(Joshua Paladino, Headline USA) From the perspective of Ukraine’s citizens and leaders, America and the European Union’s insistence that Russia may soon invade the former Soviet nation seems like a “political game,” Just the News reported.
Inside Ukraine’s capitol, Kiev, the atmosphere does not suggest an imminent invasion, according to former Ukrainian infantry officer Yaroslav Vasylyuka and a current Ukrainian soldier, who identified himself as Anatoly.
“The majority of the population don’t believe in the intentions of Russia,” Vasylyuk said. “It looks like a political game, despite all the deep concerns in the U.S. and E.U.”
Anatoly has noticed greater fear of invasion among his American relations than among Ukraine‘s soldiers and people.
“They call me every day, asking, ‘Did they attack?’ I tell them, ‘Would I be talking on the phone if Russia attacked?’ Myself, I do not believe this will happen,” Anatoly said.
Instead, the Ukrainian people’s primary political concern seems to be restrictions on their liberties, which the government imposed under the guise of COVID-19.
As in the United States and around the world, Ukrainians have been protesting against vaccine mandates and other curtailments of civil and natural liberties.
“They march against mandates, but not against Russia,” he said. “What does that tell you?”
Ukraine’s leaders expressed dismay when President Joe Biden suggested that the United States may ignore Russia if it makes a minor incursion into Ukraine, yet they have remained relatively calm about the prospect.
“There is no reason for panic,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky after a meeting with the National Security and Defense Council.
The United States told embassy officials in Ukraine to evacuate their family members, but Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said the notice is unnecessary.
“While we respect right of foreign nations to ensure safety and security of their diplomatic missions, we believe such a step to be a premature one and an instance of excessive caution,” he said.
Vasylyuka said the American and European fervor has some unknown political goal.
“I don’t feel any special atmosphere about the invasion,” he said. “In my opinion, for unknown reasons there is an exaggeration of real threats, an overestimation of risks.”
“The logical explanation is to press the Ukrainian government to make concessions to Russia,” he added.
