Marion Gauthier
Tensions are not easing on the Ukrainian border. The United States and Russia threaten each other by interposed declarations while the European Union still hopes for an appeasement. But a few days ago, the American government asked its nationals to leave Ukraine. However, some have decided to stay. The correspondent on the spot of Europe 1 went to meet them.
The declarations are linked and the tension continues to rise at the gates of Europe. United States and Russia exchange threats: when Washington threatens a Russian gas project, Moscow launches military exercises off Ireland. The European Union wants to believe in negotiations. A few days ago, in a symbolic measure, the US State Department urged its nationals to leave Ukraine. However, some still decided to stay. Europe 1 met them.
“I’m staying, no matter what”
They rolled their eyes when their embassy advised them to fly home. “If our government listened to Ukrainians more, there would be less panic and less calls from mom and dad telling us to go home,” said Sean, an American national. “When I saw the information, I laughed and changed the channel. I’m staying, no matter what,” says Scott, who agrees with his friend.
Sean and Scott are seated in a cafe in the capital. The first is 25 years old, a teacher’s contract and no nostalgia for New York. The second is a stoic Californian with a detached accent and odd jobs on the assembly line. “Most of my married friends here are staying,” says the forty-year-old, who shares, with his adopted homeland, resignation in the face of tensions at the border before adding: “But I am tired of that. You don’t see the Germans, the French, the Italians recalling their nationals”. Solidly rooted in Kiev, Sean does not understand this media escalation and accuses Russia and the United States of being responsible for the dramatic side of the situation. “We will always have enough time to leave if the Russians really enter Ukraine”, slips Sean. Without conviction.