A Ukrainian woman living in Shropshire has said many people from her country find it hard to believe American promises that peace can be found.
Viktoriia Volos, a nurse who is currently working as a dish washer in a Shrewsbury restaurant, said: “Many world leaders have talked about ways to end this war. Right now our soldiers are still fighting for our freedom.”
Stanislav Kudym, another Ukrainian living in the county, said hopes of a fair peace “would be a bit difficult” with President Trump in the White House.
But he said people in Ukraine were “tired of war”.
Speaking on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, Ms Volos said she hoped to improve her English and find a job as a full-time nurse in Shropshire, with the aim of remaining in the country after the war.
“I can do more than work in a kitchen with dishwasher,” she said.
She said she had family in Kyiv and western Ukraine, plus others who had escaped to Germany.
“When I read the news every day I am very worried about my family, about my country and it’s a very difficult time for us,” she said.
She said many Ukrainians also found it hard to believe President Trump.
Life was especially difficult for her father, a pensioner, she said, partly because “everything is very expensive” in the country.
Mr Kudym, who works for the charity Shropshire Supports Refugees, said when he thought about the start of the war, three years ago: “I still feel a shivering inside”.
“Honestly, we still can’t believe the war is in our country,” he added.
He said he hoped that in time peace could be found, but found some of the claims coming from the Trump administration were “pathetic”.
Mr Kudym said the Americans were “trying to say that Ukrainians are the reason why the Russian Federation attacked Ukraine and to my mind that’s horrible”.
Mr Kudym also said the Ukrainians he had worked with in Shropshire were very grateful for the support they had received and that many would like to remain.