: “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.”
