Trump's election an 'awful' day, say Ukrainians across Berkshire

On Wednesday morning, former President Trump secured the required 270 electoral college votes needed to make him the next president of the United States. 

As of midday, the Republican politician had secured more than 71 million votes - compared with 66 million votes cast for his opponent, Democrat Kamala Harris. 

On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly said he could settle the war started by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in one day - as well as stating that Russia's president Vladimir Putin could ‘do whatever the hell they want’ to any NATO country that appeared to skimp on defence spending. 

During his first term, Trump was impeached for improperly seeking help from Ukraine's government to boost his chances of re-election in 2020. 

Some politicians and residents of Ukraine have feared a return of Trump to the White House, given his antagonism towards NATO and his running mate, JD Vance, voting against aid for Ukraine in April. 

Now the community of more than 200 Ukrainian refugees across Berkshire has woken up to face a more perilous future, according to Nataly Buhiri-Shramko

The 42-year-old, who lives in Newbury with her 16-year-old son after fleeing the town of Lviv in September 2022, said: "The first thing in the morning I checked the news, and the first several hours I was very upset, very sad.

"Because the support to Ukraine might be less, which for us is crucial. 

"After being upset for several hours, I thought the best thing to do is just hope. There is no other choice."

Civilian women hold weapons as they take part in a military training given by a former Ukrainian serviceman (C-L) at a civic centre at an unspecified location in the Kharkiv region on September 13, 2024, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. (Image: USA Today)

Mick Pollek, deputy chairman of the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, said he had already been contacted by half a dozen Ukrainian refugees, who were all distraught by the election result. 

The 70-year-old, whose Ukrainian parents settled in the UK following persecution during the Second World War, said: "I feel bloody awful this morning. 

"I spoke to a lot of Ukrainians before the election, and they are all hoping that Trump wouldn’t win. I had had conversations with six different people today and each said its awful. I spoke to one person who said, 'God, what’s going to happen’.

"We have to adapt."

But Mick said the level of support from communities and individuals across Berkshire continued to be 'absolutely fantastic'.

He said: "We have still been able to crowdfund for a vehicle to go over to Ukraine with aid in the next couple of days."

The election has added urgency to the charity's mission to support a Ukrainian orphanage with toys and clothes before Christmas.

The group needs more than £1,200 for logistics associated with sending the aid to Lviv in western Ukraine. 

Mick said: "We desperately need funds."

The Reading Ukrainian Community Centre (RUCC) had to halt collections from good-natured residents after being overwhelmed with donations shortly after the invasion began in 2022. (Image: NQ)

He said he was concerned that the election would lead to 'arrogance' from Russian forces in Ukraine, with drone attacks targeting recent aid convoys from the Reading group.

Mick said; "We had a British guy driving aid, and there was a drone shadowing him. 

"He spilled coffee on himself and stopped - the drone exploded 20 yards from him. If he hadn't spilled the coffee, it would have hit him."

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, more than 11,900 civilians have been killed, while it is believed that more 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died in the fighting. The UK government estimates that more than 600,000 Russian troops have been killed.  

Donald Trump once again becoming president of the United States should be a 'wake-up call' for the UK, Newbury MP Lee Dillon has said following the election. 

The Liberal Democrat politician said: "If the United States steps back from its commitments to Ukraine, Europe must be ready to fill the gap.

"This includes seizing Russian assets to support Ukraine and reversing cuts to our armed forces to safeguard Britain’s security.

"Now is the time for the UK to lead in Europe and stand up for the values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”

He added: “This is a dark day not only for America but for people across the globe. The United States—the world’s largest economy and military power—will now be led by a dangerous demagogue with a track record of undermining the rule of law, disregarding human rights, and dismissing global climate initiatives."

Professor Rosa Freedman, a Professor of Law, Conflict and Global Development at the University of Reading, said President Biden will face renewed pressure to bring about a peace deal in both Ukraine and Gaza before he leaves the White House next year. 

Professor Freedman said; "Much has been uncovered about the relationship between Trump and Putin, and it will concern Ukraine in terms of the support provided by the US. 

"It is unlikely that either conflict will end before January, although there will now be even more urgency in the White House to secure peace negotiations."

Donations to the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre can made at online at rucc.uk or delivered to 21 Sidmouth Steet, Reading.