Unlike on the Polish-Ukrainian border, where most refugees are currently arriving, the situation on the Slovakian border is very orderly. The local authorities are well organized, nobody has to wait long in the cold. In addition to the Slovak helpers, there are also more and more Germans, Dutch and Austrians at the border crossing, offering accommodation and relief supplies. However, the well-intentioned offer causes chaos at the entrances and exits to the border, there is hardly any space left to take people away by bus. Streets are also blocked by numerous boxes with relief supplies such as baby diapers, warm clothes, washing lotions and other donations in kind.
Many of these aid supplies will never be used because: the Ukrainians do not lack chocolate or teddy bears, as a woman at the border told the Tagesanzeiger. You just want to live in peace at home again: “We don’t want any sweets. We just want someone to save us from this monster in Moscow.” Many Ukrainians turn down offers from Germans, Austrians or Dutch people to travel with them to their respective countries. According to the woman, they don’t want to be thousands of kilometers away, but only temporarily in a pacified neighboring country of Ukraine until the war is over. All of her men stayed in the country to defend themselves.
In order not to be thousands of kilometers away from their husbands, sons or fathers, most refugee women and children stay in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia or the Czech Republic. You can quickly find your way around in these countries, both the language and the mentality are very similar. Many Arab and African men who lived in Ukraine, but who are non-citizens are not conscripted, see things differently. They want to continue to Germany and Austria.
