Ukrainian community in Western Pa. shaken by Trump and Zelenskyy public spat

Negotiations between President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy deteriorated into shouts Friday during what was supposed to be the signing of a minerals deal. The argument left some members of the Pittsburgh region’s Ukrainian community disturbed.

The tense meeting occurred in the Oval Office over a proposed deal that would allow the U.S. to gain access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in an attempt to end Ukraine’s war with Russia. Tension rose when Vice President JD Vance called Zelenskyy “disrespectful” for trying to litigate in front of the media.

While the signing of the minerals deal was abruptly called off, Ukrainian Americans in Western Pennsylvania are more disturbed by what they perceived as animosity from Trump and Vance.

Bonnie Reinhart, 76, is a second-generation Ukrainian American. As a member of St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in Carnegie, she said she was proud of Zelenskyy for holding his own.

“I think he was just trying to explain why he was hesitant to accept Putin’s word,” Reinhart said. “I could not believe the debacle it turned into.”

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, said in a statement that his office had received around 50 calls from constituents who were disgusted by Trump’s treatment of Zelenskyy.

“In Western Pennsylvania, we teach our kids to stand up for their friends, to tell the truth, and that their word is a sacred bond. Our leaders should do the same, not the bidding of a tyrant like Vladimir Putin,” Deluzio said.

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, could not be reached for comment.

The Rev. Timothy Tomson at St. Mary the Dormition, of the Birthgiver of God Ukrainian Orthodox Church in McKees Rocks, said he was disgusted by all three of the political leaders’ behavior. He referred to Trump and Vance as “bullies.”

“It was making me ill,” Tomson said.

While Tomson was disappointed by the lack of diplomacy displayed during the meeting, he was happy Zelenskyy left without signing the mineral deal. He said Ukraine should not have to give up its sovereignty and instead should use its resources to rebuild.

“We need to pray the cooler heads prevail,” he said.

His daughter, Sophia Tomson, 27, of Upper St. Clair, voted for Trump in November’s election but said she was relieved Zelenskyy left the White House without signing a deal.

“Ukraine has been raped and pillaged enough,” she said. “I don’t see any benefit of America exploiting the resources of Ukraine.”