Kyiv

[Jmsuttr]

Has also been saying the Ukrainians now hate foreigners. That is a grave concern, if we ever return.

Even during the pandemic I started feeling that people have not been as friendly as they were before the pandemic in this provincial city I was living in, which has been bombarded by now.

Ukrainians are under attack and, while the primary object of hate is Putin (plus all his supporters and enablers), it's not surprising that they might feel varying levels of anger at those countries they think could and should be doing more to help.

The "No Fly Zone" is probably the best current example. It's perfectly rational and reasonable for NATO countries to point out how the imposition of a NFZ would escalate the situation and likely make things worse. But Ukrainians who've lost loved ones and seen their towns and cities reduced to rubble aren't feeling particularly reasonable, and their responses are (understandably) coming from an emotional place, not a rational one.

Such strength of feeling is likely to last a long time for many, perhaps even generations. While there will certainly be individual, and perhaps regional, variations, it's my guess the level of anger against non-aggressors will be highest against the stronger NATO countries, such as the US, UK, Germany, etc. That's simply a function of the fact that they have more power to help and, in the minds of many (most?) Ukrainians, have failed to do so or failed to do enough.

It's impossible to predict the future, and much depends on how long the war continues, and how it ends, but the country and its people have already been permanently scarred. Which means that it will be prudent for anyone visiting Ukraine to take that into account.

[PokerLover11]

And when the full force and effect of crippling sanctions take grip upon the Russian people and their economy, so too shall Russia be a very different place.

Russia supplies the world with fertilizer for their crops they have sanctioned the US to not receive any until at least after December, the only thing that is crippling is this administration.

[DramaFree11]

And when the full force and effect of crippling sanctions take grip upon the Russian people and their economy, so too shall Russia be a very different place.

The entire world will change as the result of this. First Covid, now this ridiculous war, nobody wins.

[WyattEarp]

And when the full force and effect of crippling sanctions take grip upon the Russian people and their economy, so too shall Russia be a very different place.

Perhaps we will be able to get sex in Russia for a pair of jeans again.

[The Cane]

Who knows what the future will hold. What we know for sure is that Ukraine will be a very different place when this is over.

And when the full force and effect of crippling sanctions take grip upon the Russian people and their economy, so too shall Russia be a very different place.

[YummyPL]

Paradise does exist. I left to go to Moscow that was an amazing experience, at that tine it was pretty close to paradise. No now.

When you an others do not give accurate reports, you are doing a disservice to others. I got sick watching people getting screwed over. You know this as well as I do.

Obviously, you do not read some of your role models reports, they were claiming it was paradise even up until the end.

My role model?

I also enjoy Moscow. At least I did 5-7 years ago. But it is far from paradise. I can't imagine Moscow is improving.

Who knows what the future will hold. What we know for sure is that Ukraine will be a very different place when this is over.

[DramaFree11]

You left because some working girl made you her ***** and you can't let it go.

No one is saying Ukraine is a paradise. Monger paradises don't exist anymore.

Paradise does exist. I left to go to Moscow that was an amazing experience, at that tine it was pretty close to paradise. No now.

When you an others do not give accurate reports, you are doing a disservice to others. I got sick watching people getting screwed over. You know this as well as I do.

Obviously, you do not read some of your role models reports, they were claiming it was paradise even up until the end.

[YummyPL]

Sorry, you are wrong as usual. Lived there and done it. I left because of the corruption, somehow you guys conveniently leave this out of your reports. Kiev has not been this Paradise for a long tine and one of the most corrupt countries in the world. This is one of the reason Ukraine was having so many problems internationally.

I feel horrible for the people of Ukraine, not so much for there government. I have zero compassion for those returning to flight a loosening battle. Many of those left years ago because of corruption and better opportunities. They choose not to flight then to save there country, maybe they should have fought to save there country then. Ukraine was screwed either way, horrible situation. There will be no winners, maybe China.

Putin is definitely to blame, but everyone is mishandling this including America and Europe. The clown running Ukraine is also making everything worse, there will be nothing less. In war a tie is not a win.

You left because some working girl made you her ***** and you can't let it go.

No one is saying Ukraine is a paradise. Monger paradises don't exist anymore.

[DramaFree11]

Hater to the depths of his soul...if he had one.

I don't know when the last time you "walked down the street" during a military parade (I am doubtful that you ever have), but the Ukrainian military has changed dramatically in the last 8 years.

I have been in Moscow during the May Day parade. They put on a good show, but it is a very thin faade.

Sorry, you are wrong as usual. Lived there and done it. I left because of the corruption, somehow you guys conveniently leave this out of your reports. Kiev has not been this Paradise for a long tine and one of the most corrupt countries in the world. This is one of the reason Ukraine was having so many problems internationally.

I feel horrible for the people of Ukraine, not so much for there government. I have zero compassion for those returning to flight a loosening battle. Many of those left years ago because of corruption and better opportunities. They choose not to flight then to save there country, maybe they should have fought to save there country then. Ukraine was screwed either way, horrible situation. There will be no winners, maybe China.

Putin is definitely to blame, but everyone is mishandling this including America and Europe. The clown running Ukraine is also making everything worse, there will be nothing less. In war a tie is not a win.

[HulaHoops]

I'm not sure what to say to those who don't believe me. If you think what I'm saying is not true, then so be it.

I have no reason to falsify my reports or mislead anyone.

Once the war is over, I hope other Travelers come to Kyiv and experience the attitude of the Ukrainians towards foreigners.

[YummyPL]

Exactly, I did not want to say it. There is no way they can win, they never had a chance. I remember walking downtown and there was a military parade going. Both myself and my friend looked at each other and said, I hope this is not there military. Unfortunately, it was and they are getting destroyed, but as usually the media is lying, causing more unnecessary deaths.

Hater to the depths of his soul...if he had one.

I don't know when the last time you "walked down the street" during a military parade (I am doubtful that you ever have), but the Ukrainian military has changed dramatically in the last 8 years.

I have been in Moscow during the May Day parade. They put on a good show, but it is a very thin faade.

[YummyPL]

We are deciding whether to stay or move to Poland for a bit. At least to Lviv and then the border. What a terrible trip and idea to come.

<Cough> <cough> , bullshit.

While I left Kyiv just days before the invasion (my employer pulled me out against my wishes) so don't have first had reports now, I am in daily contact with dozens of people on the ground. Things are bleak, but certain contributors are just making shit up.

[Reiner Otto]

The last time I heard from her on March 2, she was still in Kyiv. Now I can no longer contact her.

She might try to go to Bulgaria, via Romania. Quite some few Ukrainians already here.

In case, Burgas (BG) the destination, I might be of help.

[Sorbonne]

Whether or not the invasion eventually happens, the threat is real, and I left Ukraine 2 weeks before the US government's recommendation for a southern European country.

A regular from Kyiv is now asking me to let her join me. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with her. I don't want her to necessarily join me, but if I refuse, it'll probably be the end of our relation.

Although I left Ukraine in early January, Putin's war has been affecting me in several different ways, one of which is:

The regular I talked about above is actually a former freebee, not a pro or semi-pro, who has been married in the last few years in Kyiv. So a few days after I left Ukraine when nobody was still not really serious about the possibility of invasion, she thought I was still in Ukraine and sent me a message, saying that she was about to get divorced and asked me if I wanted to go "crazy" with her. From her recent photos, she still appears to be in mid 20's. When I was hanging with her, she thought I was about 10 years older, whereas in fact I am more than 25 years older.

I was not sure if I wanted to get entangled with your divorce; therefore, I was not sure if I wanted her to join me. But I kept in touch with her on this matter. Then I sent her a message on Valentine's Day, saying that she should leave Kyiv to the western Ukraine at least for the next few weeks. At that time she still believed that there would be no war.

The last time I heard from her on March 2, she was still in Kyiv. Now I can no longer contact her.

[Jmsuttr]

From news reports, there were air alert sirens going off in the wee hours the last few nights. Whether those are only tests, they did not say.

As the city does not appear to be subject to bombng or missile strikes at the current time. But I believe Putin's goal now is to level the entire country and render it unlivable, and that includes Lviv. For a foreigner to stay in Ukraine now is pointless, unless you are a journalist or a relief worker or have a death wish.

He's the one in Kyiv, not me. But, for the record, I completely agree with you. Any non-Ukrainian who isn't actively involved in (or supporting) the defense effort is consuming resources that could be put to better use.