Ukrainian Ambassador in Washington: Ukrainian diaspora could affect the U.S. presidential election
The Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Valeriy Chaly, stated that 1.5 million Ukrainians in the United States, along with other natives of Eastern Europe, can significantly affect the picture of the U.S. Presidential Elections.
“One of the distinctive features of these elections is that the role of Ukrainian Diaspora as well as Diasporas of Poland, Romania and the Baltic States has increased. The number of citizens of Ukrainian origin in the United States is more than 1.5 million people. Frankly speaking, not all of them are politically active but even that part, which will come to vote, can have a serious influence,” the diplomat noted.
Chaly stressed that this influence is crucial for candidates because the struggle takes place in those states where neither candidate has a clear advantage. “It is in these States there is large Ukrainian Diaspora,” the Ambassador noted.
Chaly has clarified that the Ukrainian vote could have a influence in Ohio, where more than 60 thousand Ukrainians live and Ukrainian organizations are highly active; in Pennsylvania, where the situation is very important but one of the candidates, Hillary Clinton, has an advantage; and in Florida, where the preliminary result will largely show the tendency and possible result of the elections as a whole.
In addition, the Ukrainian Diaspora is concentrated on the West Coast, in particular, in such states as California, Oregon and Washington. A serious struggle will take place in New Jersey and New York, where there are many natives of Eastern Europe. The diplomat also drew attention to certain changes in the choice of Ukrainian Americans between candidates.
“Traditionally, the Ukrainian Diaspora voted for Republicans but now they have started thinking twice about the Republican Party nominee,” Chaly said.
The Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States emphasized that the situation at the final stage of elections can develop unpredictably, calling the struggle very tough. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian diplomat expressed a positive assessment of Ukraine’s representation in the political platforms of both Democrats and Republicans. “We are pleased that this takes place. However, frankly speaking, it isn’t enough,” Chaly noted.