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Angry UK expats in Kiev join protest marches
| Published: | 4 Mar at 6 PM |
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The expat community in Kiev is outraged at Russia’s military push into the Crimea region, with many joining in the protests against the Russian army's presence in the country.
The majority of foreigners living in the Ukrainian capital are fully supportive of the new government and its intention to take the country into the EU. Many took part in the protests which resulted in the pro-Russian president’s fleeing the country and are still on the streets in defence of the new government.
The ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations have involved a cross-section of foreigners living and working in Kiev and Ukrainian nationals, although both sectors are expressing concerns about the prospect of waking up to find Russian tanks and troops on the city's streets. According to a UK expat married to a Ukrainian, a Russian invasion could see troops in the city within 12 hours of their crossing the border.
According to Peter Dickenson, publisher of two English-language magazines and owner of an international TV channel, hundreds of expats are supporting the daily demonstrations in favour of EU membership. The new leaders, he said, are offering Western-style democracy and a place in Europe, and it’s the only choice for expats.
The main response to the invasion of the Crimea by Russian troops, he continued, is shock. Until recently, suggestions of the likelihood of such a move by Putin were considered scaremongering, although tensions have been building up for several months.
Another magazine owner and publisher, Paul Niland, a Kiev resident for over a decade, said he still feels safe but is extremely angry at the recent developments. The excuse that the Russian army is protecting Russians in the Crimea, he added, is nonsense, as democracy holds no threat for any resident in the Ukraine.
The majority of foreigners living in the Ukrainian capital are fully supportive of the new government and its intention to take the country into the EU. Many took part in the protests which resulted in the pro-Russian president’s fleeing the country and are still on the streets in defence of the new government.
The ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations have involved a cross-section of foreigners living and working in Kiev and Ukrainian nationals, although both sectors are expressing concerns about the prospect of waking up to find Russian tanks and troops on the city's streets. According to a UK expat married to a Ukrainian, a Russian invasion could see troops in the city within 12 hours of their crossing the border.
According to Peter Dickenson, publisher of two English-language magazines and owner of an international TV channel, hundreds of expats are supporting the daily demonstrations in favour of EU membership. The new leaders, he said, are offering Western-style democracy and a place in Europe, and it’s the only choice for expats.
The main response to the invasion of the Crimea by Russian troops, he continued, is shock. Until recently, suggestions of the likelihood of such a move by Putin were considered scaremongering, although tensions have been building up for several months.
Another magazine owner and publisher, Paul Niland, a Kiev resident for over a decade, said he still feels safe but is extremely angry at the recent developments. The excuse that the Russian army is protecting Russians in the Crimea, he added, is nonsense, as democracy holds no threat for any resident in the Ukraine.
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