As the diplomatic options to prevent a new war in Europe appear to fade away, Ukrainians are preparing for what they fear are dark and violent days ahead. Thousands have rushed to join volunteer groups vowing to resist an invasion ordered by Vladimir Putin, one they believe may be imminent.
But there are others who hold that a conflict is being created by the behaviour of the government in Kiev, encouraged by the west, goading Moscow into a war which will end in disaster for Ukraine. It is not a popular view in much of the country which sees a force of more than 100,000 Russian troops massed at the border and the Kremlin going through the motions of talking to the west before launching an offensive.
But, standing in Freedom Square in Kharkiv, Mr Semenov was expressing views which are held, to lesser and greater extent, by a sizeable number of the Russian-speaking population in this city. “This war is being brought about by the Americans and Nato telling the people in Kiev not to compromise, using Ukraine again as their proxy,” held the 48-year-old electrical engineer. “And if the fighting does start, will Nato come here to fight the Russians? Of course not, they have already said they would not.”
Kharkiv is just 25 miles from the Russian border and 150 miles from Donetsk and Luhansk. Some of the vicious strife that led to those two cities becoming separatist republics eight years ago was also present here.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 27, 2022 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 27, 2022 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
French forces to remain on New Caledonia after riots
Police reinforcements in New Caledonia will stay as long as needed, president Emmanuel Macron has said after viewing areas devastated by deadly riots triggered by contested electoral reform in the French-ruled Pacific island.
Zelensky begs for power to hit back after Russian strike
At least seven people have been killed and two dozen injured after Russia yesterday launched a second massive airstrike on Ukraine’s Kharkiv region in as many days.
China 'punishes' Taiwan as war games staged off coast
Threatening exercises after pro-Western president elected
Vennells admits following 'grossly improper' advice
JOSH PAYNE
Case closed: the squirming of a reluctant whistleblower
There’s a perception about government – and there’s the reality they keep hidden away.
How will Reform perform without Farage's X factor?
Nigel Farage, the founder and owner of Reform UK, the rebranded Brexit Party, has announced he will not be standing for parliament in this election. After five unsuccessful general election attempts and two by-elections, he said: \"I will do my to help in the campaign, but it is not the right time for me to go any further than that.\" bit
Population grows 685,000
Migration figures seen as a blow to Sunak in election run-up
So, after 14 years, what have the Tories ever done for us?
So farewell then, the Conservative government of 2010 to 2024 – and, with its likely demise only about 40 days away, this seems as good a moment as any to attempt an obituary.
Ten top Tories in danger of losing their seats on 4 July
Rishi Sunak has finally fired the starting gun on the general election campaign, stunning Westminster by calling a snap poll for 4 July, ending months of speculation.
Tice claims the Tories are 'terrified' of Reform UK
Richard Tice has claimed that the prime minister is \"terrified\" of Reform UK as his party challenges the Tories in every single seat.