Ukrainian ambassador explores aid
politics
On Friday the Ambassador of Ukraine in Austria paid a visit to the Salzburg provincial government. Vasyl Khymynets talks to Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) about how his compatriots, who have been hit by the war in Russia, can be helped in the best possible way.
In the Chiemseehof government building in Salzburg, the top diplomat emphasized that the West should protect Ukraine’s airspace: “Then many, many lives could be saved.”
“Refugees don’t stay long”
Khymynets was in Salzburg on Friday, also to talk about help for Ukraine and for Ukrainian refugees.
Khymynets emphasized that many Ukrainians would come: “They will only be in Austria for a certain amount of time because the Ukrainians are defending their homeland very, very heroically. You won’t want to stay here forever.”
Haslauer expects 5,000 war refugees
Salzburg’s Prime Minister Haslauer says that he has given a work order: “In Salzburg we are preparing for around 5,000 refugees. My assessment of the situation is that it will be people who will stay with us longer. The structures have to be right. There needs to be schooling, childcare and other services.”
Many private help – also Russians
The state of Salzburg has contributed around 250,000 euros to the Ukraine aid so far. Further funds are to be made available in the near future. There are also many aid projects and initiatives that have been and are being set up on a private basis.
A Ukrainian-Belarusian-Russian community in Anif (Flachgau) also collects donations in kind – regardless of all political differences, as Svetlana Frühwald, a native of Belarus, describes: “For me, it doesn’t matter what nationality someone has. There’s so much fighting, even in my groups. But we are all one, because if someone is in need, I will help.”
Above all, hygiene articles, durable food, clothing and everything for babies and small children are needed.