TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — What was supposed to be a kickoff for negotiation over rare earth minerals devolved into conflict between President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.

The clash in the Oval Office provoked strong reactions across the world and in Tampa Bay.

Take it from someone who is in Ukraine now.

“Peace, peace is what we want,” said Svetlana Berezna, an Army medic in Ukraine.

She reacted to the intense conversation.

“I support my president,” Berezna said. “Everywhere, everyday my country is a fight. My people is a fight, everyday I say thank you American people.”

Roman Voloshyn spent Friday running Pierogi Bar in St. Petersburg and watching the shouting match unfold.

“Taking the personalities of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and taking the personality of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this was set to happen,” Voloshyn said. “I think the pride won in this situation from both sides. You want to be cute or smart? I think both parties decided to be cute today, and a little bit smart.”

Luba Dackiw, who put 8 On Your Side in touch with Berezna, said she was astonished to see this play out in the public.

“Putin is laughing,” Dackiw said. “I think Putin is enjoying this whole thing. I think he’s eating popcorn and drinking champagne because I think he’s going to go, ‘Alright, I think I’ve got President Trump on my side,’ and that’s the appearance.”

On X, President Trump said he “determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved… He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”

“Well then he needs to pick the side of Ukraine because Putin does not know what the definition of peace is,” Dackiw said.

Berezna said she wants to put the politics aside, and for leaders to consider the lives that remain at risk.

“We want to stop the war, because my child, my daughters, I want my daughters to have good future,” Berezna said.

In a statement, Florida Senator Rick Scott said:

“Thank God President Trump is back in office. He and his administration are doing an incredible job standing up for America’s best interests and fighting for our national defense, economic security and prosperity. Gone are the days of President Biden’s weak appeasement policies and global handouts. America is the greatest country in the world – no one gets to lecture our President in the Oval Office and disrespect America’s generosity. President Trump is making it clear the international community must do their fair share instead of solely relying on American taxpayers to foot the bill. President Trump is ushering in a new America-first era with a restoration of peace through strength.”