The group, Shield of Freedom, has rallied at Balboa Park for the past four and a half years in hopes that the United States does not turn its back on Ukraine. On Sunday, members of the group gathered to voice their frustrations with the president’s recent decisions involving the war in Ukraine. “Frustrated, very…very upset, very disappointed,” Mira Rubin, rally organizer and president of the nonprofit Shield of Freedom said. President Donald Trump claims his executive action to waive congressionally passed sanctions against Russia were in “the national interests of the United States.” Josh Levine, who has been in the frontlines himself, as a U.S. Marine in Afghanistan said instead, it feels like a betrayal to him and the American people. “As a veteran I can’t tell you how offensive it is to me to think that our country is going to sell out innocent Ukrainians and innocent people, but also our own soldiers by helping out our adversaries, people that help kill American soldiers,” Levine said. While the president said his diesel deal with Russia aims to help bring fuel prices down at home, some say they think the move will help bankroll Russia’s war. “By signing this diesel deal, the United States is literally giving American taxpayers money to Russia to kill Ukrainians,” Rubin said. They are also concerned after hearing reports of slowing down of the Starlink satellite terminals, which are critical for the Ukrainian military’s defense. “I’ve talked to them and I know for a fact their Starlink, its speed was reduced and think about what that does it reduces their ability to intercept Russian rocket power… which has killed innocent Ukrainian since this happened because they couldn’t intercept those drones,” Levine said. U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff of California reacted to the move online saying in part, “Wondering if giving Russia a free pass is in our national interest?” Schiff added that President Trump signed the law less than 30 days ago and now has exempted every single new sanction meant to stop Putin’s war machine. He added, “This must stop now.” “What we need our congressmen and congresswoman to do is not just say, hey, we oppose what the president is doing, or we send our thoughts and prayers. We need actual action,” Levine said. NBC 7 reached out to Sen. Adam Schiff, but he was not available for comment. NBC 7 also reached out to Rep. Sara Jacob’s office for comment and is waiting to hear back. Through their nonprofit, Shield of Freedom, Levine and Rubin communicate with Ukrainian soldiers and American volunteers in the frontlines of the Ukraine War. That’s why they said they’re not giving up on their fight for freedom and democracy. “Hope always dies last and you only hope that reason will prevail,” Rubin said. NBC 7 also reached out to Representative Sara Jacobs and is waiting to hear back. ...read more read less