The mood in Ukraine as tensions with Russia rise

An international effort is underway to try and stop a potential war between Russia and Ukraine.

The US and NATO have rejected Russia’s request that Ukraine be permanently banned from joining NATO.

But among the Ukrainian public, Ukrainian journalist Natalia Gumenyuk says the mood is “becoming a bit calmer”.

But she says people are “looking for a back-up plan”.

Ms Gumenyuk uged the international community to support Ukraine.

“I think Ukrainians want the democratic countries to keep united and be ready with, for instance, sanctions or any kind of leverage the western countries can put into Russia,” she told Ross and Russel.

“Ukraine is asking the world because one country can’t really stand up … to such a big country.”

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