Masterman Students Remain Impacted by War in Ukraine

On February 22, 2022, the long ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war exploded, with Russia launching a full-scale invasion on neighboring Ukraine. But the relationship between the two countries travels back decades. On August 24th, 1991, the Communist Parliament of Ukraine had declared that it would not follow the guidelines of the Soviet Union for any longer, establishing Ukraine’s independence. Ukraine had become heavily influenced by Western Europe thanks to the enlargement of the European Union in 2004. Threatened by this emerging relationship, Russia began a campaign seeking to control Ukraine for over two decades. The beginning of the current Russo-Ukrainian war can be traced back to 2014 with the annexation of Crimea, with the goal ranging from simple political influence all the way up to complete annexation of the entire country. Yet, throughout this evolving effort, Russian attempts have thus far proven largely unsuccessful.

As of March 2025, the Russo-Ukrainian conflict continues despite recent diplomatic efforts. Recently inaugurated President of the United States Donald Trump has brokered peace talks, leading to a partial truce to guard energy infrastructure. In a recent interview between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader agreed to a partial ceasefire with Russia that includes stopping attacks on energy facilities, the White House said. But Mr. Zelenskyy also claimed that after Russian Premier Vladimir Putin's call with Mr. Trump, the Russian military launched drone attacks against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. In a recent telephone call, President Zelenskyy shared his input to the initiative, while Trump was pledging to help Kyiv produce more air defense systems. 

Given the state of negotiations, many worry the ceasefire will not prove successful. In addition, Mr. Trump has suggested American management over Ukrainian power plants, raising questions of sovereignty. Mr. Trump told Mr. Zelenskyy the U.S. could help run "Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants" and that "American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure." Mr. Zelenskyy has not yet expressed concurrence with this idea.

  At the same time, more than 30 military leaders are talking about a possible peacekeeping mission as a part of a wider peace agreement. The European powers, led by France, are also keeping a close eye on these agreements being put in place, mainly motivated to bolster and strengthen Ukraine as a buffer between Europe and the aggressive Russian Federation. The issue still remains volatile, with ongoing diplomatic negotiations that are tricky in character. 

As is always the case, large, seemingly abstract geopolitical events directly impact people who reside in zones of conflict. Two Masterman students with personal connections to Ukraine, Tatiana (Tati) Korotinsky (‘28) and Victoria Chernyak (‘26), spoke about their relationship with the war. Both Tati and Victoria have parents who immigrated from Ukraine and have families who still live there. They both noted the constant concern for relatives in their home country. “My mother’s side of the family lives in constant fear in western Ukraine where the bombings have not reached, [and] the air siren alarms [are] ringing nonstop,” Tati commented. Weekly, for the past three years, her mother prepares and sends “boxes with humanitarian aid to the soldiers in Ukraine.” This effort serves for Tati “a constant reminder of the terror going on there.” Similarly, Victoria mentioned that her family in America calls Ukrainian relatives on a weekly basis to “check if everyone is okay,” and has organized fundraising efforts for Ukraine through church activities. 

While both Tati and Victoria recognize the support provided by the United States and other democratic nations, both feel more support is needed to enable Ukraine to continue to resist the Russian occupation. Neither student believes the United States is currently supporting Ukraine adequately. “[Recently, the US administration] cut funding and is trying to get rid of the program that allowed many Ukrainian refugees to come to the U.S,” Victoria said. She compared the U.S.’s recent support to European countries’ aid: “European countries are offering helpful support through resources and aid, but the U.S. could be doing more.” The ultimate goal, Tati noted, is “long-term stability.” But with the current climate, she’s worried that the current support is not sufficient to ensure Ukraine remains an independent country. For Tati, Victoria, and any Masterman student of Ukrainian descent, the violence in Ukraine—and, as importantly, the ultimate political outcome—directly impacts the health and safety of their families and friends.