24 hours after the recognition of the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, Russia describes as a “peacekeeping force” the presence of the Russian army in the breakaway regions, but in reality Ukraine and with it and the whole world are waiting, holding their breath, to see what the next moves of the Russian president and how far it will go. At the same time, the European Union remains divided over the package of sanctions to be imposed on Russia.
It should be noted that in the midst of cataclysmic developments with today’s announcement, the Foreign Minister points out that those who wish assistance for their departure from Ukraine, are urged to contact the Greek authorities in Ukraine- in Kiev, Mariupol and Odessa.
The Newsbeast talked to the businessman and major builder in Ukraine Panteli Bouboura, Greek businessman and with the title of Honorary Consul of Greece in Yalta. Mr. Boubouras lives half the time in Odessa – in the south of Ukraine – and the other half in Kiev and Greece. His real estate and construction company is based in Odessa. He has been living in Ukraine for 25 years and his origin is from Lemnos.
Odessa is the fourth largest city in Ukraine and an important port in the Black Sea. In this city there is a fairly organized Greek community with deep roots and strong Greek culture since the beginning of the 19th century – remember that the Friendly Society was established here.
“Things are not bad for the whole of Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe it is difficult now,” Mr. Boubouras began, telling us: but also other states.
Its expansionist purpose will not stop in Ukraine unless it is stopped. He should first be stopped by the Russian people themselves, they are not interested in what he is doing. There is a lot going on, there is no longer a Minsk agreement. This must be understood by the whole world. But the Germans do not help, they create problems in Europe. If Europe and America do not do something drastic this time, Bulgaria and Greece may face other problems in the future. “Everything is a matter of interests.”
“Ukrainians are used to this Cold War climate”
According to Mr. Bouboura, the Ukrainians are still largely cool. As he notes: “Ukrainians are accustomed to the Cold War climate. Whatever will be, will be. War; War. Destruction; Destruction. Ukrainians from 2014 onwards have become accustomed to living under Russian threats. The power of habit is great power. But it does not eliminate fear. Now the fear has come true. The time has come. We are waiting to see what will happen.
The point is not to shed blood on either side, and I say this for the Chechens and for everyone. People are all. However, what I believe Russia wants for Ukraine is a slow economic death. I used to be pro-Russian, as are the Greeks in the homeland to a large extent, but let them come and live with the permanent threat and we will see “.
Explaining this slow financial death described by Mr. Boubouras, he says: “Right now my jobs have dropped by at least 70%. Who buys apartments now? Recently I fortunately sold some at the old prices. Now prices in Ukraine have risen 30% in just a few months. People have stopped spending because they do not know what will happen tomorrow. The unknown worries us. At the same time, Ukraine is collapsing economically. That is the purpose of Russia».
“We will not leave here”
Despite the extremely difficult landscape that has been formed, Mr. Boubouras says that he, like many other Greeks in Odessa, does not intend to leave the city. As he says: “We are in the middle of the sea and we try to keep our composure. What I set up here for 25 years I can not leave. I have children and grandchildren here. And not only me but all Greeks who have businesses in Ukraine. We will not leave here. My wife went down to Lemnos but I will come back to bring her here again. Where to go; If something happens to the Turks in my hometown of Lemnos, for example, will the people of Lemnos leave? Ukraine is now my second home. It’s not just about money.
However, people are not panicked, nor have they rushed to the super markets to buy supplies, nor are they making hysterical moves.ς. Only in Greece do we do this. Fortunately, no matter what happens, Ukraine has a great deal of food security. We will have to eat “.
Source: News Beast
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