Despite an uncertain future for funding in the war against Russia, Arizona’s Ukrainian-American community is staying optimistic about the plight of their homeland.
Orest Jejna is a Scottsdale city judge and part of a local delegation that has lobbied Congress to continue supporting Ukraine.
"We’ve got some concerns I think with the new administration coming in. I’m being hopeful because–even though we hear things that may have been election rhetoric. But ultimately, our national security here in the United States is signified by Ukraine’s security," Jejna said.
And Jejna says Arizona, with its multi-billion dollar aerospace and defense industry, has more skin in the game than most places if Ukraine funding were to be cut.
"Corporations that are in the defense industry from big to small, are all getting government contracts as a result of this unfortunate circumstance and is adding to our economy," Jejna said. "Again, that’s not something that not too many of our citizens here in Arizona are aware of."
Though President-elect Donald Trump has said he could end the war in a day, Jejna is skeptical, calling it an “unrealistic expectation” with Russia’s ultimate goal being Ukrainian genocide.
