'I pray for this to end peacefully': Ukrainian Canadians on edge
Volodymyr Vorobets has immense worries on his shoulders.
The London, Ont. resident, who grew up in Ukraine, fears rising tensions between his homeland and Russia may draw his nephew into a war.
“My oldest brother has a 24-year-old son that could be drawn at any time to go and fight, so they are, of course, worried.”
Vorobets, the president of the London Ukrainian Centre, says the city’s large Ukrainian community is on edge.
“We are extremely concerned and worried about of friends, families and fellow Ukrainians.”
While Russia denies it is planning an invasion, Vorobets says if one comes, Ukrainians are ready to resist.
“Ukraine will fight back. They are ready to fight and will fight with whatever they've got. People are ready to fight with sticks and stones if that happens.”
Erika Simpson, an associate professor and NATO researcher at Western University, concurs.
“You do not want to get into a long-term guerrilla war against Ukrainian resisters, 'cause Ukrainians are going to resist. It would be a bloody war, and it would be long.”
Simpson does not believe war is imminent, even though she calls the situation a “crisis."
She argues Russian President Vladimir Putin is posturing, for now.
“I don’t think there will be a land war, nor an attack by Russia. If there was, it would be in August or September, not in the winter.”
That, Simpson says, leaves at least six months for a possible diplomatic solution.
Still, she worries about an 'accidental war,' saying, “If we start sending more troops and more and more equipment, like the Baltic countries are doing, then maybe we’ll get a war by escalation, accidental escalation.”
Vorobets shares the same fears as he hopes for a resolution that ensures ensuring the safety of all.
“I pray for this to end peacefully...I truly hope that common sense and humanity will prevail and we will survive this. If something goes bad there, the whole world will be affected.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for ‘oafish’ comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.