Support for victims of the war in Ukraine is increasing to Dijon ! More than 200 people gathered this Saturday, February 27 around Republic Square. Initiated by the Ukrainian community, the new mobilization attracted more people than the first in the same place the previous Thursday.
The creation of an association to help victims is now being considered in Dijon, where the town hall waves the Ukrainian flag in front of the Hôtel de Ville, alongside the French and European flags. Come on the rally, Mayor Francois Rebsamen briefly took the floor: he specified that the city “stand ready” to welcome refugees, a wish shared by other French cities, such as Lille, where the mayor Martine Aubry plans to receive asylum seekers “should it become necessary.”
– Alexandre Lepere
“Global pressure from protesters is helping”
The Ukrainians of the Côte-d’Or are naturally worried about the fate of their compatriots who have remained there. The Dijon rally was marked by several speeches: “long live Ukraine, long live France” and specific requests, such as the military intervention of Western forces to prevent the action of the Russian air force, which is not planned for the moment by NATO or France. “Ukrainian soldiers ask you to support us“ thus launched Yuliya in front of the crowd, one of the organizers of the Dijon mobilization.
Beyond symbolism “the global pressure of protests is helpingit should not be underestimated” said Anastasia, who also participated in pro-Europe protests in Kyiv in 2014. “It’s good that it’s not just Paris among the cities mobilized in France. I hope it will give hope in Ukraine. It will show Vladimir Putin that everyone is against him. He’s a powerful and intelligent person, but we shouldn’t underestimate our pressure. When we all come together, we form a psychological pressure that can work.”
“It’s good that it’s not just Paris among the cities mobilized in France. When we all come together, we form a psychological pressure that can work.” Anastasia, a Ukrainian participant in the rally in Dijon.
Among the targeted needs, Ukrainian nationals also ask for rapid drug delivery in Ukraine, and the repatriation of Ukrainians living in France, but stuck in the country.