People in northern Ontario with ties to Ukraine keep a close eye on border tensions
People in northern Ontario with ties to Ukraine are keeping an anxious eye on border tensions with Russia, and are hoping things can be resolved peacefully.
Sonia Peczeniuk is secretary for the Ukrainian National Federation in Sudbury. Both her mother and father were born in Ukraine.
Peczeniuk said she is disappointed the situation has escalated to this point. Russia has amassed a huge number of soldiers and equipment near its border with Ukraine, as western countries warn of consequences should an invasion take place.
While the world is paying close attention now, Peczeniuk said problems have been brewing for a long time.
"This is a situation that has been place since 2014 -- that’s eight years," she said.
"Since that time, there have been 13,000 people killed, 30,000 wounded and 1.5 million people internally displaced … During all of this time, there has been ongoing conversations between the United States and the NATO powers, etc., trying to get a resolution."
Peczeniuk said she has roughly 30 family members still in Ukraine and said what she has heard is that citizens in the area are starting to arm themselves.
"So if they can, they are buying guns, ammunition, but in the villages in particular they are not well off and they’re going to use pitchforks or whatever they have to defend themselves," she said.
Orest Lawryniw from Timmins also has family and friends in Ukraine. He said they are telling him people are not overly concerned about a Russian invasion at this time, but are preparing themselves anyway.
"They are hoping it’s going to be resolved and they don’t seem to feel like it’s going to be a conflict that will happen -- they are hoping it won’t happen," said Lawryniw.
“I think with the world reacting the way they are and basically standing up to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and saying, 'if you do this, we’re going to put sanctions on you and take some action.' Hopefully, he will back down because he has a huge alliance of people that are up against him right now."
Both Peczeniuk and Lawryniw are hoping it can all be resolved before any serious conflict takes place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.