As tensions between Russia and Ukraine heat up, Texans with Ukrainian ties worry about Russian President Vladimir Putin's next move.
Putin has placed Russian troops on standby at his country's borders with Ukraine for an invasion and acknowledged Moscow-backed separatist strongholds as sovereign entities, prompting President Joe Biden to impose sanctions on Russia and other world leaders to lambast Russia for its purported acts of aggression.
More than 6,000 miles away from the homeland, all that people such as Austin resident Mariana Kotenko can do is hope cooler heads prevail.
Kotenko, who has family in Ukraine, said her compatriots dread the Russians could attempt a complete takeover of the country aside from the parts that are pro-Moscow, according to Austin ABC affiliate KVUE.
"For Ukrainians who live there, this means invasion,” Kotenko told the station. “So we know that Putin's not going to stop just occupying these two territories; he's going to keep moving."
Chrystya Geremesz, who founded the Ukrainian American Society of Texas, said the crisis an ocean away "is not just about Russia and Ukraine."
“This is about democracy and dictatorships around the world and challenging the United States, because I think Putin clearly believes that the United States has been weakened and that we are not as strong as we used to be, and this is his chance, Geremesz said, according to KVUE.
She further told the station she wants Texas leaders to join a federal bipartisan push for sanctions against Russia on her homeland's behalf.
Kotenko appeals to her fellow Central Texans for support, saying Ukrainians are fighting a "true war."
“It's not separatists trying to gain sovereignty," she told KVUE. "It's Ukrainians fighting for their life, for their country. The biggest thing I want to ask for all Americans and our senators and representatives is to support the strong sanctions and support military aid to Ukraine.”
Around 200,000 Russian troops and their separatist backers are near Ukraine's border, KVUE reported.
Russian leaders supposedly denied their country's plans to strike their neighbor to the southwest.
According to the Associated Press, the White House has labeled Russian troop movements in eastern Ukraine an "invasion" after much hesitation to use the word.
Russia's staunchest allies apparently don't see eye to eye with Moscow's decision to recognize the separatist areas, with one leader saying it wasn't on his nation's agenda, AP reported.