More than ten years ago I was in Kyiv for the first time as a tourist. We stayed with acquaintances and friends who offered us a bed or a couch in their living room. Never for money and no matter how small her apartment was.
One of our former hosts now lives in Hanover. When we spoke on the phone last week, she was collecting donations for the victims of the war in her home country. On Friday she then sent photos of a demo organized by her church community.
Here in Berlin, too, I’ve met people over the past two weeks who are committed to helping the victims of Putin’s war and opposing his policies: Orthodox parishes are collecting medicines, aid organizations are collecting powdered milk, bandages and warm clothing.
Meanwhile, Berliners travel to Poland to pick up Ukrainian war refugees at the border. Many offer a room or an entire apartment.
While Vladimir Putin shows how cruel people can be, thousands of others show what makes us different: compassion, helpfulness, community spirit. Beyond all borders and language barriers.
This is also a consequence of this cruel war: people stand together, even within Germany. Two weeks ago the country was still torn: Corona deniers poisoned the debate about our health, drivers fought against cyclists for space on the streets, gender opponents and advocates waged a dogged war over words. Everything blown away.
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Putin’s violence shows us what really matters. Suddenly we agree: on more money for the Bundeswehr, but also on moving away from gas and coal as quickly as possible. The Green Economics Ministry is examining extending the lifespan of nuclear power plants. This is how politics should work. Fight? Yes! But for the cause and not against each other.
Which fits in with this: there are also many Russians among those who are committed to Ukraine here in Berlin. Because mutual aid knows no nationality.