Marion Gauthier, edited by Gauthier Delomez
The Ukrainian authorities continue to believe in a way out of the diplomatic crisis with Russia, and sweep away all the “apocalyptic” forecasts expressed here or there. A position that Emmanuel Macron and the European Union join, but that the local population finds difficult to believe. Europe 1 met resigned inhabitants.
The diplomatic solution is always possible. This is what the Ukrainian presidency wants to believe, in the face of tensions with Russia, which calls for beware of “apocalyptic forecasts”. This is also the position of Emmanuel Macron, who takes on the stature of a warlord as President of the Council of the European Union, and in the midst of the French presidential campaign. On the spot, in Ukraine, there is also a form of recognition for the diplomatic efforts made, but the Ukrainians met by Europe 1 seem rather resigned.
‘No one will fight for us,’ say Ukrainians
Vladimir Putin is unpredictable, only he decides, according to the local population. “If he opens a new front, no one will fight for us”, repeat many reservists, fathers and mothers in Kiev, the capital, or closer to the border. “No one will come to defend our house in our place,” they add. The Ukrainians have almost no hope on this point. If the Russian troops lead an offensive, it will be the inhabitants who will take up arms and populate the trenches, not the Europeans.
A painful precedent in 2014
This lack of confidence on the part of Ukrainians is explained by a feeling of deja vu, in a way, especially in 2014. In that year, the annexation of Crimea was followed by the start of the war in Donbass against pro-Russian separatists. At the time, Europeans were particularly outraged. They had adopted the Normandy format, which brings together Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany at the negotiating table, and which Emmanuel Macron’s government talks a lot about. The peace talks were linked without ever slowing down Moscow, and without stopping the war which has lasted and worn out the Ukrainians for eight years.