Montreal’s Ukrainian community in shock over White House remarks

At a Montreal deli and community center, members of the Ukrainian community expressed anger and disappointment over Trump’s comments to Zelenskyy.

At Zytynsky’s Deli, a Ukrainian staple in Montreal, owner Angel Zytynsky said customers on Saturday morning shared their frustration over the latest controversy in the Oval Office

“They’re all coming in and saying, ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,’” said Zytynsky. “It’s really sad how he (Zelenskyy) came there with open arms to talk with Trump. And all he asked him was ‘how come you’re not wearing a suit?’”

She said among the many imported goods they sell, lately customers have been buying Ukrainian flags.

Deli regular Bohdan Cap said he bought a flag to affix to his car as a way to publicly support Ukraine.

“You just have to let people know that your country is in peril and that they see when they see the flag, they should think about it, you know?” he said.

Trump and Zelenskyy were also the topic of conversation among volunteers from the Ukrainian Youth Association of Quebec, who were putting on a fresh coat of paint at the community centre, which hosts many events.

“I was very shocked and angry, and I had all these emotions as if the war had just started,” said volunteer Bohdanna Olyva.

Andrii Radovenchyk was painting with his three children.

The family made the difficult decision to move to Canada a year after the Russian invasion.

“My kids weren’t studying. They were spending all their time in the shelter. And I thought they are wasting their time, they need to learn,” he said.

He said that although they have made a life in Montreal, they are worried about what is happening in Ukraine.

Friday’s remarks by Trump did not help.

“He behaved like a teenager,” he said. “It was pathetic.”

Quebec’s Ukrainian Congress President Michael Shwec said Ukraine needs to look elsewhere for support, especially Europe.

“If Russia stops fighting, it’s the end of the war. If Ukraine stops fighting, it’s the end of Ukraine,” he said.