A Ukranian woman in Omagh whose brother remains fighting on the front line against Russia has said she does not have faith that US President Donald Trump can deliver a credible peace deal.
Iryna Syrbu fled Ukraine after the 2022 invasion and now lives in Omagh.
She said Mr Trump’s “populist” claims he could end the war quickly were not based in reality and would only “open the door for Putin” to absorb more territory in Ukraine.
The US leader had staged a call with the Russian leader on Wednesday, casting doubt on years of steadfast support for Ukraine.
While vague on his plans, Mr Trump suggested any deal would likely mean Ukraine would be forced to cede territory Russia has seized since it annexed Crimea in 2014.
The development has now placed the matter at the top of the agenda for world leaders at the Munich Security Conference.
“I don’t know how Trump (or others) could negotiate with Putin who is essentially a (war criminal,” Ms Syrbu told the BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme.
“My brother is now in the front, that’s why I know how difficult (the situation is.)
“What Ukraine needs now is more weapons to end this war, because first of all it’s the protector of Europe.”
She said her brother and others fighting would not surrender willingly.
“He wants to stop of course, this war, but only with our win because lots of people died because of freedom of Ukraine you know,” she said.
“My brother (and other soldiers) don’t want to stop in the front line to give a present like our territory to Russia.”
Asked if Ukraine could continue to fight without American support, she said it was still “possible”
Lord Ricketts, a senior British diplomat and former chair of the joint intelligence committee, told the programme Mr Trump’s actions were typical of his negotiating style – to destabilise the status quo with provocative comments to see what opportunities emerged.
“It’s moving and it’s important that we hear Iryna’s voice, because the Ukranian people have been so brave over three years in fighting to defend their country,” he said.
“Of course I can understand both that Ukranians want to end the war, but also to end the war with a victory for Ukraine. That’s only natural.
“The hard fact is that even with American support, we haven’t been able to give Ukraine all the weapons and the missiles and the ammunition they need to push the Russians back.
“So without American military support, we have to be realistic about this. (Her) point is right though, this isn’t just a war about Ukraine – it’s a war about the future of our security in Europe and therefore it’s vital that Trump applies the same sort of pressure to the Russians that he’s already doing to the Ukranians to bring Putin to the table.”
Ms Syrbu added that she had no expectations from the current talks.
“All Ukranians really are shocked because of this news. Which is why, of course, I hope for the happy ending,” she said.
“I don’t know how to react to this situation because I understand that Russia and Putin has never stopped. They never keep (their) promises.”
On Sunday February 23, Ukranians in Northern Ireland will commemorate the third anniversary of the invasion outside Belfast City Hall.
