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Donald Trump addresses Ukraine in speech to Congress
During his annual address to Congress, U.S. President Donald Trump touched on the war between Russia and Ukraine and shared the story of a Ukrainian refugee who was killed in the United States. The speech was broadcast by NBC News.
Remarks on the war
At the start of his speech, Trump outlined key points aimed at a broad national television audience. He said his administration is actively working to resolve the war between Russia and Ukraine, with efforts focused on ending the fighting and reducing casualties.
“We are working very hard to stop the war, the killing and the slaughter between Russia and Ukraine, where 25,000 soldiers are dying every month — a war that would have never happened if I had been president,” Trump said.
The story of iryna zarutska
The president also mentioned Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was killed in the state of North Carolina. He addressed her mother, who was present in the chamber, and spoke about the family’s tragedy.
According to Trump, the woman and her daughter left Ukraine after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion and went to live with relatives in Charlotte.
“In 2022, she and her beautiful daughter, a very beautiful young woman, Iryna, fled war-torn Ukraine to live with relatives in Charlotte, North Carolina,” Trump said, addressing Anna Zarutska.
He stated that last summer, 23-year-old Iryna was driving home when she became the victim of a brutal crime. Trump said the suspect — who had allegedly been arrested and released multiple times without bail — stabbed her in the neck and body.
“She escaped the war only to be killed by a criminal,” Trump said, promising justice in the case.
What is known about the murder
The body of the 23-year-old Ukrainian woman was found on August 22 at a light rail station in Charlotte. She had moved to the United States after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Police said she suffered fatal stab wounds. The suspect, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown, was detained shortly after officers arrived at the scene.
He has been charged with first-degree murder, though the motive has not yet been established.
According to available information, Brown had been arrested multiple times since 2011 on charges including felony larceny, armed robbery and making threats. Most of those cases were later dismissed. In January 2025, he was also charged with misuse of the 911 emergency system; that case is still pending.
White house goals
The White House is reportedly aiming to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine by July 4, when the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of its independence. According to sources, Washington hopes to present diplomatic progress by that symbolic date.
At the same time, Ukrainian officials maintain that Russia is not genuinely seeking to end the war and is attempting to weaken Kyiv’s position in negotiations. According to the Ukrainian side, Moscow may seek to leverage the influence of international political figures, including Trump.
