Ukrainian refugees in Edmonton skeptical of ceasefire talks

The chance for a ceasefire should leave Ukrainian refugees in Edmonton hopeful — but they've seen too many horrors and heard too many lies to find comfort in the possibility.

Ceasefire talks are ramping up between Ukraine and Russia via the United States, but those who have fled the war in Ukraine over the past three years say they’ll believe it when they see it — and even then, there’s skepticism.

“I don’t believe it,” said Nataliia Vynohradova, who has been living in Canada for more than two years after fleeing the war in Ukraine.

“I just know Russian people… it’s not only Putin,” Vynohradova said. “Some of them don’t want this war, but most people in Russia hate Ukrainians.”

She works at DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen in north Edmonton (12153 Fort Rd), which is staffed almost entirely by Ukrainian refugees.

The kitchen is filled with women who have fled the horror and violence of war.

The staff are watching the latest talks between the United States and their homeland carefully. They say they’re hopeful — even if they feel they shouldn’t be.

“It’s probably because I want this,” Vynohradova said. “Like in my heart, (I) believe this can be possible but my brain says ‘Probably not.’

Kyiv accepted a U.S. proposal that could lead to a 30-day pause between the two Eastern European countries. Russia has yet to accept.