For the first time in weeks, Lesya Kuzyk is breathing a sigh of relief as reports from Eastern Europe, indicate Russian leader Vladimir Putin might be backing down on threats to invades Ukraine.
“I am very much encouraged,” Lesya told me. “I am thinking world leaders found a way to push the correct buttons.”
Leysa Kuzyk and her husband emigrated to the U.S. 20 years ago, first settling in the Baltimore area before moving to Boston.
During this crisis, Leysa is in constant contact with close family friends who are still in Ukraine.
Some of them are within eyeshot of Russian troops that have been gathering on the border.
“I actually have a friend, doctors, who are on ... borderlines,” Leysa said.
“What are they telling you?” I asked
“The Ukrainian army is ready. They will respond, they will stop.”
Leysa is worried about her loved ones overseas, but she tells me the resistance against Putin and his troops is strong.
“Ukraine will never be under that so-called Russian Soviet, new Soviet Union, new Russia rule, or whatever it is. Ukraine chose its independent path 30 years ago and this is what it is going to be. Hopefully it’s going to be without blood,” she said.
On Sunday, Leysa is helping organize a “Day of Solidarity with Ukraine,” featuring a candlelight vigil at the WWII Memorial in the Fens section of Boston.
She says her friends and neighbors in Boston are strongly supporting Ukraine.
“Even the places I never expected, my phone is blowing (up) from messages from my neighbors. And the people saw I am absolutely touched,” Leysa said.
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