As of: February 24, 2024, 8:35 a.m
By: Hans Kürzl
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A picture of horror: 250 apartments and various cars were destroyed in an air raid on November 25th in Vishgorod.
© Archive
February 24th marks the second anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine.
Eichenau's sister city of Wischgorod, which lies 20 kilometers north of the capital Kiev, has lived in fear ever since.
An interview.
Is that still present to people here?
Will you continue to help?
Eichenau's mayor Peter Münster and partnership officer Claus Guttenthaler describe their impressions.
Do you think that people in this country are now not sufficiently aware of the war in Ukraine or that they simply prefer to suppress it?
Peter Münster: As is unfortunately the case in all wars, people beyond the affected borders live their everyday lives largely unmolested.
The armed conflict seems far away without completely disappearing from consciousness.
Claus Guttenthaler: I don't see any repression in the German consciousness.
More likely to be overshadowed by other crises such as Israel's war against Hamas as well as personal concern due to rising prices and unpopular decisions by the federal government.
Do you notice a certain level of fatigue when providing assistance? Or has it simply faded into the background?
Münster: A lot of aid continues to go to Ukraine.
Today, as in recent years, many support services are provided beyond the public eye in the infrastructural area.
We have delivered from Eichenau primarily based on wishes and requirements and will continue to do so in the future.
Guttenthaler: The delivery of technical equipment such as a fire engine is currently pending.
Collections of personal supplies such as clothing, food or medicine are not taking place because there is currently no need in Vishgorod.
To what extent can you keep in touch with Vishgorod?
Münster: I speak on the phone irregularly with my counterpart Oleksii Momot in Vishgorod.
We also receive information via various personal contacts and messages.
How dangerous was Vishgorod during the attacks around New Year?
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Guttenthaler: Due to the proximity to Kiev, there were and are now increasing air alerts, as the Russian army is constantly flying attacks, mainly with kamikaze drones.
The Ukrainian air defense manages to shoot down a large number of these drones.
But the falling debris continues to cause damage in the greater Kiev area.
The supposed lightheartedness of last summer has given way to concerns that destruction and deaths could occur.
Münster: Unintentional damage to Wischgorod cannot be ruled out in the future due to its proximity to Kiev.
What impression do you have of the morale and perseverance of the Ukrainians?
Help through technology: The vehicles that went to Vishgorod in 2022 and the crews that transported them to the Polish-Ukrainian border.
© Kürzl (archive)
Guttenthaler: The consequences of the war are noticeable in the number of people killed or injured.
Living conditions are made more difficult by the insecure situation, the lack of economic development and hardly any measurable successes in warfare.
Ukrainians want to live peacefully in their democratic state and not come under the influence of the Russian Federation and its president.
What this means was seen in the atrocities in Bucha and Irpin.
That is why the will to defend the country and democracy remains unbroken.
Münster: In my opinion, the Ukrainians' morale and willingness to defend themselves remain very high.
However, a certain fatalism is spreading locally that rejects quick solutions.
This can have an impact on the situation.
The hope for early peace in Ukraine – how great is this for you?
Münster: Of course there is always hope, but unfortunately an imminent peace is not likely.
Guttenthaler: If Putin ends the aggression, the war will end immediately.
If Ukraine stops defending itself, the country and democracy will be doomed.
Ukraine can only defend itself successfully if the international community provides more military aid.
So far, Ukraine has only been helped enough to keep it from going under.
Calls for diplomatic negotiations fail because of Russia.
Please complete this sentence: People in Vishgorod can be helped...
Münster: ... by thinking today about how Ukraine can be rebuilt after the end of the war.
Guttenthaler: ...by continually giving them moral support and showing them that we are firmly on their side.
You can find even more current news from the Fürstenfeldbruck district at Merkur.de/Fürstenfeldbruck.