reactions of Ukrainians in Toulouse to the crisis
Ukraine and Russia are on the brink of war. Vladimir Putin has recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions. The Russian president has asked his army to carry out “peacekeeping functions” there. A very tense situation which worries the Ukrainian community of Toulouse.
“You know, we’ve been at war for eight years…” Between fatalism and determination, Nataliya Zuzuk takes a bitter look at the situation her country is going through. Based in Toulouse for 20 years, she works as accompanying students with disabilities (AESH) in a college in the pink city.
She has no illusions about the intentions of the Russian president: “For me, Putin, he does everything to start the war. He prepared his population for this recognition and what is happening today does not surprise me” she explains in fluent French.
“Sanctions are not enough against a man like Putin. He is a man who only understands force. Europe and the United States have been naive towards him” regrets Nataliya, now 43 years old. She is aware that the conclusive allies of Ukraine will not intervene militarily in her country. It’s not what she hopes for “We are not asking Americans and Europeans to die for Ukraine. We are asking them to help Ukraine militarily.”
In contact three times a day with her mother who lives in the West of the country, this Ukrainian does not hide her concern. “I am especially afraid of the bombardments, of the civilian victims”. His mother meanwhile, does not want to leave the country. “Most of the Ukrainians I spoke to on the phone there want to stay and help. I find them rather calm about the situation.”
She also thinks that Vladimir Putin is not going to stop there. “I think he will continue to nibble on territory, he will go further” she fears.
Same fear on the side of Myla Potenko. This 38-year-old Franco-Ukrainian has lived in France since 2003 and in Toulouse for 9 years. She acquired French nationality. This real estate consultant who works in Toulouse is having a hard time with the latest events: “It’s unbearable, we plunge back into the same stories of war, with the same men. It had started well with the “revolution of dignity” in 2014, then there was the annexation of Ukrainian territories by the Russians and since …it’s the war” she laments.
She also has local friends and family. She too fears for their lives, is afraid of the bombardments, of the civilian victims. “Ukraine cannot make a big choice against this Russian juggernaut. But they will resist, they will defend themselves”. What does she expect from Europe? “Already she shows a united front, she realizes that war is getting closer to her and that she is at her doorstep. Putin likes to create situations like that, to influence the elections also of neighboring countries” points out Myla.
Punishments ? “It doesn’t work with Putin, we know that. But what to do today? I don’t know… but we need a reaction. France was naive, just like Europe.” she recalls.
Oksana A., 44, lives in the Toulouse suburbs. “The last two nights I slept badly. I don’t want to live again in an authoritarian system, like during the time of the USSR. Today, Ukraine is a free country and it must stay” she explains with emotion.
She is impressed by her people: “Ukrainians keep their cool, because they have been living with this for 8 years already”. And Oksana to go longer: “I hope the Ukrainians will fight and defend themselves. Even if the balance of power is not favourable. There will be citizens who will mobilize, I don’t think it will be that simple for Russians”.
Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the seceded Russian-speaking territories came as no surprise to Oksana: “Putin repeats the same scenario as in Georgia, in Moldova”. As for the penalties, “they come too late” according to her. “They had to be put in place several years ago, when we gave Russian passports to the inhabitants of Donbass and Crimea” she regrets.
She too has no illusions about possible Western support either: “I am pessimistic about the allies. They must help us militarily. I don’t want Ukraine to become a battlefield for American-Russian ambitions.”
As for Ukraine’s plan to join NATO – a major bone of contention between Westerners and Russians – she continues to believe in it. At least to support this initiative, which she considers legitimate.
“It’s better to give yourself to NATO than to Russia. Ukraine is on its own. We would be protected. We keep the border between Russia and Europe, like a buffer zone. Europe must not let it happen. If it lets it go, who will be next?” she concluded with a sigh.