Brighton Beach Avenue in Brooklyn was a bustling scene with shoppers Thursday. Brighton Beach is sometimes called “Little Odessa” as an homage to the Ukrainian city, as so more than 14,000 expatriates live there.

Andri Andrusckuk is optimistic about Trump’s foreign policy agenda. His dad has been fighting for Ukraine on the front lines since Russia invaded its neighbor.

“Too much killing, too much violence. I just want to stop it,” Andrusckuk said.

Some Ukrainian Americans said they were nervous about Trump getting elected. Former ultra-nationalist member of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ihor Miroshnychenko, said he’s concerned about the incoming Trump administration not providing military aid.

“They won’t give money for weapons,” Miroshnychenko said.

It was in 2017, under Trump, that the United States first sent weapons to Ukraine in its fight against Russia, but since then Trump has repeatedly criticized the American backing of Ukraine.

Trump has said he would have a peace deal within a day if elected, but many Ukrainians worry it will amount to appeasement and a loss of the territory Russia currently occupies.

Advocates for Ukraine say they are trying to gain support from United States lawmakers before Trump’s inauguration.

“Maybe there is a chance of getting more aid to Ukraine in another budget,” Andrij Dobriansky, communications director of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, said. ”There are a lot of retiring senators that can still vote before January. This is the period where a lot of magic can happen."

In the weeks ahead, ceremonies are planned in the city to commemorate the 1000th day since Russia invaded Ukraine, including a prayer service in what is known as “Little Ukraine” in the East Village and a service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to show support for Ukraine.