One Member Of My Ukraine Family Is Now On Her Way To Montreal

Just got home. It has been a very long and depressing day. But there is some good news.

One of my cousins escaped to Moldova and is right now trying to arrange a flight to North America. 

She was head of the Ukraine business council a few years back. Before the war was a frequent host on a Ukraine business show. Owns prime real estate in the center of Kiev and has interests in a number of ventures. One of the first major business supporters of Zelensky when he ran for office, and was a senior adviser to the government on economic affairs. 

And now all gone in two weeks. From wealth and influence to just the clothes on your back and a suitcase of personal belongings.

She wants to be with her kids in Florida, but all the flights to the U.S. are booked. There are some flights to Canada, and I told her the priority is to leave Europe ASAP. Gave her my credit card information and told her do what is necessary, and to find the nearest Western Union so that I can send money to her. 

I told her that she needs to survive and be strong. This war is going to end one day, and Ukraine will need people like her to coordinate and manage the recovery, reconstruction, and healing that will be needed in the months and years to come.

I have not been able to contact anyone else in Ukraine. Many lines of communication have been cut. I have a very bad feeling about this.

I live in Montreal and we are getting ready for a flood of people in the coming weeks. The UN is still projecting 7 million refugees from this conflict. My gut tells me the number is going to be higher. 

When the war started I said the second worst case scenario will be scorch earth and the major cities on fire. This scenario is now in play. 

My worst case scenario is the use of tactical nuclear weapons. My gut is telling me that these weapons are now on the table, and are dependent on what NATO will do.

Taking a 30 minute break right now to catch up on some email. Correction. A lot of email. And after that I will try my best to put up a few posts.

Just one final note.

I want to thank the many readers of this blog who have sent to me your thoughtful comments and best wishes for my family and for the people of Ukraine. It is deeply appreciated.

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/CGQ9mVc