Ukrainian refugees in Alberta react to proposed peace talks

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches its third year later this month, those who fled to Alberta say it’s a solemn time as they remember the family they lost back home.

“There’s lots of thoughts, but personally, I lost my father in the war, so this day is even more hard for me,” explained Olha Kulybanych, a Ukrainian refugee, president & founder of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Bow Valley.

Kulybanych came to Alberta with her husband two and half years ago following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. February 24th marking the third year of the conflict.

Kulybanych and her husband work near the Rocky Mountains in Alberta to support their family back home in Ukraine.

“There’s no safe place right now at least with the shelling and rockets they are still terrorizing the whole country, even in those territories that are relatively far from the frontline,” Kulybanych explained.

But as the group representing Ukrainians in Alberta plans events for the third year of the war on the 24th, they are also reacting to news that U.S. President Donald Trump said he’s spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine.

“A peace deal between the United States and Russia is concerning,” said Alyssa Stoddard, the secretary of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Alberta Provincial Council.

Those helping Ukrainian refugees here in Edmonton say there can be no peace talks without Ukraine having a seat at the table.

“A, because Ukraine as a sovereign independent nation that has been fighting the invasion of Russia for over ten years does not equal peace, if we are appeasing to the aggressor and invader’s wishes,” said Stoddard.

Kulybanych shares those same worries, while adding thousands of Ukrainian refugees in Canada are facing their own problems, many with temporary visas set to expire later this year.

“If Ukrainians will not be able to extend that work permit, it will be very harsh on those families because they may not have anywhere to go, because lots lost their houses,” Kulybanych explained.