Nicolas Tonev (special correspondent in kyiv) / Photo credits: MOCHTCHOUN, UKRAINE
In kyiv, Ukrainians are under more pressure than ever from the Russian army as the conflict soon enters its third year. Exhaustion, fatigue… the dragging war weighs on the morale of the civilian populations. Some are waiting for the meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Berlin and Paris on Friday to sign security agreements intended to guarantee his country long-term military and financial support, at a time when it is struggling to repel Russian aggression. Ukraine is under more pressure than ever from the Russian army as the conflict enters its third year. In kyiv, the war drags on and exhausts the population.
“We are tired”
The clock and its time which ticks too slowly, especially in war, is the main enemy of Valera and Sacha, both 47 years old, parents of a little Génia aged 4. “It’s fatalism that dominates. This war had to end quickly and now it seems to last for eternity and for generations. It’s terrible. The children are getting used to it,” Sacha tells Europe 1.
“The problem is that we are tired and the other countries too. We hear that Europe is forgetting what is happening here and that the news no longer talks about it like before,” continues his wife, Valérie.
“We want weapons”
So, to escape oblivion and put an end to the war, Sasha expects only one thing from Emmanuel Macron: “We simply want weapons, nothing more. Long-range missiles, heavy artillery and shells. This is the most essential. We need more storm shadow missiles and Caesar Cannons.”
Concrete therefore, because the Ukrainians maintain a mixed appreciation of the French president. “We talk about ‘macronite’ to talk about someone who promises but does nothing,” smiles Sasha accompanied by Valera’s laughter.
At Sacha and Valera, the clock will therefore continue its nagging race, at least until the end of this presidential meeting.