The world is watching very closely as Russian troops and naval vessels continue to assemble along the Ukraine border.
The situation is especially distressing for Canada’s large Ukrainian population – including those in this province.
Brian Cherwick, a Canadian of Ukrainian descent whose in-laws and other family members are still living in Ukraine, says what’s been happening in recent months is seen by many as an attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to maintain popularity at home.
He says Putin is trying to maintain his popularity by perpetuating the myth that Ukraine isn’t really a country, but is part of Russia.
Cherwick says the Russian President has expressed a desire to reclaim territories once held prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Cherwick says while his family members are from the western portion of Ukraine, they have seen the devastation in eastern Ukraine, which has seen fighting for years.
He says some moved to eastern Ukraine for work, and while they were on the Ukrainian-controlled side of the disputed territory, “life has not been easy at all since all this has taken place.”
Cherwick is a member of the band Kubasonics, known as Newfoundland’s Best Ukrainian Band.
#EconWatch: #Russia currently has around 100,000 troops on the #Ukraine border and has surrounded them on three sides. The map tells the tale. pic.twitter.com/UlNFHMZcbZ
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) January 26, 2022
