Anatolijs was one of the first to go pick up the refugees who wanted to come to Ventspils, and soon he will be on his way again. “I am not a Ukrainian citizen formally, but I am that in my conviction. It is my land, too. And if things are difficult, you need to help your land. There is no other motivation. And if I can help with anything, I'll do everything I can,” he said.
On the border, it looks like there is enough help on the spot: there are clothes, hygiene products, and food for the Ukrainians. At the same time, there is almost a race among drivers – who will host the refugees, whose country they will choose, said Anatolijs.
“There is a crowd of drivers from all over Europe who wish to host refugees. Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Poland. Everyone stands with those posters... if it all wasn't that painful. No one wanted Latvia. Germany, Poland, that is understandable many have relatives there,” said Anatolijs.
According to Anatolijs, if he were younger, he would be out in the field fighting. Currently, he ponders the idea of buying a bus to return to the border.
Latvia is currently prepared to host 10,000 potential refugees from Ukraine.
