Europeans - Are you worried about safety because of Ukraine?

Thanks for the thread and the worry expressed for the minorty EuroPeas. I feel like the discussion has mostly been "Putin this, Putin that, our forces" and fuck the civilians, what civilians? so far. It's kind of easy to remain detached when you don't live on a continent that has been the theatre of the bulk of wars. We're just depressing entertainment far, far away.

I see no reason to flee or worry much for now. I am keeping an eye on the Balkans since it's clear Putin wants to create an enclave around Western Europe and has been very active fueling his anti-EU shit there, particularly Serbia (there has been a lot of discussion about the impact of the EU funds in the Balkans in late 2021 but I'd venture to guess anyone not particularly into EU affairs would not know about this or the impact of the conclusions of these talks on the region).

I am in France which is the world's third largest nuclear weapons force in the world with over 300 nuclear warheads. We are in a privileged position in terms of deterrence. My life is not at stake nor do I feel like it is. It's really unfair to reduce the current happenings to me. I stand very little chance. Putin's not coming here: he's looking to cut us off geographically and be the wall between Europe and Asia to increase his geopolitical power and returns (financially and economically). This is an emperor who doesn't like us but doesn't need to actually attack us militarily directly to pursue his ambitious goals. We will be just fine (except for the cost to carry by all EU members for Germany losing its big gas supply *deep sigh* and the already immediate impact of the war re: stock markets).

There is no reason to leave Western Europe. There is reason to really, really worry about Eastern Europe.

My friend's family is in Poland - they're terrified. I don't know how much is an expectation of attack in the future, dealing with the coming refugee crisis or just seeing yet again Russian becoming aggressive.

I’m anxious. I’m more worried about this than I am about Covid and I don’t normally worry about things. I think this is what comes of being the child of parents who went through WWII and were both young during WWI. I have European cousins whose parents had to flee their homeland and others who had to change their surnames so they didn’t stand out. Their experiences all left a big impression on me.

I’m not worried for my physical safety, I’m worried for our economy. I am worried for Eastern Europe and what might happen to the civilians. On the lunchtime news the reporters were questioning Russians on the street and all bar one was saying this is not a Russian war, it’s a Kremlin war. That hardly matters, if the troops are told to attack then they will.

I was talking about the board.  I don't watch US news (obviously since I don't live in America  ).

My 20 y/o dd is in Prague on a semester abroad program. I am wondering how worried I should be for her.

I live in Finland so I'm worried. More worried than I've ever been. But life here continues as normal and I don't really want to give my worries too much space.

Considering we're using the term finlandisation for Ukraine right now (which refers to being forced to mandatory neutrality for those not in the know), I totally understand your worries and fears. It must be very uncomfortable up there right by Russia. It does look like Putin is fully focused on the region to the south of Russia so it's very unlikely he'll suddenly move to Finland but still, ugh, to live so close!    Big hugs.

Same confidence from within the EU sphere. I have a couple of friends working in Strasbourg and others in Brussels, there's no way Putin attacks EU. That changes the game entirely. Ukraine is in the unfortunate lone ex-Eastern Bloc wolf position (that Russia and Putin have kept them in over the decades), outside of NATO and the EU. 

I see. I almost never post on or read the political threads, so I did jump to the conclusion that you were talking about non-Europeans in general. 

I just wanted to assure you (for what my opinion is worth) that people in general are deeply concerned about what is happening in Ukraine and how that will effect the lives of ordinary Ukrainians and all Europeans.  Honestly, it makes me sad to think that Ukrainians or other Europeans might be thinking that the rest of the world doesn’t care or think about them. I know that is probably the least of their concern right now, but it still makes me sad. I just wish I had the power to do something more than care right now.

I have relatives in east Slovakia. I'm not really close to them but I have been to visit and stayed at their homes. I'm concerned about their safety.

Strangely, when I went to visit them in the 80's, there were Russian military planes that had a base in the area.  We heard them all the time.

While being afraid for ones physical well being is probably a bit premature, one can be certain that if he succeeds in Ukraine it will encourage him to look around a bit more. And let’s not forget the ability of cyber hacks to influence unrest within Europe and the US.