For Ukrainians living in Sacramento, the world has turned upside down since President Donald Trump took the oath of office a little over a month ago.

In Trump’s eyes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is no longer the brave democratic leader whose country was invaded. Instead, according to Trump, Zelenskyy is a “dictator” primarily to blame for Russia invading their country.

It’s a confusing, frightening reality for the more than 20,000 Ukrainians living in Sacramento, a city with the nation’s highest per-capita population and third-largest Ukrainian population.

On the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, local Ukrainians plan to rally at the state Capitol Monday pledging defiance even as they acknowledge some feelings of abandonment.

“We’re gonna have a big meeting at the California state Capitol, marking three years of resilience, of unbrokenness, of Ukraine fighting back, defending itself from the much bigger state, aggressor state. It’s remarkable because Russia is three three times bigger and three times more populated, and Ukraine is still fighting,” said organizer Olga Noshyn of the Sunflower Society, an organization, composed mostly of Ukrainians and a smattering of Russians who oppose Vladimir Putin. The group has organized dozens of protests in Sacramento and coordinated aid for Ukraine including drones and material supplies.

European leaders have pushed back against Trump’s labeling Zelenskyy a dictator. Zelenskyy’s five-year-term was due to end in May 2024. But with its country war torn and swaths of the nation occupied by Russia, holding elections would have been next to impossible.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, speaking to broadcaster ZDF said that “If you look at the real world instead of just firing off a tweet, then you know who in Europe has to live in the conditions of a dictatorship. People in Russia, people in Belarus.”

Trump has also dangled as a condition for U.S. support for Ukraine that the country pay back the military support it has received thus far with the rights to much of Ukraine’s valuable rare earth minerals.

Noshyn’s response to that proposal; “I think as a president of his country, President Trump is seeking the best for his country, so he’s trying to make the best deal for the United States. But obviously this deal is not the best deal for Ukraine. President Zelensky has said that he cannot sign something that 10 generations of Ukrainians will be paying for.”

Noshyn said she expects at least 500 people to attend the commemoration including Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, who leads California’s National Guard.

Beevers attended last year’s commemoration of Russsia’s invasion at the Capitol where he told the crowd that “Free People everywhere know exactly what’s at stake, that Putin intends to destroy the global rules-based order that has kept the peace in Europe since World War II.”

Under Beevers’ leadership, the Cal Guard has provided training and material aid for Ukraine.

When asked if the Cal Guard plans to continue to support Ukraine, spokesperson Colonel Brandon Hill said, “I cannot speculate on the administration’s actions regarding Ukraine. I kindly refer you to the Department of Defense public affairs office on national security policy.”

Hill said that for at least the moment, the Cal Guard maintains a partnership with Ukraine. “We are still working with them as opportunities arise. While most of our partnership activities now are remote and not in Ukraine, the relationship still exists and we are proud to be their state partners..Just last month some of our Army JAG lawyers supported legal training with their Ukrainian counterparts online.”

Many Ukrainians in the Sacramento region are here under temporary protective status. Trump’s 180 on the Ukrainian cause and willingness to deal with Putin have left many Ukrainians and Russian dissidents living in Sacramento bewildered. “I don’t even have the words to describe how we are feeling,” one Russian living in Sacramento who asked not to be identified because they fear a backlash against their immigration status. “We are afraid for our children,” they added.

Noshyn said that things have seemed dark before, including last September when crucial military aid for Ukraine was held up in Congress. She and dozens of others from California traveled to Washington to lobby for Congressional support. Shortly after, aid was released. Noshyn said that another lobbying trip is planned for April.

“President Trump, his statements have left many Ukrainians frustrated, maybe even left them feeling abandoned,” she said, adding, “But you know, we will never give up on our core which is freedom. The United States has always stood for freedom and democratic values. Ukraine has been fighting for freedom and democratic values for three years. We are struggling. But we will endure and we will win.”

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