As negotiations continue between Ukraine and Russia, Moscow has announced a “radical” reduction of its operations around kyiv and in the north of the country, statements greeted with skepticism in the West. But on the side of the Ukrainian refugees, the return is all the same in many minds.
From our special correspondent in Korczowa, Simon Roze
Camp Korczowa, on Poland’s border with Ukraine. It’s a huge warehouse, where children play ball in the middle of adults, most often their mothers, who are resting. Ludmila is charging her mobile phone. She lived in Kharkiv and hesitated for a long time before fleeing with her daughter and her dog. She crossed the border the day before.« It had become too dangerous because of the bombardments “, she says.
But this family does not know anyone in Poland, and as soon as they have the opportunity, Ludmila will want to go home. ” Obviously ! We had a good life in Ukraine, if we find a place to stay, we will stay until the end of the war. Otherwise I don’t know “, she continues.
” We don’t know how long we’ll stay »
A little further, Liana was already in Poland for studies, she came to the border to look for her mother and their dog, who fled Dnipro. And there too, they have no intention of settling in Poland. ” We don’t know how long we’ll stay, and we don’t really follow the negotiations. But we’ll be back as soon as possible “, she hopes.
Conversely, some families choose to stay. This is the case of Iulia and her two teenagers. They too fled Dnipro, they have relatives in Poland to welcome them and start a new life. ” We would like to stay forever. Our children will have a better future, and they will be able to go to school. And then we can help and build something in Poland “, she slips. But, for the moment, the family is not complete, Yulia’s husband is still in Ukraine.