There is a place, on Independence Square in kyiv, where some passers-by stop longer than elsewhere to take a photo, look for a name or cry silently. Here, in the center of the Ukrainian capital, where the pivotal moments in the country's political life took place, a memorial now stands, since the start of the Russian invasion. The space, located near a metro exit, is covered with Ukrainian flags planted in the ground for all “hero” having lost his life defending the country. There are thousands and thousands of them.
Wednesday, November 6, at the end of the day, a few hours after the announcement of Donald Trump's victory in the American presidential election, Oleh, 52, lights candles in front of the monument. The election result did not dissuade him for a moment from missing this daily ritual. “Every day I come here”, confides this father of two daughters with a weathered face (who did not wish to give his last name, like other people interviewed), owner of a small toy store in Irpine, in the western suburbs of the capital.
An air alert suddenly sounds. If the majority of passers-by along Khreschatyk Avenue do not pay attention, Oleh crosses himself while looking at the sky. Regarding the consequences of Donald Trump's coming to power, on the other hand, he says he is not worried. Scrolling through photos of his 29-year-old daughter, who joined an assault brigade after the death of her soldier husband, he even says he appreciates the side ” reckless “ of the president-elect. “Trump has no interest in letting go of Ukraine, because that would show that the United States is not powerful”he continues, dismissing with a gesture the probability that the next tenant of the White House will keep his promises to force a peace agreement with Russia. “We don't want peace, Oleh blurted. We only want victory. »
Crucial support
After yet another night of Russian bombings on several regions, Ukraine woke up on Wednesday to learn of the victory of the most unpredictable candidate for the future of the country. The subject was discussed in all the local media and overshadowed, for a time, the very bad news coming from the Eastern Front for several months. In kyiv, however, the atmosphere seemed strangely serene in the face of this leap into the unknown.
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If the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, had committed to continuing the military and financial aid invested by Joe Biden, Donald Trump has continued to promise a break. During his campaign, the Republican candidate assured several times that he would do everything, once in power, to stop the war. “in twenty-four hours”. The fear for kyiv's allies is that a rapid resolution of this war would be synonymous with territorial concessions for the benefit of Russia, and an abandonment of Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO.
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