”I didn't plan to evacuate at all. I just went down to the shelter in my home clothes. I had 15 minutes to leave my house”, says Yuliya Matvyeyeva, PR and Communication specialist from Kyiv, who left Ukraine and stays în Bucharest, for the moment. Yuliya is contributor at Forbes Ukraine and member at European Association of Communication Directors - EACD. In a letter from a Ukrainian woman posted on Linkedin, Yuliya writes: ”I need your help today. I am fighting for my future so that my life will not pass not in vain”.
How can we help?, I asked Yuliya. In this interview, she talks about the different types of help that Ukrainians need and what we should know about their mentality. They are used to living in crisis, in the last 16 years, they lived through 2 revolutions, 2 financial crises, and 8 year-long armed conflicts.
We have a unique spirit, a brave and independent nature. We are used to working hard and relying on ourselves only. We are used to living in a crisis, says Yuliya.
It's not only about Ukraina, she says. It's about the values we share. It's about all of us.
No wrong questions
People should ask anything. You are a bridge today between people from Ukraine and people from your country. All questions are good.
The help we need
We can see a lot of help. We are grateful.
First of all, the most important thing is: don't keep silent! Nearest countries to Ukraine, Romania, Poland, Slovakia - don't keep silence! Russia and Putin won't stop in Ukraine. Be ready! Because Ukraine wasn't ready. Nobody knows what Putin will do next.
Second: Be human! If you can, help with money. If you can't, use your voice in Social Media. Don't be afraid to say if you think what's happening in Ukraine is bad.
There will be a bit of pressure on the economy, because of the refugees. My opinion is that border countries, like Romania, Poland, should receive additional help from EU. I think all countries of EU should share this help.
Ukrainians don't want money from your government, from your taxpayers. For us it is very important to work. Give us jobs. Hire us. In our mentality, it's very important to work. We are ready to work.
What you need to know about Ukrainians
We don't panic and continue to work as usual.
We have a unique spirit, brave and independent nature.
We are used to working hard and relying on ourselves only.
We are used to living in a crisis.
Only in the last 16 years, we have lived through 2 revolutions, 2 financial crises, and 8 year-long armed conflicts, and now – again “threat of invasion”.
We don’t expect help or to be told what to do from the government.
We have very strong social relationships in our society.
We have our own vision and our own way.
We know how to joke about our challenges and are always in a good mood.
Where to go?
For me it is very difficult to ask for help.
I was in the shelter, I jumped in the car and left Kyiv and the country, without money, without clothes. I left my home without anything, in my home dress. So, when you help somebody, please look at them, try to understand what they are going through. See who is in need. Especially people with children.
When you donate, ask proof how Ukrainian or Romanian organisations use this money. Because, there is a lot of humanitarian aid. This aid should be divided between the people in Ukraine and the people that left. It's a terrible situation in Ukraine, no food, no drugs. And it's a terrible situation for the ones that left.
Romanian people are the best. When we crossed the border, we received water, food, help. There were a lot of people who wanted to help. It was amazing, we cried. We didn't expect it. We were on the road for seven hours. We were tired, with children, without water or food.
I didn't plan to leave Kyiv. I didn't plan to come to Romania. I thought about Poland - any border, it doesn't matter which. But then we saw a lot of cars on the road, we changed our destination to Romania. There is no information where to go. There is no advice. What will I do now? To tell you the truth, I don't know. I don't have where to live, where to eat, what to wear. I don't have anything. I try to stay positive. And thank the people who help me, Romanian people. I think you are the best.
There was no Plan B
A man who used to entertain the nation has become its voice today. I did not vote for Ukraine’s president. I can’t say that his courage has changed my mind, but he is in Kyiv now and inspires millions of Ukrainians in Ukraine and refugees.
Before the war, I didn't support our president messages, when he said: ”Don't panic”. He should have a Plan B. Our authorities said on television: "Don't panic. There is no invasion". They should be ready for the invasion. There were some political communication and strategy mistakes. They were not ready for the war and a lot of people died.
I don't agree that our president is a hero. He is not. What he is doing now is his responsability. He is in Kyiv now, he is brave, he is our voice. Ok. But he is the president, it's his duty.
My opinion is that all men, all women who are in Kyiv are heroes. You should understand the mentality of Ukrainians: they don't need orders from the government. We are ready to fight and we are brave.
I am absolutely pro-West. Absolutely. In general, I support membership in the EU and NATO. It's necessary to be strict with Russia's aggression. Because they will not stop. They want to destroy our country. It's very good that we receive military help and food, it's very good. But without the support from the West, we will not survive.
I support my country through my voice. My country suffers. I want to say to all: please, be kind.
Don't think that it's only about Ukraine. It's about the future of the whole world. It's not about one nation. It's about our mutual values. Don't keep silent.
