The war in Ukraine has claimed thousands of lives and led millions of Ukrainians to flee their homeland. The talks held between Russia and the US concerning an end to the war have sidelined Ukraine while the frontlines remain embattled.
Nicolas Zharov of the LUkraine association explained in conversation with our colleague at RTL Lëtzebuerg that Ukraine would give its all in its defence of its territory. However, that would not be possible without the support of its allies, according to Zharov. He further states that the Russian army consistently receives new recruits, enabling it to advance on the frontlines, while Ukraine prioritises preserving human lives over territorial gains.
Zharov explains that Russia’s territorial ambitions do not only concern Ukraine, but all of Europe, posing a direct threat to European security. He warns that Russia strives toward the re-establishment of a sphere of influence and hopes that Ukraine’s European allies re-industrialise, keep helping Ukraine, and continue imposing sanctions on Russia.
Zharov also directs sharp criticism to the sidelining of the EU and Ukraine in current negotiations concerning an end to the war. He voices concern about US President Trump placing the blame of the war on Ukraine and calling President Zelensky a “dictator”, particularly for a person he deems to have done everything in his power to resist the invasion of a more powerful army.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, over six million Ukrainians are registered as refugees in Europe since the start of the war. Of those, close to 5,000 currently live in Luxembourg. Ukrainians that had found a home with host families have needed to return to partially overburdened refugee shelters, according to Zharov. He details the current problems between the employees of the Red Cross, Caritas, the National Reception Office (ONA), and the refugees with regard to mental health support. Zharov does not have the magic solution to these problems, but emphasises everyone’s desire for the end of the war, so they can finally go back home.
