[European Times translated by Jia Yan on March 1] The Russian invasion of Ukraine has begun to enter the 6th day. Although the two sides have held the first round of negotiations, the battle continues. Ukraine calls on international volunteers to go to Ukraine to assist in the fi

[European Times March 1 translated by Jia Yan] The Russian invasion of Ukraine has begun to enter the 6th day. Although the two sides have held the first round of negotiations, the battle is still continuing. Ukraine calls on international volunteers to go to Ukraine to assist in the fight against the Russian army, and calls on foreigners to go to Ukrainian embassies around the world to sign up for it. According to the Ukrainian Embassy in France, "Many French people contacted us and were determined to go to the front line to fight side by side with the Ukrainians." The Ukrainian Embassy in France also said: "Logistics have been arranged to guide them to the reception location on the Ukrainian border." French media reports show that these French people include podiatrists, engineers and even police. They don't necessarily speak the local language, and some have never made it into Ukraine, but they have a common purpose to prepare to travel to Ukraine and support Kiev to fight the Russian invasion.

This is a street scene in Kiev, Ukraine, taken on February 24. (Photo source: Xinhua News Agency)

"knows nothing" about Ukraine

French radio station (Franceinfo) reported that in the face of Russian invasion, some foreigners were preparing to take up weapons and participate in the battle to defend Ukraine. In France, several people have said they have decided to travel to Kiev on February 28 in response to Ukrainian President Zelensky's call to fight Russian President Putin's army. This small number of French people are currently preparing to set out for Ukraine. Radio France conducted an interview with several of them.

"I have never been to Ukraine." Maxime admitted. At the age of 29, he "knows nothing" about Ukraine. However, the Somme resident mentioned that he had a grandmother born in Ukraine. "To me, they are brave people. Unfortunately, I have not received any military training and only have simple hunting experience. But I started learning to use weapons very early on," Maxim said in an interview with Radio France. "You can't shoot everywhere with a hot mind. You can't do whatever you want and shoot all moving live targets."

Maxim plans to take a bus or hitchhike to Cracov, Poland on Friday. He found other people who wanted to join the war on social media. He organized the itinerary with these people so that he would “not act alone or get lost.”

"I can't speak the local language, so it will be a little difficult, but I can speak English. I think I can still deal with it in English, but let's take a look." Maxim said that his equipment was also temporary. "I carry simple military equipment: a strap, bulletproof vest and leather boots. However, I don't have weapons, we can't cross the border with weapons."

has doctors, engineers, police...

73-year-old Essacq Baloutch considers arming himself after crossing the border. "I like President Macron very much, he will provide weapons to the Ukrainians. Then the Ukrainian army will distribute weapons to us," said Balucci, who has both French and Afghan nationality. He fought against the Soviet Red Army in Afghanistan in 1980. Today, he claims to have summoned about 20 men in the Dijon area where he lives, preparing to set out in a few days to help the Ukrainians fight against the Russians. "They are young people aged 30, 45 and 47. Their occupations include doctors (including podiatrists), engineers and municipal police," he listed them one by one.

They will take their own private car to Ukraine. "We need 17 to 24 hours on the road." Balucci called for a full mobilization. "I urge all French people who want to go with me to act as soon as possible so as to fight side by side with our Ukrainian brothers as quickly as possible." He said he had informed the government of his departure plan, and the French authorities were only warning that Ukraine was a war zone that had been listed as a red danger zone, so "officially does not recommend" going for any reason and form.

"We have received a lot of calls from French people"

Alexandra Prysiazhniuk, spokesperson of the Ukrainian Embassy in France, said at a press conference held on February 28, "We have received a lot of calls from French people who say they want to fight side by side with the Ukrainians." She explained: "For those who want to go, we have arranged logistics to guide them to the reception location on the Ukrainian border." Prisciazhniuk explained, "Our military colleagues will welcome these people with gratitude."

28, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced the move of the French Embassy in Ukraine from Kiev to Lviv. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the delegations of Russia and Ukraine held their first meeting in Belarus that day. After reaching an agreement on the "second round" of talks, the delegations of both sides returned to "the respective capitals for consultation."

(Editor: Wengeng)