WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) — Members of the metro Detroit Ukrainian community were closely monitoring Friday's meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump, with reactions ranging from cautious optimism to deep concern.

"A lot of my friends have been killed protecting their lands, and it's tough," said Vitaliy Tsisyk, head coach of TSI Boxing Gym in Warren.

WXYZ-TV

Before becoming a boxing coach in Michigan, Tsisyk lived in Ukraine, where many of his friends and family still reside – and fight.

"A lot of teammates I grew up with and trained with have been killed on the frontline," Tsisyk said.

It's part of the reason Tsisyk is hopeful that Friday's meeting between the two presidents could be a significant step toward peace.

Scripps News Coverage: ‘No deal’:

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