Ukrainian family in Saskatoon worries war with Russia is ‘inevitable’

Petro and Iryna Skirchuk and their seven-year-old daughter have only been in Canada for eight months, but they knew when they visited in the past that they wanted to make this country their home.

“The main reason was to find a country with values we believe in like freedom and equity,” Petro said. “We had been to Canada before. We actually felt in Canada we knew about different provinces, different cities.”

That feeling has been reinforced, especially in recent weeks, after Russia placed more than 100,000 troops along the Ukrainian border, sparking fear of an invasion and potential European war.

“Definitely life in Canada is much smoother. Everything is peaceful,” Skirchuk said.

That peace and security is something he said they haven’t experienced in Ukraine for many years.

“Russian took Crimea and after that, they invaded the border with Ukraine and occupied some territories in the east part of our country. After that, everybody in Ukraine understood that one day they will continue. They will invade other territories,” he said.

“When you have a border with a country like Russia — Putin’s regime — you’ll clearly understand … they potentially will invade.”

While living there, Skirchuk worked for the United Nations and spent a lot of time near border territories. He said several years ago, most people were terrified of what might happen. But now, people simply go about their days, knowing a military invasion is very likely.

“After years of a possible invasion, you’re used to living with it,” Skirchuk said. “You understand it. In Ukraine, everybody is ready, I would say. In the beginning, when the Russians started to occupy territories, there was a lot of … it’s like you don’t know what to expect.

“After months, after years, you start to live with … one day they will continue and they will try to invade all Ukraine.”

He understands it’s a situation that’s difficult for many Canadians to comprehend.

“It’s something you have to live with. It’s something you actually have to accept. You have to accept and be ready and prepared for it,” he said.

In his opinion, war between the two countries is inevitable.

“Definitely, yes. As any dictator, Putin has to move. He has to occupy. He has to demonstrate his power to his audience. I don’t know when it will happen, but it will happen when Europe and other power countries like the United States and Canada will be weak … (The Russians) are waiting until others are weaker,” Skirchuk said.

Many of Skirchuk’s family remains in Ukraine. He and his wife keep in touch with them often.

“We talk about everything and about the situation. They are conscious of what is going to happen,” he added.

His hope is that countries like the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and others in Europe demonstrate they don’t agree with what’s going on in Ukraine and they collectively enact more than just sanctions against Russia.