TONIGHT, WHERE THERE IS MIXED REACTION TO THE PEACE TALKS. TONIGHT, A PRAYER SERVICE FOR UKRAINE HERE AT THE SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH. IN THE MEANTIME, MANY LOCAL UKRAINIANS DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE PEACE PLAN IS A FAIR DEAL. IT GIVES RUSSIA WHAT IT WANTS. IT GIVES RUSSIA WHAT IT CANNOT ACHIEVE ON THE BATTLEFIELD. RUSSIA HAS INVADED UKRAINE FOR NO REASON. UNDER THIS PLAN, THEY SAY UKRAINE NEVER CAN BECAME PART OF NATO LIKE DICTATION TO UKRAINE. WHAT TO DO? MANY BELIEVE RUSSIA IS BEING REWARDED FOR AGGRESSION. THEY SAY RUSSIA SHOULD ALSO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WAR CRIMES. OVERALL, UKRAINIANS SAY IT’S A PLAN THAT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF FUTURE GENERATIONS OF UKRAINIANS. LAST WEDNESDAY WAS A TERRIBLE DAY BECAUSE 60 UKRAINIANS WERE KILLED IN ONE DAY. THERE’S KILLINGS EVERY DAY, 19 PEOPLE WERE BURNED ALIVE IN TERNOPIL. 19 PEOPLE. COULD YOU IMAGINE THE PAIN AGAIN? THAT PRAYER SERVICE FOR UKRAINE IS AT 7:00 HERE AT THE SAINTS PETER AND PAUL. UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH. COVERING ALLEGHENY COUNTY IN
‘It gives Russia what it wants:’ Pittsburgh’s Ukrainian community lacks faith in current peace plan
Updated: 6:24 PM EST Nov 25, 2025
Pittsburgh is known widely among other cities to have a strong Ukrainian population, of people who migrated to the region, escaped the Russian invasion as refugees, or who were born here of Ukrainian descent. Many are strongly connected to family and friends in the war-torn country, resulting from the Russian invasion.As a result, they hold strong opinions about recent developments surrounding the 28-point peace plan negotiated by the United States with Russian and Ukrainian leaders.While Ukrainian leaders have reportedly accepted the peace plan, local Ukrainians cringe at the body of the agreement, saying it benefits Russia. “It gives Russia what it wants, what it couldn’t achieve on the battlefield,” Executive Director of the Ukrainian Cultural and Humanitarian Institute Stephen Haluszczak said Tuesday. “Russia invaded Ukraine for no reason.”Lesya Jurgovsky, who collects clothing and other items for people displaced by the invasion, said the weight of the peace plan does not represent equity and fairness for Ukraine.”Under this plan, they say Ukraine can never be part of NATO, like dictating to Ukraine what to do,” Jurgovsky said. Just last week, Russia bombed the city of Ternopil, where 60 civilians were killed. However, civilians in both Russia and Ukraine have been killed during the war.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
CARNEGIE, Pa. —
Pittsburgh is known widely among other cities to have a strong Ukrainian population, of people who migrated to the region, escaped the Russian invasion as refugees, or who were born here of Ukrainian descent.
Many are strongly connected to family and friends in the war-torn country, resulting from the Russian invasion.
As a result, they hold strong opinions about recent developments surrounding the 28-point peace plan negotiated by the United States with Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
While Ukrainian leaders have reportedly accepted the peace plan, local Ukrainians cringe at the body of the agreement, saying it benefits Russia.
“It gives Russia what it wants, what it couldn’t achieve on the battlefield,” Executive Director of the Ukrainian Cultural and Humanitarian Institute Stephen Haluszczak said Tuesday. “Russia invaded Ukraine for no reason.”
Lesya Jurgovsky, who collects clothing and other items for people displaced by the invasion, said the weight of the peace plan does not represent equity and fairness for Ukraine.
“Under this plan, they say Ukraine can never be part of NATO, like dictating to Ukraine what to do,” Jurgovsky said.
Just last week, Russia bombed the city of Ternopil, where 60 civilians were killed. However, civilians in both Russia and Ukraine have been killed during the war.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.